Tonight, you will cause a scene,Marcus replied.Not a big scene, but I want to see that clever mouth of yours put to use in front of Clarissa. Drag me through the mud. Make her think youhateme.
Why?
It’s not your place to ask.There was a pause. Lucian frowned at the screen. He knew that Marcus was involved in kink—and by the looks of it, that meant some form of BDSM—but Lucian still wasn’t sure how he felt about it. He’d left most of his issues behind at Stonecrest, but there were niggling triggers that got the best of him from time to time. Being owned was hot as hell, but it also made him nervous.But tonight, you’re allowed to question me. If you can pull this off, we’ll draw attention away from ourselves. Clarissa won’t suspect a thing, and as far as I’m concerned, she is the only one who might find out oursecret.
Lucian squirmed on the couch. He knew that what they were doing was wrong, but he couldn’t help himself. Even the mention of it made his heartflutter.
So u want me to act like I can’tstandu?
Yes.
Okay.Lucian took a deep breath and committed himself to tonight’s performance. If he went through with it, it would mean he was committed to keeping the secret alive.I’ll see utonight.
KnobCreek,neat.
Lucian could neverforget.
* * *
“Hey, new boy.”Marcus sat on one of the bar stools, his expression lascivious. Lucian turned to face him, keeping the way his pulse raced from showing in his face. Tonight was about acting, and he wasn’t about to slip up now. “What are you doing behind the bar on a Fridaynight?”
“Staying the hell away from men like you.” Lucian let the lowball glass hit the counter a little more dramatically than usual. From the corner of his eye, he watched as Clarissa took stock of what was going on. Lucian got the impression that she was worried. “It’s been four weeks now. When are you going to giveitup?”
Marcus’ smirk wasn’t fabricated. “When I get whatIwant.”
The thrill of their subtle flirtation made Lucian want to smile, but his face stayed a stony mask of impartiality. He poured the Knob Creek Marcus always ordered, then slid it across the counter to him. Marcus caught it in his palm. “Then here you go—you got what you wanted. Now give me whatIwant and leave mealone.”
The smirk on Marcus’ face crept into his eyes, and Lucian wanted nothing more than to jump the bar and sink onto his lap. “Boys like you don’t deserve to be alone on a Friday night. Let me give you somecompany.”
“I’m here to work, not to be preyed on by creepy old men.” Lucian didn’t know how old Marcus was, but he was at least ten years older than he was, if not more. To Lucian, age didn’t matter, but the way his statement lit up Clarissa’s face did. She was falling for it. “I’ll call security if you don’t listen to me andbackoff.”
Marcus’ smirk faded. The disappointment and reproach on his face was artificial, but Lucian could barely pick it apart from genuine sentiment. From a distance, Clarissa had to believe itwasreal.
“I know when I’m not wanted,” Marcus said, voice stern. He stood, drink in hand, and shot Lucian a look that told him it wasn’t over. Lucian could barely contain his excitement. It waswrong, but it felt so right. “I’ll be going. You’re not worth thechase.”
“Then go.” Lucian’s voice was just as cold. “I don’t want to see you here everagain.”
But after hours, outside of The Shepherd’swalls?
That was a differentstory.
As Marcus left, Clarissa came over. She nodded her chin toward Marcus as he retreated. “Do you need help with him? I can have security throw him out if he’s making you feel uncomfortable. Everyone knows that you don’t play with thestaff.”
Lucian shook his head. “He got the message. I don’t think he’s going tobeback.”
“As long as you’re sure.” Clarissa squeezed his shoulder, then patted his back and went to tend to the patrons who’d started to cluster around the bar. “Proud of you,Lucian.”
Lucian was proud, too, but for different reasons. They’d pulled off their deception without ahitch.
Their secret wouldbesafe.
Lucian got backtowork.
14
Marcus
Waiting was divine torture.Seconds ticked by like passing seasons, minutes lasting decades that bled into infinity. In the tiny offshoot of the back alley, Marcus had nothing more to keep him company than the scant light that made it past the overhang and his ownthoughts.
