My mind was still racing, mostly trying to understand what was going on. Piece after piece, it all fits into a whole picture.

And it was one of the most useless realizations I have had in recent times: Lyta was Claire’s other friend. The one Counter Girl told me about yesterday.

Whatever.

And a second realization dawned upon me—Helen was still in that state of undress after that little show she performed for me. And Lyta, Bella’s personal assistant and side chick, was currently a bit flustered, her eyes busily shifting around, ogling my darling.

Still in that zoned-in state, my body moved on its own. Before an assistant of my special woman could even react, my hand was already clamping her face, effectively closing her eyes.

The idea of just killing her for good measure surfaced in my mind again.

“Helen,” I called out.

“Darling?” I heard her responding in shock.

“Dress yourself before my possessive nature makes me hurt your friend.” I said it with a defeated sigh.

Only now had my brain registered that Lyta was busy struggling to pry my hand away. It was a futile effort, of course, but it brought me some really dark satisfaction.

The weirdest thing in this situation was the fact that Lyta still hasn’t said anything at all. Hm. I looked back at her, watching how her struggles grew more and more frantic.

I checked if Helen had finished straightening her attire, which she had, and I released my grip.

My almost-victim fell to the floor, gasping for air. So that’s why she was so quiet, huh?

Tough luck.

Despite being busy breathing, Lyta still found it in herself to glare at me with defiance clear in her violet eyes. Even though there was a healthy dose of fear mixed in as well.

Why? Just why?

I felt my lips stretch into an animal grin. This prey clearly needed to be taught a lesson.

“Darling,” Helen’s voice brought me back to reality, lulling the beast back into sleep. “Apologize to my friend.”

“Nope.” I refused.

“Why?” My darling tone was full of confusion.

“Ogling my woman so openly, she had it coming,” I stated the obvious. “I already held back a lot.”

I did, in fact, hold myself back. Both because she was one of Bella’s people and because she was a friend of Helen and Claire.

“Darling, please.” I heard another plea. Then my no-longer-ex-girlfriend hugged me from behind, placing her chin on my shoulder.

I weighed the pros and cons of the situation and came to a decision. The awkward mood from the previous conversation had just gone away, and me, deciding to be extra difficult, could very well bring it back.

On the other hand, there were no real downsides to going along with my darling’s wish.

I took a deep breath and slowly exhaled, chasing away the last of my irritation.

“Lyta,” I started, still keeping our staredown. “I apologize for my overreaction; I didn’t mean to hurt you.”

This was not a lie.

“Yet,” I continued, not giving her time to answer, “there won’t be a next time. Am I clear?”

If she dared to do this again, I would just break her neck, consequences be damned.

No one can covet what is mine.

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“Crystal,” Lyta said, turning her objectively attractive face to the side and breaking eye contact.

“Good girl,” I praised her and extended my hand, messing her hair a bit.

Why was it so hard not to antagonize this girl in particular?

***

This little exchange ended with Lyta running away. Her face, as she did so, was still a bit red from both asphyxiation and anger.

Against my expectations, Helen seemed to find this situation mostly amusing. I honestly expected more outrage for treating her friend like that.

The mood changed once more, so we ended up going with Plan A—ordering something to eat.

We finished our meal and were currently sitting side by side on one of the sofas, enjoying some white wine. The taste was quite exquisite, though it was hardly a surprise since I left the choice to my date.

“You know, it’s the first time I’ve seen someone manhandle Lyta with such ease.” My darling said this out of nowhere.

Helen took off her footwear and nestled into my side, a wine glass in her palms.

“I wouldn’t call her weak by any means; it’s just that I am a monster myself,” I replied with a shrug.

My darling nodded absentmindedly, taking another sip from her glass.

“Why have you even reacted like that?” Helen asked another question.

I put my hand over her shoulders, bringing her a bit closer to me.

“You know she likes girls, right?” I met it with a question of my own.

The beauty by my side put her head on my shoulder.

“I rejected her once or twice before. So, yeah.” Helen responded.

She took a strand of her long hair and started tickling my neck.

“And here is your answer.” I replied.

I turned my face and kissed the top of her head.

“Oh, were you feeling jealous?” A bit of pleased surprise in those teasing words.

She tried to take another sip from her glass, only to find that it was empty.

“Yes.” I stated the obvious.

I ignored her stare and busied myself with refilling the wine in her glass.

“I hadn’t thought you would admit to it so easily.” Her words made a lot of sense.

Helen took the glass I offered her, and we assumed our earlier position again.

“A lot has changed this year, myself included.” I told another truth.

I slid my hand to her waist and, after some more thought, continued all the way to her hip.

“Yeah. I noticed the change.” It was her turn to shrug.

Tired, or bored, of playing with the strand of her hair, Helen put her hand on my leg.

“Hm, what does this change look like from your perspective?” I felt curious.

I took a sip from my glass, enjoying the taste.

“It’s complex.” Helen paused, seemingly looking for the right words. “It’s like the bad boy I fell for, who grew up into a troubled youth that charmed me once again, has finally become a terrible, terrible man and is here to sweep me off my feet completely.”

From my leg, her dainty hand traveled all the way up to my cheek, turning my face to look at her again.

“Is this a good or a bad thing?” I asked, looking into her blue eyes.

I watched her squirm a bit under my gaze, making me want to kiss her. Wanting more than I already was.

“I have no clue.” Helen smiled brightly. “But I would love to find out.”

She leaned closer, clearly waiting for that kiss.

And I obliged.

***

After we finished this bottle, another one took its rightful place on our table. Then another one. And a few more after that.

And that’s how our date went by—drinking, talking, and making out. We even danced a bit, both a bit too intoxicated to really care about the dance itself.

Of course there was some sex involved; my darling enjoyed the one-way mirror play a bit too much, but, eh, not like I had anything to say against that.

***

The taxi driver was, once again, a weirdly familiar-looking weirdo.

A glance at the two of us through the rearview mirror, a knowing smile, and a thumbs up, and he focused on the road for the rest of the trip.

A true weirdo, considering how fucking gorgeous Helen was. But, considering everything, he was a lucky one, wasn’t he?

Hm, where were we going? Eh, who cares?

***

Three stories worth of stairs later, the two of us entered my apartment. Another make-out session commenced as we freed each other from our clothes. Followed by even more sex.

Shower afterward, together. A mistake that led to another round.

Judging by the way Helen almost keeled over after this one, it was her physical limit at the very least.

Too bad, but sleep was important.

I helped her dry herself and carried her to the bed like a princess… Well, in a sense, Helen Smith was actually one of those.

With this foolish thought, I spooned my darling and blacked out.