Chapter 14
Amelia
I’ve been staring at the text on my phone for the last couple of minutes, grappling with my feelings about it.
Blade: Rhett will be there in twenty minutes to bring you to my house
I feel… kind of excited. And I shouldn’t . I don’t want to smile when the guy who’s coercing me to be with him tells me he’s sending a driver for me, but that doesn’t stop my lips from curving up.
And why am I so hot and bothered that he didn’t ask, but told me I’d be coming over? With no room for negotiation.
What the hell is wrong with me? I’m not supposed to like that. I’m not supposed to like the thought of having my choice taken away.
I chew on my lip as I read the text again—for probably the tenth time—before getting up from the bed and heading towards my closet space.
“Where ya going?” Skye asks, turning to me from our computer chair. “I only have a bit more studying to do then we can start the movie.”
“Oh. Um, Rhett is coming to pick me up and take me to their house.”
She pivots in the chair, the wheels letting out a dramatic squeak. “So, just screw me, huh? I’m supposed to be here all alone while you go frolic in the flowers with not only Blade, but also my boyfriend?”
“I thought you were the one who wanted me to be with Blade in the first place, remember? That includes hanging out with him.”
“Yeah, but if I’d known you’d jump up and run whenever he calls, I would’ve never wanted you to be with him. What about our time?”
“Skye, we’ve spent every night together this week. I’m sure one night won’t hurt.”
“One night won’t hurt.” She scoffs. “You sound just like Frankie, ditching us yesterday for the brunette guy. I guess I’m the only one in the friend group who takes it seriously.”
“Why don’t you come with me? We can wear cute pajamas and watch movies. You can also see Rhett. It’ll be the perfect time.”
“No, I don’t want to be anyone’s second choice.” She rolls her eyes and turns back to the computer. “Just go. Clearly, you’d rather be with him.”
“Skye, it’s not like that.” I sigh. “Just come with me, and it’ll be fun. Come on.”
She hums a tune, loud and pointed, the kind of hum that lets someone know you’re ignoring them. Each note digs into my chest like she’s building a wall between us, brick by brick.
I don’t think we’ve ever had a fight before.
Then again, maybe that’s because I’m usually the one to give in before it starts. Like when I had thoughts about joining a sorority and she talked me out of it, saying it’s too time-consuming and she’d miss me too much.
You know what? Screw this. I want to go, so that’s what I’m doing. I grab a hoodie from the closet and toss it over my dress.
Skye’s humming pauses, followed by a scoff, then the humming starts back up. When I make it to my shoe rack, my phone buzzes in my hand.
Blade: I got your favorite snacks, obviously gluten-free. I set up the theater to look… romantic? I don’t know, I’m not good at that stuff. Am I missing anything?
Blade: Oh yeah, I got you everything you need for the morning including the skincare you said you like. Just bring your pretty little self and that’s it. No change of clothes either. I want you to wear my big t-shirt
I bite my lip, feeling the corners of my mouth twitch up into a smile on its own. A warmth spreads in my chest, the kind of warmth that wraps around you and hugs every nerve ending.
Skye clears her throat, and the moment shatters like glass. My head snaps up to her, expecting her to have given in, but instead, she’s facing the computer, still ignoring me.
“You sure you’re not coming?” I ask one last time.
Silence.
It ticks on.
“Okay,” I murmur softly, more to myself.
The seven-minute car ride is quiet, except for the low roar of the engine. I decide not to bother Rhett by talking—he looks disheveled, eyes heavy like he just rolled out of bed. I feel a little bad now for having him come to pick me up.
As soon as I step into the living room, I spot Frankie lounging on the couch, and I don’t know why, but seeing her instantly lightens my mood. I head straight for her and drop down beside her, letting out a long sigh as I settle in.
“Rough day?” she teases.
Before I can answer, some brunette girl bounces—literally skips —over and plops down next to us. “I love your necklace.” There’s something… weird about her inflection that I can’t quite place.
I glance down, a little startled. Sometimes I forget that I’m even wearing this thing. That is until Blade pulls on it and my airway constricts and I feel all—
I clear my throat. “Oh, thanks.”
“You have such great style. We should totally hang out sometime. I mean, between you and me…” The brunette lowers her voice and looks to the other couch. “Those two other girls over there? Bitches. You don’t want to be friends with them. But you—”
Frankie leans forward, narrowing her eyes. “Look, lady, we know you’re just trying to cozy up to her to get closer to Blade. And guess what? It’s not gonna work. So take the L and get lost. You’re annoying as fuck, and she doesn’t need fake friends.”
I blink, a little stunned. I… didn’t even know that was her end game. But now that I’m thinking about it, it suddenly seems obvious.
The brunette’s expression sours, her exaggerated smile dropping like it was a mask all along. “You’ve got a lot of nerve,” she snaps. “I was just being nice. No need to be a bitch about it. And nobody wanted to be friends with her anyway, she’s way too shy.”
