Chapter Thirteen

I got a text from Vihaal the next day, telling me that the Bordello had been booked for the following night and that he'd left a package in my mailbox.

Go and get it. Then come back and phone me, so we can discuss.

10, 4

I went to the mailbox. There was a white paper bag containing something inside it. After I went back in the house, I opened the bag and removed the contents, then read what was written on the front of the box— Fleet Enema. Personal cleansing device.

I dropped it like it was on fire and stared as it hit the floor with a thwack, causing the cats to jump.

Oh, hell no. What the fuck?

The cats were coming to investigate now, sniffing around it and carefully approaching. I stared back and forth between my phone and the box on the floor for a second or two. Then my phone started to ring. I answered.

"Angel?" Vihaal said.

"Uh huh."

"Did you get the package?"

I didn't say anything.

"Did you get the package?" he asked, his voice a bit sterner.

"Yes, Vihaal."

There was a pause. "Okay. Do you know what it is?"

"Um, is it what it says on the side of the box?" I asked, wondering how my life had devolved into this.

"I certainly hope so."

"Vihaal. I…can't."

"What?"

"I've never…" I rubbed a hand over my head. "I don't think I can do it."

There was a pause during which I could hear his soft breaths. Then, "Shall I come over and do it for you?"

My mouth went dry. "What?"

"You know, if you ever have to go for a colonoscopy, you'll have to do that and more."

"Really?"

"Yes. Ask me how I know."

I couldn't help a twitch of my lips because the thought of Vihaal preparing for a colonoscopy was somewhat amusing.

"Do I really have to?" I leaned down and picked up the box, examining the side of it and reading some of the text. Safe and effective. Easy to use. Mild and non-irritating.

Yeah, my ass.

I snorted a laugh.

"You don't have to do anything. But if you choose not to use it, you're going to seriously derail my plans for the Bordello."

I almost dropped the phone. "V, I don't think I'm ready for you…or Gideon…to, like, you know. Top me."

"Oh my darling, I know that. That isn't what I have planned."

"Oh," I said, my curiosity piqued.

"Are you telling me that none of those sexy women you've taken to bed has offered to stick a finger up your ass, Angel?"

Well… "I mean, I seem to remember it coming up. But I always said, no thanks." I turned the box over in my hand. "None of them ever told me to use one of these."

"No, I don't suppose they would have. Look, Angel, you don't have to do anything you don't want to. You can always safeword."

He waited.

I didn't say anything. Then I sighed. "Fuck."

"That's not your safeword."

"You promise…that if I use this fucking thing…that you won't go too crazy?"

"Of course I won't. I know you're new to…pretty much everything. But I'm telling you, you're missing out."

"Am I?"

"Well, you can tell me, I suppose. After I show you."

I hesitated. I closed my eyes and hefted the box up and down in my hand. I'd done scarier stuff in my life than this. I could do this.

"Fine."

"Pardon?"

I cleared my throat. "I said, fine. I'll use it."

Vihaal took a long, slow breath. "Now that's my good boy."

His voice was syrup pouring over me. I closed my eyes again and enjoyed the satisfaction of pleasing him.

"We'll pick you up at seven."

"I'll be ready."

Hopefully.

* * * *

It hadn't been that bad. Once I'd gotten over my initial shock, and past the wall in my brain that said absolutely not , I had to admit it wasn't that big of a deal. There was a certain sense of accomplishment and I did feel clean and fresh and ready for anything. I was probably as nervous as a virgin on her wedding night, but I trusted Vihaal and at least I knew there wouldn't be any unwelcome surprises if— when —he started playing down there.

Oh my God. Was I really going to let him?

Gideon and I had finally gone shopping, so I had some new clothes to wear to Molly's. This time I was dressed and ready when they arrived and he texted from the car.

I put on my fancy new cashmere overcoat—not bright blue like Gideon's, but a soft camel brown—grabbed my bag, and locked the door behind me.

Gideon leapt out of the passenger seat. "Here you go, Angel. You can sit up front."

"Thanks," I said, slipping in beside Vihaal.

"Hello, Angel," Vihaal said, his gaze assessing. "Everything go okay this afternoon?"

