Chapter 12
The silence of the dressing room was a welcome change from the exuberant atmosphere in the banquet hall. Id expected something stuffy and stiff considering how formal everything at the Meru Palace had been on my arrival, but the excited gods and immortals had been wonderful and receptive.
I was still glowing from their response to my music. I was going to remember this feeling for the rest of my life, especially the way Chiguo had been looking at me. His adoring eyes were just like when I sang the folk song for him and it was such a relief that he wasnt intimidated or bothered by my alter ego.
Still smiling, I sat down in front of the mirror and stared at my reflection. Some of my make-up had gotten smudged from the performance and my face was flushed from the heat but I looked happy, alive, and vibrant. Much better than I had a week ago. It was like Id gained a new understanding of myself.
Someone knocked on the door. Its Bo!
Come in, I called.
She rushed in and hugged me from behind, her face beaming. That has got to be one of your best performances ever. You were radiant and the gods loved it! I even saw the Heavenly Kings smile, you little star!
I let out a small laugh. Just doing my thing.
And doing it better than ever. You were on fire. And what was that new song of yours? We need to get that produced. But lets not talk about that now, you have to come with me. There are so many gods who want to talk to you and want your autograph.
I think I need a moment to myself first. Especially because what shed just said was a little too surreal to deal with. I was just a xian, one among thousands, and that wasnt counting all the other kinds of fae around the world either. And gods wanted to meet me? I tried not to think about the god who wanted to do far more than meet me lest my emotions show on my face.
Are you serious? You have dozens of gods out there ready to worship you. She gave me a knowing look that could only come from someone who knew me very well. But I sense that theres only one god whose attention youre after. You still havent told me what that private talk with Heavenly King Chiguo was about.
Even though I still needed to talk to him, I felt confident telling my best friend about him. So, remember when I wasnt in my room the other day?
She nodded, giving me a suspicious look. Yes, that. More secrets from me...
Do you know what Jinx is?
Her eyes widened. Yes, its a dating app. Dont tell me youre on it. Her frustration came through her voice, probably because she was trying to think of the damage control needed because of that.
I let out a little laugh at her shock. Was it really that surprising that I longed for companionship, for a real connection?
I am on it and I met someone. Chiguo, actually. At the time, I didnt know who he was. He was just a handsome guy that made me laugh and I wanted to experience the things I sing about.
I get that but what were you thinking? You couldve been hurt, kidnapped, murdered, photographed from a bad angle, she chided, swatting my shoulder. Mei, that was really dumb.
I know it was but I really wanted to feel something. And it all worked out in the end. At least, I think so. He wants to keep seeing me. I dont know how thatll work but Im hopeful.I barely refrained from letting out a wistful sigh in response.
I could tell Bo wanted to keep chastising me but her face betrayed how happy she was for me. She gave me another tight hug, one that felt like acceptance and understanding. I really was lucky to have such a good manager.
She released me and fluffed her hair up in the mirror. Well, if you dont want to mingle with the gods and immortals, I most certainly am going to. Wish me luck!
Good luck, I said, chuckling to myself as the door closed behind her. It was crazy to think that if I hadnt met Chiguo a week ago, I couldve run into him here tonight. There was no saying that we wouldve connected but we could have. It all sounded a little like fate, not that I believed in that.
Another knock sounded on the door and I called for Bo to come back in, assuming shed forgotten something.
Hello, Mei, a deep voice said from behind me.
I spun around, a small gasp escaping me when I came face-to-face with the last person I expected, but the one I wanted to see the most.
Chiguo.
He smiled, his handsome face lighting up as he did. You were wonderful out there. I loved all your songs, particularly the last one.
Heat rushed to my face from the intense way he was looking at me. Im glad.
He leaned closer, his lips twisting up into a smile. Just to check, that song was meant for me, right?
I trailed my fingers up his arms, enjoying the proximity. Oh, it was.
Does that mean you want to keep dating?
The old hesitance I used to feel about getting involved with anyone still had some power over me but not enough to stop me from taking this chance with him.
Yes, I breathed.
Good. His mouth captured mine with a ferocity and passion that set my body alight. His hands raked over my dress, desperately searching for skin.
