Page 20

BEAU

A s soon as I leave the grocery, the morning light blinds me even with my sunglasses on. Thank goodness the scent of rain is clear. Heat already rises from the sidewalks and the humidity already sucks away my breath. But I’d take it over storms any day.

Sparkle claps as he bounces on his feet next to a bench. “Time to get our shopping on! Poe said I needed to take you to Renaud’s too, for some sleep powder. That stuff is the best. Sometimes after the club I can’t wind down and it knocks me the fuck out and I don’t have any bad dreams. Love it.”

“I never knew anything like that existed until Poe told me about it.”

Sparkle loops his arm in mine and leads the way with a tiny skip in his step. “We’re going to Wick’s first though, so all the good stuff isn’t taken. Oh, I hope Talon’s there,” his voice is all dreamy. “He’s a sexy griffin shifter.”

“I don’t think I’ve met a griffin shifter, but Poe says they help protect Hex when needed.”

“Oh, yeah. Griffins are awesome and terrifying, but not Talon. He’s like a prickly kitty cat. Wren likes to antagonize him, actually I think we both have crushes on him.”

I tip my head, trying to remember if I know someone named Wren. “Who’s Wren?”

“That’s Lark’s older brother.” Sparkle leans in and cups my ear. “He’s a Fae courtesan. I get all my sex tips from him.”

My mouth makes an O. “Like what?” I whisper. “Would he give me sex tips?” That way I know at least something when or if Poe and I ever get intimate after these dates. I’m glad he slowed things down. Sure, I’m in my twenties, but I’ve never been confident around others. If it weren’t for Sparkle, I probably would be a recluse, which would be a tragedy because Hex has so much to offer I’m discovering.

“I’m sure he would. Let me shoot him a text to see if he’s open. He’s been pretty busy. I’ll tell him we’re going to Wick’s, that’s sure to get his attention.”

“Because of the griffin?” I nod and pat his arm. “Thank you. I don’t know anything. Well, other than the videos you sent me and that was terrifying, by the way.”

Sparkle snorts, and his head goes back when he laughs. “What made them terrifying? Was it the dicks? I did send you to a protected paranormal porn site, so you’d have an idea of what different dicks look like.”

“No. No. Just the...” I search my brain for the right words. “I don’t know. Being naked doesn’t bother me, but being intimate kind of does when it’s past the kissing stage. I—I like what Poe and I did with our clothes on. It was fun, but I don’t know. I lied and told him I played with my toys, but I don’t. They’re still all in their packaging, too intimidating. How do you do it?”

Sparkle stops us and turns to face me, putting his hands on my shoulders. “I’m going to tell you something I’ve never told a soul since I started working at F&F. Well, other than Wren. You and Wren are the only people that know this.”

I swallow, this is huge for him.

“I’m still a virgin, too.”

“But that’s not a bad thing, right? Who cares that we’re a pair of virgins?”

“I have a reputation. Everyone thinks I sleep around. Wren plays along at the club, saying stuff like ‘I have a D appointment with the kitty cat,’ but all we’ve ever done is talk.”

“I don’t understand why it’s a secret?” What’s there to be embarrassed about?

“I want people to think I’m experienced. But I’m waiting for the right person.”

“Then why the sex lessons?” I tip my head, but I think I understand.

“So when I am ready, I know what the fuck I’m doing.” Sparkle laughs, and he takes my hand again. “I do practice blow jobs on my dildos.”

“I’m still afraid of them. Blow jobs and dildos.”

Sparkle shrugs. “They’re not for everyone.”

“Sparkle!” Someone that looks vaguely like Lark, but has long, stark white hair waves at us from the line that comes from the bakery. Their wings flitter a little at the bottom before they settle again against their back.

“Wren!” Sparkle wraps the Fae in a hug. “I want you to meet Beau.”

Wren bounces on his toes. “Oh! A bat shifter, how lovely. We have a colony not too far from the palace in the Fae lands.”

“How did you know what I am?”

Wren taps his temple. “Fae can usually sense shifter types.”

Sparkle snorts again and pushes Wren on the shoulder. “I told him about you.”

Wren’s lips twitch. “What can I help you with, friends? I hear my services are in need.”

My face burns hot. “I want to know how to please Poe.”

“Poe, king of the crossroads demons? That Poe?”

“Y—yes?”

Sparkle grins. “He’s got it bad and so does Poe. They’re so sickly cute together.”

Wren’s eyes light up and his wings flutter again. “Yes, Poe needs a cutie. He’s been so stressed since he joined the council.”

“He’s stressed?” Not that it’s really a surprise, he’s just so easy going with me.

“ So stressed.” Wren pouts. “Oh, and don’t worry, I haven’t used my Fae wiles on him.” He wiggles his fingers as if to sprinkle fairy dust.

“It’d be fine if you had.” It’s none of my business, but Poe had said he hasn’t been with anyone since before he was cursed.

The line scoots up a few more people. The building is an unassuming brick. The front has a light blue awning with dark blue lettering. There are twinkling lights in the windows that bring in a happy energy.

“Why is it called Warwick’s Wicked Bakery? I understand the Warwick part, that’s his name. But what makes it Wicked?”

