Chapter 4
I watchedthe girl the crowd at Howler’s referred to as “the Fairy” weave her magic. She swayed back and forth as she played, completely entranced with the performance. I’d always wondered why they called her that, but I could understand the reference now as I watched her on stage.
It had nothing to do with her size but everything to do with how she flitted back and forth, practically dusting everyone around her in magic. She was light and airy, and it felt like she granted you a wish by playing.
The Fairy captivated me as she embodied the music; the connection with Phantom undeniable. I’d heard the tales of their performances, but hearing about it paled significantly to seeing it in person.
There was an energy generated that everyone in the club could feel. The crowd below danced along, weaving and swaying to the beat the Fairy played. If I believed in the supernatural at all, I might consider her an actual fairy. The way she held the crowd under her spell was a magic all of its own.
“I don’t get it,” the blonde model beside me said. “Why do people like to watch her?”
I rolled my eyes, seeing right through her jealousy. I turned and stared directly at her.
“Don’t body shame. It’s not becoming. If you can’t recognize how beautiful she is without feeling threatened, that’s something you need to look at closer. That’s not even considering how magical the two of them are. That’s performance. That’s connection. That’s art.”
She stiffened, her eyes turning cold as she listened. I could hear the retort building on her tongue and sighed as I slid out of the booth.
“There’s no room for jealousy and small-mindedness at my shoot. If I were you, I wouldn’t show up tomorrow. You won’t like the outcome if you do.”
Her face paled, but I was already over her and moved closer to the railing so I could watch better. It was funny. I hadn’t wanted to come here tonight, but now I was glad I had. Not only did I get to witness her, but I got to watch my best friend let go and embrace the connection he shared with someone other than me.
Their energy was palpable, sparking lust into the crowd, and I knew there would be lots of people getting lucky tonight. I would be surprised if several babies weren’t conceived from their performance alone. Pure fucking magic.
The song ended, and Phantom bolted up and rushed off stage. Shit. She’d pushed him, and he’d retreated into his head. Should I go to him? Or was it better to let him calm down on his own?
I glanced around at the crowd gathered in VIP and wondered if it was too early to leave. Could I even get away? Having to people this much wasn’t my style, but I would suffer through it like I always did. I preferred to be behind the camera for a reason. I sighed at the realization I’d only been here an hour. Far too early to leave for what was socially appropriate. Fuck.
The stress of the day weighed on my shoulders with the knowledge it wasn’t over—far from it, in fact. I still needed to review today’s shots, pick the best ones to send over, and then let the designers know what I’d need tomorrow. On top of that, I still had the arduous task of filling my best friend’s ad. I thought it would be easy when I volunteered to take on the job. How hard could it be to find a woman to pretend to be a fake date on an all-expense paid cruise?
Apparently very hard—and not in the way I liked to be.
Kieran and I had an unorthodox relationship with sometimes more than friend’s benefits. We weren’t an item, but we also weren’t unattached. There was something missing between us—a woman to balance us out. It gave a whole new meaning to “it’s complicated.”
But this also meant that for business functions, he needed pretty arm candy to soothe the investors’ fears about the fact he was a single male with oats to sow. And let me tell you, that was the funniest fucking thing there ever was.
Kieran didn’t sleep around. Kieran hardly slept in general, but to believe he put his dick into anything that walked was ludicrous. But because he was tall, good-looking, and in his prime, the board and investors believed what they wanted about him despite no indication that he partook in those activities.
The only women he slept with were on the few occasions I brought someone home to share between us. It never went beyond more than one night, and the girls understood the score. But that didn’t matter. They only saw him as a bachelor who lived with his flamboyant best friend, and that was too risky, in their opinion.
So, I suggested he hire someone to stand in as his companion for his upcoming work trip. It would keep the boundaries clear for him and give the appearance he was in a committed relationship, so the investors would unclench their assholes.
Kieran had been skeptical but reluctantly agreed as long as I handled it. He was horrible with people and preferred concentrating on his work, trusting I’d pick the right woman. I’d readily agreed, finding no hardship in spending time with beautiful women, and knew better than even Kieran who he needed.
But I hadn’t expected the most insufferable women to apply. Seriously, I was about to swear off pussy if I had to deal with another ladder-climbing socialite who wanted to use Kieran to launch their influencer status. No, we don’t want to model your jewelry.
“Sir, would you like a refill?” a waiter asked me, bringing me out of my spiral. I glanced at the ice cubes and was about to say no when the Fairy was carried up the stairs in a gorgeous Brazilian man’s arms, stopping me in my tracks. Literally, my brain froze, and I had an instant boner at the sight of them.
