I wake up to the sensation of cool air being blown against the naked skin of my chest. I blink, gradually becoming aware of the large, dimly lit bedroom. We're still in Barry Becker's house. Aiden is lying next to me, his head propped on his hand. As I watch, he gives my chest a quick lick, then blows on the spot

"Goosebumps," he tells me in a way of explanation. "Also, the way your nipples react—fascinating. Your body is semi-awake even when you're not."

"I get it that you're bored." I rub my eyes. "Haven't you slept?"

"No. But I've watched you sleep."

"Creepy. I hope I didn't drool or something."

"No, you've behaved perfectly. Maintained your posture, no snoring. Top grades."

"So now you're grading me? I thought I was the teacher."

"Not in bed." He smiles. "Remember, we decided that we're learning this together?" He pushes himself up and plants a kiss on my lips. "Now, let's get up. We need to go back."

"What time is it?"

"Almost three AM. He'll be back soon."

"Aha." The thought of running into Barry Becker in his own apartment wakes me up all the way. I sit up and look around. "Okay, let's go."

I could use a shower, but that'll have to wait until I'm home. It's weird to think of the facility where the shifters keep me as home, but I guess it's kind of what it is by now. It takes us a few minutes to get dressed, rearrange the sheets to the state they'd been in before we messed them up, and to make sure we've left no personal items behind. I look around one last time, reluctant to leave, but then, headlights of a car wash briefly over the window, and wheels crunch on the gravel outside. It's time for us to go.

There's a full-body floor mirror in the corner of the room, and I follow Aiden toward it. I close my eyes and wait for him to take my hand, and then he leads me to the other side.

I open my eyes in Aiden's living room. It's too bright, as usual, and I turn around to look longingly at Barry's bedroom, with its cozy dim lights, and the bed where we've just had sex. If I had a camera or a phone, I'd snap a picture. Maybe I'm sentimental, but you don't lose your virginity every day.

Aiden heads to the code lock. I rush after him and put my hand on his before he can press any buttons.

"Wait," I say. "Can I look at him?"

He glances at me, then at Barry's room, then shrugs and heads over to his little white kitchen. I sink onto the white sofa and stare at the empty room. This could be such a cherry on top of this delicious cake of a night, to get to see the real Barry. I bet he'll go straight to the bedroom. There's a walk-in closet connected to it, so he's got to go there to change. He might even start undressing in the bedroom. I don't intend to see anything indecent, I'll give him privacy, sure I will. Just a glimpse of him in his natural habitat, it's all I'm asking for.

"He's not a very good person, you know," Aiden says behind me.

I turn to him. He's standing a few steps away, drinking water from a glass, his eyes on me.

"Barry?"

"Yeah. Good actor, sure, but some big skeletons in his closet."

"Really?" I glance at the still empty bedroom as if it could prove or disprove Aiden's claim. "He's kind of too young to have much of a past."

"It's less about his past. More about his present, and what he does with his money."

I frown. "Cryptic much?"

"I'm not sure if I should tell you the details, given how much you like him. Sometimes it's better to keep one's illusions intact."

"Why're you telling me, then?" A thought strikes me. "Are you jealous, by any chance? Because you think that I like him?"

"I don't think that you like him. It's very obvious that you do."

"As an actor."

He rolls his eyes. "Give me a break."

"You are jealous." I can't help but grin at that.

"Not at all."

"You could just admit to it, you know. It's flattering, in a way."

He looks at me over the rim of his glass. "I just don't want you to be disappointed."

I open my mouth to answer, but then, there are voices behind me. I turn around just in time to see Barry Backer saunter into his bedroom.

I freeze, totally convinced that he can see me, but he just walks around the room, pausing briefly to look my way, running his hand through his hair. He's just checking his looks in the mirror. He turns away, removes his jacket, remaining in a perfectly tailored shirt and trousers. He sits down on the bed and kicks off his shoes, then lies back, staring at the ceiling.

"Should I run you a bath?" someone says.

A blonde girl walks into the room. I wish I could believe that she's his assistant or something like that, but she has an expensive-looking evening dress on, and her earrings glitter suspiciously like diamonds. She's rather miniature, and has a sharp, mousey face. I don't remember seeing her in any movies, at least not in any noticeable roles, so she's probably not an actress, and she's too short to be a model. Perhaps some other kind of celebrity. Stars of Barry's caliber don't just date people from the street.

I feel a pang of disappointment at seeing this tangible proof that he's not gay, but I'll get over it. He always played straight men, anyway. I just liked to imagine that there's a whole secret gay layer to him that he's not disclosed yet.

"How about a bath?" the girl repeats.

"Not right now," he says.

"Should I help you undress?" She stops by the bed, looking down at him. Okay, if they start getting sexy, I'll tell Aiden to turn this off. Or maybe I'll just look at them kissing and getting undressed and then turn this off.

Or maybe I'll just watch them fuck.

"What am I, a child?" Barry says, still looking at the ceiling.

"Yeah, you're my sweet little baby," she croons, stepping closer.

What happens next is almost too fast to grasp. Without sitting up, Barry draws one foot up and kicks the girl. The blow lands on her thigh, slightly above her knee, and it's strong enough to send her flying to the floor. She cries out in pain. Without realizing it, I jump to my feet, and stare in disbelief. Holy crap. He could have broken her knee or something with such a blow.

"I told you not to speak to me like that," he says evenly, still looking at the ceiling as the girl sits whimpering on the floor, rubbing her hurt leg. "I told you to treat me with respect."

"I was!" she wails.

"You called me a baby."

"I didn't know it wasn't allowed!"

"Girl, you're daft." He shifts to lie on his side, looking down at her. "I keep teaching you, but you keep screwing up. Come here now."

She stops rubbing her leg and looks up.

"I don't want to," she says in a small voice. "Maybe I'll just run you a bath? It calms you down."

"Later," he says. "Come here now. You don't want to make me ask again."

I look on in shock. All of my instincts scream for me to step through the mirror and help her, but that would create a complication of extraordinary proportions for everyone involved. Things happen behind closed doors. The only thing that's different in this situation is that I was able to witness it.

Still sobbing, the girl gets on all fours, then to her feet, crying out in pain as she puts her weight on her hurt leg. As she starts limping toward the bed, I turn to Aiden who's standing next to the code lock again, looking at me expectantly.

"Turn this off," I say, and he presses a button.

--------------------------------

If you're enjoying the story, please like/subscribe/comment! It will really make my day!