Twenty-Three
TWENTY-THREE
“Why do you have so many tattoos of skulls and roses and snakes and…and naked, evil women?” I straddle Hendrix, soaking up the warm afternoon sun as we sit out on his deck.
His friends will all be descending on his house soon, so we decided to enjoy some time alone before the madness –and possibly fighting– commences. I say fight, because after returning home from our rendezvous at Hendrix’s shop, he spoke with Malik and found out Danté was the one who pushed Soria to make that stupid dare last night, and I’m still trying to figure out why the guy hates me so much that he’d do anything to drive me away.
I can’t imagine that he’s that pissed over losing darts. There has to be more to it because that just sounds ridiculous and childish. Malik seems to be everyone’s best friend, so maybe he’ll be willing to give me some information and clue me into why Danté’s treating me like I’m Yoko Ono.
“What else am I supposed to get? Rainbows and four leaf clovers and unicorns?”
“No, but maybe something not so doom and gloom.” My fingers ghost over one tattoo in particular between his pecs, tracing the twisting thorns that circle the blade of a dagger.
“Baby,” he says, resting on his elbows and pushing his jet black sunglasses up. “My middle name is doom and gloom. And when that’s all you ever known, you go with what feels like home.”
I examine the grim reaper on his chest that is the most villainous figure I’ve ever seen. The head of Medusa sits on his collarbone, and her snakes crawl up his neck. Melting skulls, rotting roses, black widow spiders and pure malevolence cover his body. All in black, not an ounce of color in sight. They tell the story of a sad, dark, lonely life and I hope I can shed a little light for the short time I’m here.
“Looks like you have an empty spot right here.” I circle my finger over the small space over his heart that remains untouched.
“That’s reserved for something special.”
“And what would that be?” I lean forward and rest my arms on his chest, propping up on my forearms.
“I haven’t found it yet. When I do, I’ll have the perfect place for it.” His face looks so at ease, the strain that lined his forehead the first time I met him has vanished.
At least around me it has.
Hendrix’s hands crush my ass and I move in to kiss him. He tastes like summer sun, ocean and carefree. I want to live wrapped in his warmth and play in his darkness. He’s a complete juxtaposition that seems to only appear for me.
I roll my hips, grinding down on his hardening erection, and his fingers pinch my skin.
“How much time until everyone gets here?” I ask, my lips pressed to his and eyes closed.
“Soon. So we better hurry.” He slides his fingers around and teases the edge of my bikini bottoms.
“Maybe we outta just wait.” I attempt to pull back, but my body slaps against Hendrix’s when he wraps me up.
“Little mouse. You can’t just tease a hungry wolf then walk away. You’ve awakened the beast and now I need to feed.”
One of his hands slips inside the back of my bottoms and his fingers run up and down my seam. He toys with my puckered hole and glides down to my clit that buzzes with anticipation. Adrenaline courses through my veins waiting for the moment he does what only he can do so well.
His hand clamps around my throat and my eyes pop open. “I love the way you taste, little mouse.” He inserts his finger in me and my body shivers. “Have you ever tasted yourself?”
“N-no,” I croak, pushing the words past his firm grip.
He swirls and plunges his finger in and out before extracting it slowly and steady.
“Open. Taste the paradise that I do every time I bury my face between your legs.” A long finger pushes through my parted lips and I close around it. Just like he did with my pussy, he slides in and out leaving a sample of me on my tongue.
My mouth pops when he pulls away and immediately brackets my face, swallowing me in a kiss. We both savor the tangy aftertaste, moaning into each other’s mouths and rubbing our bodies together like kindling to a fire.
“Eh em.” A loud clearing of a throat causes us both to jump and knock foreheads.
Rubbing our heads, we look and find Malik standing with a giant grin and foil covered tray.
“Sorry to interrupt. As much as I’d love to hop in and make that twosome a fire threesome, I don’t think we have time.” Malik holds the tray up with one hand, showing off his thick muscles.
“Like hell you’d join in. Give us a goddamn minute. You’re early,” Hendrix gruffs and wraps me up in his arms, trying to shield me from Malik’s eyes.
“Thought I’d come help y’all out…in more ways than one.” His brows waggle up and down and that smirk grows to an alligator grin; wide and naughty.
“I’m gonna fuck you up if you don’t get out of here, Mal.” Hendrix swiftly rolls me over so that I’m on my side.
Over his shoulder I can see Malik laugh and jog back into the house, a playful gleam in his eyes.
Hendrix looks into my eyes and kisses my lips chastity. “I’m going to kick his ass real quick. Put some clothes on and meet me inside.”
“Wait. Why do I need to put clothes on?” I ask, gripping onto his arm as he rises from the chair.
“Because if you don’t, one, all the guys are going to want to fuck you. And two, if that happens I’m going to have to knock some skulls, then beat that little pussy of yours to remind everyone you’re mine.” He smacks my butt with a harsh snap of his wrist and runs off, leaving me to rub out the pain and process his words.
You’re mine. But for how long, Hendrix Dare?
Kinsley and I sit in the hot-tub while the guys play a riveting game of cornhole. Hendrix has really cut loose with his drinking tonight since he doesn’t have to drive and his affection has been dominating and possessive.
His kisses have been rougher and his touches have been all consuming. He has definitely let his actions speak louder than words, warning Danté and Malik away from me.
“I can’t believe you’ll be gone in a few days. The one time Henny’s workers could have slowed their roll and they just went on and did ya up quick.” Kinsley’s face falls and I reach over and squeeze her hand.
“Don’t be sad. I’m going to text you daily, and soon you’ll come visit me. I’ll drive down to Magnolia Creek and we can spend the weekend at my family’s ranch.”
She twists her mouth to the side and shrugs. “I guess that’ll be alright. But I’m not the only one who’s going to miss you.”
I look over at Hendrix who sits on a lawn chair, drinking a beer and watching Danté and Malik battle it out. My lip gets trapped between my teeth and as if he feels the weight of my stare, he drifts his gaze to mine. Our draw to one another is electric, like one current flowing between us. It’s like I’ve always had this live wire in me, charging with nowhere to go. Then I found Hendrix who had the same fragmented circuit, our loose ends joined to form a powerful force that could only exist between the two of us.
“You like him, dont’cha?”
“Yeah,” I admit, never tearing my gaze away from the man who is going to break my heart.
What kind of person would willingly lay themselves in front of a beautiful monster knowing they’d only destroy them, never to be whole again?
Me.
I’m that kind of person.