I sucked in a breath as I took her in up close. Fucking hell, she was gorgeous. No wonder Blondie had been jealous. Confidence and sexual appeal oozed out of her, acting like magnets to pull everyone into her orbit—men and women.
The Fairy had a presence that couldn’t be taught but had been hard won through battles life had placed in front of her. She wasn’t a skittish kitten but a glorious warrior who didn’t balk at asking for what she wanted, taking it as her own because she knew her worth.
And there was nothing more sexy than a confident Queen.
I instantly understood Phantom had been pulled under her spell despite his avoidance of people. Her magnitude was an addictive quality that made you want to be near her, no matter the cost. Every person in this section watched them dance, unable to stop themselves. Some held curious stares, others envious, but most were enamored by the two… by her. It was like watching porn for the first time. So beautiful, you didn’t know where to stare and knew nothing in real life would ever measure up. It was unfair, really.
“Sir?” the waiter asked again, reminding me he’d been waiting.
“I’m good. Thanks.” I handed him the glass, glad to have two hands to hold on to the railing as I perved on them. When they disappeared around the corner, my feet were moving to follow before I could talk myself out of it. I’d become that enthralled.
Which was why two seconds later, I felt like a creeper as I stood outside the door and listened to their sounds of pleasure. My cock strained against my tight jeans, moments from bursting through the seams. Their moans quieted, and I leaned closer, the need to hear what they said overpowering my rationality.
Were they an item? Was she taken? Did they share?
These questions raced through my mind, and I wouldn’t be able to sleep until I knew. I’d been caught up in her fairy dust, drunk on her lust, and was too enraptured to walk away now.
“When will I see you again?” The sexy Brazilian’s voice dripped like honey, pushing my weak restraint further.
But if I thought his voice was bad, hers had me shoving my fist into my mouth to stop myself from moaning aloud. Fuck, her voice was beautiful—sultry and deep. My dick twitched in my pants, and I almost missed what she said.
“Not sure. I need to find another job and a place to live. So, things are kind of up in the air at the moment.”
I barely had time to process her words before the door creaked open. I jumped out of the way into another nook and pressed my body flat. Thankfully, she’d gone the other way, and my heart slowed as I realized I hadn’t been caught being a perv.
An undeniable mission rose in me—she was the perfect solution to all my needs. I had to convince the Fairy to fill out the ad. She was the type of companion Kieran needed. And maybe if I was lucky, she was the woman to fill the space between us.
The door shut, and the Brazilian sighed as he locked it up. I stepped out of my hiding place and waited for him to come this way. His head was down as he turned the corner, allowing me to look at him properly now that he didn’t have the sexy goddess wrapped around him.
He was a good-looking man, his Brazilian heritage giving him a strong jawline and sharp edges. Tattoos ran up the length of his forearm, and I was curious what they were. His steps halted when he finally spotted me, his dark eyes shooting to meet mine.
“Can I help you?” he asked, lifting his brow in question.
“I hope so.” I smiled smugly, confident I could close this. “I couldn’t help but overhear that the Fairy requires a place to live and a job,” I said, not beating around the bush. Both eyebrows jumped, his dark eyes changing as he assessed me thoroughly.
“You’re the photographer,” he said, something clicking in his mind. “And friends with Phantom.”
This time, it was my turn to raise my brows. I’d only been here two times with Kieran. This was his place, a comfort he could escape to when he needed to get out of his head. I tended to leave him to it, knowing it was something he needed outside of me.
“Very perceptive for a bartender.”
He smirked, crossing his arms. With his head lifted, I could make out the emotions in his dark eyes and the piercings along his ear and nose. I unconsciously licked my lips as my mind put images to the sounds I’d heard between the two of them.
“What do you want with Everly?” he asked, returning my attention to the present. Everly. So that was the Fairy’s name. I liked it.
“You care for her,” I said instead, seeing the love for her written all over his face. Everly might want to keep things casual, but this man was besotted with her. I’d need to convince him first, then.
“That’s old news.” He scoffed. “Everly doesn’t do relationships, so it doesn’t matter. What do you want with her?” The protectiveness in his voice spoke loud and clear. He wouldn’t tell me a damn thing unless he believed it was in her best interest. My new idea took shape, and I smiled as I stepped closer.