“Bitch? Oh, I’m the biggest bitch you’ll ever meet. I see you’re just late to the party. And don’t talk about my friend like that.”
The argument escalates fast—raised voices, flying insults. The tension in the room thickens like black smoke until Frankie leaps up, launching herself at the girl.
What. The. Hell.
They crash into the coffee table, sending drinks and snacks flying as they wrestle. Frankie’s practically beating the shit out of her.
How do I even stop a fight? Oh my God.
“Hey!” Blade’s voice— his hot, angry voice —echoes through the space, sending shivers down my spine. It’s a single word, but it commands the attention of every single person in the room. Everyone freezes, even Frankie mid-swing. I look over and he’s leaning against the doorframe with Asher right beside him. “What the hell is going on?”
Frankie and the brunette both try to speak at once, jumbled up excuses and accusations running into each other.
“Stop,” Blade commands, and they both shut their mouths immediately. He scans the room and finally lands on a thirty-something man who looks like he could be a commander in the army. “Roger, escort the brunette off the premises and put her on the do-not-return list.” The brunette puts up a hell of a fight, but ultimately Roger’s massive frame is no match for her.
Only then does Blade shift his focus to Frankie, his tone softening just a fraction. “You good?” he asks.
Frankie grins up at him like nothing just happened. “Yeah,” she says, a little breathless. “I’m good.”
Asher takes a step forward. “Frankie.” Frankie averts her eyes, pretending she didn’t hear him. “ Frankie ,” he repeats, his tone firmer.
She jumps a little and sags her shoulders, following him out of the room yelling, “She started it!”
This has been a batshit crazy night so far.
As they leave, Blade shifts his attention to me and extends his hand out. “Come here,” he says, his voice softer now but still carrying that same power that makes me want to listen.
He kisses my forehead, murmuring, “I’m glad you didn’t get hurt in the commotion,” before leading the way.
“Where are we going?” I ask.
“To the movie room. Didn’t you say watching horror movies was your favorite thing to do? Frankie and Asher can join us whenever they’re done… doing what they’re doing.” He chuckles.
The room we enter is dimly lit, with a massive screen projector on the wall and fifteen or so recliner chairs. But that’s not the part that makes my breath catch in my throat.
There’s blush pink colored balloons in clusters around the room, some floating lazily on the ceiling. The walls are draped in fairy lights. The air smells faintly of vanilla and rose, my favorite scents, and I realize there’s a small bouquet of roses sitting on the side table next to my favorite snacks.
I feel a lump form in my throat and my chest tightens. But in a good way. “You did all this for me?”
“I’d do anything for you, angel.” He grabs my hand and kisses it. “Now sit down. Third row, second seat from the aisle.”
I sit down on the recliner he tells me to, and he hovers over me, mischief dancing in his eyes. He’s planning something. The thought ignites an insatiable fire inside me, something I’ve never felt with past lovers.
Probably because the others were all so predictable, boring even. Never anything different or exciting. But with Blade, I never know what’s coming next. The way he looks at me, the things he does—almost predatory—like he thrives on instinct, it’s fierce, it’s primal, and there’s a thrill that draws me in.
A soft hum escapes my lips when his mouth finds my neck, tracing a path along my jaw and collarbone.
“I knew these bows would come in handy one day,” he rasps, slipping the ribbon from my hair and tying it over my eyes. It’s just thick enough that I can’t see anything.
“Aiden?” I breathe out, hearing the sounds of the TV starting in the background.
“Shh… just enjoy.”
I hear the faint whoosh of the mini fridge opening, followed by something rattling inside. The fridge is close enough that the cool air brushes against my legs, contrasting with the warmth of my skin. Every sound seems amplified—the creak of the fridge door closing, his soft footsteps approaching.
His lips trace over my neck again, but it feels cold with each touch this time. A good cold. It sends electric tingles throughout my whole body.
The makeshift blindfold makes all the sensations heightened—every kiss, every touch more intense because I can’t anticipate what he’ll do next.
I feel the fabric of my dress slowly being peeled away from my body.
“Fuck,” he mutters, gripping my breasts with both hands. “So perfect.”
Suddenly, a scream fills the room, shrill and unrelenting, mixed with the sound of leaves crunching and desperate breaths.
I jump and my breathing quickens.
“You love horror movies, right?” he taunts.
The cold sensation goes over my nipple, my body shudders and my back arches off the recliner. It’s cold and also… a little warm?
“Aiden…” I pant as my fingers instinctively tangle in his hair, just when a slashing sound reverberates from the speakers. “Is that ice?” It feels so freaking good.
He doesn’t answer. Instead, his teeth grazes my nipple before latching onto the other one, sucking hard. I suddenly feel a cool stream of water drip onto my stomach. Did he just spit the melted ice onto me?
The sound of footsteps on the TV echoes in front of me, and I imagine a killer stalking his prey. The thought sends goosebumps over my body. The suspense from the sudden silence, from both Blade and the TV, is killing me. Anything could happen. At any moment. And that sends my heart racing.
