Cinderellis: An MM Romance Fairy Tale Retelling (Once Upon a Vegas Night Book 2) Read online

  Curious. Was it a purposeful refusal or did he not like to talk? Maybe chatting put him off his game. Lizbeth turned into a raging beast if anyone interrupted her while she was “plugged in.” He should consider himself lucky Ellis wasn’t biting his head off.

  Ellis was kind enough to provide sanctuary from the suffocating mob onstage. The least Cinder could do was keep his trap shut.

  He caught sight of the dropped headset when a bright, purple-white flash cut through the booth. It had fallen under Ellis’s chair. Leaning forward, Cinder blindly felt for the earphones, startling when another swoop of light—blue segueing into a pulse of green—illuminated the space. He and Ellis were nose to nose.

  Ellis drew back but not before Cinder got his first good look at his face.

  Hot damn. Were all Vegas men that strikingly gorgeous, or was Ellis an anomaly? Cinder couldn’t decipher the true shade of Ellis’s eyes, but they were pale. Hauntingly, beautifully pale. His features could’ve been sculpted from a block of marble, they were so solid and angled. And that jaw—holy hell—paired with a set of soft, plump lips sent Cinder’s brain immediately south, imagining that mouth and that strong, squared-off jaw doing something inappropriate and wonderful.

  Squirming at the ache between his legs spurred on by his lewd imagination, Cinder snatched the earphones and thrust them into Ellis’s lax grip.

  Ellis juggled the headset a few times before firming his hold. He mumbled a thank-you, slipped them over one ear, and returned to his work without sparing Cinder another glance.

  Satisfied to simply be free of the social niceties and overwhelming press of the crowd, Cinder settled into the dark corner and kept his unspoken promise. He didn’t say another word.

  When a hand landed on his shoulder sometime later, Cinder jerked awake. He had no clue how long he’d been asleep, but based on the near-silence and absence of festive Ballyhoo lighting, he could guess it had been a while.

  Ellis stood over him, looking rumpled and sexy. The top two buttons of his dress shirt were popped open, his bowtie undone and hanging loose beneath the crisp collar. He no longer wore his headphones, and in the bright glare of the house lights, platinum streaks were visible weaving through the golden honey of his beach-boy blond locks. It was an enviable color, and the waves looked thick and soft. Cinder itched to run his fingers through them.

  Suppressing a yawn, he shoved to his knees and peered around Ellis to be sure the party had dispersed. Thank heavens it had. “I slept through all the fun, huh? What an epic bummer.”

  “It’s after three. Everyone cleared out for an after-party about forty-five minutes ago.” Ellis ran a hand over the back of his neck, casting his eyes to the floor. “I figured you’d want to wait until the coast was clear, so I let you sleep a while longer. Hope that’s okay.”

  “Shit.” Cinder jumped to his feet, all trace of sarcasm gone from his voice. He scrubbed both hands over his face in a vain attempt at increasing the blood flow to his tired brain. “I’m sorry, dude. The last leg of the tour was brutal. Different city every night. I guess I was more wrecked than I realized.”

  Ellis’s cheeks pinked. “’S all good. You weren’t bothering me.”

  When Ellis scraped his teeth over that plump bottom lip, the ache returned to Cinder’s traitorous groin. He shoved his hands into the pockets of his hoodie and forced it down to hide the growing proof of his inexplicable attraction to the man towering over him.

  He’d never been attracted to a particular sex or gender, but more a type. It didn’t matter to him how someone identified or what body parts they were working with below the belt. It was who they were—their essence, as he liked to call it—that caught his attention.

  But big and bulky wasn’t his usual style. He leaned more toward submissive personalities, and people Ellis’s size who possessed those tendencies were a rare breed. At least, in Cinder’s experience. Although his wasn’t exactly typical. Nothing about his life, nor his sexual adventures, followed the status quo.

  Still, something about Ellis’s shy, quiet nature lured him in. Or maybe it was his unfathomable beauty, so unexpected when paired with his husky build. Either way, Cinder didn’t want this to be the last they spoke.

