Page 9 of The Companion Love Trap

JACE

I watched the girl the crowd at Howler’s referred to as “the Fairy” weave her magic. She swayed back and forth as she played, completely entranced with the performance. I’d always wondered why they called her that, but I could understand the reference now as I watched her on stage.

It had nothing to do with her size but everything to do with how she flitted back and forth, practically dusting everyone around her in magic. She was light and airy, and it felt like she granted you a wish by playing.

The Fairy captivated me as she embodied the music; the connection with Phantom undeniable. I’d heard the tales of their performances, but hearing about it paled significantly to seeing it in person.

There was an energy generated that everyone in the club could feel. The crowd below danced along, weaving and swaying to the beat the Fairy played. If I believed in the supernatural at all, I might consider her an actual fairy. The way she held the crowd under her spell was a magic all of its own.

“I don’t get it,” the blonde model beside me said. “Why do people like to watch her?”

I rolled my eyes, seeing right through her jealousy. I turned and stared directly at her.

“Don’t body shame. It’s not becoming. If you can’t recognize how beautiful she is without feeling threatened, that’s something you need to look at closer. That’s not even considering how magical the two of them are. That’s performance. That’s connection. That’s art.”

She stiffened, her eyes turning cold as she listened. I could hear the retort building on her tongue and sighed as I slid out of the booth.

“There’s no room for jealousy and small-mindedness at my shoot. If I were you, I wouldn’t show up tomorrow. You won’t like the outcome if you do.”

Her face paled, but I was already over her and moved closer to the railing so I could watch better. It was funny. I hadn’t wanted to come here tonight, but now I was glad I had. Not only did I get to witness her, but I got to watch my best friend let go and embrace the connection he shared with someone other than me.

Their energy was palpable, sparking lust into the crowd, and I knew there would be lots of people getting lucky tonight. I would be surprised if several babies weren’t conceived from their performance alone. Pure fucking magic.

The song ended, and Phantom bolted up and rushed off stage. Shit. She’d pushed him, and he’d retreated into his head. Should I go to him? Or was it better to let him calm down on his own?

I glanced around at the crowd gathered in VIP and wondered if it was too early to leave. Could I even get away? Having to people this much wasn’t my style, but I would suffer through it like I always did. I preferred to be behind the camera for a reason. I sighed at the realization I’d only been here an hour. Far too early to leave for what was socially appropriate. Fuck.

The stress of the day weighed on my shoulders with the knowledge it wasn’t over—far from it, in fact. I still needed to review today’s shots, pick the best ones to send over, and then let the designers know what I’d need tomorrow. On top of that, I still had the arduous task of filling my best friend’s ad. I thought it would be easy when I volunteered to take on the job. How hard could it be to find a woman to pretend to be a fake date on an all-expense paid cruise?

Apparently very hard—and not in the way I liked to be.

Kieran and I had an unorthodox relationship with sometimes more than friend’s benefits. We weren’t an item, but we also weren’t unattached. There was something missing between us—a woman to balance us out. It gave a whole new meaning to “it’s complicated.”

But this also meant that for business functions, he needed pretty arm candy to soothe the investors’ fears about the fact he was a single male with oats to sow. And let me tell you, that was the funniest fucking thing there ever was.

Kieran didn’t sleep around. Kieran hardly slept in general, but to believe he put his dick into anything that walked was ludicrous. But because he was tall, good-looking, and in his prime, the board and investors believed what they wanted about him despite no indication that he partook in those activities.

The only women he slept with were on the few occasions I brought someone home to share between us. It never went beyond more than one night, and the girls understood the score. But that didn’t matter. They only saw him as a bachelor who lived with his flamboyant best friend, and that was too risky, in their opinion.

So, I suggested he hire someone to stand in as his companion for his upcoming work trip. It would keep the boundaries clear for him and give the appearance he was in a committed relationship, so the investors would unclench their assholes.

Kieran had been skeptical but reluctantly agreed as long as I handled it. He was horrible with people and preferred concentrating on his work, trusting I’d pick the right woman. I’d readily agreed, finding no hardship in spending time with beautiful women, and knew better than even Kieran who he needed.

But I hadn’t expected the most insufferable women to apply. Seriously, I was about to swear off pussy if I had to deal with another ladder-climbing socialite who wanted to use Kieran to launch their influencer status. No, we don’t want to model your jewelry.

“Sir, would you like a refill?” a waiter asked me, bringing me out of my spiral. I glanced at the ice cubes and was about to say no when the Fairy was carried up the stairs in a gorgeous Brazilian man’s arms, stopping me in my tracks. Literally, my brain froze, and I had an instant boner at the sight of them.

I sucked in a breath as I took her in up close. Fucking hell, she was gorgeous. No wonder Blondie had been jealous. Confidence and sexual appeal oozed out of her, acting like magnets to pull everyone into her orbit—men and women.

The Fairy had a presence that couldn’t be taught but had been hard won through battles life had placed in front of her. She wasn’t a skittish kitten but a glorious warrior who didn’t balk at asking for what she wanted, taking it as her own because she knew her worth.

And there was nothing more sexy than a confident Queen.

I instantly understood Phantom had been pulled under her spell despite his avoidance of people. Her magnitude was an addictive quality that made you want to be near her, no matter the cost. Every person in this section watched them dance, unable to stop themselves. Some held curious stares, others envious, but most were enamored by the two… by her. It was like watching porn for the first time. So beautiful, you didn’t know where to stare and knew nothing in real life would ever measure up. It was unfair, really.

“Sir?” the waiter asked again, reminding me he’d been waiting.

“I’m good. Thanks.” I handed him the glass, glad to have two hands to hold on to the railing as I perved on them. When they disappeared around the corner, my feet were moving to follow before I could talk myself out of it. I’d become that enthralled.

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