The Villain

17. The Apparition

South

Jesus Christ, how am I getting through this crowd? I can’t even see which table Tera is at.

I end up pacing back and forth at the front, trying to get an idea. There she is.

She looks upset. She’s trying to hide it by looking at the table but she can’t help looking up with a little pout and subtle nod as someone regains her attention over and over. Like they can’t tell all the screaming signals to shut up and leave her alone from real friendliness.

I’m five seconds away from seeing the cry/smile.

Hell no.

I start towards her and see Max seated next to her with a scowl. Trevor is next to him with a fake smile of happiness. That fucker should be punching people and hauling out bodies. Asher is on her left with his hand on her knee. His grip looks tight.

That’s it. Someone is dying tonight. Happy birthday Tera.

The rest of the table comes into view and my feet stick to the floor. This explains a lot.

The four assholes are across the table from Shade, with Melissa sitting between one of the twins and Brody, babbling away with a smirk that makes me want to mop the floor with her face.

She’s the one talking, making Tera uncomfortable as she looks between Melissa and Shade. And no one is saying a goddamn thing to stop any of it.

I took too long.

I’m at Tera’s side in a second and turn my back on everyone to sit on the table, blocking her line of sight to Melissa. I pull the bag into my lap with a feral smile as Max and Trevor lean back in surprise at my sudden appearance.

“Happy birthday.”

She probably can’t hear my muted voice over the music but her body sags in relief as she looks up at me with a giddy smile. The smile becomes concerned and she waves me forward quickly. I lean down for her to whisper/yell into my ear.

“Why do you look like you just killed someone?”

I use sign language to reply. “I totaled a car and popped all four of the asshole’s tires. They owed. They paid.”

She chews her lower lip. I can tell she’s giggling. She doesn’t call me out on my bad behavior, either.

Tera opens her present and coos all over it, forcing Max to hold it while she talks about how soft the pillow is. She takes it back, puts it on the table, and rests her head on it with a happy grin. Max tries to push me out of the way so he can do the same.

Mission partially accomplished.

I slide down and turn to find Shade. He’s standing with his chair pushed in like he’s been waiting for me to pay attention. He’s in statue mode and my eyes narrow over it. The look makes his expression go completely blank.

He can be as blank as he likes. The color is back, no matter his expression. I can’t wait to rip that mask off his face and see what’s really under there.

He holds out a hand. I take it, trying not to betray my surprise at his willingness. When I look back at Tera she gives me a firm nod of approval. Then she turns her attention to the rest of the table to start a long story about pillows and how important they are. She knows the most random facts about things. She’s good at keeping people distracted.

Shade walks me onto the dance floor without a word, solemn mask in place, and begins to dance to the wild music pounding from the speakers. The man can dance, that’s for sure. He’s not the only one.

What game are we playing now?

He’s looking at my disheveled appearance with a tiny frown and narrowed eyes.

“Why are you dirty?” He moves closer to be heard over the music.

I’m not answering that. The strain on my voice isn’t worth it.

His nostrils flare at my silence, his frustration quickly slipping past the mask.

Good. He can suffer for a minute. He’ll live.

I turn my back on him in an easy sway and start dancing by myself. The assholes have all stayed at the table to chit chat like the dance floor is a plague zone. I keep an eye on them anyway. I doubt the truce Tera claims is in effect will last past the damage I just did.

An arm bands around my waist, pulling me back into Shade’s body, keeping me locked there as we move together. I melt into him instantly, his effect over me is too natural to be fake, no matter what he thinks.

“Are you in trouble, baby? I never should have left you alone,” His breath is hot against my neck as he speaks. My nipples bead in response. There’s a riot inside me. I want to throw him onto the dancefloor and fuck him into submission. Instead, I press against him, lifting one arm to cradle his head and keep him close to me.

“I know I deserve this, but don’t ignore me. Make me pay another way.”

I frown thoughtfully. He thinks I’m trying to punish him? I’m practically a second skin on him. He confuses the shit out of me.

“Talk to me,” his mouth is pressed to my cheek as he makes the demand.

I stop and my arm drops from his head to turn my face to his with a flat look. He falls still behind me, his shoulders getting more tense. The mask is still there even though his words are filled with anger. When I have his attention on my face I point at my throat and then to the speakers around us.

His eyes close as he groans in frustration. I can’t hear it but his chest rumbles. I can’t read his expression.

Before he can regain his wits I start dancing again. He follows suit, pressed against me hard enough we might as well be one person.

I’m sweaty and running out of air when a slower song comes on. I feel his lips tip into a sly smile against my neck. He grabs my hand and spins me to face him. One arm bands around my lower back and a hand grips the nape of my neck, pulling my face into his shoulder. It’s abrupt but I roll with it.

