“Hey,” I called out to the guy assigned to stay close to us. I smiled and tilted my head playfully—catch more flies with honey.
“What?” He grumbled shifting uncomfortably. His cheeks turned slightly red, giving the poor bastard away.
“Do you have any fruit?” I asked, curving an eyebrow.
“You’ve got food,” he grumbled.
“I’d love to eat some fruit though. Something…juicy?” I fucking hated this aspect of being me. Being charming was tedious and annoying. I hated people getting clingy and close, their eyes lighting when I gave them attention. Well, I hated that reaction frommosteveryone. I swiped my tongue across my lip and the man eyed my mouth before looking away.
“I guess it won’t hurt anything,” he grumbled, going through his bag and then rolling an apple to me. I picked it up.
“Thanks,” I said with a wink. He watched, waiting for me to eat it. Pathetic. I dropped the smile and tossed the apple to Mothman, who startled before managing to catch it before it fell to the ground and bruised. The man who gave it to me turned away in a huff.
Mothman sat there staring at the apple in his hands.
“You only eat fruit, right?” I asked, irritated he was acting like this was a big deal. It wasn’t. He looked over at me in silence for a moment. I stared right back into his red eyes.
“Yeah,” he finally said, sounding unsure. He looked back at the apple then slowly lifted it to his mouth, taking a bite. Some of my agitation went away as he ate.
“You going to watch him eat the whole thing?” Makwa asked, tugging on the dress Ava was wearing.
“I'm not watching him,” I snapped.
I was getting agitated by Ava’s lack of presence. I hadn’t got to talk to her since last night. Except… I appreciated Makwa handling this cult instead of her having to walk around cold and in chains. It kept frustrating me that Makwa was proving useful and good for her when he couldn’tpossiblybe.
Makwa laughed at my response and turned away.
“Tik….tok,” he said again, a slow smile spreading on his face as he watched the sky’s oranges fade into purple and finally black. He was pissing me off and making me nervous. My teeth pressed together tightly. What was he counting down to?
“Let Ava back out,” I insisted. Makwa turned his face slowly to me, his smile far too wide, his eyes wide with excitement. The fire crackled and the scent of smoke was thick, making my eyes start to water.
“But my fun has only just begun,” his deep voice said from Ava’s perfect mouth. My lip curled in distaste at the conundrum.
“What’s the matter,Caspian?” He purred my name and leaned in until Ava’s breasts were pressed against my arm. I leaned back as far as I could without touching Mothman. He bit his apple and looked at us curiously.
“Back up,” I said, swallowing.
“I like it right here,” Makwa said, sliding Ava’s body into my lap. I sucked in a breath through my teeth. Her ass shifted on my leg. Fuck.
“You don’t like touching. You’ve made that clear,” I snapped.
“Exceptions can be made. You see, I’m touching you, not the other way around. Tell me, how do youfeel?” He asked, eyes tipping to my mouth and lingering too long. His black eyes moved slowly to my neck and he smirked. “Your heart is beating too fast.”
“Because I don’t like this,” I insisted.
“Then push me off,” he said and I grimaced. How could I push Ava’s body from my lap? Mothman started to laugh and I shot him a cruel look. He hid his mouth behind his hand.
“Who’s side are you on?” I hissed at him and he simply shrugged. Asshole. Ava’s hands, no, Makwa’s hands suddenly slid up my thighs, squeezing the muscle.
“Such a strong boy,” he said.
“Stop,” I said.
“Make me,” he countered, rubbing Ava’s chest against mine. I could feel her nipples through my shirt, dragging across my pecs, and had to bite back a groan. I didn’t know what to do. This was a clusterfuck. I thought about asking Mothman to get Makwa off me but I couldn’t stoop to asking for his help.
Makwa leaned in closer and I held my breath as Ava’s face came in close. All black eyes blinked up at me as Ava’s lips brushed against mine. I gave a dying whine of dismay. My heart leapt in my chest, joyful my mate was touching me. I was a fucking idiot. Fuck Makwa, fuck Mothman, fuck these motherfuckers who put us in shackles.
Anger burst through the confusion my body felt and I shoved Makwa off me. He laughed as he slammed into the ground. I felt momentarily dismayed… until he quickly crawled back in my lap like a murderous little spider.
