26. Salem
Chapter twenty-six
When I wake, I feel lighter than I have in a while. My body immediately tenses as I think about 203. I am here in the arms of another. Anxiety grips me as a tear escapes, yet I still don’t open my eyes. As I continue to pretend to be asleep, I shove down the guilt I feel and allow myself this comfort. That makes me feel worse because I don’t know if that’s what Gage is. He feels more than that but I can’t let myself think too hard about it right now. I snuggle deeper into Gage’s arms as he kisses the top of my head. My eyes still closed. I smile at how willing he was to trust me even when my beast was in control. “You know you are slightly insane, right?” I tell him as he pulls me in for a kiss.
Fuck. He shouldn’t be able to turn me on from just a kiss. My body is so in tune with his as I press my breasts against his chest, deepening the kiss. His fingertips run up my ribs and up my body until he grips me by my neck. Gage rolls me onto my back, and I can feel his hardness between us. He breaks the kiss and his gray eyes look at me as if he wants to devour me. “I think you like me a little insane, don’t you?”
My hands grip his shoulders tightly before running down his back. My teeth bite down on my lower lip before I smirk up at him. “I think you are a little full of yourself. Just because you’re in my bed doesn’t mean I like you.” A giggle escapes my lips as he pouts at me.
“You don’t mean that.” He leans down and kisses me on my sternum before his lips trail upwards to my neck. They stop at my ear as he whispers to me. “Tell me I haven’t worked my way under your skin just slightly. While you’re at it, tell me you don’t feel how good we are together.”
A shiver runs through my body as his fingers roll my nipple gently between them. I gasp as my hips thrust upwards. His body shifts, stopping my movements. “Come on, pretty girl, and tell me. Tell me all the things I want to hear.”
His hand shifts downward, moving down my stomach before he cups my pussy in his hand. Gage’s thumb strums my clit slowly back and forth. A gasp leaves my throat as his thumb stops moving and his fingers tease along my slit back and forth. “I could use another reminder of how good we are. That is unless you’re going to tease me all day.”
“Only good girls get their reward.” His hand moves back up to my nipples, he uses my wetness that he gathered as lubrication as he pinches and slightly pulls on one. Gage is playing dirty as he runs the head of his cock down my slit, then back up. “So tell me what I want to hear, then I will let you come like the good girl you are.”
My back arches as my brain shuts itself down. Gage switches from one nipple to the other and his cock teases me. “What do you want to hear? This is sexual blackmail.”
He chuckles before sitting up slightly, his hand fists his cock before he playfully smacks my clit with his cock. “You got to make all your demands yesterday. Today, it’s my turn.” He places the head of his cock at my entrance. My hips buck upwards and he makes a tsking sound. “No, you don’t.” Once more, refusing to let me move. He looks down at me with hunger in eyes. “Tell me you are going to continue to crave me after today. That I’ve crawled under your skin and you’re going to give into me. Because I told you yesterday...” He smacks my clit again before teasing me with the tip of his cock at my entrance. “…I’m yours. I don’t want us to be an one-night-stand. One night with you will never be enough.”
He is short-circuiting my system, yet I manage to still narrow my eyes on him. “You fight dirty. Yes, you’re mine and one night isn’t enough. Now, please! I want to come with your cock inside of me… I’m so close… Please, Gage!”
Gage growls on his knees before he thrusts his cock inside of me hard. “Fuck, that feels good.” He leans down, thrusting into me so hard over and over. His hands pull my hips right where he wants me, using my body. I feel like I have missed out on my sexual awakening and now Gage is introducing me.
“Gage, I’m going to come.” I tell him as my hands grip onto his forearms, using that as leverage, I fuck him back with my hips in tune with his.
“Let me come with you.” He leans forward towards me. “Bite me again when you do.”
Yes. Bite him, claim him once more. I probably should question those words, but I am acting instinctively here. As I pull him closer to me and I sink my teeth deep into his shoulder, I come as his blood hits my taste buds. “You’re about to embarrass me, baby. That pain with that pleasure.”
He doesn’t stop hammering into me as he praises me for being his good girl. His fingertips are leaving bruises on my hips, but none of that matters. It feels so right as his cock throbs inside of me while he joins me in orgasmic bliss. Only then do I lick the wound shut. He looks at me for a moment before his hands clasp the sides of my face and he kisses me hard enough to bruise.
Gage pulls back, panting. “Wasn’t expecting that this morning, but I am not mad about the results.” He leans down and kisses me once more. “I have some questions.”
I roll my eyes at him as he leans over me. “Was this your plan? Butter me up with sex before trying to pry answers out of me?”
