Page 80 of Fear the Flames
“Commander Veles?” She takes a long drag from her pipe and slowly blows the smoke through her puckered lips. I bite my tongue to stop myself from letting my smile falter. Does she know Cayden? Ugly and illogical jealousy wraps around my throat, choking me. “I’ve heard he’s very intrigued by you. You know, gossip here and there. He’s not my usual kind of customer, but I saw the two of you at the ball. It doesn’t shock me that you want a night for the two of you to escape.”
My jealousy fades in an instant; I really hate that emotion. “Does your establishment have any rules? I would hate to be a bother.”
“You won’t need any of my employees, I’m assuming?” No. But I’m curious to know how she deduced that.
“Why do you assume that?”
She barks out a sharp laugh. “Darling, the man practically shot daggers through his eyes toward anyone that looked at you during the ball.”
“He’s very protective.” I huff out a laugh in return, even though my heart is beating uncontrollably. “We won’t be needing anyone else.”
“Follow me.” Her gold robe trails behind her as she leads me through the curtains to the left of the desk. The lighting is still dim, but it’s bright enough to make out the shapes of intertwined bodies. Plush chairs and couches are littered throughout the room. Different sizes to accommodate different sized parties. Some couches look like they could fit up to eight people, and some of them do. Bodies twine and grind together to the point that I’m not sure where one starts and the other ends. The sensual music and atmosphere should be grasping my attention, but all my mind can conjure is the memory of the kiss. I call itthe kissbecause no other kiss can compare. My body heats as I recall what his lips felt like on me, what his hands felt like…what his tongue felt like.
“This is the main room. You’re free to join, but your private room is room number eight,” she says while walking us down a dimly lit hall and leaving the room of pleasure behind us. “There are outfits in the closet for you to get more comfortable. All different sizes and colors but let me know if you need anything, my lady.”
“Thank you.” I toss her an excited smile and don’t let it falter until I shut the door behind me, pressing my forehead against the wood. The pulse between my legs aches, but it doesn’t ache for anyone out there; it aches from just the memory of Cayden. Gods, I need to get a hold of myself,and I need to change;he’ll be here soon.
I slip out of my boots and walk over to the closet in the corner of the room. It’s filled with several two-piece outfits, all in varying colors and sizes. I hold the costume up to the light to see what I’ll be putting on. It’s a cropped crimson top with thin straps, paired with a matching set of panties that has sheer material sewn into the waist to make it look like a skirt. It’s made of a stretchy material, most likely for easy access. There’s no point in me going on a stealth mission if I don’t take the effort to disguise myself. The red panties start just below my belly button and firmly cling to my bottom. The panels of the crimson sheer fabric part on both thighs, giving me a double thigh slit, and pools on the floor around me.
I walk over to the mirror to get a better look at myself. My hands grab a pair of silk slippers that match my costume on my way there and slip them on. My hair falls around my shoulders in dark waves, and I touch up my makeup with the selection they have. My eyes catch on my thighs and how on display they are. There’s no way I can hide my knives.
A knock rattles against the door. “Elowen, can I come in?” Cayden’s voice follows the knock; it’s deep and calm. The brothel owner must be standing there with him.
I look at myself in the mirror again, swallowing through the tightness in my throat. “Yes.”
The door opens and roughly shuts. I hear his sharp intake of breath followed by a thump against the door. My shaky hands slide down the front panels of the sheer skirt, and I slowly turn to face him. His chest is heaving, his hand is gripping the door handle so fiercely that his knuckles are white, and his head is tipped back against the door. It looks like he’s muttering something about strength while looking toward the ceiling.
“Can you please tell me why we’re here?” He squeezes his eyes shut before tilting his head toward me and drinking me in with his eyes. “And why you’re dressed like I need to kill someone?”
My blood is pumping so fiercely that I hardly hear him over the roar in my ears. “Nobody touched me.”
“But did they see you before I had the privilege?” he asks, not dispelling the roughness in his tone.
“Did Finnian tell you why we’re here?” I curl my hands into my skirt to keep myself from reaching out to him. We’re on opposite sides of the room, separated by a few feet, and the distance feels suffocating. The candlelight that dances over his features makes him look like something that crawled out of a dark fairytale. His armor and swords are a stark contrast to my mostly sheer outfit. My foot takes a step forward on its own accord, and his nostrils flare. I stop in place.
“Yes,” he grounds out, eyes flashing away from me again. The room is quiet enough that I can hear him taking in labored breaths.
“Do you think it’s a good plan?” I tentatively ask.
“Yes.”
“Cayden.” His eyes slip shut when I say his name. “We don’t have to do this if you’re uncomfortable.”
He barks out a sharp laugh, eyes flying open, “I’m not uncomfortable, angel. I am many things, but I am far from uncomfortable.” Awareness knocks on the door to my brain. He’s not pressing himself into the door because he’s uncomfortable…he’s staying away from me to restrain himself. He wants me, but he doesn’t want to get close to me until I audibly say I want him.
“Are you sure?” I ask in a sickly-sweet voice. I know I could use this moment to continue down the road of emotional maturity but teasing him is too appealing. “Because I’m sure there are plenty of others that would love—”
He pushes off the door with predatory speed and wraps my legs around his waist before carrying me over to the bed and pressing me into the plush mattress and expensive fabrics. His pupils have almost dominated his entire irises, the same way he dominates me in this position. My legs stay locked around his waist, and I bite my lip to stop myself from moaning at the sensation of his bulge pressing into me.
“You know there’s nobody else that can pull this off better than me.” His forearms rest on either side of my head, making it easy for him to glance down at my parted lips. “There’s a simple, undeniable fact about whyI’mthe one doing this with you and nobody else.”
“Because you would threaten their lives?” I ask, sliding my fingers over his forearms.
“Angel, I don’t make threats. I take action.” He licks his lips and doesn’t hide the sinful smirk that slides onto his face. “The reason that I’m the one doing this with you is because it’s believable, and if anyone is on the fence about us, then we’ll make them believe it.”
“Yes,” I admit; there’s no point in denying it when I’ve already come to the same conclusion. “It’s just a game.”
“Tell me your terms,” he says, dipping his head to skim his lips over the sensitive skin on my neck. My legs tighten around his hips, and he groans into the crook of my neck. I’ve never been attracted to anyone else in the way I am to him. I’ve never felt this kind of pull before.
