“None like you.”
I laughed softly. “You’re my favorite demon boyfriend.”
“You have more than one?” you teased.
“Maybe.” I flashed you a flirtatious grin.
“I’d challenge any of your suitors to best me.”
That turned me on. It meant you wanted me for yourself. My erection pressed against my snug, confining pants. I grabbed your hand and guided it there. Your fingers tightened without any prompting.
“I have so much to give you,” I said in a low, lusting voice. I brushed my nose against yours and felt your ragged breath. “Whatever and whenever you want.”
You cupped the back of my head and guided it to your chest. Your nose was in my hair while your entire body curled around mine like a shell around a snail. Your pelvis rocked gently into me, just a little, probably so you could try and deny it later.
“Patience, Orlando.”
I vowed then that I would wear you down, day by day, hour by hour.
It was only a matter of time.
12
Henri
We found out that afternoon you’d made it into the company’s ballet school. I’d had to relinquish my body and tend to some business but returned in time to hear the director announce their new entrants with your name among them. I’d known you as a child, then as an adolescent, and hopefully, one day, I’d know you as a man.
The saucy boy named Bruno made it in as well. I was glad for it. He’d make a good companion for you. Troublemaker that you were, you convinced Bruno to celebrate your mutual successes by sampling “the best ganja Miami has to offer,” and you used Bruno’s dormitory phone to call your old friend Tyrell.
Tyrell was reluctant to meet, but you turned on the charm and relayed to him your recent achievement, and when that didn’t convince him, you promised to pay double. Half an hour later, the three of you were cruising through the streets of Miami, partaking in hallucinogenic drugs from the comfort of Tyrell’s tinted automobile.
And I was along for the ride.
“This is good erva,” Bruno exclaimed with a rough cough and passed the blunt over to you. His eyes were swollen, and his smile seemed permanently fixed on his face.
“Tyrell’s got the hookup,” you said and squeezed Tyrell’s shoulder good-naturedly.
Tyrell, who was driving, only shrugged and gave a lopsided grin. His half-lidded eyes slid in your direction. “Can’t believe I’m hanging out withtwoballerinos.” He certainly seemed to be enjoying it though. I believed Tyrell may have had a crush on you but was somewhat in denial about it.
“We’re calleddanseurs,” you corrected, puckering your lips to enunciate.
Tyrell stole a glance and wiped his mouth self-consciously. You were always so oblivious when it came to the effect your charms had on others.
It was decided then that the three of you would drive through a fast food restaurant known as Pollo Tropical—also the best Miami had to offer—then take your food to a nearby playground and “pig out.” Once there, the three of you crowded together on a picnic table and devoured your meal like a trio of magpies on a fresh carcass—no utensils or napkins. Your table manners were terrible, though I did enjoy watching you lick the dripping sauce off your fingers.
Tyrell asked Bruno a few questions about Rio de Janeiro—what kind of drugs did they have? Did the girls “put out?” Did they get American television there, and if so, what were his favorite shows? Bruno answered amicably, asking for you to interpret when he didn’t understand an English word or phrasing. I only loosely followed along in the conversation, trying to remain inconspicuous and give you some privacy with your friends.
“What do you think of this demon boyfriend?” Bruno asked Tyrell. “Henri, no?”
Hearing my name, my attention zeroed in on Tyrell’s response. I hadn’t made a very good first impression, and I was curious to see what effect his opinion might have on you.
Tyrell shook his head. “Henri and me don’t mix.” He shot you a worried look. “He here now, Lando?”
“No,” you lied and smiled slyly.
“He is very old, no?” Bruno asked with open curiosity.
“He doesn’t really have an age,” you said with a shrug. “If he did, he’d probably be, like, a thousand years old.”
