Page 25 of Obnoxious Bad Boy

Though I’m actually pretty sure he wants other parts of my body. Which is overwhelming.

Only now it hits me that I’ve been invited to a party. Sure, as a friend, but I never get invited anywhere. I sometimes come to events at Rainbowology, but those open to anyone. Matt and his boyfriend invited me to their cat’s birthday party, but that was a very small thing for barely ten people.

Tonight? I have no idea where I’m going.

In panic, I text Vex. [Is there a dress code?]

He responds almost immediately. [Look as pretty as you did today.]

It’s not helpful, but I still melt.

Chapter 7

Aaron

The address Vex gave me belongs to an unassuming farmhouse on the edge of town, but while I can hear hardcore music from the moment I step out of my car, I’m still shocked by the interior I discover after passing through the door. It’s as if a fancy eighteenth century palace had a baby with a modern gothic mansion. Lightweight furniture that would traditionally be painted gold or white is black, and the accent colors are all jewel tones rather than pastels. Even the flower patterns on wallpapers and curtains are dark in hue and intertwined with motifs of snakes and insects.

It’s a fabulous home, and at the moment it’s filled with a crowd so cool I feel utterly inadequate.

I’m glad I assumed Vex’s friends would be on the alternative, tattoo-loving side, because it helped me narrow down what I chose to wear. I’ve gone with black to be on the safe side, and accessorized with silver jewelry and over-ankle leather boots. Somehow, I still feel both under and overdressed. I brought my old Nikon film camera with me in case something catches my attention, but in truth, I hope for the device to be a conversation starter. Also, it looks cool in its leather case, strapped over my shoulder. Gives me legitimacy. I have a bottle of wine with me, to gift the host, but there are so many people, and Vex didn’t tell me whose home this is, so I end up standing in the hallway like a donkey in need of guidance.

I’m about to man up and make rounds to find a familiar face, preferably Vex’s, but he emerges from the nearby doorway with a big smile. “You made it!” he says, looking at me from behind dark strands of hair falling in his face.

I’m frozen on the spot as he comes my way in a black mesh tank top with opaque patterns in the same color. The garment is meant to present the beauty of his body and his ink, and it’s definitely working.

He’s so fucking handsome my insides turn to mush, and I smile up at him, all my worries forgotten. “Of course. I keep my word.” I’m itching to kiss him, but I know it’s not gonna happen until we’re alone somewhere. I got a taste of him just yesterday, but it already feels like a lifetime ago.

He seems to notice my agitation and grins, pulling me in for a quick hug. “We will definitely need to steal a moment later. You look like a snack,” he whispers in my ear before pulling away.

My heart flutters with joy. He’s thinking about the same thing. The music is so loud I stand a bit closer to speak. “Your tattoos look amazing. I want to see you naked.” Did I really just blurt that out? Yes. I did. Because I am a man in charge of his own sexuality, not a skittish, neurotic squirrel about to hyperventilate.

His canines look unusually long when he smirks. “That can be arranged,” he says and scoops me up with his arm, leading the way to the room he just left. It’s like a vampire’s library, with black built-in bookshelves on all walls and lots of comfortable seating. Both of Vex’s co-workers are here, as well as plenty of other people, including a dude I know from my elective Intro to Psychology class.

“You know Yasmin? This is her place,” Vex tells me as he leads me to her burgundy throne.

I want to ask him if it’s appropriate to give her the wine, but it’s too late by the time we approach. She’s wearing a tight latex corset and zebra print high-heeled boots that reach her tattooed thighs.

“This is Aaron,” Vex says with a little smile ghosting on his lips.

The hot tingle in my ears combined with Yasmin’s wide grin give me a sense that she knows I’m more than just Vex’s friend. But how much did he tell her?

I hold out my hand. “Pleased to meet you. This is an amazing house,” I say as she greets me.

“I renovate and decorate as a hobby,” she tells me. “Most of the furniture I have started out as broken pieces people wanted to get rid of. But nothing a bit of love and work can’t fix,” she says and takes the wine out of my hands. “Thank you. That’s so thoughtful. Vex didn’t bring anything,” she says with a sweet smile.

“I buy you coffee every day,” he remarks without even a bit of shame.

It brings me relief though that she likes that I brought her a gift. It’s something my mother told me is a good thing to do when invited to a party, but I now know this is no dinner soiree. Looking at the guests in the dim light, I’m guessing this is more of a ‘bring-a-six-pack-or-a-bottle-of-vodka kind of evening.

“I love old furniture and vintage shops,” I say, trying to make a good impression. I usually see her on Vex’s Instagram as this blonde goth bombshell, but now that I meet her in person, she seems so ultimately cool, I’m dying for her to like me.

“Oh really? Well, maybe you can convince Vex to get a real bed and table,” she says, smirking at her friend. Once again, there seems to be a hidden message there, and I’m not sure how to react, but Vex doesn’t seem averse to the teasing and meets my gaze.

“And there she is, starting with that again. Nothing wrong with being frugal. What do you think, Aaron? Do I need a new bed?”

The spotlight’s back on me and I’m a deer in the headlights as the past few days flash in front of my eyes. I know I’m overthinking it, but this conversation feels like a minefield. His question suggests he’s open about the fact that I’ve seen his bed. Her smirk is telling me she knows all about how it might have been used on that occasion.

“Maybe a headboard. To be honest, I’m more worried about that big locked freezer.”