Chapter 20

"Vex."

"Geoff."

"Jonathan."

"Geoff," I repeated. "Can I help you?"

The joke had long since gotten old. Hearing his teeth grind almost made up for the fact I discovered he switched my coffee to decaf. We had entered an unholy war to the death. I'd take my jabs wherever I could. I expected nothing less in return from my assistant.

"A package from Guild of Ashe arrived." I wanted to jump up, but I wouldn't give Geoff the satisfaction. I waited, a game of chicken, to see who blinked first. "Fine, I'll bring it in."

I won.

Seconds later, Geoff threw open my office door and came in with a garment bag and a small wooden box. I had expected two suits. My curiosity had been piqued. He strode toward my desk, shooting me a disgruntled expression. I knew the look well. He imagined me headless, or perhaps, with a bullet between the eyes. Truthfully, I'd have thought the same. Though, if he wanted to move up the ranks, he'd need to stop thinking about it and make moves.

He draped the bag across a chair but set the box on my desk.

"Thank you," I said.

"I'll have you cleaning toilets," he grumbled. "On Taco Tuesday."

He didn't wait for a reply as he spun about and marched out of my office. He shut the doors with enough force to ensure I knew his feelings but not loud enough to get in trouble. I'd have to find a creative way to not only give him more responsibility but also torture him. Our game would not end until one of us left in a body bag.

"What have we here?" I assumed Ashe had done a splendid job on the suit. They always did. More than half my wardrobe consisted of their immaculate creations. The box, however, I couldn't fathom how they had succeeded in my other request and fit it into such a small package. As I reached for it, my phone vibrated.

W: Stop plotting world domination

"Shit." I checked my watch. I had fifteen minutes to meet Won-Ho. My curiosities would have to wait. I pushed the intercom. "Geoff, can you oversee the board meeting? I want to know every word pertaining to Stephen Hudler's demise."

"Me?"

"You're ready, Geoff."

"Are you fucking with me?"

"Do it, and we'll discuss a permanent position."

I didn't need him to be my eyes and ears. I recorded the meetings to make sure none of the board attempted a coup. It'd get him out of the lobby and give me a method of escape. I didn't need him starting rumors I came and went without using the front door.

I pressed a button under the edge of my desk. The windows tinted until my office turned dark. With the shadows at my beck and call, I could leave and not bother with a company car. I needed to stop by my apartment and prepare for a date. It would be the first time seeing Won-Ho since the museum. It might very well be more important than our first meeting. I would not disappoint.

* * *

"Favorite destination?"

"Country?"

"You're reading too much into it."

"London. I appreciate the architecture."

"Where's the next place you want to visit?"

"I haven't explored enough of Asia." I bit my bottom lip as my eyes went wide. Won-Ho gave me a less-than-thrilled expression. "What? It's your fault for introducing me to authentic Korean cuisine."

We walked along the sidewalk, a couple of average guys enjoying a stroll. We already had lunch and went for a stroll through the gardens. Now, we stopped at every interesting window display on the street, dragging out our time together. I should have returned to the office to receive updates from Geoff. Though given a choice, corporate espionage or this burly man? I knew my answer.

"What about you? Where would you like to visit?"

We lingered in front of the bakery. I wasn't fond of sweets. I'd indulge in a little dark chocolate with my bourbon every once in a while. Won-Ho, on the other hand, came close to pressing his nose against the glass. I discovered how the man had packed on the pounds. If devouring a cake meant Won-Ho would maintain that barrel chest, I'd learn to love it.

"Well, now that I'm thinking about cake, France. If for nothing else, the pastries."

"We could be on a jet within an hour."

"You're serious, aren't you?"

What was the benefit of being the richest man in Vanguard if I couldn't splurge? "I think we both know the answer to that."

"Tempting. But work?—"

"Should I kill them as well?"

"It's between two eighty-year-old women."

I laughed. "Far too powerful for me."

I gave him a light push, peeling him away from the window. I made a mental note to have Geoff fetch me pastries to surprise Won-Ho. He pulled away, wiping the drool from the corner of his lip.

