Chapter 21
Istare up at Xavier, watching him drag his chin along my thigh, leaving behind a trail of cum. My cum. That’s never happened to me before. Maybe Raven was right. I’m like Old Faithful, squirting all over the place.
My face, already flushed from my orgasm, heats even more. “If you’re done eating me like a fat man at a buffet, the least you could do is help me up. For fuck’s sake.”
Xavier smirks, the curve of his lips arrogant and sexy as hell. “I could. But I’d much rather look at you.”
“Seriously?”
“Seriously.”
“You’re an asshole,” I mutter.
He shrugs. “Guilty.”
I glare at him and push myself up, using my arms as leverage. He gets to his feet in one fluid motion, his muscles straining against his clothing. I stare at him in awe. I can’t help it. I don’t think there will ever be a time I’m not attracted to Xavier. No matter how much he humiliates me in public.
With a neutral expression, he offers me his hand, and I accept it, getting to my feet. Once I’m upright, his gaze drops. Although I’m fully covered, his eyes sparkle with his licentious thoughts.
“You owe me a pair of panties,” I say with a huff, trying to smooth out the wrinkles on my gown.
“You have no idea how amazing you look in that dress,” he says, his words harsh despite the compliment. “Every man here wants to fuck you.”
“That’s not true.” I pause as a thought flits through my mind. “Is that why you didn’t want me to come? Because of the other crows?”
“That’s only one of many reasons. Now that you’re here and they’ve seen you, you can’t leave. Stay close to me.”
I look up at him and lower my voice, although no one is close enough to hear me. “Is it really that dangerous? Or are you just that possessive?”
“Yes.”
I sigh. “Fine, be that way.”
He offers me his arm, and we walk down the stairs together. I take them carefully, not wanting to stumble and embarrass myself any further. When we reach the dance floor, Xavier slides his fingers over the back of my neck, securing it in a firm hold. His touch is a claim and a reminder.
I’m his.
The crowd parts. They stare at us, some with lust, others with curiosity, but the one expression that makes me cringe is the look of disgust. It’s coming from a group of women and is directed at me.
“Who are the women?” I ask. “Wives?”
Xavier shakes his head. “They’re mistresses and high-dollar prostitutes.”
“Prostitutes? I didn’t realize…” I try to ignore the sting of jealousy and keep my chin lifted. “Is that the real reason you didn’t want me here? Because you—” I snap my mouth closed so hard my teeth click. The very thought is too painful to say out loud.
He leans down. “Do you think I ate your pussy in front of everyone because I wanted another woman?”
His words send a rush of heat between my legs, and I squeeze my thighs together. “I guess not.”
“You guess?” He straightens and quirks a brow, his expression mocking. “Then let me reassure you, my little raptor. When I have my face buried between your thighs, no one else exists. The only thing I’m focused on is making you come so hard that you’re screaming my name.”
“Oh. I, um…” I blink, trying to find a response. “Right. Well, I don’t want you eating any pussy but mine.”
His lips curl into a wolfish grin. “I would never dream of it.”
“Good.”
Declan walks up to us with June hanging onto his arm. He’s easy to identify due to his checkered mask and because I’ve seen June’s dress. When she greets us, I can’t hold her gaze, not when Xavier just ate me out in front of everyone. I’m pretty sure my friend didn’t see it happen, but that doesn’t mean Declan won’t tell her. I bet my face is as red as my dress.
“This is a nice party,” Declan says, his voice cheerful. “I especially like the entertainment. Don’t you, X?”
Xavier rolls his eyes. “Fuck off.”
June’s eyes widen. She looks up at Declan, who chuckles. “X is always like that,” he says, leaning closer.
“Oh.” June turns away and her gaze meets mine. “I just got here. Has it been boring?”
“Yup,” I say, my tone high-pitched.
Declan laughs, drawing attention to our group. “If that was boring, I’d love to see something exciting. Holy fuck.”
“Jesus fucking Christ. Enough,” Xavier says.
A waiter arrives with a silver tray held high, the drinks ranging from champagne to liquor. I smile at the idea of getting drunk enough to forget what just happened, but when I lift my hand, Xavier catches my wrist. I swing my gaze to him, my eyes wide with surprise.
“Nothing for her,” he says to the servant, his tone clipped.
Declan removes his mask and waves the man away. “Another time.”
I lower my voice to a whispered hiss. “What was that for? Are you punishing me or something?”
“No.” Xavier lets go of my wrist to stroke the side of my neck as though offering an apology. “I don’t trust the Order, especially in situations where they expect us to let our guard down. For all I know, those drinks could contain Rohypnol.”
“What?”
“Roofie.”
I blink up at him. “Oh, I see.”
“You’re one paranoid fuck,” Declan says to Xavier. “But I don’t blame you.”
“Talk shit if you want, but I don’t see you drinking anything, fucker.”
The other recruit grins. “I’m not a fan of liquor. I’m more of a beer guy.”
June sighs. “So, is this going to be the theme of the night? You guys jerking each other’s chains?”
“Pretty much,” Declan says. “It’s why we love each other.”
Xavier shakes his head, his lips twitching.
I smile and lean into Xavier’s side. He squeezes my neck, the gentle pressure comforting. The evening progresses without incident, and I find myself liking Declan a little more. June certainly enjoys his company, which is good. She deserves a guy who’ll treat her well. Knowing what I do about the Order, I wonder if he broke up with June to keep her away from the secret society.
A high-pitched tinkling noise hits the air, the sound reverberating throughout the large room. A hush falls over the crowd. Everyone’s gaze shifts to the dais where the musicians were all evening, but they are nowhere to be found.
A masked man, who I assume is one of the leaders, stands there with his gaze sharp, tapping his signet ring against the glass tumbler in his hand.
“Ladies and gentlemen,” he says. His voice is smooth and commanding. “Thank you for attending the Sanguine Solstice. This event is to honor the recruits that are one step closer to becoming full-fledged members of our esteemed society. The blood moon has reached its peak, appearing redder than ever. Like the rising of the moon, we encourage you to rise up and conquer. To take what’s yours.”
A few men in the crowd nod. The leader lifts his glass and a chorus of “Mors solum initium” follows. I look at Xavier.
“What does that mean?”
“‘Death is only the beginning.’”
I press my lips together to stop myself from saying how fucked up that is.
The leader steps from the dais, and the entire atmosphere shifts. People move about the room, the energy charged with anticipation. Xavier stiffens beside me, his fingers digging into the back of my neck.
“What’s happening?” I ask.
He doesn’t answer me as the entire ballroom is plunged into darkness. One by one torches are lit, creating enough light to see, but only a few feet in front of you. Music swells, a seductive and forlorn sound, a mixture of violins and the beat of a drum. It’s ominous and hauntingly beautiful.
My pulse races, and my stomach tightens. Is this another ritual?
A man grabs a woman from behind, his large hands spanning her waist. The movement is sudden and unexpected. She whimpers, her mouth falling open in a soundless scream. The man yanks her dress down, exposing her breast, and pinches her nipple. The woman’s eyes roll into the back of her head, and her body relaxes, her expression blissful.
My gaze darts from left to right, watching as men and women come together, all of them removing their clothes except for our small group.
“What the fuck is happening?” I ask.
Xavier leans down and presses his mouth to my ear. His breath is warm, causing a shiver to race down my spine. “The blood moon is a symbol of power, but also virility.”
“So everyone is just going to what? Have sex all over the place?”
He nods, his expression tense. “That’s the idea.”
“Will you and me…” I press my lips together, unable to finish my sentence.
“That’s what’s expected of me, to take what’s mine.”