This man stood a few inches taller than me but was nowhere near Kieran’s height. Not that height intimidated me. I’d learned early in life not to let my size affect how I felt about myself. I might only be five-foot-ten and slimmer than this man, but I’d dominated men twice my size. Attitude didn’t care how tall you were or how much weight you could bench press. So I’d perfected the art of dominance, using my personality and character to take up more space.
His nostrils flared slightly, the only indication he felt my presence. Oh, this could be so much fun. My cock twitched again, agreeing with me. The smell of her and him had my nostrils flaring. Fucking yum.
“I have a proposition, Gato. Is there somewhere quiet we could chat?” I purred, not hiding my attraction.
His eyes widened slightly at my Portuguese, his Adam’s apple bobbing as he swallowed. We stared at one another in that dark hallway, my gato searching my eyes as he tried to find any hint I was full of bullshit. When he couldn’t find anything, he relaxed and nodded.
“Sure. But you can call me Cruz.” He turned and motioned for me to follow.
“Jace. But I think I prefer Gato,” I teased, noticing the hitch in his breath.
Cruz led me to an upper floor where only a few people were and sat in a dark booth. He motioned to the waiter, who quickly came over and took our orders. I had the impression this man was more than the bartender, but I’d let him keep the secret for now.
Once our drinks were delivered, I didn’t waste time. It was time to unveil my brilliant plan. Excitement bubbled in me as I leaned forward, my hands wrapped around my glass. The earlier exhaustion had left me as my brain fixated on this new and exciting task.
“Have you ever seen the movie Parent Trap?” I asked as I took a big swallow, my eyes darting all over his face.
“The movie of the twins?” he asked, his brow furrowed. Damn, he was too cute.
“That’s the one.” His eyes widened as he leaned forward.
“Are you Everly’s missing twin?” he questioned, taking me by surprise. I sputtered out a laugh, not having expected that.
“Fuck no. My cock’s hard as nails from watching you two. This isn’t a Luke and Leia thing.”
Cruz sat back, and I didn’t miss the heat that grew in his eyes at my words.
“Then I’m confused. You’re trying to trap her parents? Everly doesn’t talk to them. They disowned her years ago.”
“Assholes,” I muttered, my hackles rising at the knowledge anyone would dismiss that girl. “But no, more of the concept, not the parent or twin part. I think I have the perfect solution to Everly’s job and home problem.”
I took another drink and leaned back, enjoying the power I had between us. Cruz didn’t take the bait, though. Instead, taking a sip of his own drink and held my eyes. When I blinked, something shifted, and I sat forward.
“Kieran placed an ad for a companion to accompany him as his fake date on a cruise. He needs to impress some investors, and they don’t take him seriously enough because he’s single. I suggested he find someone to be a stand-in.”
“Sounds more like Pretty Woman than Parent Trap,” Cruz mumbled, looking at me like he was trying to figure out my angle.
“Yes, that part, I suppose, is more like that movie, but the other dynamic, the trap part, is only because it’s her. So, it’s a Pretty Woman meets the Parent Trap on the Love Boat type of thing.” I swirled my hand around, words flying out of my mouth a mile a minute in my excitement.
“You’ve lost me,” Cruz said, taking a swig of his drink, peering at me skeptically now. He kept searching my face like the answer to my brilliant idea was stored there.
“First of all, the ad’s for a companion, not a hooker. There’s no canoodling required. And second of all, you can’t deny the chemistry between Kieran and Everly.”
“Kieran’s Phantom?” he asked, apparently wanting to ensure he had the characters right.
“Yes. Kieran’s my best friend. I’ve known him since boarding school. He’s awkward and quiet and timid around women. He spends most of his time with his head in a project. He has a brilliant mind and is very skilled at the piano. But Kieran will never leave his comfort zone unless I push him. He gets stuck in his ways and accepts his life as it is, believing the only way to make himself worthy is to keep being the best.”
“So by putting them together, you’re hoping they what? Fall in love?” He didn’t laugh, but I wasn’t sure if he believed me.
“They’re already there, and you know it, but it sounds like neither of them will admit it.” I sat back, my drink empty, and crossed my arms in triumphant. Try to argue that, Gato! Point for me.
Cruz nodded slowly as he observed me; a million things appeared to run through his mind as he sat quietly. His fingers tapping on the table were the only outside movement as he processed everything. He leaned forward a moment later, and I held my breath, hoping I’d get everything I wanted.
“I’ll be honest; I thought you were with Kieran. And I’m not sure how you expect me to give up Everly. I love that girl even if she can’t accept it. I’m never going away. If she ever decides to marry, her husband will have to deal with me sticking my dick in her, too. I’ll be her creepy neighbor if I have to.”
