Page 37 of Lust

I’m pretty sure the Juliette bitch is knocking him out while she goes to town on his body. There’s no other explanation and nothing would surprise me about her.

“It’s the devil’s work, that’s for sure.”

I raise my eyebrows as I down my second whisky. “That’s very insightful, Orlin. As usual, it’s been a great pleasure talking to you.” I clap his back and make to leave. I’ll have a bottle of whisky brought up to my room and feign sleep if Anthura comes round.

“Take these two,” Orlin says, putting one hand on my arm and directing my attention to a couple in a booth. I’m about to chew him out for touching my six thousand dollar suit when I recognize the pair. If it isn’t Remy and Snowflake. I thought he’d ditched her after the last circle. Fucking idiot. He had it made with Candice. Sure, she’s an empty-headed bimbo, but she’s an okay lay. Still, Snowflake is looking hot these days too. She’s changed since coming in here, but that could be the fucking bullshit ambience they pump through this place, or the dragonfire whisky talking.

“Nice chatting with you, Orlin,” I say, pulling my arm out from under Orlin’s hand. “Don’t let me catch you doing any sinning, alright?”

As I approach Remy and Snowflake, my already black mood darkens. I’m spoiling for a fight, if only to get rid of some of my pent up energy. Snowflake cringes when I squeeze into the seat next to her and rest my hand on her leg. “Slumming it again, Remy? I thought you’d seen the light, but I guess not?”

I’m more than a little mollified when I see a hint of anger in his eyes.

“We’re on a date,” he points out as Snowflake grips my hand in hers and rips it away from her bare leg.

Quinn stiffens and I don’t think it has anything to do with me touching her bare flesh.

“How lovely,” I grin at him. The whisky is stronger than usual, or maybe I’m feeling the effects because I’ve not eaten all day due to not wanting to leave my room. “I see you’ve chosen the one place where it’s pretty much guaranteed that no one will see you with Snowflake here.” I gesture to the surrounding space. “Dark isn’t it?”

His expression is ticking with anger, but I know Remy well enough to know that he won’t want to bring attention to himself by punching me. Dude doesn’t have the balls.

“Didn’t work so well, did it?” Snowflake grumbles, shooting me a venomous glare. “I mean, you’re here.”

“Happy accident. I’m not the only one.” I nod toward the bar. “Orlin had his eyes glued to you two. Maybe if you’re lucky, he’ll join you for a threesome. You both need the points.”

“You’re drunk,” Snowflake points out. She’s right. I am. Two fucking dragonfire whiskies and I’m wasted. It’s not enough to shun the fucking horrible thoughts of Rowena sucking me off, even if I am having trouble stringing sentences together.

“You are friends with Rowena,” I say before I can stop myself.

Snowflake levels her gaze at me. “I am and if you even think about hurting her, you won’t have to worry about Dade ripping your head off. I’ll do it myself.” She looks shocked at her own words and opposite, Remy looks like I’ve just pissed in his champagne glass.

“What the fuck has Dade got to do with anything?” I grumble.

Normally I’d get some satisfaction at the awkwardness that’s now festering between all three of us, but she’s hitting close to the mark and I don’t like it.

I do want to hurt Rowena. I want to hurt her more than I ever wanted to hurt anyone. Because before, it was just a bit of fun, but now I need to do something to get her out of my head. At least I’m not the only one fucked up.

This circle is like a disease, opening festering wounds all over the place.

“Nothing,” she says, casting her eyes downwards. “Just don’t hurt her.” She looks back at me with renewed anger. “She’s the only reason you’re doing so well in this fucked up game. You’d do well to remember what she’s putting herself through for this.”

We’re doing well?

Last time I checked the scoreboard after the first part of the first trial, we were right at the bottom. I want to pull my Hell Cell out and check, but I won’t give her the satisfaction.

“Yeah, she sucked my dick,” I snarl. “It’s not like I’ve not had plenty of women giving me head. Once you’ve finished with limp dick here, I might let you have a go.”

Remy stands as if to punch me, but he’s too late. I’ve got no interest in fighting the guy. I’m leaving.

“I think she’s got to you more than you think.” Snowflake smirks as I pull myself up. “This is the first time I’ve heard you call her a woman. Maybe you like her more than you want to admit”

“Fuck you.” I sway as I leave the restaurant. I had two drinks. Two! And I let Snowflake think I’ve changed my mind about Rowena. I haven’t. She’s a fucking nightmare that I can’t wake up from.

The world is swaying as I pull out my Portal and bring up the score board. We’re not at the top, but we’ve eked our way into the top ten. We got ten points for the second part. Only Fucking Orlin Moss and Juliette Perez equaled our score.

I stumble my way back to the platform. I don’t know what makes me do it, but as the platform rises past the second floor, I hop off onto the balcony, letting the platform go up without me. The huge silver numbers mark the doors. I’ve never been to this floor before, but I know which is her room thanks to a quick search on the Portal. I need to tell her what I think of her before other people start getting any ideas like fucking Snowflake Valentine.

I knock at the door with one hand while grabbing the door frame with the other to stop from falling over.

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