Chapter 18
eighteen
EVEREST
We make our way from the shop, two bags in our hands. Cielo is proudly wearing a pastel pink coat, his cheeks a dusty rose color when the light hits it just right.
“I meant it when I said you look real nice,” I say, and his gaze flicks down to meet mine.
“Niceeee. Yesss.”
I grin and pull him to the right, wanting to see what new shops they’ve added with the expansion a year ago.
“Oh! What’s this place?” I say as I see a sign for a shop called Silk and Secrets. I like silk, and I’m great at keeping secrets. “Looks fun.”
I grab on to Cielo’s arm once more and pull him forward, right into the dimly lit space. It’s when my eyes start to adjust to my surroundings that I let out a disbelieving laugh.
“Oh my god, Cielo. This is a sex shop!”
“It sure is,” a voice says from beside me, making me jump slightly. Cielo’s tail whips out and pulls me into him, his stance widening, looking a little fierce, even in his pink jacket.
“Oh god, you scared me. I’m okay, Cielo,” I say, patting his tail and feeling it loosen around me.
The worker who surprised us is standing near me, his eyes twinkling as he takes Cielo and me in. He’s lean, wearing tight pants and a knit shirt that falls off one shoulder. His hair is dyed pink and braided along the sides of his head, pulled into a small bun at the nape of his neck.
He’s very pretty. Oddly so.
My eyes fall to his name tag.
Dante.
I peer up at Cielo and see his mouth fall open slightly, his tongue poking out of the side. I’m not entirely sure, but I think this means he likes what he sees.
“I haven’t had a monster in here before,” Dante says, his cheeks turning a rosy red.
Cielo’s brows lower, and I lean toward Dante and whisper, “I don’t think he likes that word.”
“Oh,” he says softly and then meets Cielo’s gaze. “Sorry. I meant no offense. I think the Vyastil are very beautiful.”
Cielo’s mouth snaps shut, and his skin flutters.
“Beoooooot…” he attempts, his lips making a very funny-looking “O”. Dante cocks his head as he waits patiently, but when the word doesn’t come out like it should, he just lifts his hand and signs something.
I’ve never seen anyone use ASL outside of a classroom, but the way his hand flits through the air, even with that one word, is alluring.
Cielo’s ears fall slightly, and Dante shakes his head. “I’m sorry. I have a Deaf brother, so ASL is our primary language at home. Sometimes I forget that not everyone knows it. That’s the sign for beautiful.” Cielo’s ears straighten, and his tail tightens around his waist. “Come. Try it.”
Cielo lifts his hand and copies it perfectly.
Dante’s lips turn up, and he gives a slow applause and then one where his hands wave in the air.
“Good work. You’re a natural. Now, how can I help you?”
Cielo is still staring at his hands, his fingers fluttering slightly, as I look around the store. “Shit. I don’t even know where to start. I didn’t know what this place was when I saw it…”
“Oh, that’s fine. We just opened recently. Have a bit of a wander. And come get me if you need any help.” He leans toward me and lowers his voice. “I don’t have anything for the Vyastil, unfortunately.”
“No, no. I know. It would be for me.”
“Ah, are you two…”
“Oh, no. We’re just friends.”
Cielo’s gaze flicks up to mine, and he nods.
“This would be for my Vyastil companion. The one I live with.”
“Oh,” Dante says, his eyes alight. “How exciting. What’s that like?”
Normally, I’d be annoyed with the invasive question, but for some reason, I like this guy, and his curious questions don’t seem to bother me.
“Intense.”
Dante shivers slightly. “I bet. The weekly blow jobs are something else. I’ve never experienced anything like it.”
“Yeah.” I meet his blue-eyed stare. “You’re not one of those dudes who line up at the clinic, are you?”
“The cum zombies?” he says with a laugh. “No. I have more self-respect than that.” He peers over at Cielo, who is staring. “I like your jacket,” Dante tells him, using both his hands and voice to communicate, and Cielo hums softly. “The color suits you.”
