“Count to ten,” I say. “Then come find me.”
I hear Rhodes laugh behind me.
“One,” Ace says, but I don’t stick around. I spin on my heel and run.
Chapter Fourteen
Maddie
“Ten,” Ace yells out. “Ready or not, here we come.”
My camera bounces against my ribs as I sprint deeper into the abandoned mall, my heart nearly pounding out of my chest. Behind me, I can hear them closing the distance between us as I weave through the broken storefronts, my sneakers echoing on the deteriorated tile floor.
“She went left!” Rhodes yells out. “I can hear her.”
I’m already changing direction, heading toward the motionless escalators. I climb them two at a time, my hands gripping the rail for balance. The escalators lead to the second level, where it’s even more deteriorated than the ground floor.
“Second level,” Vander says, his voice carrying.
I keep running toward the back of the mall where there’s another set of stairs. I hit the back stairs and climb again, heading to the third level. The upper floors are darker and in better condition than the previous two floors.
I find a room that used to be an office or storage area, tucked in behind what’s left of a security gate. I position myself with a view of the corridor, my camera ready.
“Where did she go?” Rhodes asks from somewhere below.
“Up,” Vander says.
They’re making their way toward the stairs, and I grip my camera tighter, ready to capture the moment they find me. The footsteps get closer, and I can hear them moving through the dark.
Ace reaches the third floor first, and he stops to scan the area. Behind him, Rhodes emerges from the stairwell, Vander right behind.
“Come out, come out, wherever you are,” Rhodes sings. “We’re not going to bite.”
“Speak for yourself,” Vander says.
I step out from behind the security gate, my camera ready. “Looking for me?”
The three of them stop, and stare.
I lift my camera and snap a few quick images one more time.
Ace reaches me first, his masked face inches from my own. “Are you ready for this?” he asks me. “We are happy to go slow.”
“Yes, I’m ready, and I don’t want to go slow. I want you all.” I mean it completely. Removing the bag from my shoulder, I place it carefully on the floor and tuck my camera away.
When Vander steps forward, he tilts his head, watching me like he’s choosing which part of me to sample first. When he finally peels his mask away, I see the hunger burning in his eyes. His voice is rough. “Then let me taste what’s mine.”
My breath catches as he closes the distance and places one hand at my hip, the other curling around the back of my neck.
Vander doesn’t kiss me right away. He breathes me in, savoring me, as his mouth hovers close enough to mine that I can feel his every breath. When his lips finally touch my skin, it’sslow. He licks, sucks, and bites softly. His tongue drags along my skin, sending shivers down my spine.
I place a hand on his chest as his mouth moves lower, the sound of my breathing mixing with his quiet groans. He moans my name, and I just might melt into a puddle of goo at his feet.
“Fuck,” he murmurs against my skin. “You taste so sweet.”
The others watch, and I preen knowing they are there.
Vander pulls back only long enough to meet my eyes. “I need you naked,” he murmurs, and I nod eagerly.
