Chapter 12 #2
“My, my, myyy,” Zar drawls, greeting us as the golden elevator doors slide open. “Always a pleasure, Ms. Tate, and looking prettier than a basket of peaches.” They hug before he kisses her hand. “But you know, every peach tastes better with cream.”
Vivian slaps his sleeve, laughing. “Behave.”
“Now, why behave when I need to be introduced?” Zar extends his hand to shake mine. Way too amused by this act. “Who’s your tall drink of water, Ms. Tate?”
“Zar Rollins, meet Jace Ryan.”
Vivian’s delighted and polite, while I’m silently threatening to punch Zar’s pretty, pierced dick if he doesn’t play along.
“Nice to meet you,” I grit out with a smile.
He smirks. “Pleasure’s all mine, Mr. Ryan, though we have met.”
I never disclose if I recognize a customer, but Zar just did. Well played.
Vivian snaps her fingers. “That’s right. You shop at Delta’s, and Jace and I work there.”
Zar turns, pecking her cheek, muttering, “And knowing your pathetic ex-husband, darlin’, you deserve to work that man. Lawd, he’s hotter than a two-dollar pistol.”
Zar boasts about me like I’m not standing right here, realizing that Vivian’s closer to him than I knew.
Then again, The Mercier has been her premier client for years. They’ve probably worked together a lot.
Me? I’ve known Zar for a while. He’s madly in love with Nick. They finally married last year and are new, loving dads to my sweet niece, Zarina. So I’m happily stuck with this sweet, sexy scoundrel forever.
“Jace is going to help me shoot the new spa.”
But Vivian surprises me. “I am?”
“Yeah.” She beams. “You are. You’re a great photographer, and this is a big project. I’ll need the help.” She gestures to the newly polished white marble, olive wood, glass, and stone arches. It’s an impressive space.
“Perhaps Mr. Ryan can be your model as well?” Zar turns, beginning our tour, calling over his broad shoulder, “Imagine the guests who’d want a massage with him.”
I’m gonna kill him.
Vivian grabs my arm. “Jace, would you? He’s right. You’d make a great model.”
There are a dozen directions I could take this conversation. Most leading to Hell Fucking No town. But I can’t say no to Vivian. Ever. And I remember last night. And minutes ago—I don’t want to be her rebound. I want to be her everything.
“Do you want me in wet, white Calvins?”
Fuck, she bites her plump bottom lip. I’m a goner. “Would you really?”
“Only for you.”
“Ahem.” Zar’s voice echoes over the marble. “Splendid idea and right on brand for The Mercier—hot bodies in a luxurious spa. You’ll need more models, though. Maybe you know a couple? Colleagues, perhaps?”
Oh, I’m definitely going to kill him.
Zar is setting us up. He knows how I feel about Vivian. All the queens and kings do. And he knows I have a unique bond with Vale and Nash.
He witnessed Vale’s initiation, and we don’t hide how I’ve spent a few nights at their home since. How I’ve stayed celibate, waiting for Vivian, while exploring outercourse with them.
That’s what Vale calls it, and I don’t argue with a doctor of sex.
Vivian tilts her head at Zar, perplexed. “You mean Vale and Nash?”
“Darlin’.” Zar smirks. “Of course, I mean Delta’s devilish manager and her Daddy Nash. They leave a lasting impression.”
Vivian grins, cutting her eyes at me. I catch it before slicing my glare at Zar.
This is cute but bordering on conniving, and I told her I’d never lie to her. Stopping in front of a steam room, I confess, “Viv, Zar and I know each other well.”
Her eyes dart to him, then me. “Like flogging and fucking well?”
Zar laughs while I rush out. “No. Like Zar is my brother-in-law well. He’s married to my brother, Nick, but we don’t tell everyone.”
Vivian gasps. “Nick Barinov is your brother?”
Sometimes I’m so overwhelmed by my heart for her that I forget to use my head.
Of course, Vivian knows Nick. Since Nick and Zar are in a polycule with Luca and Scarlett, they’ve had private parties, and Vivian’s been their photographer.
“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you the minute we got here, it’s just—”
“It’s just that Jace loves his little brother,” Zar interrupts. “He’s so used to protecting Nick—you know Nick hasn’t been out that long. Forgive us, darlin’. I was having a little fun with him, and Jace was being a gentleman as usual.”
“Oh my god.” Vivian touches her chest, drinking me in. “I should’ve seen it, how you and Nick look a lot alike. I mean, you and Grant are practically twins, but… wow.” She marvels. “You’re three very handsome brothers.”
Three?
Try six by blood and seven by bond.
But I’m not pushing my luck right now. She just took that little deception with grace.
Zar strides over, wrapping his arm over her shoulder. “If you need to be mad, whip me, not him. Pain isn’t his kink.”
Vivian slants her eyes. “How would you know about Jace’s kinks?”
I bark, “And how the fuck did we go from colleagues to kinks?”
Not that I mind, but Vivian wants to go slow while Zar is whipping our attraction like a racehorse at a derby. He’s going to scare her away.
Zar leans down, whispering like I’m not here… again. “I think he’s been waiting for you to fulfill his dirty kinks, peaches.”
“And I’m out!” I pivot on my heels, sensing my earlobes ignite. “I’ll meet you in the lobby, Viv.”
Minutes later, she comes down, wincing and worried. “Are you okay? Did he really make you mad?”
I lean against a marble column, a dirty man for how right Zar is about my kinks for Vivian. A decent man for how slow I’ll go with her. My dick is used to it.
“Nah, I’m not mad. Zar gave me a cute niece who can spit up on my suit any day. I just…” Shuffle awkwardly. “I just hope he didn’t freak you out.”
“About kinks?” She laughs, pointing to the gold ceiling. “You know about their sex suite on the third floor, right?”
“I’ve heard but never seen it. But I mean us.” I push off the column. “Slow and not a rebound; I want it too, Viv. I don’t want to rush you.”
She salutes. “Not rushed, sir. I promise.”
I grin. “New kink unlocked: military uniforms.”
We laugh it off as the bellhop holds the glass door open for us.
Stepping out into the bright afternoon, I want to reach for her hand, but…
The same black SUV with tinted windows slowly drives by.