Dashing Devil Omnibus 2: Books 4-6, page 45
Boyd chuckled, grinning down at the fox-woman who looked up at him with pleading emerald eyes. That look left him with no real choice in the matter. He smiled down at her Raev before turning to the hostess and nodding at the table his love preferred. “If it’s all the same to you, we’ll take that one.”
“Very well.” The hostess obviously understood that the customer was always right, as she promptly led them to the smaller table.
Boyd held Raev’s chair for her and slid it in smoothly as she sat before undoing the three buttons of his jacket and taking his seat. The chair held him, but he was sure it made him look even larger than he was.
“Your server will be Gustav,” Miss Rochelle said. “He’ll be with you in just a moment. Can I get you started with beverages? Perhaps one of our signature cocktails… the Étoile Martini? It incorporates star fruit for an exotic flair.”
Boyd noted how Raev perked up at this, their bond filling with curiosity, so he smiled with a nod. “Yes, those sound like a fine way to start the evening… two of them, please.”
They were operating under semi-dry conditions, which meant they could drink, but couldn’t get drunk. That would be fairly easy for the couple, considering their Changed constitutions.
“I’ll bring those right over,” the young woman beamed him a smile and smoothly hustled away.
Boyd scanned the room.
Chateau Étoile’s dining area sparkled with luxury. Frescoes glowed on the ceilings, above tables covered in crisp white linen surrounded by comfortable chairs. Chandeliers hung from the vaulted ceiling, their light reflecting off silverware and glassware. The restaurant featured sophisticated style paired with modern elegance for the city’s elite and visiting Heroes.
“Nice place,” Boyd noted.
On his other side, Chateau Étoile’s dance floor dazzled with its polished wood and golden railings. Music from a live band set the mood—sometimes lively, and at other times intimate. Here, the city’s celebrities could spin and sway in luxury.
“I’ll have to get used to being a ghost in the eyes of women when you’re around,” Raev chuckled, drawing his gaze to her smirking face. Every eye in the place was on the Changed couple, although Boyd noticed that only the men’s eyes shifted slightly between the pair.
Every female gaze remained locked securely on him.
“Good evening, Monsieur et Mademoiselle,” a man with an accent Boyd had only heard in the media but recognized as Old Earth French announced brightly as he approached their table. He had one of those thin mustaches that made him fit the stereotype he had clearly aimed for.
Boyd had to admit, it added to the ambiance.
“My name is Gustav, and I will be at your service this evening.” He dipped a short bow before continuing. “Please, if you desire anything—anything at all—do not hesitate to ask.”
From behind his back, he pulled out a bottle—as if out of thin air. “This is a bottle of Eagle’s Scream Cabernet Sauvignon, from Neo Napa Valley… on the house, of course. Would you like me to open it, or box it up to take home?”
“Thank you for the welcoming gift, Monsieur Gustav.” Boyd grinned at the man, discretely slipping him two of the chits to start the evening right. “We’ve heard good things about the Étoile Martini and Mademoiselle Rochelle is on her way with… ah, there she is now.” He nodded to the approaching hostess and prepared another chit. “Why don’t you open it anyway… I believe a wine of that caliber deserves to breathe a little before being enjoyed.”
The man’s eyes lit up with delight as Boyd used all of his limited understanding of the dead language. His studied but unpracticed familiarity with wine obviously made the man’s day, which had been his goal. Gustav would undoubtedly talk to the press regarding his encounter with the Hero whose name had remained in the top five most common searches for the last three weeks.
‘The Devoted’ and the hero names of each his loves also held strong in the top twenty-five.
“An excellent decision Monsieur le Diable!” The server beamed as the hostess slipped in to set their martini’s before each of them. Boyd didn’t fail to notice that the two buttons of her shirt not covered by her vest had mysteriously come undone.
“Would you like to hear tonight’s specials,” Gustav continued once the hostess was done leaning over the table to deliver their drinks and slipped away, “or would you perhaps like to see a menu?”