As we walked side-by-side, his hand brushed against mine. At first, I thought nothing of it. When it happened a second time, I couldn't hide the smile. Was my burly suitor attempting a public display of affection? On the third brush, his pinky hooked about mine. It reminded me of a young schoolyard crush. For me, it was anything but bold. For Won-Ho, it might as well have been screaming his affections from the rooftops. I found the tiny victory almost as thrilling as the sex in another dimension.

Almost.

"Wait." I tugged at his pinky. We paused in front of another storefront window. Unlike the others on the street, this had a mannequin with a leather harness, chaps, and hood with a zipper for a mouth. While it wasn't obvious, it was pretty clear what the boxes on the pedestals held.

"You wouldn't dare," Won-Ho whispered.

My hand had already reached for the door. "What? It's important to support small businesses."

"I…" Whatever protest he tried to muster fell short as I opened the door. His face turned bright red as I held it open, giving a sweeping bow for him to go in. "I hate you."

"Get in line."

Inside the boutique, Won-Ho's eyes darted about, trying to find a safe place to look. I chuckled at the redness in his cheeks. The front of the store was fairly benign, with apparel sporting rainbows and pithy sayings. Several bookcases were filled with titles such as "How to Train Your Pup" and "Out of the Spandex Closet." A young woman behind the counter juggled an armful of dildos to offer a wave.

"Have a look around. Let me know if you need anything."

I gave her a nod. Taking Won-Ho by the hand, I pulled him along. "Giving my friend here some exposure therapy."

"You'll want to show him the back room." Her smile bordered on devious. This wasn't her first time dealing with curious eyes. "Good luck."

With no other patrons, we had the run of the place. Won-Ho could blush at his leisure. A wall with an arched entrance led to the more scandalous wares. The moment we walked through, I let out a low whistle. This was a cornucopia of sexual exploration. While I enjoyed a good romp, there was nothing all that exciting in my nightstand drawer. I think we needed to change that.

"How uncomfortable are you?"

He gestured to the mannequin in the sex swing with legs strapped high. "Not as uncomfortable as them. Do people really have these in their homes?"

"Won-Ho, you deal with deviants all day. Is it that hard to believe?"

"I don't think of their bedroom activities."

"Every time I deal with a belligerent CEO, I imagine them naked with a ball gag. It reminds me they're just people." Would it be rude to tell him I imagined him in the swing? The restraints would need to be reinforced, but I'm sure we could conjure a solution.

I walked up to a glass countertop with cock rings on display. The leather straps with buttons looked uncomfortable, but the steel circles, I could see myself wearing one of those. I picked one up and held it in front of my junk. I'd have to guess at the size, but the thought had the blood pumping. That'd be leaving with me.

"One thing."

"What?"

He inspected the bottles of lube, the least shocking item in the room. I preferred a well-rimmed hole, but lube would be useful for a first-timer. However, now that I thought about it, I didn't know Won-Ho's bedroom experience. I swiped a bottle from his hands. Better safe than sorry.

"Pick out one thing that has you curious."

He raised an eyebrow. With a quick survey of the room, he shrugged. Despite controlling the courtroom during the day and wielding powers by night, he couldn't stare a fake cock in the eye. I didn't want him to think the suggestion came from a place of judgment. Won-Ho needed to let go of the guilt and see sex as a pleasurable activity.

I wandered to a wall of various-shaped cocks. They ranged from short and thick to lengthy. My eyes hovered over one titled "The Devastator." It must have been close to the size of my forearm and as thick as my wrist. I had to wrap my head around its use. "I have no idea where that would go."

"You could club Sentinel with it." He pulled a package off the wall. I caught the sideways glance before he held it over my jeans. "Did you have a cast of your cock made?"

It was hard to argue its likeness. "The executive?" My younger years had been wild, but I don't remember anybody making a plaster mold of my cock. There were enough photos of it, so I suppose an enthusiast could have created it. "Consider me flattered."

"One thing?" he asked as he browsed the wall. "Is this for me, or you?"

I raised an eyebrow. "This warrants a conversation."

