Damaged Like Us (Like Us #1)(20)
“You’re too close to his spine,” I tell Jane, and I reach out to her wrist. “Can I?”
“Please.”
I shift her hands to his traps, muscles lateral to his shoulder blades. I close her fingers, oiling my hands, and as soon as she starts kneading his muscles again, she asks, “Better, Moffy?”
“Yep.” His collar is tight, and when he glances at me, then intakes a sharp breath, I realize that my closeness is the cause.
I sweep his stringent posture: Maximoff Hale, shirtless, muscles oiled, and being massaged beneath novice hands.
He’d feel better beneath mine.
He winces, “Fuck. Jane.” She pinched his nerve.
She raises her oiled hands. “Sorry.” Jane searches for something. “Merde,” she says shit in French. “Hold on, Moffy. I’m going to pop up the video again.” She nods to me, then the coffee table where her phone lies. “Farrow, would you mind?”
I wipe my oiled hands on my black pants and then I grab the phone, cased in a blue zebra-print hard-shell. “How serious are you about being a masseuse?”
She elbows a piece of hair off her freckled cheek. “If I really enjoy it, then I’ll research how to become a professional masseuse and go from there.” She nods to the phone. “The video should be in my ‘recently watched’ list on YouTube.”
I wait to unlock her cell. “And what happens when you have a customer who wants a ‘happy ending’ from the famous Jane Cobalt?”
Maximoff glances at Jane, exchanging a look like they’ve both discussed the safety risks before.
Whenever I scroll through social media for security threats, the ones surrounding Jane Cobalt range from disgusting, plain creepy to violent. They’re both also aware of how some people perceive them. All it takes is a Twitter account:
I’d spank the fuck out of Jane Cobalt. I wanna see her cry.
Tie that bitch up and choke her good #JaneCobalt
Jane Cobalt likes it just like her mom. Ridden rough & hard, put away wetttttttt!!!
I’m gonna bang Connor Cobalt’s daughter until she can’t walk straight.
Omega is very protective of Jane without her realizing. In the past three weeks, we’ve intercepted her mail since a sick little shit keeps sending her ball gags. I’ll never broadcast this to Jane either. Security wants all of them to live without constant fear.
I agree.
We read and deal with all the fucked-up, demented shit so they don’t have to.
Jane shrugs and squirts more oil on her hands. “I’d have to screen my customers. It comes with the territory.”
“Of being famous,” I say.
“Of being the daughter to Rose and Connor Cobalt,” she clarifies. “Everyone watches me through the lens of my parents.”
Maximoff cracks a crick in his neck and mutters, “For better and for worse.”
I understand.
Their fame derives from their parents. Not from themselves. Rose and Connor Cobalt just happen to be notorious for having sex tapes leaked to the media. Specifically BDSM. Therefore, the public assumes their oldest daughter is just like her mother.
The security team has an intimate, inside perspective. Really, the truth. And I know Jane isn’t into BDSM.
Jane places her palms on Maximoff’s back but waits for the video. “YouTube,” she reminds me, and as our eyes meet, she adds, “I’m already lucky that I have the opportunity to take this time to find a passion. And I’m lucky that I can even consider the idea of being a masseuse. If I find what I truly love, I can’t let my fame stand in the way.”
I glance at Maximoff.
His jaw is a razorblade. He’s concerned about security risks, too. He’s seen those tweets. And I have a feeling that he’s just indulging her ambition for the moment and is banking on Jane landing on something safe.
I swipe into her phone too easily. Jane. “Where’s your passcode?” I ask, my tone very kind considering two-thirds of the security team would scold her like she’s a kid right now.
“I don’t have one,” she says. “They’re infuriating, and if I lose my phone, I’ll wipe the data clean immediately. Plus, I have nothing incriminating. I delete all my texts, and I upload most of my photos and videos to Instagram already. There’s nothing anyone can steal.”
Maximoff smiles, proud of his friend.
Her preparation reminds me of something the security team says about Jane. That she acts carefree, but her whole life is outlined and planned to her liking, and she juggles just as much, if not more, than Maximoff Hale.
While I find the video, I tell Jane, “Lightly rub his shoulder blades, and you won’t hurt him.”
Maximoff grips the back of the loveseat harder, and he licks his lips again. I find myself watching him, and as I near the armrest, closest to his chest, he’s more eye-level with my belt.
Maximoff stares off into space. Where’d you go, Moffy? I wave my hand at him, but he’s lost in his head.
“Farrow.” Jane’s blue eyes twinkle. “How many massages have you given before? And why?”
Alpha also calls her Jane “Curiosity Killed the Cat” Cobalt.
I scroll through her YouTube “recently watched” feed. “Too many, and look up the main purpose of a massage and you have your answer.” I discover the video and whistle. “How To Give An Amazing, Super, Fantastic Massage.” I press play and find a blurry image of two high school girls. “No.” I shut if off. “Let me show you.”