Turning to Raev, Boyd asked with a challenging smirk, “Do you eat differently in public?”
He got the feeling she normally did, but he was proud of his kitsune’s appetite and wanted to show it off a bit. His tone and look had the desired effect.
Her emerald eyes took up his challenge as she responded with a purr, “Not tonight.”
“Would you mind if I took the liberty, then?” he asked, adding a quirked brow to the invitation in his eyes.
“Go for it, Big Guy.” Raev‘s smirk grew into a grin.
The menu was posted on the website, and Boyd had always been a fan of reading ahead. So, it was with a smile that he turned to Gustav and said, “We’ll have two orders of the Chateaubriand.”
“Monsieur, if I may,” Gustav replied carefully, “the Chateaubriand is an excellent choice, but it is intended for two. The servings are most generous!”
“You are quite right,” Boyd replied with a devilish grin. “That won’t be nearly enough. Please add a Beef Tenderloin and the Herb-Crusted Rack of Lamb for the table. I’ve heard good things and would hate to leave without trying it.”
“Of course, Monsieur.” Boyd watched the man take in the size of him. “I will get the Chef de Cuisine started on it personally.”
Gustav sketched another bow, but before he could turn to hurry away Boyd rumbled, holding out another chit, “Monsieur, there is no rush. We intend to enjoy our evening and take in all of the Chateau’s splendor. In fact, if you could have our meal ready a half hour after we move to the dance floor, I would appreciate it.”
“Of course, Monsieur.” Gustav smoothly took the chit, slipping it into his pocket with the others.
Boyd was supposed to hand out all thirty chits by the time the night was done. Royce had wanted to charge the meal to the Team’s joint funds, but Boyd had quietly changed it over to his personal account.
His Gestalt had insisted, and Mindy had approved. He was allowed to embrace a certain degree of pride, it would seem.
“I will give you some privacy, but please do not hesitate to signal me or any of the staff should you require anything—anything at all.” Gustav gave one more little bow before swiftly but smoothly walking away.
Boyd glanced over the other patrons, confirming that many of them were still openly staring at the two Heroes. He returned their gazes with his most charming smile and gave a small wave as he stood. “Good evening ladies and gentlemen,” he rumbled smoothly, lifting his voice just enough to carry through the room.
His Gestalt had advised that it was best to get this out of the way.
“It’s a pleasure to be amongst such prestigious company,” he continued. “But we are on our first real date—so we would appreciate it if you allowed us our privacy. We, like any Heroes, would normally welcome interactions with citizens of all types, but I hope you understand the importance of personal occasions.”
There were murmured agreements and mesmerized gazes—these last mostly from the women. Boyd began to wonder just how many dates he would upset this evening. Of course, many of the guys struggled to keep their eyes off Raev, so they didn’t have a leg to stand on.
In their defense, she had crossed her legs.
“Thank you. Please, enjoy your evening.” Boyd sat, returning his eyes to his gorgeous companion.
Chapter 46
Raev smiled warmly at him, and he sensed approval across their Bond.
“Thanks for that. I was sure we would lose at least half-an-hour after one of them got up the nerve to approach and triggered the flood.” Raev carefully took a sip of her martini around the slice of starfruit it had artfully been garnished with. “Mmmmm, that’s good.”
Boyd took an even more careful sip of his own cocktail. It was quite good. Startfruit juice, vodka, and some dry vermouth… who knew?
“That is good,” he confirmed with a pleased nod and big smile for the benefit of the Hostess and Server who attempted—trying to be as unobtrusive as they could—to watch them.
Boyd might have tried to shut such intrusions of their privacy down, but he knew he couldn’t stop the majority of the dining area from staring at everything they did. His Gestalt felt it was fine, as long as he remained aware of their surroundings.
“It would have been so much worse than a flood for half-an-hour.” Boyd chuckled, keeping his voice low enough that other patrons at nearby tables wouldn’t hear him. “We are in polite company. They would have trickled over throughout the night. Some would think it best so as not to overwhelm us, others because they are obviously important enough to warrant our individual attention.”