When he starts to sway slowly my body melts again. His cologne is pure pheromones made especially for me. He tilts his head until his cheek rests against mine and he begins speaking the lyrics of the song into my ear like a poet instead of a singer. It gives me goosebumps down my arms as my hands slide up to rest on his back.

My eyes close as I absorb this little moment between us. He seems determined to prove a point here and I’m letting it happen. If this is how he chooses to speak to me I’ll listen.

The song is beautiful and easy until it gets heavier, more seductive. He presses his hips into me, sliding a leg between mine in a seamless move that makes me sigh. I can feel his erection against my hip. He doesn’t grind it into me. He shifts back and forth as if he’s taunting me with it instead. The perfect tease that offers instead of demands. This is right here if you want it.

My obsession is trying to tempt me over a ledge and has no idea how dangerous it is.

His voice has gone husky over the lyrics and my goosebumps multiply. I press harder into him and his arm tightens to keep me there. Our hips move in sync. He loses the words to the song with ragged breaths.

I don’t know when this song is going to end but I definitely don’t want it to.

The fingers over my neck loosen and I draw back to see his face. His cheeks are flushed but I don’t think it’s from embarrassment.

“Come home with me.”

His body continues to tease mine as he waits for my answer, weakening my resistance.

I want to, but there’s alarms going off in my head and a war going on between my body and my instincts. Something is different tonight. I can’t put my finger on it, though. Something I’ve seen but not really noticed yet. About him. What is it?

“Mind if we join?” A voice calls, jerking me out of my haze.

Shade slowly lifts his head to take in the person behind me. Blaze from the familiar, wheedling tones. The look on Shade’s face is cold enough to give freezer burn.

“Fuck off,” he calls in a dark tone. His breathing is slowing down and his muscles are coiling with tension. He’s ready to attack him. I’m frozen in place under the bolt of lightning that just struck me.

This is what’s different.

I’ve just seen a new layer of Shade. The mask is in place of course, but something is twisted about it. He put it on too fast. It’s not aligned perfectly this time. The predator he is revealing itself behind it.

I missed it. It’s been staring me in the face this entire time.

He has all of my attention with that look. I’m seeing a monster and it’s making my pulse race because I recognize it. I’ve heard it and wondered. Now I have it in my face with no room for doubts.

He has a monster inside, just like I do. But not. A different spot pattern to a familiar beast.

I can’t look away.

He’s perfect.

Of course Tera wouldn’t tell him to run from me. She knows I’ll never let go now that I’ve seen this.

“Since when do you refuse to share?” Melissa calls back from farther away.

Does he expect that from me? To be able to share with other people?

I won’t share him. This is just for me from now on.

What if he won’t drop the mask with me? What game can I play to draw it out?

Kidnapping? Chain him to my bed? So tempting.

Having him tied up and at my mercy leaves me breathless for a second. He’s perfection wrapped in a pretty package I want to sink my teeth into. I have to clear my throat to regain my composure.

His eyes drop to my face as I push him back. I’m gentle with it, but firm, trying to tell him with my eyes and feral grin that I’ve got this.

He’s mine now.

His mask is resettling properly when I slide my hand down to his and yank him back into me. The crush of his chest against mine makes me suck in a breath. He moves with me like we planned it out, twisting in a spin that takes us past a few dancers and off the dance floor.

His hand convulses around mine as we separate to walk over to the table. I pull his chair out with a smirk. Watching him sit like royalty has me huffing a laugh.

I feel like I just discovered the beautiful trunk in the attic had the ultimate treasure inside and I just opened it. I want more. Now.

When I turn to Tera, she’s watching us with eyes wide enough it looks fake. I can tell it isn’t. Does she know that I found out?

Max is grinning at me and giving me a thumbs up.

I raise an eyebrow at her, resting my hands on his shoulders possessively. He leans back, tilting his head to look up at me.

“She’s being fucking weird,” he says. His voice is a little loud now that we’re away from the speakers. I can’t resist sliding my hand up his throat to keep his chin tilted. Looking at only me.

“I am not,” Tera glares at him balefully.

I’m enjoying the hormonal Tera so much. This entire night has spun off its axis. The possibilities are endless. I can’t catch my breath. I stroke my thumb along his jaw, impatient now that I’ve given into temptation.

“You are,” Andi laughs. “You’ve been weird all week. What’s going on?”

Tera bites her lower lip and looks at her three guys nervously. They all grin back.

“I’m pregnant.”

Shade doesn’t react to the news, not taking his eyes off of me to acknowledge her. He isn’t resisting my hold at all. He’s enjoying the attention I’m giving him. His shoulders are relaxed and his lips are tilted in his serene smile. I want that look to be for me alone.

Everyone else looks shocked, then happy. Minus Ira and Brody, who don’t matter.