  Once things got rolling on the show and routine settled in, he might not have a viable excuse to seek out the audio engineer. Any reason he could come up with would be something Kumiko or someone else on his payroll could handle. Which meant, if he wanted to see Ellis again, he needed to act now.

  “So you got any plans for tonight?”

  Ellis’s brows bounced in a flash of surprise. “What, you mean now?”

  “Yeah, after you close up shop.” Cinder licked his lips and ignored the voice at the back of his mind telling him he sounded like a dumbass. Of course Ellis had plans. Plans to go home and sleep. It was after three in the morning, after all, and he hadn’t recently woken from a long, refreshing nap. “You’re a Vegas man, and this is the real city that never sleeps. Thought maybe you had something fun on the schedule.”

  “If you consider falling face-first into my bed fun, then sure, I’ve got plans.” The corner of Ellis’s mouth tugged into a half smile, and that sight alone nearly undid Cinder. He couldn’t fathom what a full-wattage grin would do if that half-assed little thing sent his belly churning.

  What was his deal? Since when did he lust after someone who hadn’t shown an ounce of interest in return? It wasn’t his style to pursue lovers. All he had to do was sit back and wait for the right one to come after him, have a little fun, and move on to the next city and the next warm body vying to share his bed.

  But this was different. Ellis was different. He didn’t give a rat’s ass who Cinder was, which meant the small smile he’d offered was genuine and meant for Henry, not the gilded trappings that accompanied his public persona.

  “Fair enough.” Cinder licked his lips. “What about tomorrow? It’s our last night of freedom before the show begins. I’d love to play tourist for an evening with someone who actually knows their way around the city.”

  Ellis rubbed a hand over the back of his neck and squinted an eye. “Ah, there’s a lot that still needs done around here to get ready. I really can’t. I’m sorry.”

  “Sure, yeah. Of course.” Cinder hid his disappointment with a wide grin. “How about a rain check?”

  Pressing his lips together, Ellis nodded. “Yeah, okay.”

  If tonight wasn’t meant to be, so be it. Cinder would be around for the next six months. Neither of them would be going anywhere.

  Chapter Three

  Ellis propped the push broom in its designated corner of the janitor’s closet and gave the pull-chain a tug, casting the small room into darkness. He backed out, closed the door, and jiggled the handle to be sure it was locked.

  When he turned around, a startled yelp escaped his throat.

  “Whoa, sorry, dude.” Henry held up both hands, palms out, and grinned. “Wasn’t trying to sneak up on you, but I caught your beachy blond mop out of the corner of my eye. Had to come say hey, long time no see. Where’ve you been hiding?”

  Nerves coiled in Ellis’s belly as he cast his gaze over Henry’s shoulder to be sure no one else was around. “Nowhere. Been busy, that’s all.”

  That wasn’t a lie. He was always busy, and he wasn’t hiding—not by choice, at least.

  As expected, after confessing to Ray about his run-in with Henry, Ellis had been taken off all sound-related duties. His stepfather had also spoken with the head rigger and gotten Ellis switched to the fly gallery, which assured he was out of sight on a catwalk above the stage during performances and rehearsals.

  Henry pursed his lips and nodded. “Sure, yeah, it’s been a hectic few weeks, what with trying to get all the kinks worked out of the show and all. Haven’t seen you around, though. Even had the tour’s sound goddess, Lizbeth, ask after you. Got some serious grumpy ’tude from the lead audio douche in return. What’s that guy’s deal, anyway? He’s a real sour ass.�
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  Heat pricked at Ellis’s cheeks. He ducked his head and offered a noncommittal shrug. Talking ill of his stepfather was out of the question. That was a surefire way to lose his job. Among other things. “Ray’s the best of the best. You guys couldn’t ask for a better person to run your audio.”

  “I dunno, Lizbeth isn’t impressed, and in my humble opinion, she’s the industry standard for awesome.” Henry shoved his hands into the pockets of a casual pair of jeans. His whole appearance had shifted from the grungy-roadie look to a country-boy vibe. Gone was the unnaturally pale skin and artfully chaotic hair, replaced instead by an array of freckles and soft, shaggy waves that fell into his eyes. “What about you? Why aren’t you out there running mic checks and generally being your baller sound geek self? I bet you’re a thousand times better than that old dick bag.”

