“None that I’ve heard of, at least not recently,” Trevor looks at Darren who just shrugs.
“So, no creepy voice in the forest who goes by Bill and can create weird black flame portals then? Not one of yours?”
Earl and Trevor sit down too.
“Did you say black flame portals?” Earl asks in his growliest voice.
“Black as sin,” I mutter, getting more and more worked up by the minute.
I hate being caught in the middle. I miss my own life, the life I had before destiny and Fate started mucking it up. Then I catch a glimpse of Darren’s cock and realize that maybe there are some benefits to all of this craziness. Maybe. Not like I can ever sample, though. Fate.
“Bilexphiles?” Bryan asks, looking at his brothers.
“He’s been gone for at least a century. I don’t know why he would return, much less interfere with anything to do with Ronnie. He’s a loner and a trickster, but not really known for rendering assistance to travelers,” Darren muses, looking up at Earl who nods in agreement.
“Who, or what, is a Bilexphiles?” I demand.
No one answers me. I have had just about enough of no one answering me. Following my instincts, I take the ring that has recently appeared on my finger and give it a good turn.
“Bill. Get your ass in here. I want to talk to you.” I yell into the room, tapping my foot on the floor in impatience.
Between the not-knowing, the not-touching, and the not-eating, I’m getting super cranky.
At first, nothing happens. Then the creepy laughter starts.
“Knock it off, Bill,” I say crossly. “Can you please show yourself? The boys here have some questions.”
“Well, since you asked so nicely,” Bill says dryly before a circle of black flames appears in the middle of the floor. A very handsome man in a three-piece suit walks out. He would be at home on any European fashion runway, with the exception of the tiniest set of horns that poke through his perfectly tousled hair. And the fact that his skin is a mottled shade of blood red. He looks like a cartoon devil. But... hotter.
He offers me his hand in a gallant gesture and I take it, surprised to find him ice cold to the touch.
“The Lady Veronica, I presume?” He bows and presses a quick kiss to my knuckles. When all four sea lions growl at him, he presses another kiss to my palm. He may be a dick, but he has style. I’ll give him that.
“Bill, meet the pod. Pod, meet Bill. He saved me.” I gesture to them and none of them bother to make introductions. Chests are puffed out and posturing has started. I wonder if they would stop if I were to strip down naked and start dancing.
“I am not sure, my dear, but I truly hope you try,” Bill murmurs to me, eyeing me with interest. I gasp.
Did I really say that out loud? Fuck. I need to eat something.
No. You said it in your mind but I can hear your thoughts. A very amusing talent, I’m afraid.
The addition of Bill’s creepy voice to my inner monologue makes me want to scream. That’s the absolute last thing I need. The last. I flip him a finger and glare, but he just does that creepy laugh thing again. Dude needs a hobby.
Careful, pet. That hobby could become you.
I give up. Throwing my hands up in the air in exasperation, I leave the menfolk to argue about their dick sizes and testosterone levels on their own. Marching to the kitchen bar, I pick up the first bottle I see. Tequila. Perfect. I can always count on tequila. The alcohol of choice for making questionable life choices for two decades and counting.
Taking a giant swig directly from the bottle, I will myself not to choke, and then grab an apple from the basket on the table.
Dinner of champions, ladies and gentlemen.
When I head back into the living room, they are all sitting around chatting and, curiously, wearing matching black silk pajama pants. It’s not my favorite look, but it’s a good one.
“Got tired of looking at swinging balls?” I ask Bill, taking another swig of tequila. I am personally tired of seeing swinging balls that I can’t seem to touch. It’s annoying AF.
“You don’t allow her to touch you?” Bill asks suddenly, looking at the four with an amused expression.
I get four pairs of sea lion eyes on me and I just take another gulp of tequila and wave my hand at Bill to shut up.
“Interesting. She is your Mate. She should be allowed access to your bodies, should she not?” Bill continues, making my cheeks flood with hot embarrassment.
“Ronnie, my pet, would you prefer your men be back to nude so that you may enjoy the view?” he asks solicitously, waving his hands so that Earl’s pajama pants turn into chaps.
That’s... a talent. I can’t seem to look away. Earl looks pissed. Hot and mostly naked, but pissed.
I’m tempted to see what else he can do, but the guys look freaked out. And a little turned on. Probably better leave it.
Bill sighs, “If you insist, my pet.”
He waves his hand and Earl’s pants right themselves again. It’s kind of a shame. I get closer to the guys and run a hand out across each of their shoulders. I feel instantly better.
“Why do I feel the need to touch you guys all the time?” I ask, caressing Trevor’s cheek with one hand and taking another shot of tequila with the other.
“You need to touch us, or you want to touch us?” Earl asks carefully.
I rub his head with my palm, enjoying the softness of his hair.
“I feel better when I touch you, ok? It’s weird. I don’t know why. It’s just, I feel unsettled if you’re not all near me,” I huff self-consciously.
Bill laughs outright and claps his hands. “This is delightful. Do I get to be here for this auspicious moment?