His ears flutter, and I step to the side, letting them have their moment. I don’t even know if he’ll notice I’ve gone wandering with the way he’s ogling Dante.
I let my eyes take in the store, the aisles neatly arranged by category of products. It’s all very easy to navigate. When I wander through the apparel section, my eyes fall on a few items that I’m sure Rath would like, specifically a silk pair of underwear that has an opening for my hole.
My fingers run along the smooth silk, and I consider buying it, but I’m not sure he deserves it. If anything, I should get something to show him that I’m in control of my body and that I mean business. Something that will keep me locked away until he makes good on his promise.
I pick it up and let the hanger dangle from my fingertip. It is nice, though. Maybe if he’s good, I’ll wear it for him.
I peer over my shoulder and see Cielo staring down at Dante, who is maneuvering his hand into a shape—probably a sign—touching him a little too long, his fingers running along his palm. Cielo’s claws pop out and then retract, his ears fluttering wildly.
He’s malfunctioning slightly, and it’s kind of adorable.
I huff a small, amused laugh as my gaze shifts back to where I’m perusing. It’s then that I see the bondage section. My gaze settles on all the things that are used to restrain, and I shudder slightly. If I could tie Rath up, make him bend to my will…
Not that I think any of this stuff would keep him tied down. I think he’s far too strong for human rope and chains.
I think I’d need something forged in their world.
My fingers drag down a mask, and then my eyes land on something. My breath catches in my throat as I stare at it.
A cock cage.
Several, in fact. Different sizes and shapes. Some with latches and keys. Maybe this is what I need. Something to keep my cock hidden from him until he takes me back to his world. Or at least agrees to discuss it with me.
Not that I’d keep it hidden for long, but him knowing I could is something at least.
I pick up one of the cages with a key and hold it in my hand. I’ll try this. See how Rath likes it when I refuse to give him something I promised to.
Then I step forward, moving into the toy section.
It’s there I find the plugs. I’ve, of course, never used one of these, but still. I could keep myself locked up on both ends. My lips twitch as I imagine it, the frustration Rath would feel when he sees me inaccessible.
It makes my cock twitch in my pants.
“What are you doing, my Everest?”
I roll my eyes at the sudden intrusion in my mind. “None of your business.”
“You are thinking of my tongue on your cock.”
My lips turn down even as I adjust myself. “I am not. Now go away. I’m out with Cielo.”
I feel the low, angry hum of his annoyance.
“Hey, you assigned him to me. And I like him. We’re friends, and right now he’s flirting…”
“Flirting. What kind?”
“Tell you later. Now go away, asshole.”
And then I try to shut him out of my mind. It doesn’t work as well as I planned because I can feel him lingering, but I give him nothing else. And when he tries to engage, he goes ignored.
“You ready to check out?” Dante says when I appear at the register. He and Cielo have been speaking—or rather Dante has been signing and chatting while Cielo watches him intently, lifting his hands every once in a while to respond.
Not sure how the Vyastil who struggle with spoken language learn non-verbal ones, but it seems Cielo is catching on to ASL quickly.
“Yeah, I think so.”
My cheeks flame as I set the items down on the counter, but Dante doesn’t even seem fazed.
“Oh, good choice,” he says when he catches sight of the cock cage. “Seems your Vyastil is in need of some punishment?”
I huff a laugh. “Kind of, yeah.”
“Good then. I’m sure he deserves it.”
He peers over at Cielo, who watches Dante with rapt attention. Before we leave, I hear Dante lean over and whisper to him, “Come back, and we can discuss toys for you.”
Cielo’s entire body is bright purple as we make our way home.
“You okay?” I ask as we make our way inside Rathyn’s loft. “You having some kind of health emergency?”
His eyes flit to mine, and he shakes his head.
“Ah, so you’re blushing. Is this a blush?”
“Bloooshhhh.”
