LUXURY OF LOVE

xedos. Glass clinked. Perfume floated like whispers between conversations. Laughter, soft and restraine

taine didn't care

is glass while pretending to listen to the man beside him talk about some art exhibit in Vienna. His lips cu

hing. Quietly.

hey fo

dinators. He wore midnight black, every thread of his suit crafted with subtle silver embro

n that usual half-line-too serious, too elegant. But he looked composed,

gered longer tha

ckly, biting the i

e you?" the man beside hi

a soft laugh. "No.

t his drink down and let his fingers run across the smooth m

iced the details-the subtle shift in his eyes when he was bored, the way his

ed Maddox more

alo's s

ned slightly, already knowing who it was. Maddox had a way

ing edge slipping into his tone wi

hed. "Not my job. T

tly. "You really k

eel small. He didn't order anything. Just stood there, too comfortable in his silenc

Soren asked eventually, swirli

om once, slow. "Just watching. It

at him. "And w

k at him directly

t's called being social, M

ddox said.

n his voice. Just somethi

around his glass. Then he masked it with

aid noth

n them naturally. They'd always been like this-close in a way that didn't need explanati

ed that too. Only some

t?" Soren asked, changing the subject. "The one with t

ent. "Too heavy. She co

w. I m

look from Maddox. Not s

it was imp

d. "But she looked unforg

loser now. "Sometimes I wonder if you wa

ad. "Worship looks

et for a mom

oked awa

now, a few socialites waving toward Soren. One calle

smile faded the moment

taring. Just... observing. As if try

gainst the side of his glass. "So, are we leav

. "You decide.

ddly-made

ask something, then thought better of it. After a pause,

and too still. You might ge

ow. "Then stop dre

st smiled faintly and

ed him go. H

that white satin that hugged every right place. The golden lighting made his skin

sibly. Not enough for anyon

beside him. Where he had to watch from a distance as stranger

uldn't

s. Always had be

at's what So

gestured, how he laughed too politely when someone said something not e

he sa

h a little too much confidence. His hand landed casually on Soren's lower back, fin

tightened ar

but he was used to it, there was a slight shift in his e

ever it was made Soren raise a brow, smile, and tilted his head, but he didn'

ox m

ne. Didn't charge fo

, still and silent, and let his eyes lo

Calm.

k.

n, then another. Soren noticed too, his gaze flicking past the man's sh

n't sm

n't ne

was nervous this time and took a half step bac

s slightly parted, staring across