Savor by Xavier Neal

it safely all the way to the hotel room without magically getting lost.” Dean starts to pout then gives her body a once over, raising his eyebrows like he’s alright with the decision. She shakes her head and sighs, “Not even if you were legal.” I stifle a giggle and she finishes with, “Now, let’s go.”
    After a short wave, I turn my attention back to Jake who’s actually cocking a smile.
    It’s weird. It’s almost like he’s human and not just a soul sucker for the devil.
    “Shall we?” I nod in response, and we start towards a set of private doors blocked by security. Jake merely opens his gray suit jacket briefly to flash his badge and they let us right through. When the doors shut behind us, he says, “You know, Maxx, I’m not as terrible as you think I am.”
    Mmm…debatable.
    “I never said I thought you were terrible.”
    “They call me Jake the Snake, and you’re honestly gonna tell me you think that sounds like I’m not a bad guy?”
    “Well, there is that,” I agree.
    He shrugs and runs his fingers across his gelled blonde hair. “It’s not personal. It’s just business. The rumors and legendary stories have been based off truth, but like everything in the entertainment business, they’ve been fabricated beyond my wildest imagination.” We continue down the dimly lit hallway towards a set of elevators. “Like I said, I’m not as bad as my rep. I do expect only the best, because I recruit only the best. But make no mistake on how I treat them once they’re with me. Kellar’s under good care. I know you’re worried.”
    The elevator doors open and we stroll inside.
    Okay, maybe just a little. I mean aside from wondering if our now technology based sex life is actually enough to tie him over while he’s on the road, I do wonder how he is doing with everything else. I mean…when his nightmares hit. Is he actually sleeping? I’m sure he’s on some strict diet, but sneaking him a bite or two of something naughty makes him feel better. Reminds him he’s human. That it’s okay not to be perfect.
    “I’ve done everything I can for Kellar. Best trainers. Best and freshest meals. Best massages. Best stylists. Best doctors. Everything in those departments. But there’s one thing I can’t give him, Maxx, and that’s you.”
    Confused, I ask, “Excuse me?”
    “Look, Maxx. It’s my job to know what makes my fighters tick. From the way they prefer their eggs to how often they need their dick touched.”
    Scrambled and every day. Yeah I know these things about Logan, too. Hell you’ve spent enough time around him. You could’ve definitely guessed the last one.
    “When I first met Kellar, it was obvious. Then when he kissed you in a crowd full of people, it verified my thoughts. But having him out here, hundreds of miles away from you for weeks…is killing him.”
    Concerned, I quickly ask, “Is he not fighting as well?”
    “He fights fine. You saw that yourself tonight. But he fights hollow without you. No heart. And I know how some would see that as a great thing, but honestly, it’s not. I already have two fighters that fight for the wrong reasons. One fights for money. One fights for women. Kellar used to fight for his family. For that kid. For you. I need back the fighter that signed that contract, because he was something special. He was something worth watching. Because he could stand his ground when the industry came knocking to mold him into something else. He needs you, Maxx, which means I need you.”
    That sounds…creepy.
    Bluntly, he demands, “Move to SoCal.”
    “What?” I shriek.
    “I want you and the kid to move to SoCal.” Before I have the chance to process his request, or lack thereof really, he continues, “I’ll get you a bigger apartment. We can get the kid enrolled in a great school. Whatever you guys want. Kellar is a one in a million fighter, and I will be damned if I let him get away.”
    The doors open again and he hands me a key card not