Page 166 of Ashes of Sin and Stardust

“Oh, I used to have them. My old boyfriend didn’t like them so I grew them out.”

“You changed your hair for a boy? Honey.” She looked over her shoulder at Reuben. “You’re not controlling her hair, are you?”

“As long as you don’t cut it too short...” His eyes narrowed. “I need to be able to grab it.”

I blushed and shifted in my chair.

Karla and I decided on the style, and then she turned me around for Reuben to see, and his eyes widened at the sight.

She had trimmed my hair, thinned it slightly, curled and layered it, and shortened my bangs. Reuben seemed to like the result. He stared at me, silent, then nodded once, and forced himself to look away. His Adam’s apple bobbed as he swallowed.

I leaned over to her and stage-whispered, “I think he likes it.”

“I think so too,” she grinned. “I deserve a tip, Mister Weston.”

“You’re damn right you do,” he muttered. He paid with his solid black credit card and left a large bill on the counter.

Next he took me to a dress shop near the richer part of town. “Ooh, I’ve been here once,” I said. “I needed to find a fancy gift for the queen of Ghana.”

“Theactualqueen of Ghana?”

“Yep. I ended up buying her a necklace made of diamonds. It was for a...thing.” I realized I wasn’t allowed to tell him about the situation, because it was one of those weird work situations where I’d been threatened by the CIA not to talk about it.

“Well. We’ll be going to our own fair share of ‘things.’ You’re going to become very good friends with Mic.”

Mic Sorrel turned out to be the most attractive, extremely hyper, and flamboyantly gay men I’d ever met. He took one look at me, clapped his hands, practically twirled in excitement, and then escorted me back into his chamber of secrets without another look at Reuben. “Oh darling, I’ll get you fixed right up! How many, Reuben?”

“Three. Something black and classy, something red and sexy, and something completely at your discretion. I’ll send other requests your way.”

“Yes sir!” he said, lifting his chin and immediately began taking my clothes off.

I mean, I’d had less dramatic stripping sessions, so I went with it.

He paused when he got me mostly naked. Thefucking absurd ridiculous chastity beltaround my waist didn’t seem to faze him in the least. But he did study my body with the intensity of a scientist, looking for shapes and colors and whatever else that artists looked at when they studied bodies.

He studied me from my feet up to the top of my head, gasping when he got a look at my face. “Well aren’t those the most amazing eyes I’ve ever seen. Weston,” he shouted. “You’ve given me a whole fucking universe to work with!” I couldn’t help but blush and smile.

Reuben didn’t answer. I saw him behind Mic, his hands clasped behind his back, staring at me with equal intensity. “I know.”

Mic held up a variety of fabric swatches, draping things over me, and then taking them off. Eventually he took my measurements, dressed me again, and sent us on our way. “I’ll have the black by Tuesday. The others will be a little late, I’m backed up with the gala coming up.”

“Understood. I need the red by the end of next month.”

“Yes sir!” The door of his shop swung shut behind us, muffling his cries of excitement.

“So, he’s... interesting...”

“Most artists are. Mic will do your formal dresses,” Reuben said. “I go to many events throughout the year, and I’d like you to accompany me. I’ll also want you at the grand opening, if that’s something you’re comfortable with when the time comes.”

I was no stranger to formal events. I’d gone to my fair share with my boss at the CIA, and with Augustus as well. I wondered, how many people would I meet who I already knew while on Reuben’s arm?

Then we finally made our way to Simon’s tattoo and piercing parlor. I was so excited to see him I was practically vibrating.

He was finishing up with a biker when we entered. Glancing up quickly, he did a double-take when he saw us. “My two favorite demons,” he whispered.

“Hey, I know you,” the biker said. He was looking at me with recognition while Simon finished his arm.

“Sorry, I’m a slut and I don’t remember you.”

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