I smiled, his words not creeping me out one bit. I liked his intensity and knew I had him exactly where I wanted him. This I could work with.
“Kieran and I are together sometimes, and we aren’t other times. The two of us only work to a certain extent. We need a third to balance us out. It’s just how it’s always been with both of us. As for you, if you’re willing to share, I don’t see why you would have to give up Everly. I never pictured myself in a traditional relationship. Can you honestly say you did either, Gato?”
His pupils dilated again, and he bit the inside of his mouth. I’d become excellent at reading people’s cues, and I knew if I reached over and touched his cock, it would rival how hard mine was.
“So let me get this straight. Your plan is to trap her in a relationship with the two of you when it sounds like you’ve never even met her? And you’ll let me have a relationship on the side?” he asked, bitterness finding its way into his words. His protectiveness was sexy though, his eyes slitting with danger. My pulse picked up, and I shifted.
“Stop whatever bullshit nonsense you’re dreaming up. I already know she’d be perfect for both Kieran and me. And I would never trap someone into a relationship if they didn’t want to be with me. I merely mean the term in the sense of locking them both up until they have to admit their feelings. Haven’t you ever read a romance book? Forced Proximity always works.”
His face relaxed, his eyes more intrigued now. Swallowing, I licked my lips, liking how he tracked the movement.
“What they do from there is up to them. I’m not a wizard, just a mastermind of design.” I smirked at my own joke. “As for your relationship… that would depend on you, Gato. Do you only want to be on the outside? Or would you be able to open yourself up to something bigger and better?”
Cruz stared at me, and I yearned to know what he was thinking. He was an enigma I hadn’t been expecting but one I look forward to unraveling. The list of things I wanted to do to him was growing.
“Everly doesn’t do relationships. You’ll just be wasting your time.”
Was that his only defense now? Another point to me.
“Let me worry about the details, Gato. If you’re amenable to the idea, the hardest part is over. Tell me what coffee shop she’ll be at tomorrow, and I’ll do the rest. Believe me; no one can say no to me.”
I let that hang in the air for a second as I looked him over, leaning forward to give him my most charming smile.
“Have you ever shot a group of models who loathe one another, are hangry, and yet make the picture look like they’re the freaking Brady Bunch? No. I didn’t think so. I have a gift. So, let me do my part, and I’ll let you know when it’s time to do yours. Okay, Gato?”
“I’m not a fucking cat,” he finally hissed, sounding just like a cat. He narrowed his eyes, his cheeks red as he stared at me.
“You sure about that? You look two seconds away from brushing yourself up against my leg. Which I’m all for, in case that wasn’t obvious.” I winked. Giddiness filled me. I was about to have a home run.
Cruz stared at me for a second before bursting into laughter, making me pout. What? Huh?
“Sorry. I just wasn’t sure if you were yanking my chain or not. Let’s get one thing clear, though. I would never bottom for you. Now, what are the details of this trip? Because if you think for one second I’m not booking a room, you’re wrong on two accounts.”
I blinked, shocked by his words, and my brain struggled to compute what he’d said. Yanking? Bottom? Room?
Yes, to all of the above.
Wait. Not me. Cruise, not Cruz. Yes. Focus.
“It’s a cabin, not a room,” I mumbled, trying to envision what it would be like to be topped now that my brain had slowed.
Cruz smirked as he pulled out his phone and handed it over so I could add my number. He sent me a message with the location of the coffee shop and what time she worked before sliding out of the booth. He leaned down at my side, that seductive smell of whiskey, leather, eucalyptus, and honey invading me. I couldn’t wait to figure out which smell belonged to whom.
I blinked as his words skated over me as he whispered, “Don’t forget who the trap is for, Meu Dengo. I’ll be in touch.”
My breath lodged in my throat as my body buzzed. A man had never affected me this way before—with Kieran, it was different. Despite my more effeminate features, I’d always been the dominant one in the bedroom. And yet Cruz was shattering all those notions I’d contrived about myself. Point to Cruz.
It took a while for my heart to return to normal, and I pulled out my phone to plug in the word he’d said to me. I knew quite a bit of Portuguese from working with models, but that had been one I didn’t know. Except my Google search yielded no help.
“My dengo?” I muttered as I scrunched my nose. What the hell did that mean?
I suddenly wondered if he’d been right, and I was about to fall victim to my own trap. Cruz was unexpected, but I couldn’t deny being intrigued.
This cruise just became a whole lot more fascinating.