FORTY-SEVEN
Nyx
"I've got something for you, little lamb." I sit on the edge of the bed, caressing Raya's hair, trying to rouse her from sleep.
We spent the weekend shopping, eating, and fucking, so my little lamb is worn out.
Once I put the ring on her finger and we sealed it by making love on the beach, something shifted.
We returned to our old selves, no doubts or insecurities hanging between us.
It's like we were never apart, but we know better, and I know there will be times when the past gets brought up.
Raya and I have agreed to deal with those times once they present themselves.
I sat here for a minute, taking in her beauty and all that is once again mine, before waking her. She looks like an angel when she sleeps, but damn is she a mouthy one. My life will never be dull from here on out.
"Mm, what time is it?" Raya's groggy voice asks.
"It's time to get your beautiful ass up unless you want me to redden it again."
"Why are you always threatening me with a good time, yet you don't always follow through?"
I raise my brow, giving her a serious, no-nonsense look as I slide my hand to the back of her neck and squeeze. "How about I use the cane or whip on your ass as punishment next time? Then, we'll see if it's still a good time."
She fucking grins at me.
“Keep being a brat, Raya. I know how sore your cunt must be, but I won't let that stop me. Now, be a good girl and jump into the shower. I want to run a little errand before returning to Nyte. "
"I thought you said you had something for me?" Her lip juts out in an adorable pout.
"I do, but we need to go get it." I yank the covers away, earning myself a dirty look, but it doesn't bother me one bit. "I'll lay some clothes out for you and take the luggage to the car."
"Please leave my makeup. I'll take it to the car when we leave."
"No."
She stops just outside the door to the bathroom and turns to look at me. "What do you mean, no?"
I walk over and stand before her, cupping her cheek as I look over her bare face. "You're gorgeous as you are. You can wear makeup any other time, but not today. I want to look upon your natural beauty, little lamb. Give me this…"
She lets out a long sigh and then nods. "Okay. I can do that."
"Thank you." I lean in and kiss her, but when I try to deepen the kiss, Raya pulls back.
"Um, hello—morning breath!"
"I don't give a fuck. You will not deny me a kiss, woman…" I yank her back to me and plunder her mouth in a deep, soulful kiss.
Once I feel her relax and start to return the kiss, I end it, grinning. "Go shower—we leave in twenty minutes."
I find it cute that she thinks her scowls affect me.
All they do is get stored away for when it's time to dole out another punishment.
Raya likes the pain, at least to an extent.
She's no pain slut, and that's okay. I just love that she likes it enough to let me color her ass and make her pretty pussy weep for me.
I'm finishing closing the beach house when Raya comes out of the bedroom. I point to a stool at the island and say, "Sit—eat."
It's not much—just a croissant breakfast sandwich from the deli down the road and a hot cup of coffee in a travel mug.
We don't have time to stop anywhere before the appointment I'm taking her to.
It was hard enough getting the owner to come in on a Sunday.
I had to name-drop, and although this isn't Nyte, people know who the Heirs are for the most part.
Besides, it's not my first time receiving services from them .
"Are you going to tell me where we're going?" she asks before taking a bite of her sandwich.
Melted cheese lingers at the corner of her mouth, and I can't help myself. I lean in and lick it off before pressing my lips to hers.
"Nope. You'll find out soon enough."
"O—kay. Then can you at least tell me why you picked this skimpy sundress for me to wear? I prefer shorts and a tank for the ride home."
I answer her question in two simple words.
"Easy access."
She rolls her eyes but continues eating the hot ham and cheese until it's gone. I quickly wash her plate, placing it on the rack to dry. Looking around one last time, I take Raya's hand and walk out, locking the house before we go.
Raya's quiet on the way to the appointment, but that's okay; she'll know soon enough, and then I'm sure she will have plenty to say. I grin, just thinking about her reaction. I'm holding her hand on my thigh, savoring it because, more than likely, she'll be too pissed to hold it later.
Why do I want to piss my little lamb off? It's not that I want to, but this must be done—more for my sanity than anything else.
As I slow the car and pull into a parking spot, there are a variety of businesses up and down this road, but only one with its lights on. Raya stares at the latter and then at me, cocking her eyebrow.
"I know you're not taking me in there," she states with a bit of attitude.
"Have I ever told you that you're even more beautiful when you're giving me lip?"
