Page 28 of Lost to Thievery
My excitement turned to fear, watching in horror as Grayson pulled his knife from the side table. “Gray. You’re not serious, are you?” I tried to laugh it off. He wouldn’t really carve his name into my ass cheek, would he?
“Which part, baby? Wrecking your asshole, or carving my name into your sexy little ass?”
I froze at the excitement in his voice. “Both?” I choked.
He settled over me, pinning my legs to the ground with his own. His hand snaked over my neck and into my hair, pulling the strands tight in his fist. “You don’t want my name on your ass, little star?” he teased playfully.
I swallowed. “Isn’t it bad luck?”
He chuckled darkly. “This isn’t a tattoo, darling. This is much more depraved.”
I yelped as the cold metal of his knife nicked the skin on my backside. He dragged it in swooping strokes against my flesh without cutting into me. But I was sure that there would be angry, swelling red lines in the shape of his name appearing on my ass in a minute. “Grayson, please don’t do it,” I begged, feeling a little helpless.
He sighed and pressed a soft kiss to the back of my neck. “Fine. As you wish, Princess.”
My body relaxed as his nose glided over the delicate skin behind my ear, taking in a deep breath of my scent.
“But I’m still going to fuck your ass. And I’m still going to use your blood as lube,” he whispered menacingly in my ear.
My heart thundered in my throat. “Will it hurt?” My voice was trembling. Was it fear or excitement?
Who the fuck knew when it came to Grayson.
Grayson’s deep chuckle slithered over my skin, raising all the hair on my body. “Oh, it will hurt so fucking good, baby, you willbegfor more.”
I brushed my hands over the goosebumps prickling my skin, willing them away. I hated how the memory had crept in. It always happened in quiet moments like this.
“His IQ is 176,” I sighed, and Owen turned to look at me.
“And you didn’t think to divulge that tidbit of information to me?” His voice had gone high pitched.
I shrugged. “I guess I forgot. Or repressed the memory. I don’t know.” I was tired of all these damned memories sneaking up on me. I wanted to cut out the part of my brain where my memories were stored and donate it to science.
Owen snorted. “Repressed the memory,” he repeated mockingly under his breath. “Let me guess, he was fucking you silly when he told you that.”
I laughed soundlessly. If I hadn’t been so dead inside, I might have blushed. “Maybe.”
“Jesus, Ava.” Owen huffed a laugh, shaking his head. “You’re really something, I’ll give you that.”
“Thanks,” I laughed.
“It wasn’t a compliment.”
I shoved him, hoping he’d land in the water, but he caught himself just in time.
“Butplease. Continue to repress those memories. I’d rather drown myself in this lake then hear of yet another one of your fucking-escapades.” Owen pretended to gag.
“You and me both, buddy,” I chuckled, settling my chin onto my knees.
We were quiet for a while, listening to a cricket chirping nearby.
“Maybe Ishouldbook a room at that bed and breakfast you were talking about. Get away for a while. Maybe I can help you in your garden, plant seeds or whatever. It seemed to work for you. And I don’t know. Maybe I missed your crazy ass.” He gave me a sheepish grin.
“Owen Becket. Finally wanting to slow down and smell the roses? Impossible,” I joked, but feeling a strange sense of relief. It would do him good to get away. With the way he’d been acting, he was heading straight into the land of insanity, following in my footsteps. I was barely able to see the light out. I couldn’t in good conscience leave a friend behind to lose himself in it. Like I had. “You are always welcome in my garden, Agent Becket.” I leaned in closer to him. “Only if you promise not to arrest me should you notice a hypothetical plant that may or may not be illegal to grow.”
He chuckled. “Nah, compared to your other crimes, Miss Beaumont, I’m not gonna bother. Too much paperwork.”
Ava
