I felt treasured and divine. His kisses were primal. Adoring. He poured his conviction into me with every flick of his tongue and press of his lips. Abruptly, he ended the kiss and pulled away with a small smile. I watched as he slipped back into his usual passive persona, but it took a moment for his fiery eyes to calm.
Knowing I had the power to obliterate his restraint gave me such a thrill. He might be perfect and collected for everyone else, but with me, he embodied a pure, unfiltered, uninhibited chaos.
In the main sitting room, the others were waiting patiently. Jules and Tallis had left to collect supplies from a carrier in the tunnels. I adjusted my dress and hair once more, feeling uncomfortable under the stares of my men.
Huxley rested his eyes on my legs. They were exposed through the high slit in my white dress, and he looked at them like they were taunting him. Then, he traveled his eyes up my body with longing, but when he saw my face, his relaxed lips went hard with disapproval. I wasn’t sure how to take that. Did he not like this disguise? “You look beautiful,” Patrick said. “But you always have,” he quickly added while glaring at Huxley from the corner of his eye, as if daring him to say otherwise.
“What’s on your face?” Huxley asked. Jacob elbowed him then began digging in his pockets.
“Makeup?” I replied.
He looked like he didn’t know how to respond. Luckily, Jacob intervened. “You don’t just ask a girl what’s on her face!” the mindspeak blurted out. “Have I taught you nothing? Ash, Jules did a fantastic job disguising your appearance. The makeup is tasteful, but I’m thankful I get to see your beauty underneath. It’s like a mask almost. They see your war paint, and we get to see the real you.”
I smiled at Jacob’s comments then giggled when his mindspeak continued rambling, against his wishes. “See, you idiots? That's how you woo a girl. Take some fucking notes on how to make her feel beautiful for fuck’s sake!” Kemper chuckled beside me. I understood that this was an uncomfortable situation. I decided to take a page from Patrick’s personality and lighten the mood.
“I’m just thankful Jules didn’t follow through with her original plan to shave my eyebrows. I might not be a fashion expert, but her lie about that being a new trend was too transparent.”
The guys all laughed, and I took a seat by Jacob. Checking his ears, I noticed that he had removed his mindspeak translator, so I made a mental note not to ask him too many questions or engage him in conversation. I didn’t want him to feel inadequate, embarrassed, or upset. So instead, I didn’t use words. I only grabbed his hand and smiled, thankful that I was with him. I hoped that soon we would have time one on one to catch up, but for now, I was determined to fulfill my duties for Madam B.
The kitchen doors opened, and the crass Companion manager walked in, munching on a cupcake. When her eyes landed on me, her chocolate-covered mouth widened into a broad grin.
“I hardly recognized you! Jules does good work.” Madam B then shoved the rest of the chocolate cupcake in her mouth before licking the frosting from her fingertips.
Plopping on one of the chairs, she rested her feet up on the coffee table. She was utterly relaxed and in her element. “The girls should be here any moment. They had rounds at Cavil’s estate this morning for a diplomacy meeting. Cavil sure does enjoy using them to convince leaders,” she joked. “I’m sure they’ve aided in at least seven trade deals since he arrived here. The other brothels in the Zone are pissed that I’ve got all the good immune Companions.”
At her words, the front door slammed open, and chatter erupted through the hallways. “I’m telling you,” a bright voice said, “the man had a stuffed animal! He wanted to watch while I—”
I looked at the entryway as four women stood staring at us.
The first girl on the right had long blond hair, a pointed nose, and green eyes. She was beautiful, but her features were sharp. She wore an analytical expression as she openly observed our group, lingering a moment longer than I’d like on Kemper before looking at me.
The girl next to her had short black hair and full lips that were a bright red shade without the aid of