And Helio supposed it had been hypocritical of him, seeing as how he himself had given Benny his phone back, given him access to the Internet, even, no matter the strain on his powers to allow contact between the realms.
Why had he done that?
It was maddening.
Almost as maddening as the drop of sweat sliding down between Benny’s pecs as he lay on the lounge chair (that the villa had provided) in his too-small swim shorts (also the villa) sipping on an iced tea (villa) with his eyes closed.
He was a ridiculously attractive specimen, made even more so by his newly sun-kissed complexion. With his fuzz of short brown hair and his deep-brown eyes, with heavily muscled thighs any man—or fae, for that matter—would happily suffocate between.
As always, Benny seemed to sense Helio’s presence, opening his eyes the instant Helio approached. “Hey, man,” he greeted with a smile.
Always so happy to see him. As if Helio wasn’t his captor. His tormentor. His natural enemy. (Because he wasn’t, was he? Because Benny didn’tnotice.)
The oblivious human patted the lounge chair next to him. “Wanna sit for a sec?”
He always asked. Just as he always asked Helio to join him playing his video games or swimming in the sparkling sea. And Helio always refused, determined to keep his distance (except at mealtimes, where he took a disturbingly keen interest in watching Benny consume more and more of the food that trapped him here). Helio generally preferred to stand ominously in the shadows and say ominous things.
But what was the point in that? Benny never noticed. He was like a rat in a maze, happily chewing on a hunk of cheese in the corner, not even searching for a way out.
So Helio sat, trying not to be affected by the way Benny’s brown eyes lit up as he did so.
He ignored Benny’s pleasure, stripping off his shirt and letting the fae sun warm him.
Why not? What did any of it matter?
Some time later—the chill from Helio’s icy room finally dispelled—he opened his eyes. Benny was on his side now, his head pillowed on his substantial bicep, staring at Helio. Staring at his chest, to be exact.
Helio cocked a brow.
Benny smiled sheepishly, then cleared his throat. “Hey, you’re straight, right?”
No, Benny, I’m not straight, Helio almost said. It would be very rare to find a Fae who was. They were generally equal opportunists when it came to pleasures of the flesh. “Why?” Helio asked instead.
“No reason,” Benny said quickly.
Too quickly.
Helio waited him out.
“Just…I’ve been really horny lately,” Benny said cautiously, as if he might be offending Helio by telling him so. “Not sure why.”
Helio knew why. The fae realm was a sensual place by nature, and with the amount of fae fruit Benny was swallowing down on a daily basis, it was a wonder he wasn’t rutting against every available surface.
“If you weren’t straight,” Benny continued, licking his lips nervously, “I wouldn’t mind some sort of arrangement. I’ve been spending a lot of time with my right hand, if you know what I mean. I’d really—”
Don’t say it. Donotsay it.
“—owe you one.”
It was like catnip to a fae, to be owed a favor.
Not that Helio needed that incentive to be tempted.
He clenched his eyes shut for a moment, trying to get a rein on his impulses. He didn’t fuck the humans he brought here. Mostly because they were usually terrified, begging to be returned home. But also, it was the principle of the thing.
And if Helio fucked Benny…then he’d really have to give up the game, wouldn’t he? He’d have to admit he’d failed. That Benny wasn’t a tormented captive after all.
That if anything, he was becoming more like a beloved pet.