Shade should be happy for her. If he is, he doesn’t say anything. He keeps staring at me. I raise a brow pointedly at him, and his smile turns smug.

“I already knew.”

“What!?” Andi shrieks. “You told Shade first? What the hell, Tera?”

“I didn’t!” Tera protests in surprise. “I didn’t tell South either, but she knew too. It has to be a superpower. I swear!”

“Asher spilled it,” Shade tilts his head in my hold to see her as he reassures Andi with a mocking grin. “Right after Tera called me a dickweed.”

The news is delightful to hear. I release my hold to sign. “I am so proud of you. ”

Tera looks aghast at everyone. When she sees my sign her cheeks flush and she starts her maniacal giggle. It shakes her shoulders as she covers her mouth with a hand.

“This is going to be amazing,” I give her my feral grin back.

“No,” she starts laughing instead. “You can’t use my lack of temper control to your advantage, Southie.”

“What would it hurt?” I urge her.

“A lot of people, I think,” she laughs back.

She has a point. I don’t find that as negative as she does, though. I shrug.

“Teach me sign language, right now,” Max demands, pulling Tera onto his lap with an ease that should frighten her. It doesn’t. She snuggles into him instead.

“I’m missing so much, I know it!” Max starts glaring at me.

“Teach him only the curse words.”

“No way!” Tera squeals. “He curses in two languages already. He doesn’t need a third!”

“Oh, come on!” Max whines. “South? Please?”

“Don’t you dare, Southie!”

I give Max an exaggerated shrug and gesture to Tera.

His eyes narrow on me. “The next time I see you and Tera isn’t around it’s on. I’m your student now, get used to it.”

“No!” Tera turns to him with wide eyes.

“Show me one,” Shade calls my attention back to him.

I look down and start smiling. Then I show him something only Tera will understand.

“Southie!” Tera squeals with wide eyes.

“What does it mean?” Shade asks with a laugh.

I put my hands back on his shoulders and look at Tera with a wide grin.

“I’m not saying it,” she huffs and crosses her arms.

The trio from the dancefloor rejoins everyone, out of breath and flushed.

“You shouldn’t have left so soon,” Melissa licks her lips in a suggestive way as she stares at Shade.

“Imagine you’re saying it to her, ” my grin gets more feral as I stare at Tera.

“Oh,” she frowns and then turns to Melissa blurting out, “Dickweed!”

The music cuts right as she says it in an angry yell. Her mouth drops open in horror while the next song starts.

“Show it to me,” Max begs shamelessly while I try to breathe. I'm laughing too hard.

“Is she laughing?” Felix cringes as he watches me.

I haven’t laughed like this in so long I don’t even want to punch him. I feel freer than I have since I came to this town. I feel this.

“Shut your fucking mouth,” Shade’s voice takes on that monstrous snarl I like, giving the humor a new, painfully wonderful twist.

“You can’t tell me that’s not weird,” Melissa says as she watches me in disgust.

I wrap my arms around his tense shoulders and press my lips to his ear.

“Leave it, statue.”

I’m not sure if he understood me or not. There was a lot more heavy breathing involved than words. The music doesn’t help, either.

“You could sit down,” Ira points out helpfully.

“Yeah, we haven’t had a chance to get to know you,” Blaze gives me a leering grin.

As if I want to know him.

Shade’s chair is pulled far enough away from the table that I could sit in his lap. I straddle him to settle on his thighs, keeping my arms around his shoulders. Now all he can see is me. He grins in surprised pleasure as his hands settle on my hips to pull me closer.

“Oh God,” Tera turns to face Asher out of the corner of my eye. “Don’t let me see this.”

I lean my chest into his so I can speak in his ear. “Where’s your phone?”

“Oh, I have to give you mine now? What about the game?” He taunts.

I lean back to point at my throat and then mimic texting someone.

“Seems like cheating to me.” He leans closer to give me a grin. It seems a lot darker than his normal one. The sight of it makes my pulse speed up and my core wet.

I slowly lick my lower lip and meet his eyes. His pupils dilate in response. Then I start to stand.

“No,” his hold over my hips tightens and I get pulled back to my seat. He tries to pull me forward to press against him but I brace my hands between us with a raised brow.

“No risk, no reward, huh?” His teeth grit. He pulls his phone from his pocket.

“Shade,” Felix says in a warning tone behind him. “Are you kidding me? You’re going to let her snoop? See our texts?”

I glance back at him curiously. I’m not Tera. It’s not like I’m putting an app on there to track him down or read his messages. I wouldn’t even know where to start with that shit.

“Fuck off,” he leans around me to tell him while he hands me the phone.

I hesitate to take it. It feels like this isn’t a game. There’s a chance they don’t get it, figuring I’ll be nosy. But, why? What’s the big deal? What would I find?

I have so many questions as my pulse races.

