Gypsy Freak (All The Pretty Monsters #2)(48)

I start watching them too, because she’s hella limber, and I’m not sure how she’s bending that way. It defies all natural laws, if I’m being honest. I hope that’s not the standard guys expect…

Vance and I both lean our heads to the left when she pulls off a backbend blowjob that has all of our attention.

“Damn,” I say on a surprised, slightly inferior breath.

I can’t even do a simple backbend. Let alone attempt the multitasking. My teeth always chomp when I slip…

Vance shakes out of the distraction, straightens his tie, curses Damien’s parties, and starts guiding me toward a corner with a large mushroom-like chairs that turn into sofas or beds or anything else you need.

Vance gestures for me to sit first, and I do so, even though I’m curious how rude it is to sit and stare. More and more people start coming in with robes and masks, and Vance groans.

“He really should have specified it’s an elegant affair,” Vance tells me just as one guy lifts a girl up and lets another guy push inside her, while he holds her up from behind.

“Yeah. Sure,” I say absently, riveted to this.

So much debauchery is simply normal here, like it’s okay as long as you’re wearing a mask at a Morpheous House.

“I guess this is really awkward for you, and I’m sorry you’re stuck babysitting, but I’m not sitting here alone. I’m afraid strange men I don’t know will…do some of that to me,” I say, gesturing to one girl who has three guys on her at once.

More power to her for loving every second of it, but I’m personally just not okay with strangers sticking things in all my orifices. Clearly, I’m too sheltered for that.

With the sounds coming out of her, that don’t sound fake at all…I’m starting to hate my momma for sheltering me. I feel like I’m missing out, but it’s still a hell no from me.

The theme of the night seems to be satin, which sort of makes me smile. But it’s when the satin turns pink in the air, like the gold has been an illusion all along, that I get a little…worried.

I start to ask Vance about it to find out if it’s a coincidence, but when I find him simply staring at me instead of everyone having sex, I stiffen.

“What?” I ask, feeling my face and wondering if something is on it.

A ghost of a mocking smile flirts with his lips before he leans forward, getting closer to me.

“Why exactly do you think this is really awkward for me?” he asks, as though he’s been patiently waiting to respond to my question once he had my full attention.

I decide to just be blunt about it, since skating around the topic has left me in the cold with him. “Because we were in a unique position that led to sex, and you’ve mostly avoided me since then. Now you’re sitting on a mushroom and watching other people have sex right next to me.”

His eyes flick to my lips and back up to my gaze, as he releases a frustrated sound. “It’s rather complicated to explain why I shouldn’t have taken advantage of that situation, but you’ll understand eventually. I’m sure,” he says a little quieter. “Here,” he adds, pulling a box out of the inside of his coat.

He hands it to me, and I glance down, running my hand over the long, narrow, soft velvet casing, before taking it from him.

I expect to find a necklace, given the box shape, but instead, I find a small, beautiful, silver knife with a shimmering marble handle of some sort.

I expect it to be heavy, but instead, it’s perfectly light, and so easily balanced. I’ve never seen anything at all like it before, or touched anything so deceptive to the eye with expectations and reality.

“It’s a gift from a Van Helsing for your birthday,” he says, leaning over to adjust my grip.

His hand closes over mine, showing me the proper hold and grip, and his fingers gently linger on my skin as he moves in closer.

“Use it wisely. For exactly one hit, you have the power of a Van Helsing. After that, it’s just any other rusty knife with a very attractive hilt.”

My eyes flick over to his, and I find him a hell of a lot closer. So close I can feel the tickle of his warm breath as it softly bathes my lips.

“Thank you,” I say lamely, causing his smile to tug up at one corner of his mouth.

He clears his throat and looks away before adding, “Emit can’t be here tonight because of some beta issues he’s still dealing with. But he has agreed to start training you, the way Damien stated you requested. Instead of me…you know…the Van Helsing who would be an excellent trainer.”

I’d already moved on from the possibility of Emit training me, since he seems to have zero interest in being friends.

“Actually, I think I’m going to stick to what I know. Maybe I’ve been lured into a false sense of security this past week, but I feel safe enough. Besides, I’m finally opening the store to the public and still have to hire a new delivery person. There won’t be much free time on my hands.”

“No more personal deliveries, little gypsy?” he asks, sounding almost disappointed.

“Margie, I’m sure, will miss seeing me at the front door,” I state with a smartass smile that has his lips restraining one of his own.

“Touché,” he relents just as the pink satin decorations start waving in the wind, almost in a synchronized dance.