Ophelia’s jaw works, her hands twisting in her lap. “What about diseases? STIs? You don’t know where these people have been.”
“Aw, sweet. You’re concerned for my welfare.”
“I’m concerned for mine.”
My laugh sounds harsh in the enclosed space. “We’ve already fucked without protection.” I lean closer, watching her pupilsdilate. “Besides, you’re killing yourself in a few weeks. What’s a little touch of chlamydia compared to that?”
She flinches, and for a moment I think I’ve pushed too far. Then her chin lifts, that stubborn defiance I’m growing addicted to sparkling in her eyes.
“I’ll do it.”
“Do what?”
“Have sex with you.” The words tumble out rushed, desperate. “Right now. Just… don’t go find someone else.”
Victory surges through me, sharp and sweet. I force myself to lean back, to play it cool even as my cock hardens at her offer.
“Very generous, but we had an agreement. No sex tonight.”
“Then change the agreement.”
“And use up one of my three remaining encounters?” I click my tongue. “Seems wasteful.”
Her fingers find mine in the dark, gripping tight. “It doesn’t count towards the total. This is… separate.”
“Is it now?” I thread our fingers together, bringing her knuckles to my lips. “Say it clearly, Ophelia. Tell me exactly what you’re offering.”
She swallows hard, her throat working. “I want you to have sex with me. Right now. And it doesn’t count towards our total.”
The words hit me better than any drug, flooding my system. I pull her across the centre console into my lap, her thighs straddling mine, the dress riding up around her hips.
“Good girl.” I kiss her hard, swallowing her gasp, my hips bucking until my cock is seated hard against her.
She reaches between us, her fingers fumbling at my fly, but I thread my fingers through hers, pulling them away. I have a better idea. “No, we’re not doing it in the car.”
I manoeuvre us both out, holding her hand tightly as I lead her towards the tree line. The pine forest swallows us whole, darkness pressing in from all sides.
“Tonight, let’s pretend I’m not the boy who sits next to you in class.”
“Who are you, then?” Her voice wavers with uncertainty.
My lips press a kiss against her cold cheek, then slide along her cheekbone, whispering into the shell of her ear. “A monster.” I snap my teeth, and she jumps, giving a nervous laugh. “I’m your worst nightmare. Better run fast, my little ghost.”
“What?”
“Run, Snowflake.” I release her and step back. “Give those new glasses of yours a proper workout. I’ll be generous and give you a ten second head start.”
For a moment she just stands there, frozen. Then understanding dawns across her face—fear mixed with something darker, more primal—and she bolts.
I count down in my head, shifting my weight on the uneven forest floor, every cell alive with anticipation. This is what I need. This is what’s been building all night. Hell, allmonth.
The dance and conversation were nice, the protective hovering had its charm, but right here, right now. This is honest.
I’m a predator and she’s prey and we both know it.
Her ten seconds are up.
I move.
