Page 38 of Always Eros

“Tell me.”

“Carina got me my own phone today and I can’t have visitors, but I can go out and visit with you. I mean, if you’d like that.”

“I would like that very much. It’s so nice to hear your voice.”

“You too. I’m still thinking about last night.”

“So am I. Would you like to go out tonight? We can do anything you want.”

“Anything?” His tone is immediately flirtatious.

I chuckle. “Behave, brave one.”

“I’ve heard that my whole life,” he says, his tone turning melancholic. “Disobedience is the ultimate sin. That’s what we were taught. I want to have fun and make my own decisions and do the wrong thing sometimes.”

“I understand. I don’t believe in sin, Justice. It’s a construct used to control people. You’ll never find that judgment with me, and while mistakes can be a beautiful thing, I want the things that happen between us to feel good in the long run.”

I hear him sigh. “Right. I have a lot of deprogramming to do, but, Eros… Nothing.”

“No, please tell me what’s on your mind.”

“Um, okay. It’s just that I’ve never said it out loud.”

“It’s a good time to start then, no?”

He laughs softly. “Yeah.” He pauses, blowing out a breath. “I want to be bad, Eros. I want to be so bad, and I want to be with you when I do bad things.”

My chest warms with delight. He’s so innocent and yet desires to be much more.

“You want to taste the dark side of life?”

“Maybe. I don’t even know what it is. I just want to know what normal life feels like. I want to do the things I wasn’t allowed to do before. Can you help me, Eros?”

“Absolutely. I know where to take you tonight. Can I pick you up at nine?”

“I’ll be waiting outside.”

“I look forward to seeing you.”

“Me too. Oh, what should I wear?”

“Jeans are fine.”

“Okay. Bye, Eros.”

“See you later, Justice.”

I end the call and lean back with a smile on my face. Raphael enters the room, carrying two glasses. As he hands me one, he eyes me suspiciously.

“What are you up to?” he asks.

“Justice just called. I’m taking him out tonight.”

“Ah. Your fascination with the mortal continues.”

“Yes. He’s intriguing. I’ve never met such an innocent, but he’s craving a bit of debauchery.”

“So you’re bringing Thorn with you?” he teases as he sits across from me.

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