Chapter 2
Damon
Should I invite him in?
“No!” I barked, louder than I meant to, shaking my head to dispel the unnatural dizziness caused by his sudden appearance. “Mr. Luna, I presume? Why are you here? Where’s Pearl? What have you done with her?”
He cocked his head, appearing amused by my barrage of questions. “Just Max is fine, unless you want to call me sir.” The friendly smile turned into a smirk. “Pearl fell asleep before anything could be done, and since we’d yet to discuss that sort of scenario, I left her alone.”
That sort of…
I hissed in a breath as the implication landed, annoyed I wasn’t still wearing my duster to hide the effect the idea had on me.
Of course, Max missed nothing, his focus briefly flickering below my belt before returning to my face. “Why don’t you let me in so we can discuss it further?”
My cheeks heated as my anger—and arousal—flared. “And what if I say no?”
All humor vanished from his expression as he straightened. “Then I shall continue to converse with you from the doorway, like the gentleman I am.”
Well, that was… unexpected.
I opened my mouth only to snap it closed again, noticing how his boots politely remained on the opposite side of the threshold.
“Why not find a more willing companion?” I muttered, even as the words felt hollow to my ears. “The doves will be returning shortly to the parlor for their next round of clients—”
“You’re the companion I want!” he growled, his eyes seeming to flash silver again as he stared into my very soul. When I recoiled at his vehemence, he cleared his throat and softened his tone. “What I mean to say is, I came to this establishment for you.”
His clarification only confused me more. “W-why on earth would you come here for me? I’m not one of the Madam’s famous doves…”
Not usually…
I trailed off as a possible explanation arose. With the recent influx of more “civilized” visitors from the coasts—thanks to the population growing beyond the cities’ capabilities—a strange perception of “unnaturalness” tied to same-sex relations had emerged.
This was not how most in the West treated it. Women were few and far between outside of the evening establishments, and certainly scarce on the range and in the mines. Most men didn’t think twice about finding release—and companionship—with each other, as temporary and more permanent arrangements.
It’s incredibly natural if you ask me.
While my desires had never been treated as “wrong,” I didn’t know what sort of environment the man before me came from.
I don’t know anything about him…
But I want to.
“You prefer men… but felt pursuing one under the guise of this establishment would be more… discreet?” I carefully asked as I stepped closer, practically hearing the doves congratulate me on my attempts at communication.
One benefit to being raised by a house full of women, I suppose.
Max’s eyebrows disappeared beneath his Derby. “No, I don’t have a preference. Well, that’s not entirely true…” His expression turned dreamy as his gaze dropped to my neck. “I prefer those who make me wonder what they will taste like when I claim them.”
When.
Not if.
“Sir…” I took another step toward the doorway as that strange dizziness began to creep into my consciousness again.
Perhaps I should invite him in…
“Yes, pet?” he purred, his hooded eyes growing darker as he patiently waited for me to get closer.
Close enough to strike.
It may have been the repeated “pet” or my survival instincts reminding me of this stranger’s intentions, but I shook my head free of its cobwebs and glared.
“You are quite forward, Max,” I huffed, knowing I sounded as tediously scandalized as the city folk I blamed for threatening our loose morals. “Especially as I am not for sale.”
And I am no one’s pet.
I don’t think…
Max bowed his head before peeking up at me from beneath his brim, a mischievous smile playing on his distracting lips.
“My apologies, Damon. I haven’t… fed since I arrived in town.” His gaze flickered to my neck before returning to my face. “In hindsight, that may have been a mistake.”
I frowned, realizing I’d also forgotten to eat supper while ensuring the doves were fed and ready for the evening.
Perhaps that’s why I feel so off-kilter.
“Well, that’s as good a reason as any for us to part ways for the evening,” I stated huffily.
I grabbed my duster from where I’d tossed it aside, eager to shoo this tempting man away from my bed. Unfortunately, the motion caused Pearl’s tarot card to fly out of the pocket, landing face up with a slap on my scuffed wooden floor, directly in front of Max’s shiny black boots.
Goddamnit.
He squinted down at the card before glancing up at me with clear amusement. “A believer in fate, are we?”
Rolling my eyes, I sighed. “Not particularly. It was Pearl’s doing—forcing one of her foolish cards upon me.” Noticing how thoughtfully he was examining the card, I tentatively asked, “Do you… know what it means?”
“I do…” he murmured before grinning up at me. “But I will only tell you if you dine with me.”
Insufferable man.
