So far, the closest I’ve come to any of it is… well, Jonathan.But that is a very different animal.
Then there’s Angel Alvarez. The first person in recorded history I’ve had the desire to spend an extended amount of time with in any romantic sense…
And he’s locked in a cage, hidden away from society and any prying eyes.
But I’m not hiding him because I’mashamed. I’m certain that’s not it.
The cage is strictly to keep him here and keep him safe, because I will not lose him again. And I will not run the risk of ever eventhinkinghe’s been harmed again.
Over my goddamn dead body.
Approaching the cage, I’m instantly on alert because I don’t see them—AngelorArianna. There’s no little bird, at least not visibly, and my heart is thumping even more aggressively as I stalk up to the bars, gripping them and peering inside.
The door to the en suite is open. He must be in there… getting ready.
The thought brings a gentle curve to my lips as I stand and stow my extreme eagerness to see how he’s dressed tonight.
The kid is sincerely a wonder to me. His fashion sense is astounding,Ariannaresembling the models you see on catwalks in Paris or Milan. I’ve yet to see how this has evolved hisAngellook, though I’m sure it’s equally dazzling. This could be attributed to the fact that the dresser is stocked mostly withfemale attire, which was nothing more than a happy accident, I suppose.
Patience is fizzling away with every second I stand out here, but I don’t want to barge in and interrupt. I know nothing of dating, but something tells me coming across as a roguish captor with no boundaries right out the gate might put a damper on the evening…
And he’s likely going to be starting out pretty angry with me in that regard. Best not to make it worse.
Nerves are getting the better of me when three whole minutes pass without him showing himself, and I’m becoming increasingly concerned. I don’t like not being able to see him, just to know he’s here.
But then I hear the water turn on, then off.He’s using the sink…
“Pajarito?” I call out softly, biting my lip.
He pops his head out, green eyes wide. “Um, hi.”
“Está bien?” I run my finger along the lock in the gate while marveling at how pretty he is, even just his face.
“Uh-huh. I just wasn’t sure… what to wear,” he stammers.
My fingers are twitching. “Are you naked in there?”
“No.” He scowls, and I chuckle. “I didn’t want to be underdressed. You’re always in a three-piece suit. Do you even own normal clothes?”
“Is this how we’re beginning the date? With you criticizing me?” I smirk.
He’s clearly trying very hard to stifle his own amusement. “Seems pretty on-brand for us.”
“If you’re not naked, then come out and let me see what you have on,” I rasp. He continues to give me one of his little glares, and it’s so cute, I physicallymusttouch before I expire. “Don’t make me come in there and drag you out by your hair, baby bird.”
Of course I’m teasing—mostly—but I know he likes the domineering possession. Even if I weren’t able to see it plainly on the flush in his perfect face, last night was all the indication I needed.
I’d been balancing on a tightrope with Angel, between knowing he’s never truly been comfortable with real physical intimacy, wanting to respect his boundaries, and being, well…me. Predatory in my yearning to unleash my every primal desire on him, because it has felt like a natural instinct in me from the moment I laid eyes on him at Edge toclaimhim, inside and out.
Our first night together in the cage was a revelation; learning about who he is, his own gender fluidity, and what that means for my endless ambition to endow him with the pleasure he craves, but has never received.
But then last night, he was taunting the animal in me. It became clear that hewantedthe aggression I’d been holding back…
And he got it. In spades.
Oddly enough, though, it felt nothing like the ways I’ve dominated the bodies of my sexual partners in the past. This was different…
It’sdifferentwith Angel. I acknowledge that, and I’m prepared to explore it further, despite how foreign this whole concept is to me, and how inadequately equipped I feel I’d be as a partner. True, I’ve never tried, but still… I think I’m probably the last person who could be consideredboyfriend material.At least on this island.
