14. Ciel

14

CIEL

I tapped my fingers impatiently on the table, which was covered in a luxurious red tablecloth — perfect for hiding one’s lap during less convenient moments. Ryan was taking far longer than was reasonably expected of a human, and the food grew colder with each passing minute.

“I’m sure he’ll be back any moment,” Teddy said, reassuring me as best he could. “He’s probably just nervous about meeting new people. Demons have a way of rattling even the most levelheaded of people sometimes.” He gave a pointed look at Draven, who merely smiled.

“Oh, no doubt he’s nervous,” I nodded. “I might just check on him briefly, if you don’t mind?”

“Of course not.” Teddy waved me away from the table. “And take your time. The food’s still too hot to eat anyway.”

It wasn’t, but I appreciated Teddy giving me an out. I slid my chair away from the table and stood up, making my way as slowly as I could down the hall to the downstairs bathroom. I wanted to give Ryan a little more time to sort things out himself, but when I arrived at the door, it was locked and the light inside was still on.

“Ryan?” I tapped my knuckles against the door.

“Just a minute,” he called back, clearly frustrated.

“Do you need help?” I asked.

In answer, the lock on the knob turned and he opened the door, a sheen of sweat shining on his forehead. “I told you I’d get it,” he said, tugging at the hem of his shirt to straighten it out. “Now, don’t say a word about anything to Teddy or Draven, all right?”

“You know I would never,” I replied.

“No, I don’t know.” He scowled. “I hardly know you at all.”

“Well, I won’t, hand to God.”

“Good. I think Draven knows a little more about us than he’s letting on, and I wouldn’t put it past him to figure out what we’re doing tonight, too.”

“Oh, of course he knows about us, but as long as you don’t cross him, he’ll keep anything and everything a secret. Incubi are more selfless than you might expect, as I have come to find out during my time on Earth.”

Ryan rolled his eyes. “I’m sure they are.”

We left the bathroom together after he ran his fingers through his hair and splashed some water on his face to cool his red cheeks down.

We arrived back in the dining room and sat down, the conversation starting up again as though there had never been a lull. I could tell by the way Ryan sat that he was still getting used to his extra accessory, and I allowed him a little while longer to settle in at the table before escalating matters.

Teddy made a joke and I laughed, pushing my chair in a little closer to the table. Draven shot me a curious look before turning back to Ryan, plucking a grape off its vine at holding it between two claws.

“Do you enjoy fruit, Ryan?”

Ryan smiled and feigned innocence. “Of course; who doesn’t like fruit?”

“Many people, as it turns out.” Draven popped the grape into his mouth. “And do you like grapes?”

Ryan shrugged. “They’re not bad.”

“What about bananas?” Draven cocked his head as he swallowed the grape.

Ryan’s smile tightened. “They’re a bit too sweet for me. How about you?”

“I’m rather partial to bananas myself. Tell me, what do you think of peaches?”

“Ah, now that’s a fruit I can get behind.” Ryan was challenging Draven. He was a fool to go up against a demon, and my shoulders tensed as I watched the fiery red beast study my lover.

Draven, unphased, leaned forward and placed his elbows on the table. “I see. I enjoy a good, juicy peach once in a while myself — or at least I did before I gave up certain fruits in favor of…” he looked over at Teddy, whose face was as red as the tablecloth. “Others. But that’s enough talk of fruit for the time being, don’t you think? It’s fun to indulge in the sweetness once in a while, but too much and you’ll give yourself cavities.”

“I agree,” Ryan said, sitting back and relaxing in his chair again, which in turn gave me permission to relax. “So, tell me, Teddy, what made you initially decide to become a priest? I hope that’s not too personal of a question.”

“Not at all,” Teddy replied quickly. “No, I’m very happy to tell you about that.”

More accurately, he was happy to change the subject, but I didn’t care. This was it. This was the opportune moment for me to begin my fun. As Teddy engrossed Ryan in conversation with even Draven interested enough to not pay any attention to me, I slipped my phone out and tapped a very important button.

I stole a glance at Ryan, whose expression had changed ever-so-faintly. He looked sideways at me, his thighs tensing under the chair as he leaned forward again in a fruitless effort to get more comfortable.

There was no turning back now. I wished I could have seen under the table better, but the tablecloth hid the important bits well enough that even I wasn’t allowed a peek at whether Ryan was enjoying this game or not.

I didn’t have to wait long to find out. Draven brought the second course in and we began eating, in the middle of which I took a short pause to adjust some settings under the table. Ryan’s grip on his fork tightened, his knuckles turning white for a brief moment before he relaxed them again.

Each bite he took was slow and deliberate. I could hardly focus on my own food, but watching Ryan eat was a better treat than anything on the plate in front of me. Simply the knowledge that his mind had to be racing by now was enough to satiate me for hours.

Teddy brought the third course out and Ryan hesitated, looking back at me as though for approval. I gave him nothing, and as he dug into the food, I let him have this moment of peace before I inevitably turned up the vibration on his toy.

“Did I ever tell you the story about a particular jaunt through the woods that I took with a fellow incubus?” Draven asked me.

I shook my head. “No, I don’t believe you did. When was this?”

“About three years ago.” Draven took a sip of wine. “It was quite the adventure, and I nearly thought we would be lost in those woods forever.”

Teddy put his hand on Draven’s arm. “This story is appropriate for dinner conversation, right?” he asked.

Draven chuckled. “Of course. Oh, dear Teddy, you worry so much about these little things. Besides, what’s the harm in a little risqué behavior during dinner once in a while?” He looked directly at Ryan, who shrank back. “I say have fun and live life to its fullest, even if that means taking risks.” He cleared his throat. “Anyway, back to my story…”

I couldn’t hold myself back any longer. Simply knowing that Ryan was under my control was no longer enough. I needed more, and I needed it now.