The Chameleon by Matthew Dante

Lies. We use them to misdirect, gain power over others, and even protect those whom we love. Sometimes, we even use them to convince ourselves of cold, hard truths. We can’t help it. Lying is a part of who we are.
Matteo
43, Owner of La Maison de M… rich, powerful, keeper of secrets. Oh, and surrogate father to a mansion full of exotic dancing man-children.
I’ll be the first to admit that I’m no saint. I deal in the pleasures of the flesh. Wealthy men come to La Maison, searching for a good time—a place where they can indulge in their fantasies away from the judgemental eye of society. My private club provides them with that. So what if I use the opportunity to add to my fortune? Like I said, I never claimed to be a saint.
Perhaps he’s my punishment. Ares. The annoying cockroach who keeps resurfacing in my life. Just the mention of his name infuriates me. The man has no manners or class and does everything he can to get under my skin! So why does my heart keep begging for more?
Ares
47, International arms smuggler, purveyor of exotic goods, and devilishly handsome… in that rough and scary kind of way
I’m wearing him down. No matter how many times Matteo tells me that he hates me and never wants to see me again, I know that deep down, it’s all just for show. Really, he wants me. He’s stubborn and proud and likes to pretend that he doesn’t have feelings for me. But if that were true, why does he keep turning to me whenever he needs help?
I know I hurt him, and if he ever found out the truth, he’d never speak to me again. But I can’t let him go. He means too much to me, and I’ll never stop loving him. No matter how many times he threatens my life or tells me to rot in hell, it’s simply his version of flattery.