“Take it, baby,” he’s frowning at me now.

And he’s giving it to me. Demanding I take it.

“We need to talk,” Ira stands abruptly. “Now.”

“Because you got called off following her?” Shade’s eyes flick to his supposed leader with cold rage. “Feeling paranoid, Ira?”

They got called off? Another oddity. He makes it sound like they’ve been investigating me a lot harder than I thought they were. I should have busted their windows out too.

“She wants to use a notes app to talk to him,” Tera says sadly. “What’s wrong with that?”

“You’re both being ridiculous. Sit down already,” Andi backs her up.

I put both hands on Shade’s cheeks, pulling him back to face me.

“It’s fine. Take it,” he grumbles as I take in his frustrated expression. He’s closing himself down again.

“She could text like a normal person instead of being nosy,” Melissa argues grimly.

It makes my lips twist up in mocking amusement. Shade takes in the expression and settles down.

I take the phone and open it with his facial recognition. I’m tempted to snoop, see what has everyone so concerned. But, he’s giving me a piece of himself with the knowledge I could damage him with it. I’m not betraying that.

He has a lot of apps. I turn it to him with raised brows. I can’t even find the notes app in all this mess.

He taps the screen twice.

I take it back and start typing in the notepad.

“That is an overwhelming amount of games.”

He starts laughing as he reads.

“Let’s play our own game.”

“Oh, yeah? I thought we were already playing one?” He asks out loud with a smirk.

“Just one?” I taunt him with a smirk. We’re actually playing a multitude of them at once now. He’s been playing his own game from the start and I’m just now catching up to it. I’m enjoying losing this one. I’m still reaping the rewards.

He leans back in the seat and eyes me. His hands flex over my hips, slowly pulling me closer now that my hands aren’t braced against him.

“Tell me a lie.”

I lean back to rest my elbows on the table behind me to watch his expression.

His brows furrow at first and then he looks at me with his mask in place.

“I love being here. I don’t have to listen to you speak.”

“Shade!” Andi shrieks in shock.

“Why would you say that?” Tera is just as furious.

The only betrayal of expression is a slight tick to the corner of his lips.

“Now tell me a truth.”

He doesn’t pause this time. “I fucking love your voice and I’m pissed I can’t hear it right now.”

Hmm, same lip twitch. The results are inconclusive.

He’s good.

“Dude, what are you doing?” Max calls out from his side of the table.

“Just a sec,” Shade says in an aside to Max, focusing on me. “We’re playing a game.”

I clasp a hand loosely against his neck to feel his pulse. It’s calm, almost like he’s about to fall asleep.

“ Lie.”

“I don’t like Andi.”

“You dick,” Andi scowls at him.

His pulse never changes and the lip twitch stays the same. That must be a nervous tick. He doesn’t like this game.

“Truth.”

“Andi’s a good person.”

His pulse increases a little and my lips part in surprise. Instead of being calm when he tells the truth, he gets nervous. He’s more comfortable with lying than honesty.

I nod once with a smile. It’s a very slim baseline but it helps me a lot.

Tera starts giggling, probably realizing my game.

“Good Statue.”

His nostrils flare as he reads. The dilation of his pupils when he meets my eyes makes me smirk. Someone likes to be praised. A hard man like this? Sure he has his vulnerabilities, but he hides them so well no one would ever know. I wonder what I could get him to do for me if I praised him enough?

I just got another secret glimpse and I’m enjoying it thoroughly. I need to know more. What it would take to keep him without kidnapping.

“Polyamory?”

His gaze shutters. “What about it?”

I shake my head while I type. “What did you get from it?”

He slides the phone out of my hand to respond. His pulse is getting heavier and his lip is twitching slightly. It’s all so subtle and easily missed. I’ve been misreading him for the majority of our interactions. How many secrets have I missed out on? Subtle clues that I could have used to realize what he is behind his mask.

“More attention.”

His lips are flat when I read it. I absently stroke my fingers over his cheek to relax him. That’s all this monster wants? Some attention?

It makes a lot of sense, of course.

I’m happy to provide.

“Did you get what you needed?”

“No,” his reply is flat and instant.

I nod as my expression turns thoughtful. I wouldn’t be sitting in his lap right now if he had. My aggressive stance against the assholes behind me is abruptly worse now. They’re a nuisance that needs to go.

“What else do you need?”

“Just that,” he utters. “It wasn’t what I thought it would be.”

“Shade? Is everything ok?” Melissa asks in a concerned tone. It sounds fake to me. Shade doesn’t respond to her, keeping his focus on me.

“Have you ever done it?” He asks me with narrowed eyes.

I shake my head. I’ve never thought about it before I came to this town and witnessed how well it works for Tera. But that’s Tera, not me. If it works, good for her, but I don’t want it.

