Page 12 of The Devil and His Goddess (Sinners Do It Better #2)

Harper

I CHUGGED MY HOT COFFEE like my life depended on it as I walked toward the women’s changing room at Silverlight. The dark brew, along with my excitement for today’s meeting, was going to be my only saving grace this morning, because I was spent .

I still couldn’t believe what happened last night. The visit from the masked man served as a sign that I hadn’t imagined him that first night, but it was also proof that something was wrong with me. Because I shouldn’t have liked what happened. I shouldn’t have gotten wetter when I woke to find a masked demon crouched between my naked legs. I shouldn’t have craved his hands on me or his filthy words telling me how bad I was.

But I did .

God, I really fucking did.

It was the most intense and hottest experience I’d ever had, and I wasn’t sure how to feel about the fact that I wanted it again. I wanted the demon to sneak back into my room and shower me in his depravity.

Yeah. He was a demon .

I now had confirmation on how he’d slipped into the house out of thin air, how he controlled the music with a snap of his fingers, and why he had horns and black claws. Knowing something like him existed should’ve rattled me, but did that rift in reality fill my head? No. Thoughts of what he looked like behind the mask did.

Because I was psychotic .

Just thinking about the previous night had me growing wet and hot between my thighs, despite the soreness lingering there. I’d never had so many orgasms in a single sitting like that, nor had I ever squirted . That memory made heat swarm my cheeks. I wasn’t sure whether to feel embarrassed about making such a mess of myself or fucking incredible. The way he’d reacted toward it made me lean toward the latter.

I quickly shook the inappropriate thoughts from my head as I walked into the changing room. Mandi was the only one there, and she was just getting her bag put away. According to today’s schedule, the Swan Lake cast wasn’t meeting until 11. This morning was designated for the Dancing in the Dark cast, so I wasn’t sure why Mandi was here three and a half hours early. I mean, even Dancing in the Dark members weren’t scheduled to be here until 8, but I’d come early out of fear that I’d be late, thanks to last night.

The smart part of my brain wanted me to turn and walk out. Being alone with her would spark some sort of tension between us, especially after she’d spotted me with Perseus last night, but I wasn’t a coward.

I kept my head held high as I crossed the room to my locker. “Morning,” I greeted with forced politeness.

She looked over her shoulder as she wound her blonde hair into the typical ballerina bun. Her gaze swept over me as she mumbled, “Morning.”

At my locker, I placed my purse and dance bag inside. Since it was Saturday and we weren’t actually doing a show tonight, we didn’t have to come in ballet clothes. Still, I brought all of my stuff in case someone decided they wanted to work on something today.

I took my coat off and hung it up with my bag. I grabbed my notebook and pen out of my belongings so I could take plenty of notes as we went over Dancing in the Dark .

Mandi suddenly appeared by my side, leaning her shoulder against the neighboring cubby. The smirk she wore was all venom, and it was amplified when she tilted her chin higher. “Lead in Dancing in the Dark. That’s cute. Did you hear? I got the lead in Swan Lake this year.”

I tried to keep my face flat, even as irritation pricked at my insides. “I heard. Congratulations.”

She laughed and shook her head. “Don’t play sweet with me, Harper. I know it burns you up inside that I got Odette and you didn’t.” She looked me over from head to toe with a curl of her lip. “You even stooped low enough to suck up to Perseus. Hoping you can ride his cock to success? Just know it’s not going to work. You aren’t the swan anymore. You aren’t Perseus’s top dancer. I am.”

I let every word roll off me. I’d learned many years ago not to give Mandi’s attitude and acrimony any weight against me. So instead of gawking or crumbling under the iciness of her insults, I smiled at her.

“I love my role. I don’t need yours.” I grabbed my coffee, notebook, and pen and turned to fully face her. “And one more thing. He asked me to dinner. If you have an issue with his interest in me, you can take that up with him.”

I walked past her without another word or glance, because unlike her, I took no satisfaction in seeing her shocked or annoyed. Trying to compete or be mean to each other didn’t interest me. Mandi insisted on acting like we were still in middle school, and I eagerly awaited the day when she’d finally grow up.

I checked the assignment sheet in the main hall and found that Dancing in the Dark would be gathering in meeting room one. I walked down that hall and found the room still vacant, as expected. There were still 25 minutes before this started. I plopped down in a chair at one of the tables, which were arranged in a U-shape, and opened up my notebook to a blank page.

“Hi, Harper.”

I looked over my shoulder to find Drake coming in with hands full of what looked like wall scent plug-ins. His shirt was tucked into his beige pants in the picture of cleanliness, but his brown hair was just as unruly as always.

“Morning, Drake,” I greeted with a warm smile.

He returned the look with a sheepish grin and continued his trek to a nearby outlet where he worked to exchange the old scent with a new one.