Raev scanned the dining area with wary eyes but a pleased smile, pretending to take the place in. “Shit, you’re totally right. Being constantly interrupted like that would have…”
Boyd would have bet her next tail that Raev had been about to say ‘sucked.’ Pursing his lips, he restrained a chuckle.
Obviously having realized that ‘sucked’ was a bit crass for polite conversation in this environment, a blushing Raev took another sip of her martini before turning a dazzling smile on Boyd. “I’m going to upgrade that to a double thank you. But it didn’t really stop the staring… at least from the women. You may have deterred some of the men.”
Boyd scanned the room from the corner of his eye. Most of the women had stopped openly staring, but seemed to be struggling. They would stare for a moment, catch themselves, and then look down at their plate or at their dinner companion. His Gestalt corrected Boyd’s misunderstanding about the cause of the stares, but he needed an outside perspective—in case this was just his Gestalt’s ego speaking.
“I’m like… absurdly attractive… even without the aura, aren’t I?” Boyd asked as seriously as anybody could ask such a question.
Raev, who had been about to take another sip of her martini snorted while holding the drink away from her lips. Setting the cocktail down, she hit him with a playful glare as her velvet chuckle made another appearance.
“That was very close to being messy…” Raev dabbed at her lips with her napkin. “But yeah, Big Guy, ‘absurdly attractive’ might just be the best description for you I have heard.”
His Gestalt cackled wildly, effectively shouting ‘told you so!’ over and over in his head. Boyd frowned. It was a hard thing to accept.
“Boyd, if you were any more attractive, mirrors would be lining up just to get a glimpse of you.” Raev laughed, had an idea come to her with the quirking of an ear, and then continued, “I’m pretty sure if ‘attractive’ had a picture under it in the dictionary, it would be a photo of you.” She was on a roll. “If being absurdly attractive was a crime, you’d be serving a life sentence. Big Guy, you’re like a walking magnet—the ‘attract’ part, that is.”
“Alright, alright!” Boyd laughed, shaking his head at the kitsune’s good-natured yet corny jokes. “I get it.”
“I don’t think you do… not yet at least. But that’s okay, you’ll grow into it.” Raev gave him a wink and a small smile that hinted at the amusement he sensed across their Bond. “I know I shouldn’t be laughing, because that innocent question was wrapped up in some deep-seated Changed angst… but still, you should have seen your reaction—a bit confused but with a pleased little smirk curling your lips.”
“No, it’s fine, really.” Boyd chuckled again and took a sip of his martini, the normal-sized cocktail glass looking tiny in his big hand and making him feel as big as he was. “Laughter is supposed to be healing, and it’s not like you were mean about it.”
She smiled warmly at him, taking a sip of her own drink before she continued. “Where did you think your ratings were coming from? The fact that sixty percent of women in even the most Fundamentalist cities answer that they would like you assigned to protect them is fairly telling. The ninety plus percent in most other cities should have removed any doubt.”
Boyd chucked and lifted his hand to rub the back of his neck, then stopped. Mindy would be upset with him if he messed up his hair. “The male numbers aren’t that much lower… at least outside of blatant fundamentalists.”
“An average of twenty to thirty points lower is a pretty big difference.” Raev snorted delicately and arched a brow at him. “We’ve constantly been cracking jokes about it—the common trend being that women clearly want you to come steal them away from their boring lives, and the men are afraid that you just might.”
“I just took those as… well, jokes.” Boyd shrugged while, internally, his Gestalt rolled his eyes. He knew they weren’t jokes, just analysis stated in a comedic fashion.
“Well, yeah, they were, but more like observational humor.” Raev confirmed his Gestalt’s thoughts. “We’ll get you there, don’t worry. I’m just glad I don’t think we have to worry about you going too far the other way.”
“Being surrounded by breathtaking women like yourself will surely keep me humble.” Boyd smirked at his love.