“No. Too possessive.” Let him get the truth now. He’ll have to get used to it.

“Good,” he says in a grim tone.

I raise an eyebrow. That wasn’t the expected response.

“Do you get jealous, baby?” His voice slides into a taunt as he smiles smugly.

Not exactly. I can’t define what I go through when I think of something that’s mine walking away. Or being taken away.

My thoughtful look is its own answer for him.

“How bad do you get?” He laughs lightly.

I think about all of the things I’m capable of. The limits I’m willing to go to if someone I consider mine is even slightly inconvenienced. I can’t tell him any of that. It would take a lot of texting.

“How bad will you let me be?”

I show him my response with my own smug grin. My hand goes back to his neck to check his reaction and stroke his skin.

He sucks in a sharp breath and meets my eyes, his pulse beginning to thrum under my fingertips.

There it is. Hello monster.

My core suddenly gets pressed against him. The pressure makes my breath catch. My eyes meet his as he smiles. His own version of my feral smile. A sinister stretch of lips revealing teeth.

“Come home with me,” he mutters, his eyes tracing my lips. His tongue flicks out to wet his. I take a slow shaky breath while I watch.

“Dude,” the guy next to us, an Andi toy I can’t be bothered to remember the name of, gives us an uncomfortable look that I ignore.

I lean into him, pressing as close as I can get to speak into his ear. “You’re hiding a monster inside you.”

His shoulders tense, his thighs quickly following.

“Will you let him out to play with me?” I lick along his ear with a huff of laughter.

A shudder works down his torso.

“Ok, that’s a bit much,” Felix snaps angrily.

“Seriously, we’re in public,” Blaze adds through gritted teeth.

Shade’s fingers clench over my hips.

“The show you put on in your apartment. Was that for me?” I get giddy just thinking about it.

“Yes,” he grits out. “Not that you cared.”

“I cared, statue. A lot.”

“If you had come inside you could have had more,” he taunts. I can feel him smirking as he murmurs against my ear.

“If you had been outside you could have felt how wet it made me. I want another one, without witnesses. I’m soaking my panties just thinking about it.”

His breathing gets ragged as he jerks his head away from me. He’s looking at me like he doesn’t believe a word I’m saying. When will he realize I don’t fake anything? He’s been hiding so long he doesn’t see the truth in front of him.

He’s hard enough it feels painful. I rock a little to tease him more. To tempt him past that flimsy mask. Come on, monster. Play with me for real.

“Get the fuck off him,” Blaze snaps from right behind Shade.

I ignore him as Shade’s fingers spasm over me, his hips shifting. His cheeks are flushed.

“Nobody wants to watch the two of you fuck at the table,” Ira puts in with disgust.

“Please stop,” Tera says weakly.

For a second I ignore her too, staring into his eyes intently. His expression shutters and I narrow my eyes. I was close. Now he’s withdrawing. I came on too strong.

I slowly stand and get off his lap. His hands drop away quickly like I burned him. The reaction leaves me disappointed. I’ll have to think up another way to lure him in.

Blaze leans down into my face with a sneer. “If you want to play whore you can do it in private. Have some self-respect.”

This advice from a man that had absolute perfection and treated it like garbage. Melissa is plastic enough she could be recycled. They’d all make great compost.

I turn to Tera and sign, “Bathroom?”

“Sure,” she looks pale as she says it. “The upstairs bathroom doesn’t have a wait.”

I raise a brow and nod back.

“I’ll show you,” Max says with a scowl at Blaze.

He steps to my side, leaning down to get in Blaze’s face. “Back off.”

“Yeah, enjoy your bathroom time with her,” Blaze scoffs and steps back.

Max’s expression becomes taunting. “I can’t help it if Shade’s dick makes her happy, man. Cry to someone else about it.”

I couldn’t agree more. I’d only like this better if Shade was the one following me away.

“You have him on the hook,” Max says with excitement as soon as we’re beyond the table. “I haven’t seen him lose his shit like this before. He looked like he swallowed his tongue back there. He’s so fucked. He was all smooth for five seconds and you burnt that down before he could get started.”

Yeah, but he’s still trying to hide from me. Plus, Tera is getting sickened by the display. I forgot they were here.

“Don’t let Tera fool you. She likes that you’re getting together,” Max says and hands me a set of keys. “She just didn’t think about the physical side of things.”

I can understand that. I don’t think I’ve ever behaved like this before. Played bait. It’s not very effective so far.

“I don’t care about the show, but Tera pukes easily now,” he winces with a shrug.

I nod at him and unlock the door to slide inside. He waits for me to lock it and then knocks twice to let me know he’s leaving.

The set of stairs leading up is steep. I take them two at a time and stare at the barren room. The only thing in here is a table with three chairs. Everything else is dusty. I find the bathroom and go just to have something to do. I rinse my hands because there isn’t soap and then curse myself because there isn’t anything to dry them with. I’m lucky I had toilet paper now that I think about it.