“So,” Drake started, throwing an almost cautious glance at me as he squatted near the plug. “You went to dinner with Mr. Mavros last night?”

My eyes widened before I could stop them, and I stammered, “H-How—”

“I heard some girls talking about it in the hall,” he added quickly, refusing to meet my eyes as he replaced the scent with a winter fresh one. “I’m sorry. That’s nosy, huh?”

It was nosy, and I hated that Mandi was already spreading the news like wildfire. It wasn’t her business who I had dinner with. But I also couldn’t deny how it looked—me going out with our new boss. That sort of look was just what Mandi needed to smear my image with the rest of the company. I could practically hear her sing-songy voice spreading the lies now.

She can’t make it on her own merit. She has to seduce the boss to get what she wants.

You better get used to corps de ballet. Harper will make sure only she and her friends get the good roles now.

I hated admitting it, but I had a lot of fun with Perseus last night. It was strangely easy and comfortable to talk and laugh with him. I begrudgingly could see potential for something there, but as much as I was drawn to him, he was one temptation I couldn’t give into. Doing so could ruin my dance career.

“It’s okay,” I finally said to Drake as I picked at the lid on my coffee. “Yeah. We went to dinner.”

He nodded and stood to carry the trash to the little trash can in the corner of the room. “Are you two dating?”

“Is that what Mandi is saying?” I asked, and I cringed when I realized how harsh my voice came out. The guilt only increased when Drake flinched. “I’m sorry, Drake,” I apologized softly. “I’m not mad at you. I just … No. I’m not dating Perseus. It was just dinner.”

Which I’ll never do again.

Drake’s tense shoulders eased, and he smiled in relief. I felt horrible for making him think I was angry at him. I couldn’t blame him for being curious, and I knew he wouldn’t be the only one. I was probably going to be putting out fires for a while thanks to my lust-induced error.

Voices drifted closer to the closed doors, so Drake gathered his stuff and gave me a quick goodbye before slipping out. I sipped on my coffee as the masculine voices neared the room.

“Yeah. I’m kinda shocked. The song came so suddenly, and just when I was feeling it, fucking Leo showed up with his bullshit.”

“Bastard. When you get back home—”

The door opened, and Perseus appeared in the doorway. The minute he saw me, he stopped whatever he’d been saying to smile.

“Well,” Perseus drew, coming into the room. His golden waves were pulled back in a bun at the back of his neck, showing off the dangling dagger earring he wore in his right ear. He wore dark slacks with a dark gray button-up. His heavily ringed fingers finished rolling up the sleeves to his elbows. “You’re early, Goddess.”

I straightened in my seat and ignored the nickname. “Good morning, sir.”

“It’s fucking weird hearing someone call you ‘sir,’” the attractive stranger at his side said, following Perseus to the head of the table.

Much like Perseus, the unfamiliar man wore black dress pants and a black button-up, though his was undone a bit at the top to show off some dagger tattoo that disappeared under the material of his shirt. Tattoos decorated the tops of his hands, and I could tell the designs went up his arms based on the little skin I saw beneath his long sleeves. His blue eyes were vivid, and his brow and lip piercings glinted in the lighting of the room.

Perseus looked at his companion and laughed at his grumbling. I ignored the way my body reacted to the deep, enchanting sound.

Perseus’s green eyes met mine, and he gestured to the guy beside him. “Harper, this is Zagan. He’s one of my band mates, but he’s also the co-writer for the score of Dancing in the Dark .”

“Oh, wow.” I stood and went to the head of the table with my hand outstretched. “It’s an honor to meet you, sir. I’m Harper.”

Zagan’s brow creased like he was trying not to scowl. “Zagan is fine.” He shook my hand.

“Harper is playing Psyche,” Perseus said to Zagan, and when I heard the pride bleed into his tone, heat unfurled in my own chest.

“Ahh,” Zagan said with a nod as his eyes found mine. “Leading lady. I’m eager to meet everyone else and see who is playing which role.”

“Have you written many ballets?” I asked Zagan.

“Nope,” he answered. “But I write a lot of music. I mainly did it to help this guy out.” He pointed his thumb at Perseus.

“Uh-huh.” I raked my eyes over Perseus, and he smirked when he saw me studying him. “And is he as cocky with your band as he is here?”

Perseus’s smirk dropped, and Zagan coughed to hide his laugh. I didn’t know what made me brazen enough to insult my boss right in front of him. Maybe it was because he’d already blurred the lines between professional and personal. Maybe it was because I was annoyed with him for his shameless interest in me, which had already caused problems with Mandi. Regardless, I fought my own smile as he stared at me.

“Someone’s bold this morning,” Perseus grumbled.

“Isn’t that what you like, Peasant ?”

