Aren

It had been impossible for me to stay back. The way Levi moved, his easy going nature in front of a crowd like that, he was absolutely perfect. I loved a person who could exude confidence in that way. And those pants. All gods above and here on earth, I couldn't have made them better myself. Not only did they accentuate the back, but that front ... it was all delicious. Going up to him was completely out of my control.

"You are the second best dressed guy here," I said to him as he reached for the glass of whiskey the bartender had slid across the table.

He turned around to face me, resting an elbow on the bar as he took a sip. The way those lips caressed the glass. I couldn't help but stare.

"And who would the first be?" He asked with a lazy grin.

I smoothed down my suit jacket and gave him a wink. "The name is Aren Shawl."

Levi laughed, one of his hands moving to his throat, brushing along in a way that held a hint of femininity. Be still my throbbing...

"Levi Kane," he said holding his hand out.

I shook his hand and gesture to the table next to us so I could hide the growing attraction. I couldn't help but be glad he had decided to sit with me instead of giving me an excuse and taking off.

"You were a natural up there," I said. "Do you get up in front of people often?" I wanted to test the waters. It wasn't uncommon for straight people to end up at a gay bar when there was a drag show, but most of the crowd had thinned.

"I'm sort of a regular here. I go up like that too often, but they all seem to love it when I do."

"It would seem so." My chances were looking better if he was a regular.

No, you can't be going after a human, I scolded myself. The rules are too new. But a little fun couldn't hurt. And as long as the rest of the twelve didn't find out ... and Olympus knows my father couldn't say anything about it.

Levi cocked his head to the side, his fingers curled under his chin as if he were waiting for an answer.

"I'm sorry, what did you say?"

He gave me a lopsided grin. "I asked what you were here for."

"Oh. Just to have a few drinks and some fun, and maybe meet some new people." I signaled the bartender, letting him know we wanted another round. "So what do you do, Levi?"

A waitress put the drinks on the table and Levi leaned back in his chair, putting his palms down on the table. "I've recently graduated and am taking a year off before going back to school. I work at Jane's Floral."

"A floral shop. Okay, so what are you going to school for?"

"Computer programming."

"You're a fan of computers, then."

"Isn't everyone? They're practically a necessity to get anything done anymore. But what I really like is taking a program someone has developed and turning it into something that the computer can read. While the engineers create it, I'm able to give it life, you know? That's what I really like."

I found myself staring at his lips as he spoke, following the way they moved. There was nothing sexier than watching how someone talked about the things they loved. The way he had sat up in his seat, the gleam in his eyes, and the way his lips formed each word. When you inject passion into your words, everything about what's said becomes even more attractive.

"What about you?" He asked.

I couldn't very well tell him I didn't work because I was a god, but I also couldn't remember what lie I had been going with. I could go with the partial truth, that may be best.

"I'm a consultant for those who are facing hostile situations."

"Okay, so a lot of consultant, client confidentiality, then?"

"Yeah. Like, uh, say that a company or group is going to hold a hostile takeover of your company. You would pull me in to advise on how to get on the offensive."

"So you're a strategist."

"My sister is more of the strategist, I prefer jumping right in." Why was I telling him any of that? I never got into any detail regarding my family. It was too messy, impossible to keep track of.

"Sounds interesting. You must never have a dull moment then. How do you get along working with your sister?"

"I don't work with her exactly, but we're in a similar line of work." We finished off our second round of drinks, and I signaled for another.

"Look," Levi said leaning forward. "I appreciate the drinks. And this doesn't happen to me very often, but it seems like you might be trying to hit on me."

At least I hadn't been too subtle! "Maybe I have," I raised an eyebrow hoping it wasn't too forward. It couldn't be possible for him to resist my godly charms. No mortal could.

"I'm not going to lie, you are extremely attractive, and I could continue this conversation way past bar close." There it was. "But I have some confessions. Three actually." That was never a good sign.

"Confessions?"

Levi gave a slightly tipsy nod. "The first is that I'm not a brunette. I'm actually a blonde," he whispered.

I let out a breathy laugh. A man who died his hair. It wasn't unheard of. Though I could see him as a blonde, and it got me even more excited below the table.

"The second is that my name isn't actually Levi. That's just my stage name."

I cleared my throat and adjusted myself in my seat. "And what's the third?" I had my suspicions, but I wanted him to say it.

"I actually have a bit more up top," he gestured to his chest, "and less down below," he finished it out by gesturing toward his crotch. "I'm a drag king."

"So are you a lesbian then?" I asked.

"No. I like guys. But you seem to be into Levi."

It was apparently my turn for the full body laughter. "I go both ways, sweetheart. It doesn't matter if your name is Levi or Sally-"

"Leila, actually."

"Even better. I don't care if you're a man or woman. But you did say you found me attractive, right?"

Leila closed her eyes and shook her head. No one had ever stuck out to me like she had walking around that stage as Levi. Sure there had been temptations before, it's impossible not to be tempted, heck my father had been tempted and given in too many times to count over the years. I wasn't even sure who I was related to up there anymore.

"So can I get your number, Leila? Or should I still call you Levi?"

She laughed and went to the bar to grab a pen and napkin. She scribbled on the white square and passed it to me.

"That's my name and number. I'm not even going to ask for yours."

"And why's that?"

"Because I've met many a pretty face. I know how they typically end, and that's right here. I don't need a name and number cluttering up my phone unless it's actually going to get used."

I studied her closely.

"So you don't think I'm going to call you?"

"I didn't say that, but I do know how it usually goes. So that's my number there. The ball is in your court, Pretty Face."

"Aren."

"Right. Well, it's time for me to get my things together and head home. I've got an early morning. It was nice meeting you, Aren."

"Nice meeting you too ... twice," I said with a smile.

She got up from the table and walked down the hall, moving with all the swagger of a man. The most convincing king I had met. I looked at the number scrawled on the napkin and put it into my phone. She would be in for a surprise. 

*****

And there we have chapter two. Aren seems to be smitten. Let me know what you think in the comments below, and if you liked the chapter, please give it a vote by pressing that star.

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Red Assassin