I step out of the bathroom still drying my hands on my jeans. I don’t feel like I’m alone and it brings my attention up, my frustration with the lack of towels forgotten.

Shade is climbing the steps very slowly, soundless with the thumping music below, and a bit menacing. His eyes are on me with that emotionless expression that hides all his thoughts. But a blush still stains his cheeks. I know I locked that behind me.

When he reaches the top he stands there, blocking the exit. He has a duffle bag thrown over one shoulder.

My heart begins to pound as he looks me up and down as if he’s imagining removing every shred of clothing between us. He let me go fast enough that I was sure he wouldn’t follow me. I like that I was wrong.

I wonder what’s in the duffle bag? I smirk as I take it in.

He wants to play.

I toss the keys to him and he catches them without looking, an impressive feat that makes my pulse rate go up more.

He tosses the keys to the floor. I follow them with my eyes, watching as they bounce away as if they were spring loaded to land under the lonely table.

“Am I getting my show?” My grin turns feral as I watch him take two determined steps forward and pause. We’re a few feet away now, standing frozen as we stare at each other. His mask does a subtle shift but I still can’t read him.

“You’re serious.”

My brows go up. “Yeah.”

His expression falters, his mask sliding off to reveal confusion. The hand holding the strap of his duffle bag lets it drop to the floor. There’s the thump of something solid but the bag seems mostly empty. Whatever could be in there, monster?

“Were you waiting for me?” He asks warily.

“No. I thought you needed a break. I’m pleased you’re here, though.”

“I thought you were running.”

I huff a laugh at that. “Running? From what?”

“Me,” he says darkly. “I didn’t say anything to shut them up.”

I stare at him in confusion. “Do you ever listen? I think there’s something in the water in this town.”

“Let me get this straight,” he holds a hand out as he shakes his head. “You walked away to give me a break ?”

I shrug. “I came on too strong because I’m getting impatient. I’ll behave.”

“You were going to come back to the table,” he continues slowly.

“Where else would I go? The bar?” I taunt.

“They’re down there talking shit,” he points out with a confused smile.

“I don’t give a fuck about them.”

“I think I’m finally getting that,” he says with a low laugh. His head is tilted like I revealed something to him. I wonder what it was.

I cross my arms over my chest and jerk my chin at him. “I’m waiting.”

“This isn’t what I was picturing.” His cheeks turn a dull red and he glances back at the stairs. His blush is different when he’s feeling embarrassed. A little darker and it spreads to the tips of his ears.

“Did you lock it?”

“Yeah,” he says and shifts on his feet.

How can he be so forceful and shy at the same time? Maybe because I’m taking charge and he isn’t used to it?

“Take your shirt off, statue,” I gentle my tone. Trying to lure him into the game with me.

“I thought you were behaving,” he gives me a smirk.

“I am,” I assure him. “You’re not naked and begging for me yet. I can be patient.”

His eyes flick between mine and then he pulls the shirt off over his head without any of the showmanship he used before. This is the natural movement of a man getting undressed. It doesn’t matter. The ease he has when he moves, the flushed cheeks, the confused/pleased look on his face. All for me.

“You’re beautiful,” I tell him solemnly.

His eyes narrow as he takes that in. “Not handsome?”

He thinks I’m mocking him. I can tell by how his hands are becoming fists at his sides. I like the way his arms flex with restrained anger.

I frown, “Handsome is a pale word. Beautiful is what you are. Everyone around you is shades of gray but you are in technicolor. You make everything brighter than it’s ever been.”

His eyes have widened and his fingers uncurl.

I take the steps that bring me to him and run a finger over his collar bones.

“You’re perfect,” I mutter and let my hand glide down his pec. The muscle jumps in reaction. His skin is smooth and hot to the touch. His nipple pebbles under my palm.

“Is this a game?” He asks in a strained voice.

I look into his pale eyes, seeing the dilation of his pupils with a smile. “I’ll always play games with you. But you aren’t a game to me. You’re something I’ve never seen before and I want more.”

“You can have it,” he utters with a shaky breath. He looks like he’s straining to keep himself in check when he doesn’t need the leash.

“I won’t take it from you, statue. You’ll have to give it to me. Willingly,” I whisper with a grin.

His lips crash into mine. Demanding, desperate as his tongue flickers over my lower lip, not quite asking permission to enter but a token effort of it. My lips part and he invades me. It’s the only way I can describe it. Like he’s ready to consume me through his lips and tongue alone.

He finds an angle that he likes and the demanding thrust of his tongue becomes coaxing, teasing me to get a response.