His eyes narrowed, but there was no missing the heat that engulfed those green orbs. “Stop trying to turn me on at work.”

I sucked in a breath but held his stare, even as warmth swept up my cheeks. I refused to waver or back down, and he seemed just as determined to maintain the eye contact, willing me to break first.

“Are you two about to fuck?” Zagan asked suddenly in the tense silence. “Because if so, I can run home to see if Iyla’s awake and get my own quickie in before this meeting starts.”

Zagan’s words reminded me of our audience, and I finally rolled my eyes and turned to walk back to my seat. “In his dreams.”

“ Definitely in my dreams,” Perseus purred behind me.

I looked over my shoulder to find him smirking at my retreating back. He was truly insufferable. This attraction we shared was insufferable. My annoyance didn’t fade as I sat back down and pulled out my phone in an effort to shut out Perseus. Mainly because I realized my jab at him made me a hypocrite.

Just last tonight, I’d been dreaming of us fucking. It had been hot, and when I awoke to that demon touching me, I’d even had moments where I pictured Perseus behind the mask. His ringed fingers gripping my breasts, green eyes watching the place where our bodies met, that deep voice telling me how dirty I was.

And wanting that—wanting him—despite our working relationship, pissed me off. He was someone I couldn’t have.

My pussy, which now throbbed with need, disagreed.

“Traitor,” I hissed beneath my breath with a glare at my lap.

My phone buzzed, offering me a reprieve from my less than professional thoughts. Aiysha’s name lit up the screen with a text.

Don’t forget. Party tonight at 8. Invite people from Silverlight. We want it huge!

“Sounds fun. I’ll be there.”

I gasped and whipped my head around, but I had to draw up short as my mouth nearly collided with Perseus’s, who leaned over the back of my chair with his hand braced on the back and the other on the armrest. His green eyes immediately flicked down to my mouth, which was a mere breath apart from his.

I swallowed hard and had to lick my suddenly dry lips. This only made the desire in his eyes intensify. “You weren’t invited.”

“I believe Silverlight includes me. But fine. Invite me.”

“No,” I argued, but even I heard the lack of conviction in the word.

His lips tipped up ever so slightly as he whispered, “Invite me, Goddess.”

No words came. I couldn’t seem to get my mouth to work as his scent—a fresh ocean breeze—wrapped around me. His smell and closeness short-circuited my brain, making me forget myself. All I could focus on was how a slight tilt of my head would bring his mouth to mine.

Voices approached the room from the hall, and the sound jolted me out of the trance-like state. I sucked in a breath and turned my back on Perseus, tucking some hair behind my ear. I wanted to punch him in the throat as he chuckled softly.

“I’ll be there,” Perseus declared. “Might bring a couple of friends with me since you want it huge.”

Before I could tell him no, a group of dancers came into the room. Perseus met them at the door to tell them good morning, and I just sat there, stewing in my horny aggravation.

“ Dobroye utro ,” Katerina greeted in Russian as she took the chair on my left.

I smiled. “Morning, beautiful.”

“Can you believe we’re starting today?” Elijah gushed as he took the other seat on my right. He adjusted his navy turtleneck as he stared at the head of the table where Zagan waited. “Woah. What the fuck is Zagan from Sinners Do It Better doing here? And why is he so gorgeous?”

“You listen to their music?” I asked Elijah.

His big dark eyes met mine in shock. “Hell, yeah! They’re amazing.”

“Not to mention hot,” Katerina added with a giggle.

I gave a surprised huff. “I’ll have to look them up later. I’ve never listened to their stuff or seen them. Until here, of course.” I passed a look between my two friends. “By the way, Aiysha and I are having a party tonight. Do you guys want to come?”

“ Konechno ,” Katerina squealed in Russian at the same time that Elijah said, “Duh!”

I told them the details as the rest of the dancers arrived and found places at the table. With everyone here, Perseus stood at the head of the table by Zagan and Rupert, who had also arrived. He introduced Zagan and explained how he co-wrote the ballet. Listening to the two of them detail the story and meaning of each song made the excitement already swirling around my insides heighten. I could easily picture the dark, romantic, and empowering tale this ballet would create, and I found myself grateful to be a part of something like this.

Perseus went around the room, reminding everyone of the role they had been given. Elijah and I squeezed each other’s hands as our roles were announced as the female and male leads of Psyche and Malak.

“In this story,” Perseus explained to everyone, “the human girl, Psyche, is treated as an outsider. We see her being ridiculed and looked down upon by the town for being different. She loves to dance and to express herself through her body, which is considered taboo in this world. She’s cast out by the village with labels of being wicked, wrong, and broken. They sentence her to live in the Dark Wood where demons and monsters are rumored to lurk.

