Page 41 of Lessons with the Mothman

I sighed and shook my head, mostly in annoyance, but it worked as an answer to his question too I suppose.

"Okaaaay," Lyle said slowly, and for some reason he looked even more excited. His voice lowered. "Did you get off?"

My heart skipped nervously in my chest. Nearly. I nearly had. And somehow, that might've been better than if I magically had at the first provocation. "I told him I didn't want him to try."

Lyle nodded. He and I had broached that issue together when we'd briefly tried to have a fling, but as passion had quickly fizzled into friendship, our interest in one another sexually had amicably waned. "It was good though," he noted, already aware of the fact.

"Really, really good," I breathed out, and Lyle softened, his smile huge but genuine. "It's not related to the study at all."

He shrugged. "I'm not sure it matters, but I figured as much."

I sagged into the chair a little deeper. "We role-played," I whispered.

"Mmm, kinky," Lyle said, nodding appreciatively. "You know he's kind of like the equivalent of a reclusive socialite to other species?"

"How can you be both a recluse and socialite?" I asked.

Lyle waved his hand. "He has status. Influence. That he rarely uses."

I opened my mouth to tell Lyle about Elias's house, all the carefully arranged rooms that reminded me of the miniatures at the art institute, and then shut my mouth again. Somehow, that seemed like a more private detail than what we got up to while fucking.

"It's not very personal," I said, which didn't feel quite true. Elias knew as much about me now as Lyle did, actually, and Lyle was my best friend.

"As long as you're having a good time," Lyle said, and then grinned. "And you tell me the occasional fun detail."

I snorted and tried to return to my work, but my phone was burning against my palm, Elias's short email demanding a response.

"I need to go check my work schedule real quick," I murmured, sliding up from my seat and heading for the desk. Lyle's smile was smug and too knowing, but it was pointless trying to be subtle around him anyway.

It was too late to call off or swap work nights with any of the other library staff, but I didn't have to come in until four tomorrow and I didn't have any classes during the day. I opened my phone and found another message from Elias, this time a text.

I'm going to use my fist instead of your cunt if I can't have you tonight.

My body answered the threat with a surprising clench in my core and a flare of heat that rose all the way up into my cheeks.

I can be at your house by 9pm.

No makeup. I'll provide everything, including the clothes. Expect a long night.

Any hints?

I spent the next three hours waiting for an answer that never came.

CHAPTER 15

Victoria

My steps pausedas Elias opened the door to the room, my breath catching in my throat. It wasgaudy. All shades of gold and chocolate brown and pink and red, dressed in lace and velvet and fringe, like the entire concept of St. Valentine's Day had exploded over every surface.

"Come," Elias urged, tugging gently on my hand, drawing me into the room.

The floor was covered in thick woven carpets, while an enormous canopy bed loomed and filled the space on my left. In front of us was a large dark armoire and a small vanity set at its side, with a mirror corroded by age. An oil lamp burned on its surface.

"Undress and put your clothes out of sight. There are stockings, drawers, and a chemise. I don't want you in a corset or anything like that," Elias said with a lazy wave of his hand. "But maybe pin up your curls. I'd like to muss them. And use the rouge. Especially on your nipples."

My eyes widened at that, and a startled, garbled laugh escaped me.

"Is this a…a brothel?" I asked.

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