"Yep. Just dandy," I replied, hoping that would be the end of it.

Vihaal sighed, his gaze roaming over me.

"Did you follow my instructions?"

"Yes, Vihaal," I admitted.

"Oh good. Then I don't have to come up with another way to make you uncomfortable."

I gave him a shocked look, but he simply smiled, and the warm affection in his gray eyes made me feel so good.

Gideon's fingers curled around my shoulder as he leaned forward and kissed my ear.

"I'm glad you tried it. It's not that bad, and it means we can play harder. I used one, too."

Walking into Molly's with them felt exciting. I felt so proud to be in their company. They were widely respected here at the club and probably everywhere else they were known.

When I hung up my overcoat, and Vihaal saw me in my form-fitting, plaid wool pants, paired with a loose, linen top, he put a hand on my shoulder to get me to stand still while he took it in.

"Angel. Oh yes. I think perhaps Gideon has found his true calling." He turned to Gideon, who grinned with pride and pleasure. "You should be a personal shopper or a fashion consultant."

"Hmm. I'll have to consider it." Gideon looked me over and sighed. "It's so much fun dressing someone like Angel. And bringing out the gay that's been hidden inside all this time."

"Wait, what?"

"Sorry. I mean, bringing out the bi. Whatever." Gideon gave me a look. "If you think you look straight in those pants, your more in denial than I thought."

I laughed. "I wasn't exactly trying to look straight, even when I thought I was. But is this how easy it is to come out?"

Gideon grinned. "I guess we'll see."

"It's a shame you're going to have to take it all off once we get to the Bordello," Vihaal commented, giving me a voracious glance.

I followed Vihaal and Gideon to one of the free tables in the gaming parlor. Robin Webb, in his molly boy outfit, preened on stage, holding a microphone.

He squinted at us and spoke into it.

"Oh, hello! Is that Mr. Petrovsky and Mr. Foster?"

"Oh dear," Vihaal muttered.

Gideon patted him on the ass. "We have a reputation, V."

"I suppose so," Vihaal mumbled, giving Robin a wave and sitting at the only free table.

"But who the fuck is that with you? Wait. Oh my God ."

The other men in the room chuckled and everyone looked over at us.

"Is that Angel? Oh fuck, sorry. I mean, is that Mr. Barnett? No. It can't possibly be."

He was so fucking dramatic.

I waved and smiled.

Sebastian, who was at the piano, said into his microphone, "Robin, aren't you supposed to be performing? Gossiping about the patrons isn't what we pay you for."

"Oh, please. That's totally what you pay me for," he said, giving Sebastian a look.

Sebastian shrugged. "Why don't you tell us a dirty joke? Or do that routine you've been practicing."

"Oh! Yes, well, it's not quite ready yet. But I can tell some jokes. Why not? Let's see…"

"Oh, boy, here we go," Vihaal said, sitting back and crossing his arms, gazing at Robin with mild amusement.

"Oh, you love it, V," Gideon said, adjusting his chair so he had a good view of the stage. "And he's so fucking cute! Maybe we could make it four tonight."

Vihaal's head spun around and he gave Gideon a look.

Gideon laughed and put a hand over his mouth.

I couldn't help grinning.

Robin crooked his head and put a finger to his chin.

"Ah, okay, I've got one. What's the difference between purple and pink?"

He waited while we all thought about it. Nobody answered.

"The grip. "

Laughter and groans.

"Oh, you love it, you dirty fucking bastards. Here's another. What do Life Savers candies do that men cannot?"

Nobody knew.

"Come in five different flavors," Robin said, licking the tip of his finger and lifting it in the air.

"Ba dump, dump," someone said.

"I can come in different flavors!" a man yelled out.

"No you can't, you idiot," another man grumbled.

"But the pineapple!"

"Didn't make your spunk taste any different."

"You literally said it was sweeter!"

"Didn't want to disappoint you."

"Well, you're disappointing me now."

I snickered to myself as Gideon howled and even Vihaal smiled.

"Keep it down in the gallery," Robin piped, shielding his eyes and blinking at the audience. "You want one more?"

"That's what he said!" someone yelled.