“I mean, not exactly, but it seems to be working. So yes.” He smirks at me like he won. “Are we in an isolation cabin?”
I push him to the side of me and my beast moves forward as my words come out harsh. “What the hell do you know about isolation cabins?”
Gage smiles at me before leaning forward and kissing me. “Fuck, you’re adorable when you’re all growly and jealous.” I only growl more, not liking that he is right about the jealousy. “My friends and I used to meet in an isolation cabin to hang out.”
“Yeah, we are in one.” Pleased with his answer, I calm down and snuggle into his chest. “Dean Campbell thought it would be safer for everyone if I lived in one.”
He pulls back his face and looks at me, concerned. Gage fingertips stroke my cheek before he grips my jaw, pulling to kiss me once more. “How could he think that? You’re not dangerous.” His gray eyes look hurt for me.
“I have a way of charming others.” I smile, trying to not let the vulnerability enter my voice. What is this man doing to me? He isn’t part of the plan. What am I going to do when I find 203? Can I let Gage go?
A tear escapes and he wipes it away with his thumb. “Hey, where did you go?” Gage shakes his head and grits his teeth. “Fuck Dean Campbell for making you feel like that. You’re not dangerous. Well, at least not to me. Your beast is rather fond of me, so maybe I have an unfair advantage.” He smiles and kisses me once more.
“He states it’s because I’m rare, apparently. The only other Midnight Beast known didn’t exactly share his strengths and weaknesses with the rest of the world.” My eyes widen. Sex has loosened my lips. “Don’t tell people what I am yet, please. I am not ready.”
“I’m on your side, so it won’t come from me.” He makes a zipping motion over his lips. “Midnight Beast. That sounds very sexy.”
My beast purrs and my eyes flash at him. His hand reaches up and strokes my cheek. “See?, I knew she liked me.” He kisses me once more. “I think you might as well.”
There is a part of me that wants to tell him everything, but I hesitate. What if he isn’t feeling what I am? Everything feels like it’s happening too fast. Once more, it feels like I am slightly betraying 203 by laying in bed and feeling this contentment. For now, he and my other parts need to stay buried. Gage didn’t sign up for all of that. He needs to remain slightly at arm’s length until then. My eyes narrow in on the bite where his neck meets his shoulder. “I left a mark?”
He laughs, “Your beast leaves hickey-like bites.”
I roll my eyes and laugh it off. “She felt pretty proud of biting you.” My phone buzzes on my bedside table, and my eyes widen since nobody hardly knows my number. I grab the phone and I see Constantine’s name on the screen. “If I don’t answer, he will show up.” I smile at Gage, who frowns slightly. “Hey dad, what’s up?”
Gage’s body relaxes with my words. “Dean Campbell called to inform me you missed your classes today.” Constantine’s voice sounds annoyed and a little clipped. I am sure that they got into it once more.
I roll my eyes and huff out a breath. “Seriously? I doubt any other parents get calls about their children missing classes.”
“No doubt. Carmen called me. She wants to have your number, but also wants to come to the FS.”
My brows furrow. “Am I supposed to know what or where the FS is?”
“The ‘fuck shack’. I abbreviated it because it still pisses me off that you are in one of those. She says, and I quote, that it takes ten minutes to shower and say goodbye, and a knock will sound. Carmen is so cryptic. I love it.” He chuckles, “Well, let’s get the goodbyes out of the way. Goodbye, and Campbell can shove it.”
“Goodbye.” I chuckle as I hang up the phone and shake my head. I do not exactly want to say goodbye to Gage yet. Somehow, it hurts my heart slightly that he isn’t going to be here.
“Uh oh. What’s that look for?”
“Carmen is coming over. I’m not sure what for, but I am sure she has seen something.” I look up at him sadly. Why does it feel like I am saying goodbye to him forever? “Shower with me?”
“Not sure how I could pass up on an offer like that.” He smiles at me and kisses my mangled shoulder. “Carmen, the seer?”
I nod and throw off the blanket, standing up and walking to the small shower. I love the feel of Gage’s eyes as he watches me. As I turn the water on and step inside the water, I turn and see Gage’s gray eyes, which are hesitant. “Salem, I have a lot of questions. I understand you have secrets, but I hope you tell me what they are someday. I know that I won’t want to leave if I get in there with you….” He steps to the edge of the shower. “…so come here and kiss me goodbye.”
I step through the water, blinking the water away. I step onto my tiptoes and kiss him deeply. “Goodbye, Gage.”
He smiles at me. “It’s weird hearing that instead of fuck off, Gage. I’ll message you later.”