"Don't try being cute, Nyx! Why are we here?"
"You'll see—come." I get out and hurry to her side, holding my hand out for her.
She takes it, albeit reluctantly, and lets me continue holding it. A bell above the door jingles as I open it and let her go in first. Pictures and artwork hang on the walls, and there's a sitting area with albums placed on a table in front of the couch and chairs.
"Mr. Beckam. It's good to see you again. This must be the lucky woman," the owner states as he holds his hand out for Raya to shake. "Hi. I'm Colt, owner of this fine establishment."
"Hi, I'm Saraya," my little lamb replies.
"Thank you again for coming in today. I do appreciate it," I tell him .
"Yeah, yeah, just remember, you owe me one." Colt shoots me a grin and then clasps his hands together. "So, what are we doing today?"
I hold up my right hand. "I need this made smaller to fit on Raya's inner wrist."
"What?!" Raya exclaims.
Colt examines the Gods of Nyte tattoo on my hand and nods. "I'll take a picture and run it through my scanner."
"Nyx, I never agreed to get a fucking tattoo!" My little lamb clenches her jaw, trying to talk in a low voice.
"You agreed to marry me, did you not?"
"Yes, but—"
"Well, that alone is you agreeing to wear my mark. Besides, people need to know that you are the wife to a Gods Heir."
"I don't want a big tattoo like that, Nyx," she whines.
"It won't be. It's going to be a dainty skull on the inside of your wrist is all. It will look cute," I tell her.
"Cute? Since when are skulls cute?"
"When they are carved into your beautiful body," I say and kiss her.
Rolling her eyes, Raya gives up the fight and sighs. "Fine, but you owe me big time for this, Beckam!"
Grinning, I help her up onto the chair where Colt does his work and bop her on the nose with my finger.
"It's cute that you think you can demand things from me, little lamb," I say, then lean in closer and lower my voice.
"Now, be a good girl, and I'll make you come on the ride home like I did coming here.
You'll like the sting the needle will give you; I promise. "
Taking her lips in a forceful yet loving way, I kiss her until she moans against my mouth. Just before Colt returns, I firmly grip her chin and stare into her eyes.
"I love you, Raya, and I want everyone to know you are mine. "
Saraya
I will never admit to Nyx that I absolutely love my skull tattoo.
I've always admired his, and when it's shrunk down and given a feminine touch, it's absolutely adorable.
Admitting that he was right about the fact that I would like the sting is also off the table.
I more than liked it; I'm ready to get another tattoo!
There's much catching up to do if I want to fit in with the others.
When we got home and I showed the guys and Mara my skull, Mara snubbed it, saying it doesn't really count because it's so small. If you ask me, I think she may have been a little hurt. Amara has been with the guys her whole life, and she couldn't have the tattoo because she wasn't an Heir.
I've tried bringing this up to Nyx, who keeps saying he will discuss it with the guys, but he's yet to do so.
I could be a bitch and rub it in, God knows Mara would probably do it to me, but I genuinely feel bad.
It's just a tattoo—I understand this—but doing what Mara does for the Gods of Nyte should be recognized somehow.
It's been two weeks since we've been back, and Nyx has been busy finalizing last-minute details at the club with the guys, so there really is no reason for him not to have a chance to talk to them.
I don't know why I'm making such a fuss over this; maybe it's because, deep down, I want to mend things with the little psycho.
The Hall has felt like a ghost town lately.
With everyone gone at Club Unholy, I'm mostly home by my lonesome.
Nyx hasn't wanted me around all the construction in case any accidents happen.
So, when I hear the front door open at almost midnight, and laughter fills the front foyer, I rush out of the billiard room where I was tucked away, reading.
I stop abruptly when I see Nyx and Amara hanging all over each other.
Mara is laughing and Nyx has his finger to his lips, also laughing, trying to shush the woman with her arms wrapped around his waist. The picture they make is not a good one.
I should know better than to let this get to me because I know Nyx loves me, but it's apparent that they are both intoxicated.
I was left home by myself while my future husband was out getting drunk with a woman he used to fuck.
I'm about to clear my throat to make my presence known when Mara stretches up and hugs Nyx around his head, holding him close. Her face is hidden in the crook of his neck as he slides his arms around her waist. It looks like an intimate hug, and I feel the burn behind my eyelids.