"Oh, so funny. My, my, my, we are chipper tonight. All right, let's see." He rested his chin on his arm and scratched his cheek. "Why isn't there a pregnant Barbie doll?" He frowned. "Wait, is there a pregnant Barbie doll?"

Men muttered back and forth.

"Oh, whatever. Why isn't there a pregnant Barbie doll?" Robin repeated, glancing around.

"They aren't anatomically correct?" someone offered.

"Well, duh. But, no, that's not it. Anyone?"

Nobody had an answer.

Robin grinned. "Because Ken came in another box."

Lots of groans all around, except for Gideon, who laughed maniacally.

"All right, I'm done up here. Anyone need a drink? I know I do."

"I hope that's a joke," Sebastian said into his mic. "Because you're on duty."

"Oh, fuck off. Of course it's a joke. That's what you pay me for," Robin said, then laid his mic on top of the piano and pranced down the steps to the carpeted floor.

He made his way right over to Vihaal. He crossed his arms over his corset and raised his eyebrows.

"Why are there three of you?" He swiveled his head and gave me a once over. "Angel, are you being sex trafficked?"

I burst out a laugh, my cheeks flushing.

"Hello, Robin," Vihaal said, in that way he had of turning even the most boring statements into something sexual.

"Hello, Mr. Petrovsky," Robin replied, with a saucy lilt as he fingered the collar of his chemise so that his nipple was more visible.

"Put that away. You'll not tempt me this evening. I have four nipples to play with tonight, and none of them belong to you."

"What a shame," Robin said, sighing. He turned to me and offered his hand. "So. What on Earth are you doing with these two perverts? And why do you look so…" He gave me a once over. " Doable? Accountants aren't supposed to look so hot, you know."

Sebastian came up behind Robin and placed a hand on his shoulder.

"Robin. Your job is not to grill our patrons on their choice of companions. Or to tell anyone how hot or not they are allowed to look."

Robin gave Sebastian the most withering look I'd ever seen.

"My job, Sebastian, is to be my charming self. And this is who I am. So back off and leave me be."

Sebastian smiled at me. "Angel. Nice to see you again."

"Sebastian."

"Well. Now you look good enough to be on the arms of these two very particular men."

I raised my eyebrows. "Only now?"

He smiled.

"Hey, Sebastian," Gideon said. "How are things?"

Sebastian shrugged. "Good." He tilted his head at me. "Does Angel know he looks gay now?"

"Oh, for Christ's sake," I muttered.

"Yes. We've told him," Vihaal offered.

Sebastian smiled wider.

"I'm bisexual," I muttered. "Or pansexual. Wait, what's the difference?"

"Bi gives the impression of only referring to two genders, while pan refers to a multiplicity of them," Vihaal explained. "However, the term bisexual can be used to mean any gender. It's all just semantics."

"Well, anyway, the important thing to remember," I said, "is that I could have sex with a woman tomorrow ."

Vihaal gazed at me with predatory and possessive eyes.

I withered under his gaze and backtracked.

"Well, in this specific case…not relevant," I admitted. "But I could. If I wanted to."

"And I could put on a tutu and dance on that stage. It's fairly unlikely," Vihaal said, running a hungry gaze over me."

"And that is a fucking shame, V. I'd love to see it," Gideon commented.

"Do I really look gay?" I asked Sebastian.

He laughed. "I'm messing with you. But you do look too good to be straight." He examined me again. "Very…metrosexual."

"The clothes do make the man," Gideon said.

Robin raised his hand for a high five. "Preach it, sister."

Gideon started to respond, then hesitated. "Wait, we're not supposed to touch, right?"

Sebastian rolled his eyes. "I guess I can let a high five go. Otherwise, he'll be moaning about being left hanging for the rest of his shift."

Robin gave Sebastian a malicious smile. "Oh, you do know me well."

Gideon and Robin slapped their right hands together with expressions of triumph.

"Can I get you gents anything?" Robin asked.

"You can get me the key to the Bordello," Vihaal said, standing. "It's almost nine."

"As you wish," he said, giving Vihaal a polite curtsy.

He gazed at me and Gideon, and clicked his tongue, eyeing Vihaal.

"You lucky fuck."