"I believe you left it to my curiosities. You didn't spell out the application."

"This is what I get for dating a lawyer."

His hand froze over a vibrator. My mind raced at the slip of the tongue. Whatever was going on between us had gone without a label. I'd lie and say it was to let Won-Ho dictate the speed. Truth be told, I pushed the conversation from my mind every time it came about. I had barely reconciled having a repeat sexual partner. To think that it progressed to a point of defining it made me nervous.

"I didn't mean?—"

"It is the literal definition. We meet at designated times to enjoy one another's company. If we are setting repeated dates, I think it's safe to say this is dating."

His analytical definition made it easier to swallow. One date didn't acquire a label. Repeated instances? "I agree to the terms of the arrangement."

"Good," he smirked. He pulled a small box off the wall and approached with determination. He leaned in, giving me a quick kiss. "This." He put the box in my hand. A cock on the smaller side with vibrating action. "Who it's for will be negotiated at a later date." Fuck. Now, it was me who blushed.

"Am I going to need a lawyer?"

"Sure." He patted me on the chest. "But they don't stand a chance."

He strode out of the back room like the cock of the walk. That jerk had found a weak spot in my armor and took full advantage. I looked at the small toy, thinking about where it might find itself. The fact I entertained the idea made my cheeks burn. I'd have never allowed it, not for a casual hookup. For the man I dated? Perhaps.

My phone vibrated. I was reluctant to answer, but I recognized the quick three buzzes. Holding our accouterment with one hand, I answered.

"Diesel, this better be?—

"Are you watching the news?"

I walked through the arch, heading to the counter. Won-Ho held a pup hood, and I chuckled at the thought. If sex toys made him nervous, he wasn't ready to be collared.

"I'm in a sex shop."

"Put a pin in that. We'll talk about it in group. Here…"

I looked at the screen on my phone. He was moving through his living room, pointing the phone at his television. It took a second for my brain to realize there was a superhero showdown happening somewhere in Vanguard.

"What's going on?" asked Won-Ho.

"Diesel wanted to show me the news? I have no idea what he's about."

Whatever took place, it hadn't been close enough for the HeroApp? to send a notification. Like all superpowered battles, it was nearly impossible to make out the mayhem. Lasers shot in all directions, and a mini tornado appeared in midair. There were at least half a dozen heroes, but whatever they were attacking seemed unbothered.

"Holy shit."

The moment I spotted the antagonist, I knew her identity. Even with a suit covering her entire body and a cowl hiding her face, I recognized the curls. The energy blasts from her fists were new, but I knew the woman who haunted my dreams, regardless of her wardrobe.

"Carmen LaToya," I whispered.

"You mean…"

I nodded. "That Carmen."

The camera turned back to the reporter. She had her hand to her ear, listening to information from her manager. She held up the mic, composing herself for the camera.

"For those just tuning in, there is a rumble downtown between an unknown villain and the Defenders. While motives are unknown, the fight began when a lab belonging to Hudler Industries was attacked. The chemical fire has spread to a nearby building. Centurions are en route to assist. We only hope they arrive in time."

The phone spun around, and I caught Diesel's face. More exciting was the shocked look of his shirtless buddy. I had yet to see the infamous Calum, but I quickly understood the appeal. We'd be talking about this at group.

"She did it. That crazy bitch did it," he said.

"It seems so."

"Vex, we had a hand in creating that. We have to do something."

I was about to laugh at the suggestion when I spotted Won-Ho's face. His gaze fixated on my phone, his jaw clenched tight. Did the news come as a shock? I reached out, but before I could rest my hand on his chest, the tattoos flashed blue, and he vanished.

"I'm going to need to call you back."

"Vex—"

I shut the phone and turned to the clerk. The rapid blinking and gaping mouth were expected. Whatever had shaken Won-Ho, it had been enough to throw caution to the wind. Did he have some connection with Carmen? I'd give him a moment before starting the interrogation. In the meantime, I'd need to ensure they didn't have cameras and make sure I compensated the woman for her discretion.

I dropped my items on the counter.

"How much do I have to buy for you to unsee that?"