Heart In A Cage

24

Isabella

I'm the first to get out the car―and Andreas the last.

The rest follow behind us, giving thanks to Leo as we walk towards our destination.

A flagstone path traverses a field obscured by the night sky, and round bushes lit up by lanterns hanging off posts are the only perceptible signs of vegetation. Other than the freshly cut grass, of course. The path leads us towards a mansion of white pillars and grand stairs. My hand slides along the railing as we step up, my other grasped by Andreas', and I observe windows protruding from walls of chalky brick.

We stride through the flung open doors, and even before we do, we're greeted by exhilarating and pounding upbeat music. People are scattered on the sides of a wide hallway, holding beers, chatting with each other, and I get an indicative look from a man whose attention swerves around his frisky mate and lands on me.

For what he thinks is defense, Andreas releases my hand and uses his arm to pull me closer to him. Like the matching tattoos and outfits aren't suggestive enough of who I've come with.

"I'd feel a tad more comfortable knowing you stay to my side," he says. "There's an exceeding number of observant male eyes." Stupid language style. All he needed to say was too many men are staring at me.

"And? I'm not here for you."

There's momentary silence from him, and then, "I'm here for you."

Blake, along with Leo, appears in front of us before I have the time to respond. "Do we know where we're going?"

"Yes, doctor," Aya calls from behind us. "Look forward."

We walk through a set of double doors and are blasted by endless streaks of color illuminating a hall. Rectangular, draped tables are positioned on the edges of the large, ecstatic room, and across from us is a short dais with a DJ working his magic, hands twirling on his table of buttons and discs. And in the center...it's seventh heaven. A spread of drunken, animated bodies decked in showy outfits bounce around each other and dance to the changing rhythm of the music

"Are you sure we're not at a wedding?" I almost have to scream to get my question through to Andreas.

"There's a reason they call this 'The Revel'. Say you want to marry me instead of asking stupid questions."

I would punch him in the gut had he not pulled my body against his and kissed me.

But despite the startling action and my decision to act upset with him after he invited himself into the car with me and Leo, I push my lips against his. The warmth of his own touch me so gently. He gazes at me then resumes our heavenly kiss.

I'm so consumed by it that I forget we're in a hall of hundreds of strangers and that this is more than likely an act for Dalia. Who is more than likely right by us.

When he lets go, I'm spun and my back lands against his chest. He wraps his hands around my waist, nearing me to his torso, and I'm almost guilty when I see, from the edge of my vision, Leo roll his eyes and go off with the rest.

"Dalia," Andreas greets. "Lovely to see you."

With a deadly glare, Dalia's eyes trail up and down my body. She's wearing a fitted black dress, her cleavage showing, and I must admit the dark choice of attire is an amazing contrast to her unbound red hair and bright blue eyes. Her heels are just as tall as mine.

"And you." Her eyes grow wide, flitting over my skin. "You have the same...tattoos as Andreas." She gestures to me contemptuously, like I'm a filthy dog blocking her way along a footpath. But I don't let her get to me. If I wanted to, I could squash her with a single step. Her appearance is quite ugly paired with the scowl on her face, jealousy spread all over it. Andreas notices and tightens his hold, a subtle hint that our current act is satisfactory.

"Hey, Dalia. You look good," I comment. Despite her chaotic tendencies like throwing alcohol at me in a club, she does in fact look quite surreal. Thanking me would corrode her pride, so instead she takes on a more vicious approach.

"You're rather...unsightly-looking with those stains on your skin." Another once-over of my body.

Andreas' hands tense around me, but I cut over whatever he's about to say. "And you're a bitter-mouthed bitch." I don't stay to observe the impact my words have on her. I pull away from Andreas and speed through the crowd, towards where our friends had gone, and only slow my pace when his hand catches mine.

"I love hearing you get all grumpy," he utters.

"Fuck you."

Finding our friends at a table stops him from barking out whatever retort he's going to make. We take our seats beside each other. Aya and Seb already are already engaging in a heated discussion while Blake and Leo make small talk. I wait for them to finish...then I lean forward in my chair, rest my elbows on the table, and begin chatter with Leo.

"Thanks again for taking me out yesterday. We can try that again soon. A bakery for breakfast, maybe?"

Blake is watching nonchalantly, sipping his violet drink, and observing like he'd rather be anywhere else. But Andreas pulls my chair closer to his, and I shoot him a glare before turning back to Leo.

"That sounds great," Leo responds. "There's not one too far off from my place." He chucks a quick glance at my boss, then returns to me. The smug curve of his lips is communicating that he's caught on to my minor scheme.

"That'd be convenient for us both, then. I can drop by yours right after." I turn to my boyfriend. "And he'll pick me up the next morning. Will you, Andy?" I tilt my head at him, grinning as I take in his tensing muscles. His oddly mild eyes move from the table's surface to me, and a wicked grin crosses his features.

"Of course, baby. I'll pick you up from his place." He brings his mouth towards my ear so only I can hear him say, "Your stay will give me time to form a sweet little gift for your return."

His attention goes back to Aya and Seb and he joins in on their conversation.

I drop my head to the glass below me as my cheeks prickle with a blush I know is suffusing. Leo has begun chatting with Blake, chucking in sentence over sentence while Blake gives single or double-worded responses. I'm glad the music was loud enough to thunder over Andreas' generous implication because I don't think I would have enjoyed seeing a crumpled look of jealousy on Leo's face anyway.

Everything has gotten hotter, like the humidity of the dance floor has creeped its way through the booming air and wrapped itself around my perspiring body. I'm suddenly more aware of how much the pressure of sitting against the chair pains my bruises. Yesterday, Andreas' gratifying fury had lashed out and struck force on my ass, and today...I've already acted on my intent to spark a little more of it by using Leo as a weapon.

Is it the thrill of him handling my body with rage that makes me pick at any chance of mischief? Or am I just ill-natured and see this rage of his as a gift I can laugh about?

Even if I find disclosure as to why I'm trying to be so spiteful and provocative, it won't prove effective, because I do the worst or best thing and tear away my diffidence to lay a hand on Andreas' inner thigh.

I lean back in my chair, taking my attention across the table as I move my grip up his jeans, and internally crow about how he's halted mid-conversation. Shrugging off reluctance, I cup his groin―and smile when I hear a low grunt.

But my amusement doesn't last very long. At least not for the same reason. Andreas hooks his arm around my waist, uses his feet to push his chair back, and lifts the both of us out our seats.

"Excuse us. We'll be back in no time." From his hold, he jerks me so we can begin moving away from the table, barely giving me enough time to register what look is contorting Leo's features.

We're moving fast―very fast―and if he's going to take me somewhere and offer a little discipline, then I might as well make sure I get the most out of it.

"Why couldn't you go on your own? I was just about to ask Leo if he wanted to come over tonight. Maybe stay in one of the spare bedrooms with me." The grip at my waist tightens, and I'm pulled into an open corridor. "Hey! Relax on me. My heels are going to snap."

We veer into a new corridor, I'm lightly shoved into a bathroom, and the door is shut behind us.