My tongue twines with his, matching his intensity perfectly. My entire body hums with pleasure from the slick contact. He presses himself against me fully, holding nothing back. His erection feels hard enough to bruise my stomach. I distantly wonder if it’s painful. I hope it is.

He tears his lips away and meets my eyes. The gray orbs are darker than I’ve ever seen them. Like clouds moving in, ready to pour rain down on me. His pupils are blown as he licks his lips, accidentally stroking mine as well.

“Evie,” my name is a guttural grunt as his hips shift against me, a subtle thrust that makes him grimace.

I stroke my hands down his sides to tug at the waistband of his pants. Circling the edge with my fingertips, they meet in the middle and work open the button as he sucks in a hard breath. I undo it with a smile as he pants for air.

“You’re sensitive,” I whisper and slowly cup his length in my hands. His hips jerk in response. I smooth a hand over him, rubbing in a barely there caress.

He doesn’t answer me as he draws back to watch my hands.

“I liked the show before, but I think this is a little better. I have permission to touch,” I press my lips to his throat, my voice going deeper, more breathy as I hold his aching hardness in my palm.

“Fuck, baby. You should have come inside,” he groans. His hands grip the sides of my shirt and pull me closer. I hear a faint tear as fabric rips.

“If I had known you’d give me permission nothing would have stopped me.”

“Let’s go,” he says in a strained groan.

“No. I’ve waited long enough for this. You’re being very good. I’m going to show you how much I approve.”

“What?” He sounds halfway to laughing and begging at the same time.

I slowly, carefully pull down his zipper.

He presses his forehead to mine and groans my name.

I open the flaps and look down at him, dislodging his stance. His underwear makes me sigh.

“This anime I know,” I tell him smugly.

“What?” He chokes out in surprise.

“You’re going to have to start going out in your pajamas again. I’ve missed seeing your personality on full display. I like the hidden version too, though. You don’t have to play that game alone anymore.”

His light chuckle turns into a grunt when I rub across his erection with one less layer between us. I put my palm over his hard heat, feeling the wet spot from his precum. The fact that he’s that ready for this thrills me. My other hand joins, pushing his boxers and pants down enough until I can feel skin. He’s even hotter bare and his hips jerk in reaction to my touch.

“Look how perfect you are,” I breathe heavily, holding his cock down for us both to look. His skin is burning with heat and so silky in my hands.

I feel a subtle pluck at the back of my bra from under my shirt. When he doesn’t find a snap I grin at him.

“Sports bra,” I kiss his cheek and take my hands away from him.

“Wait,” he snaps and pulls me back into him for a devouring kiss.

“Shh,” I hiss across his wet lips. “I’m getting you a place to sit down, not bailing.”

He kisses me again so hard our teeth clash. His lips are like a drug. I can’t get enough. He’s violent and begging at the same time. A perfect combination.

“Come on,” I breathe harshly, my voice almost gone with excitement. I wrap an arm around his waist and the other hand goes to his erection, stroking as I begin pulling him back with me.

“I don’t want to sit down,” he tells me through quick presses of his lips. Yet, he’s moving easily, following my steps.

“I want you to be comfortable. Be good for me,” I remind him with a lick across his lower lip.

He grunts with frustration as I reach back and pull a chair away from the table.

“You’re pissing me off,” he mutters with a glare that doesn’t sit right enough on his face to be true.

“Then why did I feel more cum spill out of you when I said be good ?” I point out and rub the proof into his skin.

“You have your hand on my dick,” he snaps back defensively.

“Wrong,” I say in a flat tone that gets his attention.

I step back and shove him into the chair. He sprawls, surprised at my blank expression.

“I’m learning about you, Shade,” I tell him as I straddle his thighs and sit down. “I’m catching up now. It makes you feel good to be praised. You want to be the only thing in focus when everything else is blurry? You’re that for me. Only me. I want to be the one to give you anything you want. Let me.”

He’s fallen quiet as he watches me, but he’s still hard as I stare down at him. I run my fingertips lightly up his erection and rub in a circle over his tip to spread the moisture there as it beads up.

“I plan on spoiling you rotten. Let me,” I urge him with a gentle press of my lips on his.

“Just this once,” he says tightly, his cock jumping between us. He’s lying. He’s so desperate to give in and he’s fighting it with everything in him.

“Whatever you want.” I lie right back with a smile.

“What do you want me to do?” His voice has a tremble in it that he’s trying to hide. He’s not in control anymore, I am. He likes it as much as he distrusts it. My monster got burned and I’m going to have to be patient. I’ll have him eating out of my hand soon enough.

“Put your hands behind your head and keep them there,” I tell him softly.

He does it in an awkward, unsure motion that makes me smile.

“That’s it, Shade. Relax,” I whisper against his lips.

His eyes narrow as his cock jumps again, leaking more precum. I can feel his pulse in his erection. The heavy throb is addicting, just like everything else about him.

