Page 52 of Lust

He turns back to me.

“Dancing is about as intimate as two people can get without taking their clothes off.” I croak, my lips pulled down. “It doesn’t mean there will be anything between us.”

His dark stare turns hard and the blackness in his energy returns. “Got it.”

I swallow back a gulp. “I’ll book the Earthery for tomorrow afternoon and send you a message on your Portal.

He gives me a slight nod, then leaves. As soon as the door closes, I resume my position at the back of it and let out a long breath. Just being in the same room as him has my heart pounding. I move over to the bed and flop down on it. After booking a time slot in the Earthery, I let the Hell Cell fall onto the bed. I know I have to tell Remy about this, but I have no idea how to broach it. I need to not repeat the same mistakes. I write the message out ten times before giving up and deciding to go to see him in person.

He answers his door after my first knock. His smile as he sees me put me in a better mood. He’s like the anti-Dade. They even look like polar opposites. With his sandy hair and easy going manner, being with him is easy. There’s no demon energy, no darkness.

“I knew you’d change your mind,” he says, holding the door open for me to head inside.

“Actually, have a favor to ask.” I ask, as I step past him.

“Ut oh!” His face contorts into a lazy grin which, matched with his tousled hair, gives him the look of a cute little puppy.

“I kinda promised someone I’d help them learn to dance for the ball, and I thought you could come along.” I try to make it sound casual, but inside I’m cringing.

“Sure. Sounds like a good idea. I could probably do with a few lessons myself.” He does a little dance on the spot and brings his eyebrows up.

There’s no way to say this delicately, so I blurt it out. “It’s with Dade. That’s why I want you there. I want you to chaperone.”

God, I sound like I’m a main character in a regency romance novel.

His face visibly pales and I steel myself for a backlash.

His body stiffens, his expression hardening into a mask of tension. His discomfort is evident as he takes a step back, distancing himself from me. “Okay.”

“Okay? You're sure? I mean, I don't have to.” My words stumble out.

He closes the gap again, his hand finding its way to my arm as he steps forward. “I can't begin to know why you would want to help him, and if I'm going to be honest, I don't want to know,” he admits, “but you came to me, and you want me to be there.”

My head nods in response to his words. “I do.”

“So I'll come with you,” he asserts. “I trust you, Quinn. I don't trust him.”

“I know you don't,” I reply softly. “I said I’d text him. I’ve booked the Earthery tomorrow afternoon. I just wanted to make sure you are okay with it.”

He brings his hands up, capturing my face. “I’m not okay with it. I will never be okay with watching him putting his hands on you, but I know you must have your reasons.”

I shrug. “He’s my partner,” I remind him. “If he gets through this circle, so do I.”

“Yeah, and maybe then we can finally rid ourselves of him,” he says dismissively. “I’m going to go have a shower. I’ll meet you at the Earthery tomorrow after lunch. What time did you book it for?”

I get the feeling I’m being dismissed. “Two.”

“See you at two.” He opens the door and gives me a kiss on the cheek. It suddenly feels cold as he closes the door behind him.

29

THE DANCE

QUINN

My nerves are in shreds as I wait at the entrance to the Earthery. I’m early by two minutes, but so far neither Remy nor Dade have shown up. I almost want them both to forget, so I don’t have to do this. Before I’ve finished the thought, I catch sight of Dade. He’s easy to spot in a crowd with his black clothes and dark wings that are folded, but not quite concealed behind him. I heave out a breath of relief when I see Remy step out of the elevator behind him. This is going to be a disaster. I already know it. I turn to the demon at the desk by the Earthery door and let him know we’ve arrived. Anything to not have to look at the expressions on both men’s faces.

“The Earthery will adapt to whatever your mind tells it to,” the demon says. “None of it is real, though it will seem real to you.”

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