Page 25 of Lust

Would you believe me if I told you they were one of my favorites?

Lol, no, but I think it’s awesome that you know Blue Tangerine. What’s your favorite song?

I think Ten Days in Purgatory without You is their most technically complex song, but I love the melodic simplicity of Wrap me in Moonlight.

O M G me too!!!

Delilah rolls her eyes.

“What happens when they actually meet and she tries to talk to him about this stuff?” She licks a frothy foam mustache on her upper lip.

“Mr. Hamilton will do his homework.” I hand her a napkin. “And don’t worry, Eros has limited range to use poetic license. Mostly, it’ll stick to the facts about them both. This is just the bonding phase. Manufactured butterflies.” Watching the process gives me my own butterflies, a fluttering sensation in my chest. A welcome change from the ice cold boulder left there all those years ago in high school. Watching people’s emotions surrender to my manipulation insulates the memories of fists against my ribs, leaving only a dull rumbling in their wake.

“But shouldn’t we feel bad about controlling someone’s emotions like that?” The flicker of doubt in her green eyes is so human it makes me smile.

“You’re not jaded yet, Delilah. That’s why you’re my favorite new employee.”

“You don’t know me well enough to know how jaded I am.” A cloud passes over her features, furrowing her brow. With a shudder, she seems to shake off some dark thought.

“Aren’t I your only new employee?” She smiles. “And I’ve never heard you mention any kind of performance evaluation. All we do is watch a computer flirt.”

“I trust you.” I shrug. “That’s all the evaluation I need. And believe me, I’ll have other tasks for you soon. Now, I have to go get ready for a party. Can you hold down the fort for a while?”

“Until I pass out in about two hours.” Delilah moves the cursor along rows of dialogue that spring up in real time across my computer screen. “Am I allowed to intervene if Eros gets out of line?”

“Only if he’s about to blow up the whole enterprise. Otherwise, we have to let him learn from his mistakes.”

“Like me,” she groans.

I smile. “Stick with me, Delilah, and you’ll learn that your little mistake was the best thing that ever could have happened to you.” I leave her to monitor the lovebirds and zip off to get ready for the Henchley’s Christmas party.

The party isn’t until tomorrow, but I need to make sure the place is properly bugged long before the first guests arrive. How convenient that an anonymous donor offered them the use of the country club my family belongs to. How convenient that the club is booked for a private event all day today, one that requires no staff presence. Without any interference or distractions, I’ll have the place wired in no time.

Ruby

“Girl, please tell me what amazing gift Santa gave you last night so I can live vicariously through your insane adventure.” Manuel is practically drooling, and even though it’s the day before the talent show, he’s much more interested in hearing about my latest kinky present than practicing our song for tomorrow.

It’s not surprising. I’ve had to tell someone about my gifts, otherwise, I don’t think I’d believe them myself. The vibrator necklace has been tucked between my breasts every day since I first used it. Since then, the daily presents have ranged from sweetly romantic to downright dirty, and my heart plays a drum solo every time I approach my mailbox.

“Wait.” Manuel presses a finger to my lips as I’m about to tell him what I got last night. “Let me guess. Let’s see… you’ve had the earrings, the scarf, lingerie, a pretty little necklace, silk panties, a silk robe, The Illustrated Kama Sutra, body paint, a very stunning corset—”

“And don’t forget the scented candles and the set of high-end jasmine scented bath products,” I add.

“Sure, sure,” he dismisses me with a wave. “The boring presents. But the day before yesterday you got that giant tube of premium lube, so I can only assume that last night…” He looks into my eyes, searching my face for the answer.

I feel my cheeks ignite with an intense blush, and I can’t stop the self-conscious smile that spreads across my face.

“He didn’t.” Manuel’s eyes widen.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” I shrug.

“You’re going to make me say it, aren’t you?” He looks around, then leans in and whispers. “My man gave you a butt plug.”

Nodding, I try unsuccessfully to stifle a laugh.

“Please tell me you’re wearing it right now.” Manuel closes his eyes.

“I’ve never used one before.” I shake my head. “I was nervous.”

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