“Before you say no, listen to what I have to say. If you’re worried about others seeing it, don’t. It is visible only to those in the community. You probably never noticed it, but you’re surrounded by more of our kind of people than you think. So no one will look at you any differently. Hell, some will be jealous of you.”
Star pressed a finger to Anubis’s lips, stopping anything he might say next.
“I would be honored to wear your collar.” Star smiled.
Anubis chuckled and put the collar on him, then kissed him on the lips. “Thank you, baby. Now enjoy your breakfast and get cleaned up. We have a few things to discuss.” He put Star back on the bed, stood, and pointed to another door. “I had one of my people buy you some clothes. You're free to walk around naked since this is now your home, as it is mine.” Anubis smiled. “I'm really happy about what happened today and last night, Star.”
“Me too,” Star said. He really was. For a strange reason, he felt that everything between him and Anubis was settled, and they would be fine no matter what.
Anubis kneeled next to him. “Our relationship has changed now, Star. Remember, there's nothing we need to keep from each other. I get that it will take time for us to open up, but no matter what, I'll be here for you.”
Star nodded in understanding of having someone who would have his back through thick and thin. A truth he felt differed from his relationship with Thornton.
“Same here,” he said.
“Good.” Anubis stood and kissed him on his lips. “Eat up. I know you're famished after last night.” He went to walk away, but Star grabbed his robe and looked up at him pitifully, making his eyes round and watery, catlike.
“Aren't you going to eat with me?”
Anubis seemed to know what Star was doing. “Your cute kitty eyes won't work all the time. I already ate, but I'll stay with you while you eat.”
“I don't want you to watch me. I want you to feed me,” he said cutely. “Please, Daddy.”
They stared at each other, and for a second, Star thought he would get teased for acting like a spoiled baby, but he couldn't help it. Anubis brought something out in him, and he wanted to be spoiled and pampered by the other man.
“Okay, I'll feed you.”
Star smiled happily when Anubis sat behind him and pulled him close to his chest. For the next hour, Anubis fed Star as they talked about this and that. Star revealed how he happened to end up in Valleywood, and his connection to Thornton, glossing over some of the abuse from his previous relationship. Even though most of it was about the man from his past life. But he also alluded to Thornton being the reason he walked away from a deal with Equi-Noxx, to his phone call with Tanner.
“So, all Tanner had to say was he had a part for you, and you hopped on a plane?”
“He's been my best friend since high school, and he knew how much I wanted to be a movie star.” Even if he wasn't the same person, the Tanner he knew from both lifetimes had similar qualities. Star smiled. “He really hasn't changed much and will make a great father.”
“I think so, too. I’ve actually been trying to steal him away from Azazel. But that red-eyed devil won’t have it. The bastard.”
Star sat up and looked at Anubis. “You talk as if you’re friends with the owner of Valleywood Studios.”
Anubis chuckled. “Baby, I’m more than just friends with him. We’re business partners. I own shares in Valleywood Studios.”
“Holy shit,” Star said in shock. “I knew you were wealthy, but I had no idea I hooked up with a rich daddy.”
Anubis chuckled. “You now own half of what I own.”
Star was confused why Anubis would say that but didn’t ask him because he didn’t want to seem greedy or that he’d agreed to sign a contract with him because he was rich. “Can I ask you a question?”
“Sure?”
“I wasn’t seeing things last night. You also had fangs?”
“You weren’t.” Anubis gave him a toothy grin, and Star spotted the sharp incisors. Star reached up and pressed a finger at the point, then looked up at Anubis.
“What are you?” Star said in awe.
Anubis didn’t answer him, but two tall ears slowly sprouted from his hair, and his face shifted into that of a jackal. He'd seen the butler guy with a jackal mask, or maybe it wasn't a mask, but looking at Anubis's, it looked different.
“Oh, wow.”
Star sat up on his knees, staring at Anubis. He reached out a hand to touch his face but stopped. When he was going to pull his hand back, Anubis grabbed it and brought it to his cheek. His skin was smooth, not leathery like Star would have thought. He looked into Anubis's eyes, which seemed to be brighter, as if glowing like the sun, but not blinding.