Sparkle shakes his head when he laughs. “He thought it sounded so cool. His beloved Ethan agreed with him and so the name stuck. We usually all just call it Wick’s, though.”

Wren rolls his eyes. “I tried to talk him out of it, like I tried to talk Pike out of naming the club Flutter and Fangs. It used to just be called Flutter, because of Lark. Which was a lovely name, but he added and Fangs.”

“So he can be a part of it, too?” I say.

“Yeah, but Flutter was a better name.” Wren flips his hair over his shoulder.

“Dunno, I like Flutter and Fangs.” I flap my arms like wings and bare my teeth, where my canines are fangs. Most people don’t notice, but when they do, they always ask if I’m a vampire bat, which I’m not.

Wren and Sparkle laugh at my antics, and my heart is so full. I have friends.

Inside Wick’s, I breathe in the delectable treats. I’m still way in back, by the door, but I’m inside now and I can tell why everyone loves it here. People chatter at the available tables. The coffee doesn’t overpower the scent of the pastries. The peaceful blue color calms my nerves.

“Oh, I hope they still have cream pies or creampuffs,” Sparkle says. He immediately goes red when Wren cackles. Legit cackles and clutches his stomach.

“I don’t get what’s so funny?” I say.

“I’ll send you a video,” Sparkle mumbles, but he’s laughing too, despite being so red.

I swear my nose guides me to the counter and when I’m finally able to order, there are so many choices it boggles my mind.

The workers behind the counter don’t seem to mind me examining every offering. There’s a guy with wheat colored hair and a beard that Sparkle and Wren finger wave at and I have to guess that’s Talon. He just rolls his eyes at the Fae and continues filling a bin with treats. A demon with blue skin comes in with a tray of fresh sweets.

“Two of those, please!” They look like cherry tarts, and they’re right out of the backroom.

“Good choice,” the demon says.

“That’s Wick,” Sparkle says.

The demon tips his head. “Hiya.”

“I’m Beau and I’ll be back!” Every day probably.

Wick chuckles as I pay and hurry after Sparkle and Wren. Wren grabs a table in a corner without anyone around it.

“You’re cute, you know?” Wren says as he nibbles on a bear claw. He pats his mouth with a napkin between each bite.

“I’ve been told that. Poe says I’m adorable. Especially when I’m flustered.” I sink my teeth into the cherry tart and moan. The crust is flakey and the cherries are bursts of flavor. I hold up a finger. “I need a moment.”

The pair chuckle again as we eat a few more bites.

When I gain the courage, I say, “Like I said, I’d like to know how to pleasure Poe.”

I swear the air vibrates with Wren’s excitement. “And I’d love to teach you. But we can’t do it here. Let’s go to Flutter and Fangs when we’re done, and I’ll show you a few tricks to play with.”

“Thank you.”

“No need for that. I thrive on teaching about pleasure.” His shoulders drop. “Even if I’m ready to retire.”

Sparkle squeezes his arm. “You know you have my support.”

Wren nods. “I just need the royals to release me from the contract.”

“How long is the contract?” I ask.

“Thirteen hundred years.”

My mouth drops open. “That is a long, long time.”

“Yeah, and I’m only a little over a decade through it. Mother is about halfway through her contract, but she loves the job. I did it because I thought I had to. Lark started his training before he was snatched up. It took permits to learn how to teleport through the realms to find him.” He puts his head in his hands. “I’m so glad he’s safe now and has someone that adores him. But...”

“It’s your time,” Sparkle says. “I get it. I’ve always helped mama with my siblings, but I’m ready for it to be my time. I don’t see that happening for a few more years. At least not until the youngest ones get older. Don’t get me wrong, I adore these kittens, but I want to live on my own and find my own way, you know?”

Wren and I pat Sparkle on his back.

“I’m sorry.” I stuff my mouth with the tart, so I don’t have to talk immediately.

“What’s your story?” Wren asks. I like him, and I love Sparkle and Sparkle trusts him, so I can trust him too. I launch into the story of my life. The death of my parents, Edward, being alone after Edward’s death, how I knew Poe as a teen, and wrap it up with what’s going on currently.

The two blink back at me, mouths hanging open or treats poised to their lips and forgotten.

“Fuck,” Wren starts. “And I thought I had trauma.”

“I’m working through it.” I take another bite. “These are so good.”

“How?” Wren starts. “Just how are you so sweet? I would have turned jaded. I have turned jaded,” Wren says. He waves his hands around. “Only those I’m closest to know I’m faking it most of the time. But you , you’re genuinely happy?”

I nod. “Unless it’s storming or raining. Or I’m trying to sleep.” Another bite. “I have nightmares every night.” Unless I’m in Poe’s bed, apparently.

“We need to get you some sleep powder,” Sparkle says. “It’ll help a lot.”

“So would a therapist. At least that’s what I hear,” Wren says.

“Uhm,” I start in on my second tart. “Let’s not compare traumas. We’ve all gone through stuff, right? It molds us into who we are. And we’re great. Right?”

“Super great.” Sparkle wipes his hands on a napkin. “Now let’s go learn about blow jobs.”