Chapter 17 #2
Eden didn’t like it. He was an artist, sure, but was distinctly musically inclined. He never thought in terms of poetry and hated how his mind instantly drew a connection between Ares and heaven, especially at a time like this, when he was annoyed and already half frozen from the chill.
“You have a lot of secrets.” Secrets Eden got the feeling Ares wasn’t in a rush to share. “You know my darkest desires, and yet I’m being kept on the outskirts of your reality.” It was targeted, using that word, but at this stage, he wasn’t above playing dirty.
He’d only be returning the favor, wouldn’t he?
“Tell me, Lucifer, did you actually go through all of this trouble because you were bored? You keep claiming you want me, but a relationship—a real one—is an exchange.”
They both knew Eden had only referred to him as his boyfriend to get a rise out of Inzer, and they hadn’t spoken about it since, but judging by the satisfied way Ares had looked at him after he’d said it yesterday, the Black Hart wanted it to be true.
“Maybe you’re young and inexperienced.” He took a step closer, crowding into Ares’ space, holding his gaze firmly.
“But that’s not the way to a healthy, successful partnership.
Are we playing as a team, or are we playing against each other?
I’m going to need you to clarify that right now, so I can adjust how I interact with you going forward. ”
“I like the way you are with me now,” Ares replied softly. “What do I have to exchange? What would you like me to give you?” His red eyes dropped to the briefcase.
“I’m not talking about physical things,” Eden said. “What do you take me for? I have no intention to mooch off of you.”
“Because I’m younger?” He pursed his lips. “Only by a couple of years. Does that really matter?”
“It’s got nothing to do with age.”
“Pride then?”
“Lucifer.”
“I’m just trying to understand.”
“Why are you the only one who gets to do that?” Ares struggled to grasp concepts outside of his own experiences. Maybe this was the way to get him to see reason. Lead him to understanding. “You’re frustrated because I won’t be upfront, aren’t you? Imagine how I feel.”
“I’ve been honest with you from the start.”
“You’ve been cryptic,” he corrected. “Honesty isn’t hiding behind fine print and clauses that trap me in your castle.”
“You’re getting what you want. Why can’t I get what I want as well?”
“We’re both asking for the same thing, can’t you see that? You want fairness? So do I. I want to be your equal. I won’t just be a kept bedwarmer. I’m not a plaything, Ares, I’m a person.”
“Are we fighting?” Ares seemed so lost it was almost laughable. He reached for Eden again, taking his hand and linking their fingers. “I don’t want to fight.”
On the path opposite theirs, two female students briskly passed, glancing in their direction, but were too set on escaping the cold to stop and look for long.
Eden pulled away, shoving his hands into the warm pockets of the ridiculously expensive chocolate peacoat Ares had all but ordered him to wear this morning.
In fact, he was entirely dressed, head to toe, in items the Black Hart had picked out and organized for him.
The gesture could have been sweet if it hadn’t bordered on controlling.
The only reason Eden had gone along with it with little protest was that none of his old clothes would work for this setting.
Sacrum Cor University was a dream job for anyone looking to teach, but at a prestigious place like this, a certain level of…
expectation was called for. Eden had money thanks to Vanity, but with nowhere to go, he hadn’t bothered spending any of it on nice or fancy outfits.
Now that they were needed, he found he fell short, so accepting Ares’ offerings had been a necessary evil.
But he didn’t want the younger man to think that was the only reason Eden stuck around. didn’t like the idea of this turning into something as vapid as a Sugar Daddy situation. He could never be satisfied with that type of relationship long-term.
“I’m using you for revenge,” he reminded, “and you’re using me for my body. Anything more than that is un—”
Ares hugged him before he could finish, arms banding around his shoulders, cheek pressed against his, in a flash of movement too fast for Eden to avoid.
“You’re talking in circles to confuse me,” he surmised sulkily.
“Message received, Paradise, so please, stop. If this is what it feels like to be pushed away, I understand your vexation.”
“Do you really?” He should order Ares to let go before they were caught, but the warmth of his body was too pleasing, and he found himself leaning into the embrace instead.
They were both crazy.
Ares was mercurial, intense one moment, almost childlike the next. There was no telling how much of it was manipulation, how truthful he was being when it came to his emotions or reactions. For all Eden knew, he was merely playing along and leading him into another trap, and yet…
He was too curious to see where this went to call it off. No matter how loudly logic and reason screamed at him to get his head on straight and see this for what it was. A dangerous proposition. A deal with a literal devil.
For all his talk about wanting to be seen as the Black Harts equal, Eden understood where he truly stood.
