Page 63 of Deviant Need

It’s been happening since I was a teenager and I’ve hated every second of it. I don’t want the attention and I never have. I just want to exist without someone constantly grabbing at me, touching me without asking, but they never stop. It doesn’t matter how many times I pull away or make it clear I’m not interested, they keep trying.

In school it got so bad that some days I didn’t even want to show up. Sounds pathetic, right? A guy not wanting girls all over him. Most people would think I’m insane for complaining about it, but I don’t care what it sounds like because it’s the truth.

The only person I’ve ever wanted touching me is Daniil. If he grabbed my arm like this, if he told me I was attractive or looked at me the way these girls do, I wouldn’t mind at all. I’d be happy about it

Sometimes I wish murdering annoying people was socially acceptable, because then at least I could do something about it instead of standing here trying not to lose my mind.

“I’m Kaylee,” she says, tilting her head with her eyes locked on mine, and then gestures back to the other two girls watching. “That’s Sofia and Jenna.”

Jenna makes a beeline straight for Daniil, and I hate it immediately. She needs to back off right fucking now.

She gives him this little wave, steps into his space too close, sticks her hand out like they’re at some awkward school dance. He stares at it for a beat too long before finally shaking it, clearly uncomfortable.

“No speek Engleesh,” I say in the thickest Russian accent I can manage.

She grins wider. “Oh wow, that accent is so hot. Are you guys tourists? Where are you from?”

“Russia.”

She bites her lip and her eyes drop, dragging down my body slower this time. Behind her, Jenna won’t stop chattering at Daniil, leaning in too close. He’s nodding, but I can see how tense his shoulders are, how he keeps trying to create distance.

Kaylee leans in closer to me. “My friend thinks the other guy’s really cute.”

Hell no. Her friend can redirect that thought literally anywhere else on this beach. He’s off limits.

“He no speek Engleesh,” I say, keeping the thick accent going.

“Ooh, can you say something sexy in Russian for me?”

I watch Jenna try to touch Daniil’s arm again and him stepping back from her reaching hand. I bite the inside of my cheek hard and look back at Kaylee.

“Yesli tvoya podruga ne otstanet ot nego, ya slomayu yey sheyu.” If your friend doesn’t back off, I will break her neck.

He starts laughing under his breath at what I said, then he looks at me with this huge smile spreading across his face, showing those perfect white teeth. I love that smile so much. He’s so beautiful.

“That was so hot,” Kaylee breathes out. “You guys wanna get ice cream with us or something? I could really use something cold.” She points at the ice cream stand down the beach.

“We’re not interested.” I drop the accent completely. “Go be desperate somewhere else.”

Her eyes practically bulge out of her head, definitely didn’t see that response coming.

Slinging my arm around Daniil’s shoulder, I walk us both out of the water. She’s talking behind us, probably crying to her friends, but I’m already done with this conversation.

My hands come up to cup his face. “Can I kiss you?”

His eyes go wide, darting around the beach in panic. “Are you sure you want to? People can see us.”

“So?”

“We can’t. What if someone recognizes us? What if word gets back to⁠—”

I tilt his chin up, making him look at me. “Do you want to kiss me right now?”

“Yes, but⁠—”

“Then fuck it,” I say, and kiss him.

He gasps against my mouth and then melts into me, his resistance crumbling completely. His hands grip my bare shoulders, and he kisses me like he’s been starving for it, his tongue sliding into my mouth hungry and demanding.