“Fine,” I snapped, suppressing the shiver that ran down my spine as I accidentally brushed against him on the way past. “We won’t be dining here, however. I cannot—”
“Cannot allow the Madam to think she owns you,” Max effortlessly completed my sentence, causing me to freeze in my tracks.
How this complete stranger had so effortlessly pinpointed the exact reason for my defiance was concerning. Even more alarming was how a weight lifted from my shoulders at his understanding.
This is ridiculous.
I spun around and stalked back down the hallway until we were only inches apart. This was a mistake, as Max’s scent was now washing over me, threatening to absolve him of everything.
Expensive whiskey, cloves, and sex.
“Must I remind you that you were reportedly willing to pay obscene amounts of money to own me for the night,” I growled, fighting to remain angry, although exactly who that anger was directed at was no longer clear.
Instead of matching my ire, or backing down, Max deeply inhaled, briefly closing his eyes as he did, as if my scent was equally intoxicating.
“My offer goes well beyond a single night, Damon,” he calmly replied, his gaze trailing over my face, drinking me in. “If you would prefer, no money shall pass between us. I still intend to spend obscene amounts of money on you, however—if you’ll let me.”
What in the devil is happening?
“Are you…” I could barely form a coherent sentence. “Are you wooing me, sir?!”
He smirked, eyes sparkling with mischief, and I realized this was his signature expression. “I would have assumed—by your speech and the stacks of literature in your bedroom—that you are a learned man, but it appears you need me to be plain. Yes, I am wooing you, and I intend to make you mine.”
This was such an astonishing turn of events, I couldn’t find it in me to argue.
Instead, I wordlessly turned on my heel and led the way down the service stairs, through the back door, and out into the October night.
The crisp air did wonders to clear my head, which allowed me to better examine this unexpected proposal.
It was a common fantasy amongst the doves to dream about wealthy clients whisking them away from this life, but it had never been a goal of mine. I’d simply assumed I would remain under Madam Roulette’s roof for as long as I could, earning my keep by protecting her valuable property.
But I’ve always been her property too…
The revelation shouldn’t have surprised me. My mother had died while employed at the House of Eternal Moonlight—and her passing no doubt created a temporary gap in revenue—so it made sense that I would be considered an asset in the Madam’s estate.
However, it had never been suggested before tonight that my body was also considered hers to bargain with as she pleased. While Roulette had strangely allowed the subject to drop, I couldn’t help worrying her concession was just for show.
I’m only a pawn in her game.
“If this… continues beyond tonight…” I hesitantly began, avoiding Max’s face even as he moved to stand beside me. “You may need to pay the Madam something… if only to stop her from accusing me of… unlicensed transactions.”
The words tasted bitter on my tongue, and I was sure Max could see the way my cheeks flamed, even in the cloud-covered moonlight, but I was saved by a small group of revelers loudly stumbling past and into a nearby alleyway.
The same alleyway where my transactions usually occur…
There was no reason for my humiliation. It would have been unheard of for a 20-year-old man to still be a virgin—not least of all one in my circumstances—but some small part of me wondered if Max had set his sights on me as the least likely to be soiled.
“Damon…” His breath tickled my ear, the placement of his hand on my lower back oddly steadying as he leaned in close.
“You will find no judgment here for your unlicensed transactions. I will handle Madam Roulette. All you need to worry about is where you would like to dine tonight.” A pause as he turned his head slightly. “Please excuse me for a moment…”
Before I could respond, or fully absorb how he’d once again identified and alleviated my concerns so expertly, Max sauntered down the same alleyway as the drunken party.
Perhaps he didn’t realize the House has indoor plumbing…
I used the time alone to collect myself and consider my options—dining and otherwise.
It wasn’t as if I’d foolishly believed Madam Roulette cared for me in the same way Pearl and Mattie did, but to know she would gladly sell me to the highest bidder had been eye-opening to say the least. My mind wandered to the Two of Cups, currently discarded on my bedroom floor, and the man willing to explain the meaning to me—who claimed he wanted to woo me like some sort of gentleman.
Am I a believer in fate?
Before I could answer that question, Max reappeared, visibly reenergized. “Ready, pet?” He grinned, his smile seeming sharper than usual. “It’s your turn to feed.”
My… turn?
He must have sensed my confusion, as he hurriedly clarified, “Your choice, I mean. Where is the finest supper in town?”
I huffed, knowing I was about to sound every bit the unrefined redneck. “Well, there is an upscale restaurant in the Paris Hotel. I've never been. It’s… French or something, so I wouldn’t know what to order anyway—”
“Parfait!” he exclaimed, gesturing for me to lead the way. “Allow me to introduce you to the wonders of French cuisine while we toast to this new beginning of your very long life.”