“Thus begins act two where Malak, the demon prince and future ruler of the Dark Wood, is seen dancing with the creatures of the forest. He spots a distraught Psyche stumbling through his domain, and he’s fascinated by her. He watches over her from a distance as she encounters different creatures, both good and bad. Eventually, he approaches, and as she opens to him, she also rediscovers the love she has for herself and her ability to dance.

“Act three entails the grand celebration where Malak presents Psyche to his court, reborn as a healed and powerful queen for his home. She is welcomed and celebrated for what her own kind despised, finding and loving her place in the dark.”

The other dancers and I applauded the story, and the love for it could practically be felt in the charged-up room. I itched to begin practice for this ballet, and already, I knew this would be one of my favorite roles I’d ever been given. The story alone spoke deeply to me, and I desperately wanted to portray Psyche as Perseus saw her.

Rupert took over, discussing the details of schedules, classes, expectations, and the finer details of production. He provided everyone with recordings of the choreography for us to study in our down time before real rehearsals started on Monday. By the time the meeting was over, I was fully energized, all exhaustion zapped from my body.

“This is going to be an amazing show,” I beamed as Katerina, Elijah, and I gathered our stuff to vacate the room so that the Swan Lake cast could arrive for their meeting.

“I can’t wait to start classes and rehearsals on Monday,” Elijah sighed with a warm smile. He looked down at me and nudged my arm gently. “Can’t wait to fall in love with you.”

I laughed and leaned my head on his shoulder. “Same to you, Malak.”

As the three of us headed to the changing rooms to gather our belongings, we passed Mandi and some of her friends. Katerina was gushing over her dark fairy role in the show, but I briefly stopped hearing her when Mandi met my gaze. Her brown eyes pinched ever so slightly as a cocky smirk lit her mouth in a smile she couldn’t hide.

I knew that look all too well.

It appeared right before you found your bag of make-up missing or discovered your pointe shoes were suddenly ruined.

I held my breath as my heart started to pound. Katerina and I entered the women’s changing room. I quickly went to my locker, and while nothing appeared out of order at first glance, I knew better. I dug around in my ballet bag, and when my fingers brushed wet fabric, my stomach dropped.

I pulled out my favorite pink leotard. A yellowish stain now covered half of the material. My hands shook as the smell of urine hit my nostrils, and the outrage inside me engulfed every single defense I’d built against my teammate. Nothing should’ve surprised me with her anymore, but to actually piss on my clothes?

I took numerous deep breaths to keep from screaming, and with a quick excuse to Katerina, I grabbed my dance bag and leotard, fleeing for the bathroom.

In my haste to get to the restrooms quickly, I rounded the corner of the hallway and nearly smacked into a hard torso.

“Woah,” Perseus said, holding my upper arms to steady me. He grinned and teased, “Where’s the fire?”

I must’ve been doing a shitty job at keeping my emotions off my face, because as he looked down at me, his smile fell, morphing his features into that of concern.

“What’s wrong?” he questioned immediately.

“Nothing,” I answered too quickly as I held the ruined leotard further behind my back. I shook off his hold without meeting his eyes and mumbled, “Excuse me.”

He didn’t stop me as I passed him to finish my brisk walk to the restroom. I could’ve tried telling him what happened, but I’d learned a long time ago that doing so did nothing. I had no proof Mandi ruined my stuff. Yes, I had the pissed on garment, but nothing to back up my claim that Mandi did it. So why would Perseus believe that a twenty-one year old adult would do something as petty as piss on their coworkers clothes? It was too wild, even for me, and I knew it was true. I didn’t expect anyone except Aiysha, Katerina, or Elijah to believe me.

I got into the bathroom and threw the ruined leotard away with still trembling hands. I went to tug on my hair out of frustration but quickly remembered they were wet with urine—Mandi’s fucking piss.

I ground my teeth to keep from letting out a bitter yell and immediately turned the sink on as hot as it would go. I scrubbed my hands with soap three times before I finally felt free of the disgusting fluid, but in that window of time, I realized that pee-soaked leotard had been in my bag for who knew how long with all of my other dance stuff.

I reached back into the bag and actually did let out an angry groan when I found the substance soaked into my pointe shoes, elastic work-out bands, the exterior of my toiletry bag, and all over the inside of the dance bag itself.

With aggravated tears lining my eyes, I threw everything away that had no hope of being salvaged, and I washed off what could be saved. When I was done, I gripped the edge of the sink in white-knuckled fists and reminded myself that I was fine . My stuff was ruined, but I was okay. I was stronger than Mandi’s twisted games. And I refused to let her have any more sway over my emotions.

Grabbing the few items that I’d managed to save—which unfortunately, didn’t include the white and pink dance bag itself—I held my head high and left. This little stunt might’ve shaken me, but it wouldn’t break me.