Chapter 43
CHAPTER FORTY-THREE
Briar
I jogged back and forth across the tower, kicking my knees up high and occasionally lashing out with a front kick designed to maim anyone in my way. I was aware that all the shifters could easily take me down, but there were other things to worry about, and I refused to give up my training.
I stopped and unleashed a series of punches on the air, except, in my head, I was pummeling Knox’s balls. I’d love to hammer them until they were nothing more than tiny little raisins I could squish in my hands.
The idea made me smile as I resumed my jogging. Sweat beaded my forehead, slid down my face, and dripped off my chin. I used the back of my arm to wipe some of it away, but more formed immediately afterward.
Sitting on the arm of the chair, the tiny creature nibbled on a walnut from my lunch while watching me. I jogged halfway back across the room before dropping to do push-ups. When I counted to fifty, I jumped back to my feet and unleashed a series of more kicks and punches.
I may not be able to overpower a shifter or outrun them, but I wouldn’t be helpless. I’d put up far more of a fight than any of them expected; I’d make sure of that.
I ran back and forth for another hour, completing my routine, before calling it quits, grabbing a towel, and wiping off my face. Afterward, I headed for the bathroom. On the way, I grasped half of the cheese sandwich and bit into it as I gathered the bread, nuts, and berries.
I put them under the bed for my friend; he already had a good stash there. I’d filled an extra soap dish I found under the sink with fresh water.
I hated the idea of him not having fresh water for however long my Needing took, but if too much time passed, I’d let someone know he was here.
I’d hate to lose him as a companion, and he seemed in no rush to leave as he hid anytime someone entered the room and loved sleeping in the bed.
It was probably far more comfortable than the forest.
He scampered over and bent down to look under the bed before peering up at me. “I might not be here for a few days. I want to make sure you have plenty of food and water, and don’t forget to use the toilet. If someone comes in and sees your waste in the tub, they’ll know you’re here.”
Thankfully, he’d mastered the toilet and was okay at flushing it. Sometimes, he forgot, but he’d gotten better.
He stood on his back legs, released another squeak, and scurried up to the bed before burrowing under the pillows. A few seconds later, a knock sounded on the door.
“Come in,” I called.
Not like it mattered, they’d come in whether I approved it or not, but I liked pretending I had some control here. The lock clicked, and a second later, Bertie entered.
Her eyebrows rose when she saw my sweaty, disheveled state, but she refrained from remarking on it. “Knox would like you to join him for dinner.”
If I were going to be locked up, I’d rather stay here instead of being paraded down for occasional meals. A taste of freedom was worse than not having it at all.
“You can tell Knox I said no,” I told her.
“He’s going to make you join him one way or another; if he has to come up here for you, it will only be worse.”
“I don’t care. I’m not a toy he can parade around when he feels like it. If he’d like to drag me out of here kicking and screaming, then so be it, but I’m not going willingly.”
With that, I strode into the bathroom and closed the door behind me. My heart raced a little faster, and my breath hitched as I pondered what I’d done. He would come for me; that man didn’t tolerate disobedience, and while I refused to jump through his hoops, it would be bad when he came.
I tried not to think about it as I turned on the shower, undressed, and stepped beneath the spray. The hot water felt good on my sore muscles, and while I wanted to linger, it was better to be out of here and dressed before Knox arrived. I couldn’t have him coming here to discover me naked.
I shuddered at the possibility and scoured myself before washing my hair. As the water ran down my belly, I became uncomfortably aware of how it felt sliding down my skin, between the valley of my breasts, along my stomach, and between my legs.
A stab of yearning speared me as my clit throbbed. My breath sucked in, and I couldn’t move as my pulse quickened and an unbidden moan escaped before I bit my bottom lip.
My hand fluttered toward one of my swollen breasts before I jerked it down. Touching myself only made it worse.
I wanted… I craved… I needed to ease this unrelenting desire burning through every fiber of my being. My head tipped back as the ache between my thighs intensified until it bordered on excruciating.
I had to do something to stop it, but as my palm flattened against my belly and slid lower, I knew it wasn’t right. I needed a cock—a thick, stiff, throbbing dick I could suck and fuck until I couldn’t walk, couldn’t breathe, and couldn’t think anymore.
I need Seth.
I moaned again as I squeezed my eyes shut, and my nipples hardened. A scream lodged in my throat as everything inside me focused on my building lust.
I fumbled with the water, turning it off. I couldn’t stand the feel of it anymore.
When I staggered from the tub, my foot caught on the edge, tripping me. My palms smacked off the pale, tile floor a second before my knees did.
The pain that flared through them was nothing compared to the growing one between my thighs. If I didn’t fuck something, I’d die, I was sure of it.
My head spun as I cried out in anguish. I’d heard what the Needing could do to someone, but I’d told myself I could withstand it. I’d prepared to do everything differently than all the other casters… but I wasn’t prepared. I wasn’t prepared at all.
I had to ease myself, but I couldn’t… I wouldn’t.
I wouldn’t become a slave to this. I wouldn’t give in to these urges; I could get through this.
As the thought crossed my mind, a fresh wave of overwhelming lust gripped me.
Or maybe I’ll die.
That might be preferable.