Page 17 of Moon Blind Hearts
Right. We’re switching into handles now. Anonymity comes with rules, and that includes no real names. I puff out a breath of air and point at Cash. “Can I just call you BootScoot?”
“Darlin’, you can call me whatever you’d like,” he purrs. “And if BootScootNBooty is too long, BootScoot will do just fine. Or you can call me baby. That’s okay, too.”
I roll my eyes and point to Sawyer. “CowboyCares,” I say out loud and he nods. Pointing to Oak, I say, “IronBuckle?”
“You got it,” Oak nods. “Feel free to just call us anything if you’re worried about getting them mixed up. It’s the first video and we know it’s a lot with three of us.”
He’s not wrong, but I also don’t think I’ll get them mixed up. They’re all so different. The problem is, they don’t exactly fit my aesthetic. So, I’ll probably change their names out anyways. I often call the collabs on my channel “little bats.” That doesn’t feel wholly appropriate here, but we’ll see how it goes. I’m a big believer in instinct.
“Okay,” I say, straightening and reaching for the tie of my robe. “If we’re going with my aesthetic first, that means I’m in charge. No touching me unless I give you permission for it. This’ll be all about the tease. I think if we start this way, by the time we reach the fireworks, our subscribers will be eating out of our hands.”
“I agree,” Oak nods. “Do what you will, Vanta.”
His hands smooth down his jean-clad thighs, as if he’s nervous. He has large hands, and even larger thighs. Everything about Oak is big. I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s big elsewhere, too.
Guess I’m going to find out.
“And that’s my cue to leave,” Ivy declares, grabbing her bag and waving. “Have fun, you guys!” She winks at me and heads for the door, always leaving before things get too hot and bothered. She’s my personal assistant, but I don’t force her to stick around and watch me. She’s let me know it’s for my privacy and not because she disapproves, and it’s worked for us. She’s always a text away if I need her for any reason, lingering outside the work area.
“Do I have permission to touch each of you from here on out?” I ask the three men before I shrug my robe off. “If there’s anything you’re not comfortable with, let me know now.”
“I’m free game,” Cash immediately says. “Strip me naked, bend me over, ride me until I scream. I don’t care.”
His answer doesn’t surprise me. Cash is the goblin of the three, clearly down for anything and everything. It wasn’t really his answer I’m looking for.
Oak shrugs. “Just don’t remove my necklace.”
I want to ask, but it’s time for business, so I nod and look toward Sawyer, waiting for his answer. He looks in my direction.
“It can be painful to touch around my eyes,” he murmurs. “Everything else is fine.”
“Noted,” I say, keeping it professional. “You all will call me ‘mistress’ for this part. Nothing else. Now . . .shall we begin?”
I shrug the robe off and hang it on a hook near me, rolling my shoulders to drop down into the role I’m going to be playing. That’s what Vanta Vyxxxen is. A role. A mask. A disguise. And she’s the reason I’m able to still stay away from home. I owe her everything.
Grabbing the mask I’d set on the table, I press it against my face and tie the ribbons on the back of my head. It’s a simple one, all black to match my ensemble. The tiniest little bird beak tilts over my nose, leaving my mouth exposed.
Only once I’m finished tying on the mask do I realize the three of them are staring at me. I drop my arms and frown. “What?”
It’s Oak who gathers his senses first. “Sorry. That’s just . . . you look good.”
I look down at the outfit I’m wearing, a mix of lingerie and straps that always wins views. My subscribers really like this aesthetic so I felt it appropriate to wear it for our first video together.
“Good is an understatement,” Cash adds. “Woman, you’re gonna be the death of me, I just know it.”
I grin. “Well, that’s the point, isn’t it?” Gesturing to the cameras, I say, “you’re move, cowboy.”
The grin he flashes back at me is all saccharine and danger. You’d think it was me in the hot seat with the way he’s looking at me, not the other way around.
“Alright,” he says, lifting the remote for the cameras and pressing record. He finally looks away from me to stare directly into the camera before him, the one meant for his face and his face alone.
“Today we’ve got something special for all of y’all,” he purrs. “We’re joined by a celebrity, someone I think you’ll all know very well. I expect y’all to make her feel welcome here at The Velvet Rodeo.” He grins and settles back. “As always, welcome to the ranch, cowgirls.” He tosses a wink toward the camera and gives the spotlight to me.
All three men look toward me, watching as I slowly walk into frame. I reach Sawyer first, trailing my fingers along his shoulder, just the tips. It sends a shiver through his body as I touch him, chasing the chills that cause goosebumps to rise on his skin.
“It’s such a pleasure to join The Velvet Rodeo,” I purr in a practiced voice. It’s pitched low and husky, intended for ASMR and the sensation of rubbing against a velvet blanket. “Such a pleasure to take the reins from these three little bats,” I add.
I move over to Cash where he sits in the middle and run my hand around the front of his neck, tipping his head back. My nails slide along his throat to grab the bottom of his jaw.