I never felt more desirable than with him. The whole thing felt like a dream and I wanted to savour every moment of it. I ran my hands through his hair and down his chest. I was sure this was inappropriate in all sorts of ways but I didnt care.
Did you lock the door? I murmured as we broke apart.
No. Should I? he said, his eyes dark and his breath ragged.
I bit my bottom lip and nodded.
He pulled away, leaving me surprisingly cold. There was no hesitation in his movements as he turned the key, trapping us together. I got up from my chair and leaned against the dresser, trying to contain the storm of desire raging through me.
My breathing hitched as he made his way back to me and pulled me to him like he never wanted to let go of me. I wrapped my arms around his neck, feeling exactly the same. He kissed me deeply, his hold around my waist tightening. I delighted in his kiss, feeling a familiar heat starting to rise within me in response. His kisses were dazzling me and I fumbled with the buttons of his shirt, too caught up in the moment to really care about what was happening.
He broke the kiss so he could shrug it off and spun me around so my back was to him and I could see the two of us in the mirror. My lips were parted and swollen from the kisses, and one shoulder of my dress had slipped down, revealing the lacy bra strap beneath. It was an image Id never really seen of myself before, and I liked it.
Chiguo pulled me closer and kissed my neck, tenderly but deliberately at the same time. I let out a small whimper as his hand pulled the zipper of my dress down and pulled it undone. Cool air hit my skin as he stepped back, allowing it to slip off me and fall to the floor. I turned around and met his gaze, feeling appreciated in more ways than one from how he looked at me. Like he really saw me.
Feeling bold, I stripped off my underwear and let it fall to the floor. I wouldnt have done this for just anyone but I already knew how good he could make me feel and my body was yearning for him to teach me again.
His eyes shimmered with lust as he watched me and he stepped forward, lifting me up so that I was sitting on the dressing table, my legs open and around him.
Youre beautiful, he murmured as he captured my lips in his. The way he said the words made me feel like they were true, so much more than when dozens of other people told me.
Anticipation grew within me as his hand slid up my leg, slipping between them and finding my entrance. He grazed his teeth against the soft skin of my neck and I groaned louder than I anticipated. It only spurred him on further and he found the perfect spot that would send me tumbling over the edge. Something I knew he was aware of from our night together.
He pressed himself against me and I could feel how aroused he was through the layers of fabric. I fumbled with his belt buckle, but he moved my hands away so he could get them off faster. He briefly stepped back to get a condom. There was a little rip of foil and then his body was back on mine.
I looked into his eyes, feeling more connected to him than I ever had to anyone before as he guided himself into me. There was no delay like last time, no teasing, just an instant connection that made me gasp and quiver.
Desperate to feel more of him, I tightened my legs around his waist, completely lost in everything that was the two of us. It didnt matter that we were in a dressing room or that everyone outside this room knew my name. I didnt care about any of that because I was here with someone who wanted me for me and that was all Id ever needed.
He captured my lips just as he pressed into the right spot and I fell apart, my whole body shaking as my release ripped through me. I grasped his upper arm, keeping him in place but he seemed in no rush to go anywhere. The burst of pleasure spread through my body and I raked my nails down his back as the world shattered around me and felt so right all at the same time.
We stayed together, our foreheads pressed together and our breathing ragged and uneven from the intensity. He brushed our noses together and I reached up to touch his face, overcome with emotion and affection.
Eventually, he found his voice. I really hope this means you want to keep seeing me.
If you asked me for more days, my answer would be always. I bit my lip as I looked into his eyes, hoping the line from my song would appeal to the musician in him. At least that part made sense now.
A smug grin lifted his lips. I cant believe you wrote a song for me. I like it.
I wrote a song about you, I corrected him. But I suppose I did sing it for you.
He kissed my forehead and then my lips. You werent what I expected to find on a dating app.
I cant say you were what I was expecting either, I responded.
But that doesnt mean its wrong.
I dont think anything that feels this good could be wrong, I murmured, cupping his cheek in my hand.
The way he looked at me made me even more certain of my words than before.
He leaned in and kissed me gently, pouring all kinds of emotions into the connection. I melted into him, knowing that once this came out, it would go viral and people would write all sorts of wild speculations about us. I couldnt say I cared much, not when Id got everything I wanted from my one night, and more.