Oz leaned back and stroked his chin while considering. “How about Cap?”
“Which one is that?” Darby squinted.
Spinning the chair, Oz pointed to his own dressing table, where the mirror was plastered with pages from various comic books. An array of musclebound men in masks and tights were represented, and he could have meant any of them, which he seemed to realize before he tagged on, “Steve Rogers? Captain America.”
When Darby’s puzzled look persisted, Oz tried again. “The guy with the shield.”
Darby gave a staccato nod. “Shield. America.”
“He was in the army too,” Oz offered, and Darby’s orange eyes flashed.
“God, I love a military man.” He leaned against his table in a mock swoon. “Something about camouflage…”
“Cap mostly wears red and blue, though,” Oz said, clearly concerned he was about to get a completely different kind of face paint.
Darby recovered himself with a toothy grin. “That I can do.”
Rummaging in his tote, Darby pulled out a smaller bag with the name OZ stamped on it in glittering gems. He laidpots of powder and a tube of concealer on the counter, then glanced at me.
“Zeph? Why don’t you shadow me tonight?”
“In VIP?” I asked.
He nodded, causing paper-white curls to sweep around his horns.
While the rest of us performed predominantly onstage, Darby did the bulk of his business behind closed doors, catering to the club’s most exclusive clientele. Executives booked his services all night, every night. It might have been enviable, imagining him lounging in posh suites, sipping cocktails and nibbling on the tray of sensual foods that came with the pricey bottle service. There were reasons people paid thousands for his company, and they only had a little bit to do with his charming personality.
Still, it was a kind offer, and not one I was in a position to refuse, so I bobbed my head. “Thank you.”
Darby flashed a smile and dipped in to apply foundation to Oz’s jaw.
“Maybe you’ll meet someone nice,” he mused, and his eyes flicked up to meet mine. “It doesn’t have to be sex, you know. Plenty of people would pay just to have their hands on you, Cherry. On your terms.”
Sampling lust wasn’t enough. I knew that, and Maslow knew it too. I needed more. Craved it. Lay awake at night with my gut grumbling and my heart clenching in my chest.
Sex was an appetite that couldn’t be sated by anything less. So, I would make it my mission to meet someone. Nice was optional. I would settle for tolerable. Or efficient. It didn’t need to be a production, just a physical act with no feelings or expectations involved. Ultimately, I was a vessel, and I needed someone to fill me.
CHAPTER
THREE
Beck
The world had changed since the discovery of demons. Or, more accurately, since demons made themselves known. It wasn’t a group effort. More like a single, power-hungry asshole went on a phoenix hunt and turned Hell inside out. Spoiled a millennia-old secret and ruined a good thing for the rest of us.
I knew times were different, but I was made keenly aware of it when the Fortune 500 CEO on the limo seat beside me leaned over and said with a wink, “I like pretty boys.”
He didn’t mean me.
Six feet tall and stubbled, I was more rugged than pretty. Polished, maybe, in my Armani suit and Louboutin loafers. The goal was refined. Professional. Trustworthy. The kind of guy you would gladly shake hands with. I did a lot of handshaking.
Ewing Livingston, my client of the night, had made aconfession that was hardly out of the ordinary. I heard that shit all the time. But usually, it was announced after a bottle of wine and some worrying of a wedding ring like they were afraid I’d run and tattle to their wives. Like I didn’t know as well as anyone that what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas.
But Livingston was bold. Brash. Wearing a smug smile and waiting for me to give the chauffeur directions.
I knew every inch of Sin City and had sampled the eye candy at clubs and bars on both sides of the Strip. But for Livingston’s appetites, one destination stood out above the rest.
“Hey, Coll?” I signaled my business partner from her position in the driver’s seat.