“Pfft!” Raev snorted a short laugh again. “That might be true if they weren’t all over you. Besides, we both know the way Silvie acts as your personal cheerleader would totally negate that effect.”
“Silvie is everyone on the team’s personal cheerleader.” Boyd chuckled. “I heard her literally cheering for you to give our date your all before we left.”
“Good point.” She nodded.
Boyd loved the way her ears twitched slightly when she nodded.
“You know… even I get an ego boost when she starts up like that. I want to tell her that I don’t need it, but it just feels so damn good,” Raev said.
Boyd nodded his agreement. “It’s because she obviously means it… but don’t bother trying to get her to stop. She won’t.”
“Yeah, I picked up on that.” Her eyes dipped down and to the side, glancing at a few couples that spun slowly around the dance floor.
“Would you like to dance?” Boyd asked, taking the bait.
He’d planned to wait a little longer before escorting her down the stairs, but the conversation was in the vicinity already, so he decided to strike while the iron was hot.
“Of course,” she purred, emerald eyes moving back to his amber gaze as her grin grew wider.
“We’ll take to the dance floor after we finish our drinks, then,” Boyd explained, making sure she had something to look forward to. “While we do, there’s something I’ve been meaning to ask you about… It might be personal, but I think you’re ready to talk about it.”
“Oh?” Her brows shot up and a tangled swirl of rising to the challenge and anxiety spiked across their Bond.
“Yes.” Boyd held his warm smile. “It’s not really an issue anymore. I haven’t sensed it in you for a while—not after we moved to our new home. Early on, though, I sensed that you were deathly afraid I might reject you. It felt like something that was a result of past… struggles.”
Raev frowned.
“You’re a witty, fun-loving, gorgeous, badass of a woman and incredibly confident. You came on hard and heavy, but were afraid it would end with you being sent away. I’m not trying to fix anything; I know that you don’t feel that way anymore. I guess I just want to understand where that came from.” Boyd finished with a one-shouldered shrug.
He’d thought she was ready to talk about this weeks ago, but also that she would naturally shy away from such a conversation. That’s why the venue was ideal—the dancefloor offered the perfect carrot for him to dangle to get her through it.
Raev’s eyes dropped to her lap. And though Boyd couldn’t see her hands below the table, he was certain she was wringing them together. This only lasted a moment before she sighed, smiled, and shook her head.
“It’s nothing too complex, and Mindy already helped me put my thoughts together for when you eventually brought it up. You should understand, given that you just realized how hot you are. I’ve always known I was hot… Want to know how I knew?”
“I imagine a mirror likely played a role.” Boyd smiled.
Raev rolled her emerald eyes. “If that were true, you wouldn’t have just figured it out for yourself, now, would you? No, I knew because I was told. I was told a lot… and it started early. Then there was all the training about improving and valuing our appearance. Girls got a double dose of that, at least they did in my PAC.”
“It was the same in ours,” Boyd confirmed.
Boys received just as much etiquette and similar training as the girls, but they had very little standard training on things like beauty and fashion. Boyd had taken a few training courses on a voluntary basis to make sure he hadn’t missed anything he would need to know as a Hero, but he was one of only a few boys who did.
“Then, as I got a little older and started drawing the boy’s eyes, I started liking it. I had been trained to get their attention, and they were more than happy to give it to me,” Raev said carefully.
She watched him with an inquisitive, if wary eye. She was likely judging if she was approaching territory that would set off his jealous streak. Boyd smiled and gestured for her to continue. She wasn’t, at least not yet.
“Well, my constant flirting got me something of a reputation, but I didn’t mind. I was in good company—most of the girls I liked had the same reputation. But then I started hearing guys talking about me when they thought I couldn’t hear.”
She paused. “I won’t repeat any of it because it will make you furious, but it was all stuff about me being a good time… but not girlfriend material. I started listening more at that point and figured out the boys were all in agreement. They would happily fuck but wouldn’t date an ‘animal’ like me.”