  Something between an anxious laugh and a hiccup fell from Ellis’s lips. He cringed. Did he go with honesty or scrabble for a lie? Considering lying had never been his strong suit, Ellis sighed and shifted his stare to meet Henry’s.

  His pulse quickened when gorgeous hazel irises blinked at him beneath thick lashes. Even without the dramatic eyeliner he’d sported at their first meeting, that natural dark fringe made Henry’s eyes pop. It was all Ellis could do to keep his mouth closed and his expression neutral. Henry’s beauty nearly stole his breath away.

  “I’m not on the sound team. I was covering that night, but I’d, ah, really appreciate if you kept that to yourself.” Ellis squinted an eye. “It could kinda get me in trouble if anyone found out.”

  Henry frowned. “Dude, how are you not an audio guy? You were rockin’ those faders, and everyone had a blast with your tune selection.”

  Ellis shrugged and fought back a grin. How many times had he yearned to hear someone say something like that to him? And for it to be Henry? Something about that made the compliment even more special. “I was just running a playlist.”

  “Yeah, whose playlist?” Henry lifted a brow. “Yours?”

  “It doesn’t matter.” Ellis shifted his feet. He needed a change of subject before Henry dug too deep or asked questions he’d rather not answer. Making any further connection between him and Ray could only lead to trouble. “What’re you doing here, anyway? There’s no show tonight, and I didn’t see a rehearsal on the call board.”

  On the nights the Colosseum went dark, Ellis worked his second job as the off-shift caretaker. It was his responsibility to handle any maintenance duties or cleaning needs not taken care of during open hours. In return, he was given some storage space and a cot in the old green room, which had been made obsolete after the remodel. It wasn’t fancy, but it saved on travel time and gave him a space to call his own.

  In a town as expensive and traffic heavy as Vegas, those were perks well worth the extra work.

  “I could ask you the same thing, you know.” Henry cocked his head and smirked. “I was bored at home and forgot my guitar here. Thought I’d pop by and grab the ol’ girl so we could entertain each other, but I found something even better. Human company.”

  When Henry waggled his brows, realization sent Ellis’s stomach churning as unease battled with an achy longing. He’d been tasked with staying as far away from the talent as possible. Especially Henry. But the thought of spending a carefree evening in Henry’s company sounded almost too good to be true. He couldn’t remember the last time anyone other than his stepfather had sought his companionship, and Ray only ever wanted Ellis around as a means to an end—someone to do his bidding so he could put his feet up and get sloshed.

  Still, as much as he wanted to steal an evening for himself and get to know Henry better, it would be safer if he kept his distance.

  “Ah, sorry, but I was actually headed home.” Again, not a lie. He’d been on the way to his cot for a much-needed early turn-in. It wasn’t too often he had the chance for a full night of sleep, and it made for the perfect excuse. “Why don’t you call one of your bandmates? I’m sure they’re out partying somewhere and would welcome you along.”

  “Meh, I don’t really hang with those dudes.” Henry scrunched his nose, further highlighting those adorable freckles his stage makeup had kept hidden. “I think fate’s trying to tell us it’s time to cash in that rain check you promised me. Why else would we both be here at the same time on our day off?”

  Because Ellis wasn’t off, that’s why. In fact, he hadn’t had a full day to himself in recent memory. He ran his tongue over the back of his teeth as he chewed on Henry’s words. He had promised a rain check to escape the last invitation. How many times could he get away with running from Henry before Henry caught on and demanded to know why Ellis was so damn scared to be friends?

  “Okay, but I can’t stay out too late.” When Henry cracked a delectable grin and pumped a fist in the air, Ellis couldn’t help but return the smile. It was damn near infectious. “Did you have something specific in mind?”

  “Yes.” Henry spread his arms. “Anywhere that isn’t here. I’ve lived in Vegas for a month now and haven’t seen anything but the Colosseum and my house. I need some fresh scenery before I start to mold.”

  Ellis chuckled. “That doesn’t narrow things down much. Were you thinking of getting dinner? Drinks? Seeing a show?”

  Henry pursed his lips and squinted his eyes. “Food is a must, and drinks fall high on the list. You’re from around here, right?”