I look down at him sprawled under me and sigh again.

“So beautiful and all mine.”

He swallows hard, watching me intently.

I run my hands over his skin as much as I want. His thighs shift beneath me as his hips rise, trying to get my attention there. I grip him in a loose fist and start pumping, leaning forward to cover him as he groans. I lick over his neck and plant sucking kisses there, almost leaving marks but not quite.

“You smell so good. I’ve been obsessed with it ever since I smelled it,” I whisper as his body moves under me. The struggle he’s having trying to keep still is just as heady as if he were tied up. He’s choosing to be at my mercy.

“Your shampoo,” he moans back, burying his face in my hair. “So fucking good. Yes. Tighter.”

I alternate between tight and fast, shifting to slow and gentle when he seems like he’s getting close. I do it a few times while he groans and shakes. He may not be tied but he’s certainly acting like he is. There’s no more fighting himself. He’s finally letting go as he strains beneath me.

“I’m not going to share you,” I rasp in his ear. “You’re mine. All of you.”

“Oh fuck,” he jerks, grinding his teeth.

“Say it,” I work him hard, waiting with bated breath.

“Evie,” he lets out a long moan and I stop, taking my hand away.

“No, don’t stop,” he snaps. His words are harsh but the kisses he laces my throat with are gentle.

“Whose dick is this?” I take him in my hand with a loose fist, unmoving.

“Yours,” he barks.

Pleasure bursts across my skin at the easy acceptance.

“Are you mine, Shade?”

“Yes. I’m yours,” the grim words are choked out as he stares into my eyes. He means it. I can tell because he’s resisting it even as the words fall from his lips.

“You’re so perfect,” I sigh and press a kiss to his lips that he tries to turn feral. I let him go to stand up, cutting him off before he gets carried away.

He watches me in confusion, unease slowly starting to stain his features.

“You’re being so good for me,” I slip to my knees and suck him into my mouth.

“Fuck!” He shouts.

I’m less finesse and more enthusiastic. He tastes as good as he smells. I use my hands to help jack him off while I suck strongly at his tip. He’s so hard it’s like his dick is fighting my grip. More precum greets my tongue and I lick it away for it to be replaced by more and more.

“Fuck, I’m cuming,” he chokes out in warning.

I suck him in deeper and look up to watch his mouth fall open and his eyes laser focused on me. Then his head falls back, his elbows rising to cradle his face as his hips jerk and he floods my mouth with his taste. I keep going until his knees start to shake and no more cum greets my tongue.

When I pull back I kiss the tip and lick across it, looking for more. His shaky groan brings my attention back up as I lick my lips.

He still has his hands clasped behind his head, the rest of his body loose.

I slowly stand to take him in.

Sweat glistens across his skin, a drop running down a crease in his abs to sink into his navel. He looks absolutely wrecked. I couldn’t be more pleased with him.

His pants are pulled down far enough I can reach his phone. I pull it out and he looks at me with hooded eyes. I snap a picture, startling him.

“What are you doing?” He asks weakly, a frown starting on his lips.

“You look beautiful like this. I may not get another chance at this exact scenario. I want to remember it.”

He blinks as a tilted smile works over his lips. “That’s my phone, baby.”

“Yeah. When you finally win that game you can send me this whenever I’m angry,” I tilt my head with a smile. “Instant game changer.”

He lets out a soft chuckle. “Oh, really.”

I nod and straddle his thighs to sit again. “Look at you. I imagined what you would look like, happy and relaxed. It’s nothing in comparison to the real thing.”

I show him the picture as his arms drop to wrap around me. The ease of snuggling into him is foreign to me, but pleasurable because he needs it and I’m the one giving it to him. The only one.

“So perfect. I’ve never met anyone like you.”

“I look ridiculous.”

I lean back with a raised brow.

“What? I do.” He laughs at my expression.

“You look like a man that had every fantasy come to life and you’re savoring the experience. I put that look there. I’m keeping it.”

“Evie,” his tone gentles as his hands rub across my back. “Come home with me.”

“No,” I stand and set the phone onto the table.

“What? Why?” His mask slams down hard as he straightens up.

“A new game,” I tell him solemnly.

“No. No more games. I want this. Give it to me. Spoil me , damn it.” He snaps back.

“Find me then,” I give him a flat look. “You can delete the picture if it isn’t something you want to feel.”

“That isn’t what I meant,” he defends.

“To you. Not to me. If you want to accept it, accept me, then find me. Win. Send me the picture.”

His lips twist up in a dark smirk, the monster inside peeking out again. “I’m much closer to it than you think.”

“Are you? Then you won’t mind if I leave now for my head start,” I mock, pleased at my progress.

“Game on,” he licks his lips. “I’ll give you ten minutes.”

“Good luck,” I huff a laugh and walk away.