I finish my shower, which seems lacking. Maybe it is because Gage wasn’t taking me up on my shower offer. I feel like I am washing him off and I don’t like that thought. My emotions have been everywhere lately, and I don’t know what to make of it. I am left feeling sad and a deep longing is setting in. Rather than face it, I shake those thoughts off. I throw some clothes on as I attempt to finger comb my hair, knowing I am running out of time before Carmen arrives. The moisture clings to my curls as I attempt to make myself presentable. I hear a knock at the door and run to open it. Carmen’s smiling face appears before me. She lifts a large cloth bag and asks, “May I come in?”
Nodding my head, I motion her to come in. She sits back on the couch before she looks back and narrows her eyes on me. “Hmm, your animal is going to be an interesting one.” She turns and digs through her bag. Carmen pulls out a thermos and tea cups and sets them on the TV table. She turns to me and narrows her eyes again before tapping her pointer finger at me. “Nope.” Her eyes keep going white before going back to the caramel color they usually are.
“Um, Carmen? Is everything okay?” I question her because whatever is happening cannot be comfortable.
She sighs and frowns slightly. “Yes and no. You have a lot of paths going right now, and I don’t have my crystals to help me focus. You’re going to keep me on my toes, that’s for sure. Carmen smiles reassuringly before gesturing at the teacups. “I’m going to read your tea leaves.”
“What can you learn from tea leaves?” I inquire before sipping the bitter tea. My face sours as the unique tang hits my taste buds. I shake my head. “That’s disgusting.”
“Oh, it’s not that bad. Plus, it’s good for you.” She finishes hers, and mine is still half full. It tastes like plant pee and dirt as I hold my breath to take another sip. “I can learn a lot from the leaves. Look at mine. For example, there is a candle which means enlightenment.” She rotates her cup before pointing to another blob because that’s precisely what it looks like. “This is a mountain, which means powerful friend.” She frowns at the next one. “A saw, which means trouble coming from unfamiliar people. They can be vague, but sometimes, that helps my sight even more by narrowing it down a bit. Everyone has many paths and directions they are being pulled towards.”
I finish the disgusting tea and hand her my cup. The urge to scrub my tongue is hard to ignore. She rolls her eyes. “It’s not that bad!” Carmen laughs as she grabs my cup and looks at it. She points to the side as she tilts and motions with her head. “Unicorn, which means scandal. Mountains.” She frowns at them, looking at them sadly.
“Oh, that one is a powerful friend, right?” I ask to assure her I am paying attention.
She gives me a sad smile. A feeling of mourning comes over me suddenly, and I can’t breathe for a second. “Sorry! I forgot you are sensitive to emotions.”
The feeling goes away and I feel like I can breathe again. She points to where it looks like a line of blobs to me. “That is a mountain.” She holds up her cup to show me the difference. Setting her cup back down and picking mine back up. “These are mountains as in plural, and they mean powerful enemies.” Carmen rotates the cup. “You have a boat, a good friend visit, and a mushroom, an argument between lovers with a separation.”
She moves to hand me my cup when our fingers touch. Her hand drops the cup, grabbing both of my wrists. Her eyes went white once more. It looks like she is staring through my soul. She speaks in a voice that isn’t quite her own. Deeper and more masculine, yet familiar. “I brought you to my realm, dead girl. You came in as a prisoner, I breathed life back into your body before helping you be free. There is so much to fulfill, and I can’t do that when you hide from receiving messages. Open your dreams to me. There is a seed I planted in your mind and I need access to help it bloom. From one, there are five points. You must have five points, for you are the center of the star.” She laughs, which makes the hairs on my arms stand on end. “It won’t be easy, but yes. Feed from them. Claim them and stop hiding that you are a Blackthorne. Your blood shouldn’t be hidden. You must announce and embrace that you’re Blackthorne. Don’t hide your shadows. Get stronger because even I have enemies, which makes them our enemies.”
Carmen sucks in a breath and winces in pain. Her fingers go to her temples. “Ouch. Hope whatever you heard was insightful, because fudge it doesn’t feel good.”
“Fudge?” I shake my head as she glares at me. “Can I get you anything?”
“I don’t like cuss words, so fudge. It will be better soon. I think I am going to go though.” She winces and one of her eyes closes as she puts her hand on her forehead. She stumbles to her feet and I shake my head.
“Let me get Constantine to teleport you. Or I can walk you?” I tell her because I wouldn’t say I like the idea of her going home like this. My teleportation is spotty at best.
She waves me off. “I already told Simon to meet me. He should be at the tree’s edge in 30 seconds.” She puts her stuff into her bag and stops before she shuts the door. “I will use focusing crystals later and see if I can dig into your leaves.”