  That was an understatement. Ellis hadn’t left Clark County more than a handful of times his whole life, each of those trips only a couple of miles outside the county limits at most. “Born and raised.”

  “Excellent. Take me somewhere nontouristy. The more hole-in-the-wall, the better.”

  Hell. Ellis hadn’t spent much time out and about, especially as an adult. If Henry wanted a tourist-trap recommendation, Ellis could’ve prattled one off easily enough. Living in the city meant learning its offerings, more as a rite of passage than because he frequented the establishments. But nontouristy? He had nothing to offer in that department.

  How would that look to Henry? He’d admitted to being a native Las Vegas resident, yet he couldn’t provide a single suggestion not printed in a sightseeing pamphlet.

  Ellis patted his back pocket and sighed. His wallet was on the stack of boxes he used as a nightstand. “Can you give me a minute? I have to grab something.”

  “Sure, no prob. I’ll come with you.” Henry closed the distance between them and cocked an expectant brow. “You know, you never did say why you were here.”

  Biting back a groan, Ellis headed for the old green room. He didn’t want Henry to see his living space, but it would be easier to let him follow and hold him at the door than to argue against the idea of him joining in the first place.

  He wasn’t too keen on the notion of telling Henry his real job, but lying was out of the question. They had at least a few hours of close proximity and conversation ahead of them. No way Ellis could keep a runaway lie secret for that long, but nothing said he couldn’t be vague. Maybe Henry wouldn’t be interested enough to question him further. “I work here.”

  “Well, no shit, Sherlock.” Henry chuckled and gave Ellis’s shoulder a playful shove. “But the show’s dark tonight. Why are you here?”

  So much for a lack of interest. Ellis swallowed and angled a glance at Henry. “I have two jobs here. I only work the second one on days there’s no show.”

  “Hold up, don’t you get any days off?” When Ellis shrugged, Henry narrowed his gaze. “What is it you do, if you aren’t in audio?”

  Ellis rubbed at the back of his neck and averted his eyes. He wasn’t ashamed of the work he did. They were good, honest jobs, and he enjoyed them. Especially when his stepdad let him help with the sound. But Henry might look at Ellis differently knowing he’d not only falsely led him to believe he was an audio engineer, but his real position was a low-level grunt worker. And a glorified janitor. “I’m a stagehand. A rigger, to be exact. On the show’s off days, I’m the ca
retaker.”

  He used their arrival at the old green room to prevent Henry from responding. He didn’t want the rich musician’s pity any more than he wanted his disgust. No matter where Henry was on that spectrum of emotion, he could keep his thoughts to himself if Ellis shifted the focus of their conversation. “Give me a sec. I have to grab my wallet, then we can head out.”

  But rather than slipping into the room unaccompanied as he’d hoped, Ellis found Henry following so close on his heels it was impossible to close the door behind him.

  Henry stopped short at the sight of Ellis’s cot. He moved his stubbled jaw back and forth. “Dude, do you live here?”

  With a huff, Ellis dropped his shoulders. Mortified heat prickled at his cheeks. “It makes things easier. I work a lot of hours, so having a place close by that doesn’t require me to fight all that crazy traffic on the Strip saves a lot of time.”

  He’d lived with Ray for most of his life. After his mom passed away when he was nine, his stepdad and younger stepsister were all he had. Thankfully, Ray begrudgingly agreed to remain his guardian rather than dumping him in the system. But when Ellis bumped up to full-time rigger after high school, they couldn’t share rides anymore. Ray often went home for the day when Ellis still had hours of work left. Plus, he was due in way earlier.

  About five years ago, when Ellis was twenty-one, Ray told him to find a place of his own. He was tired of Ellis stumbling into the house late at night and waking him up early in the morning. Thankfully, the caretaker position opened not long after that, and since management already knew Ellis, they agreed to his request to bunk down in the old green room in lieu of payment.

  In the end, it proved to be a major upgrade. The sleeping arrangements were comfortable, he had free use of the showers when the talent went home for the night, and it saved him from the hours he’d spent traversing the miserable public transportation system to get to and from his childhood home in Boulder City.