What finally does it for me is watching Nyx close his eyes as if he's savoring the hug. I finally come out of my shocked state and head for the stairs. When they still don't hear me as I walk by, my resolve breaks, and I sneer at them .
"Get a fucking room, will you? I don't want to see that shit!" I'd laugh at the sight of the two jumping apart, but I'm too devastated.
"Raya," Nyx slurs my name a little as he pushes Mara away and holds his arms out to me. "Come here—I've missed you."
"Fuck you, Nyx. It didn't look like you were missing me that much. If you were, you could have come home to me instead of getting drunk with her ."
Mara snickers as she stumbles where she stands.
"Jesus! How much did you drink? Who drove…" I stop and scoff. "You know what, I don't give a fuck anymore."
"Little lamb…" Nyx calls out.
"Just let her go, Nyx. Talk to her in the morning," Mara giggles.
I spin around to face Mara, anger radiating from every pore. "I can't believe I've been feeling sorry for your ass! You just can't help picking up my sloppy seconds, can you?"
Mara seems to sober up a bit as she stumbles forward, sneering, "What the fuck did you just say to me?"
"The fucking truth, Mara! Have him because I no longer want him…"
Pulling my engagement ring from my finger, I throw it at Nyx, watching it bounce off his chest. I turn and run up the stairs before he can see the tears fall.
I'm huddled in a corner in my old room after locking myself in when there's a sudden crash, and the door splinters into pieces.
A crazed-looking Nyx stands in the doorway, his chest heaving heavily.
He looks around wildly, and when he doesn't see me, he storms to the bathroom, only to walk back out a second later.
I'm in a dark corner of the room, and I almost get away with him not seeing me, but then his stone-gray eyes land on mine.
He jerks back abruptly, and the wild look in his eyes fades and then softens. When he starts towards me, I hold my hand up to stop him. I don't want him anywhere near me.
"Don't. Just leave me alone…"
"Fuck that! I will never leave you alone, Raya. You. Are. Mine."
"No, I was yours. "
"What the fuck is your problem? How could you even think that Mara and I…" He doesn't finish.
Finally, something snaps, and I no longer give a shit if he sees the state I'm in. I jump up and stalk him, poking him in the chest when I stand in front of him.
"For the past two weeks, I've been left home alone while you've been off getting the club ready. I was okay with it because I knew it needed to be done. But to find out that while I'm here bored out of my fucking mind, you're out getting plastered with your old whore?!"
I expect him to yell back at me, but he doesn't. Instead, Nyx drops to his knees and pulls at his hair. "You can't leave me, Raya. It's not what you think—I need you to trust me."
I scoff, "I'm done trusting people…" I start to walk away but his words stop me.
"I was doing it for you. I wanted it to be a surprise—I didn't realize how long you were left alone.
We drank tonight because we were celebrating its completion.
Well, I was celebrating that I was finally finished with your surprise.
" When he looks up at me, his eyes are bloodshot and they're glistening.
"A surprise—for me?" I ask wide-eyed.
"Yeah. I wanted to give you our own private room at the club, one that's just ours and not used by others. I needed it to be perfect because you're perfect, and you deserve nothing less."
My feet bring me back to Nyx and I drop to my knees, so we are face to face. "So, you and Mara aren't…"
"No! Of course not! It's only you—it's only ever been you."
"I'm so sorry…" I tell him just above a whisper.
Nyx gazes at me, and then cups each side of my face, saying, "No. I'm the one who's sorry. I've neglected you and made you doubt my love for you. I don't ever want you doubting my love. You have my heart, Raya—I can never give it to anyone else."
A loud sob slips past my lips, and I crash them against his. I'm not sure how long we're here kissing, but when we finally pull away, Nyx slips my ring back on my finger.
"If you ever take this off again, I'm going to have it implanted into your finger." He kisses the ring, and I chuckle.
"I'll be sure to get the whole story next time," I tell him .
"There will never be a next time, little lamb. From now on, you'll go where I go, no matter what."
We walk back to our room, my arms wrapped around his waist, mainly to help him avoid stumbling.
I'd like to say that we spent the night having hot and kinky makeup sex, but the truth is, I barely got his shoes off his feet before he passed out.
I lay beside him, thinking about everything, knowing I was in the wrong.
Admitting it is only the first step. Tomorrow, I will have to beg for Mara's forgiveness if she doesn't off me first.