Right now, everything he had he owed to Ares. Even Vanity had ended up in his hands. He’d placed pieces of himself around the board, caging Eden in slowly but surely. Had kept him distracted with the promise of sex and a soothed vengeance.
“What if we settle with Inzer and Sedos, and I choose to walk away?” he asked, only daring to lift his voice as high as a whisper.
The second he felt the Black Hart tense around him, he should have stopped, but now that the question was out there, he couldn’t bring himself to. “What happens to me then?”
“Are you asking if I’ll take your job and ruin all your prospects?” Ares' tone changed, the pleading, almost na?ve sound of a lover morphing into the possessive man who’d pinned Eden with his cock and ignored his screams.
“If things don’t go your way, you throw a tantrum.” That was putting it lightly, but it was important to note. Eden had to remember what he was dealing with here.
Ares was not his sweet university boyfriend.
He was a devil who wanted to own Eden’s mind and body. All of this, these gifts, these hugs, they were mere distractions meant to keep him occupied so he didn’t notice the noose slipping around his neck.
Eden pried himself free from those strong arms, the cold biting his cheeks and seeping through the thick material of his coat instantly. He kept his back straight and made sure his determination was visible when he locked eyes with Ares once more.
“You said I could go when I wanted to,” he reminded. “So what if I do? Or what if I want to stay on as a professor, and it’s just you I end up wanting to leave?”
“Is this the connection you sought so strongly?” Ares stared back blankly, visibly shutting down. Closing Eden out. “Honesty? Fairness?”
“I know why you won’t answer my questions,” Eden said. “But I want to hear it.”
“Why? Do you think that will make a difference?”
“Your brother told me I have many branches to choose from.”
He scowled. “You’re speaking of things you don’t understand to get at me.”
“It’s working.”
“It is.” Ares was angry. It may not show on his face or in his stance, but somewhere along the way, Eden had picked up a thing or two and could recognize it now even without the obvious signs.
“I recall stating clearly you don’t get control with me.
Now you want equality as well? I was going to allow the illusion, but you’re never satisfied, Starling.
The board is mine. I create the reality I want. ”
“What about choice being a deciding factor?”
“You have a choice,” he said. “You can either be mine the easy way, or the hard way.”
Eden clenched his teeth to the point of discomfort.
“I play fair within the rules we’ve already set.
It’s not my fault you didn’t think things through before climbing into bed with me.
You can choose to end this and allow Daven Dephik to get away with his crimes, just as I promised.
But since transparency is what you’re after, I’ll promise you something else as well. ”
Ares took a single step closer, allowing his heat to radiate from his body to Eden’s, but careful not to touch him anywhere. As though holding that warmth at bay on purpose. Teasing him with the possibility of comfort and protection from the cold.
“I won’t force you to sign your life over,” he revealed.
“I’ll simply remove your other options until the only choice, the only path, available is the one that leads you directly to me.
But if you push me to that point, Eden Baldur, if you force my hand, and I have to destroy Astral Realms Innovations and get you fired from your position here at Sacrum Cor, that will only leave one place left for you to return to. My bed.”
Eden sucked in a sharp breath when the Black Hart leaned in and nuzzled against his right cheek before breathing his final threat directly against the curve of his ear.
“I’ll fasten you to the headboard with golden chains.
The only light you’ll experience will come through my bedroom windows.
The only fresh air you’ll be allowed is when I slacken the reins and generously let you crack one open.
You’ll see no one but me. Speak to no one but me.
Eat, sleep, and breathe for me. You’ll be unhappy half of the year, but the other half you’ll be lust-drunk and trapped on my cock. ”
“A!” the voice from the phone yesterday called from somewhere, breaking through the trance-like state Eden had slipped into.
He shoved Ares away, eyes wide, a very real panic rushing through his veins.
Ares smirked, then lifted a hand toward a blond man standing a few yards down the path. “Well, Professor? Are you satisfied with my forthcoming, or is there another question you’d like me to answer?”
All Eden could manage was a single shake of his head.
“Since Fisher is here, I’ll head to class with him. You remember how to find your office on your own?”
He nodded.
For a moment, Ares hesitated, but whatever he wanted to do or add, he seemed to think better of it. With a sigh, he turned and walked off to join his friend.
The pretty one who had a special nickname for him.
Good Light.
“He’s made me half mad already.” Eden rubbed at his face, waited for the two to get further down the path, and then started for the music building.
Maybe if he threw himself into the jitters of his first day of teaching, he’d be able to forget all about the psychotic threats and flashing red flags he’d just been presented with.
Ares was right about one thing.
Eden was a fool for climbing into bed with a Black Hart.
And an idiot for wanting to stay there.