Then, there’s a rattle off to the side, and I jump slightly, until I figure he’s reaching for another piece of ice. But the next thing I feel isn’t ice, it’s metal.
The knife.
My back arches off the recliner, a soft moan escaping my lips as the icy sucking on my nipple contrasts with the sharp edge of the knife gliding along my thigh. The sensations collide, sending me spiraling. He alternates between the ice and the knife, using both to tease along my arms, legs, neck, trailing down my waist, and my favorite, my nipples.
The movie’s soundtrack reaches a fever pitch, with slashes and desperate screams filling my ears, making me jump and twist every so often.
Each sound feels like it’s merging with Blade’s touch, as if the horror unfolding on the screen is right in here with us. The line between fear and excitement blurs, my pulse an unsteady, frantic beat that matches the pace of the movie.
“You know,” he whispers against my ear, “I could be the monster, too. Just like in the movie.”
“And what would you do?” I whisper back, my voice barely audible over the sounds of the hunt, the slashing, the screams that feel like they could burst right out of the TV screen.
Blade’s mouth is close to mine, but he doesn’t kiss me, he just lets his breath brush against my lips, the faintest tease. “I’d start by chasing you,” he murmurs. “You’d run, thinking you had a chance to get away.” The knife glides along my pussy lips and I hold my breath. “I’d follow you into the shadows, staying close enough for you to feel me, but just out of reach. You’d hear my footsteps, feel my presence at your back.” I hum, the imagery clear in my mind as he continues to work the knife along my body.
His voice drops even lower, almost a growl. “And when you’re finally backed into a corner, breathless and desperate, I’d close in. Slowly. You’d be trapped, nowhere to run. And I’d spend alllll night making sure you know you belong to me.”
By the time he’s done, I’m panting. And I think he’s actually broken skin in a few places.
“You like this, don’t you? When I use the knife?” he asks.
I shake my head.
“Don’t lie to me,” he says in a low grunt. “I know everything about you, remember? I also see the way your body reacts. You crave it.”
I shake my head again, trying to deny it for the second time, but my body betrays me. The pain blooms, raw and grounding, and somehow… it feels good. It makes my skin tingle. Against all reason, it calms me, stripping away every other thought, every other worry, until all that’s left is this moment.
The bite of the blade is a release and the warmth spreading from the cut is almost soothing, like an anchor pulling me back into myself. The pain quiets the noise in my head. It’s twisted, maybe even a little dark.
Am I supposed to like that?
“If you don’t like it and want me to stop, we can invite Frankie and Asher in and start the movie night. Or…” I feel the serrated edge of the knife press into my thigh, just enough to sting. I moan, biting my lip. “You can admit you like it, and I can keep making you feel good. Which one, pretty girl?”
A part of me wants to run, to flee from the intensity of him and the emotions he stirs within me. But another part—a part I’m only just starting to understand—wants to stay, to explore the dark, thrilling unknown that he represents.
“I—just keep going,” I relent, breathless.
“Oh, no,” he chuckles. “First, I’m not the one taking orders here. And second, if you want me to keep going, admit you like it. Admit your little pussy throbs every time I pull out the knife.”
I bite my tongue. “Okay! I like it. Happy now?”
He leans closer, as evidenced by his breath hot against my cheek. “I became a happy man on October thirteenth when I made you mine. Anything else is just overkill, angel.”
I feel the ice slide down between my breasts, over my stomach, lingering between my inner thighs, before trailing back up to my collarbone.
I’m squirming, my body reacting to every teasing touch, a need awakening inside me. I don’t know how long I’ll be able to handle the teasing, I feel like I need it right now.
He presses the handle of the knife against my entrance, resting it there, and when I buck my hips up for more friction, he tsks and pulls the handle away.
“So needy and impatient.”
The jackass.
“Aiden… Aiden, please .”
“Fuck, I love the way you moan my name.”
His cold lips find my earlobe, and I shiver as his breath tickles my skin. “Your body is so fucking sexy,” he whispers. The breath he blows into my ear causes my leg to twitch so good. “Imagine how it will come alive for me when you’re coming on my cock. Or would you rather come on the handle?” He teases it against my entrance again, this time going a little further in.
Before I can say anything, a sharp smack lands on my upper thigh, and I yelp. “Ah!”
He chuckles, his breath warm as he lowers his head between my legs. His tongue grazes my hip bone, then trails down to the same spot on my inner thigh where he smacked, kissing it softly.
“There, I kissed it better. See?”
“Please,” I beg again.
Do something more.
He lingers there, teasing, before finally running his tongue along my pussy lips. His cold mouth, still with the ice in it, gives my throbbing clit one single, electrifying flick. My body jerks in response, and my eyes nearly roll back as pleasure courses through me.
But, I mentally cuss him out when I feel his breath against my neck now, instead of where I need him most.
God damn it.
Tonight is going to be a long night of teasing.