“Yes, like when you’re embarrassed or excited. Your whole body gets warm…”
I reach over and touch his skin. It’s the same as it always is, but ripples beneath my fingers.
“I think you’re into him.” His ears flutter, and then his skin shimmers when I say, “Dante.”
“Doonnnntehhhhh.”
“Yeah. And he was flirting, too, so he felt the same. I think he liked you.”
Cielo flops down on the couch, and his tail twists around his head, hiding his eyes from me.
“Don’t be embarrassed. Flirting is totally normal. It’s what humans do when we like someone.”
His tail moves slightly, and I see that shimmering rainbow iris looking up at me.
“Like winking, you know? Or touching. But I don’t think you do this, so it must be weird.” I stare at him staring at me, and I tap his leg. “I know what you need. A latte.”
His ears flutter, and I move to the espresso machine, frothing some milk and pouring some espresso shots before flopping down next to him and curling my legs underneath me. He’s sitting up now, licking at the foam.
“You should have gotten his number.”
His eyes meet mine, and I add, “That way you can sext. You know. Show him that tail, the things you can do with your tongue.”
I waggle my eyebrows, and his tongue curls up into his mouth quickly.
“Next time we go there, you do that. You say, I want your number. We can practice. Go on.”
He blinks at me, and I give him an encouraging nod.
“Whaaaaann…” He makes a face and then adds, “Noooombeee.”
“Maybe we should do it in sign.” It’s been a while since I’ve used it in school, but I think I remember how it goes. “Your number-give me-please.” I say the words out loud, and Cielo copies them flawlessly.
“I think sign might be the way to go,” I muse.
He repeats it again, then says, “Daahnnnttt,” and then lifts his hand to sign, “Beautiful.”
“Yeah, he really is,” I say just as the door opens and Rathyn strides through, his gaze settling on me before moving to Cielo, who is frozen in his spot. “Do not even make that face,” I say. “We were just chatting.”
“Flirting.”
I roll my eyes. “You don’t even know what that is.”
“I do know.”
“Yeah? What is it? Because I’m not sure you were listening before…” I say as Cielo finishes his drink and moves toward the door to escape. Neither of us says goodbye.
Rathyn’s gaze darkens, and his skin flutters.
“Come on,” I insist. “Tell me, since you know what it is.”
His right eye closes and opens, and my lips roll between my teeth as I try like hell not to laugh.
“Oh, so winking is flirting? Is that what I was doing?”
“You enjoy winking.”
“Yeah, I do.”
“Flirting. A mating call to others.”
A loud snort escapes me. “Yeah, alright. That’s what you think I was doing out today? Mating calls? Winking?”
“Yes. Flirting. But you are my companion.”
“Yeah, I know.” I lift my shirt and point to my pierced nipples. “Can’t forget.”
“I do not approve of you flirting with others.”
“Yeah, okay, dude.” I sigh and then stand up. “And just so you know, I wasn’t flirting with anyone. Dante was flirting with Cielo, and I was just explaining what that meant.”
Rathyn steps toward me, but I stop him, a hand to his chest. I feel his hearts beating beneath my palm, sure and steady.
“Yeah, I don’t think so. You can’t just show up for a booty call after insinuating I was flirting with someone else.”
“Booty call.”
“Yeah, my ass isn’t for sale.”
“Yes, but I pay you for your cum. So your dick is for sale.”
I shove at him and move toward the bedroom, hearing him trailing behind me. “Fuck off, Rath. I’m not letting you suck me off tonight.”
“You will. I have not collected today,” he says, his hum growing more annoyed.
It only intensifies when I slam the bathroom door in his face and lock it. “I need a minute.”
“You do not need a minute.”
“I do.”
His voice echoes in my mind. “I have angered you.”
I snort in derision and say nothing, pulling the bag out from under the sink and staring down at it. Instead of responding, I’m just gonna show him how annoyed I am.
Yeah, that’s exactly what I’m going to do.