Page 119 of Dance of Devils

“He treats you okay, though?” Val’s smile instantly drops, his jaw tensing.

Val’s funny. On the surface, between dancing ballet and dating men, it could be easy to pigeonhole him. But I’ve always joked with him that if someone didn’t know he was bi, they’d think he was the straightest dude they’d ever met.

I mean, stereotypes can go get fucked, but Val presents as almostludicrouslystraight. His style is somewhere between a gym bro and a raver. He doesn’t doshitto his typically messy hair. He loves weightlifting, muscle cars and motorcycles, watcheslotsof sports, and his tattoos are super aggressive and masculine.

He's also ultra protective of us girls in the company. It's sweet, and it always makes me smile, the way it’s juxtaposed against ballet-dancing, party-boy Val.

“He is,” I smile quietly, blushing. “A lot more than okay, actually.”

Val nods. “Good.” He shoots me a look. “Make sure he knows I’ll beat the shit out of him if that changes.”

I know Val knows how to fight, and he’s strong, andbuilt. But even so, even with Kir being eighteen years older than him…I’m not sure he’d win that one.

“You walking out?”

I nod.

“Cool, I’ll walk you to your mystery boyfriend’s chauffeured Range Rover.”

I roll my eyes as the two of us fall into step, heading out the back door of the Mercury and up the alley to East 49thStreet.

“Hey…” I furrow my brow, glancing over at him. “You’re…generally good with, you know…people.”

Val smirks. “Why does 'people' feel like code for my sex life?”

I grin. “Not a dig, I swear. You’re just…good at talking to people, figuring out what they want…whatyouwant…” I trail off, blushing, looking at the sidewalk.

“Fuck me,” Val grunts. “Mr. Boyfriend not know how to make you come?”

I bark out a laugh, my whole body simmering as I avoid his eyes. “No, that part is…” There’s no stopping the grin that spreads over my face. I don’t trust myself to speak, so I just make an “okay” sign with my fingers. Val cracks up.

“Fuckyeah, girl,” he chuckles. “Go get it. So…what’s the problem?”

I groan inwardly, realizing there’s literally no way to have this conversation without getting fairly personal. But it’sVal. It's not like I haven’t heard every single gory detail ofhissex life.

“Hedoesmeall the time,” I blurt awkwardly.

“I'm sorry,does you?” Val snickers.

I glare at him. “Makes me…you know.”

“You can say the word orgasm, B. What are you, Evie?”

I huff. “Fine! He makes me come, a lot,all the time. But he’s…” I shrug. “Cagey about me returning the favor.”

Val looks at me. “Hold up. If I’m reading between the lines…” He arches a brow. “Have you seriouslynot fucked this man yet?”

I flush crimson, shaking my head.

“Wow.” Val blows out a breath. “So, to recap, you’re with an older rich guy who likes buying you nice clothes, chauffeuring you around the city in a Range Rover, eats pussy like it’s going out of style, anddoes notexpect or even want you to fuck him or return the favor in any way.” He looks at me like I'm crazy. “And you have aproblemwith this?”

I groan. “I mean…kinda?”

He nods sagely. “Actually, that’s cool. I get it. I’m a giver too.”

I groan.

“What’s his deal, anyway?”