Page 43 of His Ruin
With the doubled sensations, it makes me ache as my flesh pricks. My mouth falls open as my eyes screw shut and I burst.
“That’s right,” he praises ruggedly. “Come all over my lap, Angel.”
The pressure releases, my body coiling as warmth overtakes me. I scream, my back bowing off him as my eyes roll back. Kaden roughly shoves his other hand across my chest, pushing past the bra of my corset and releasing one stiffened peak before rolling the dusky bud between his fingers. Everywhere he touches is another shockwave of pleasure, and I squeeze impossibly tight around the finger inside of me.
“You see what I fucking do to you,” he growls lowly in my ear, his mask bumping against my face. “You’re my salvation, Melody, and I’m the sick fuck who’s going to takeuntil there’s nothing left for you to give. I’ll be your every first. No matter how many lives I ruin in the process.”
His words are a scalding brand, sizzling into my psyche like pure conquest. There’s only a heavy truth behind his admission. He isn’t giving golden promises that will later turn to dust. He’s laying out the facts, ensuring that there’s no mistake behind what this is.
My pulse flutters as a swarm takes over my stomach. My chest rises and falls with my breath, my body falling into relaxation as tendrils dance across me. I lift my hand to him, curling it around the nape of his neck as I steady my voice. “And what if I don’t want to be yours?”
He grabs my cheeks, turning me to look at him. “You don’t have a choice. Not when it comes to us.”
Warmth spreads across my chest. To be seen by Kaden is to be worshipped—his love isn’t soft or gentle. It’s brute commands wrapped up in uniform doting. He can’t express himself like others, but he knows how to care for me. He knows what I need.
I slide my fingers around the bottom of the mask, pushing it up to reveal his lips. “Kiss me.”
His mouth crashes over mine, the world fading to nothing as I become entirely consumed by him. Every moment has led us to this, and I don’t think I’ll ever be able to recover. Not now. Not in ten years. Not in thirty or forty.
Kaden has become an addiction I can’t quit. No matter how wrong this should be. It’s always been us.
And I don’t want to be saved.
I’m right where I’m meant to be.
Chapter twenty-three
Melody
Returningtothepartywas surreal. I tried to fix my makeup the best I could, but Kodi noticed right away that I was off kilter. I was lighter, my cheeks rosy, and my mascara gone.
She brought up Dylan, and I quickly shot her down before calling it a night and practically having to carry her drunk ass back to our dorm. While she slept her hangover off all weekend, I was doing more research on The Hunt. My findings led me down a rabbit hole of information, each new article making my brow hit my hairline.
Every chance I wasn’t studying, I was visiting an open BDSM site to ask questions and get answers. It’s remained heavy on my mind, making it impossible for my brother not to pick up on what I want to do. I’ve left my internet browser open while I slept, talked to Caleb more about the meetup location, and have left as many hints as possible.
As Kodi pulls into the abandoned parking lot surrounded by thick forest, my body is wracked with nerves. I’ve been rolling the hem of my sundress between my fingers the whole ride, my mind preoccupied with the possibilities that could unfold tonight.
There are a few other cars parked around, and a group of people mingles at the edge of the woods. Women dressed in workout attire or dresses chat idly while men huddle together and laugh. I recognize a few of them from the party, and my anxiety begins to settle a little as we join them.
“You made it!” Caleb shouts with his arms wide open. “Welcome to The Hunt!”
Brook already has her blue wrist band, a symbol that she’s in this for more than just the scene. Her matching pink workout set stands out among the throng, making her a beacon as she flags us down. “Hey! Matt has the wrist bands.”
The short man saddles up to us, presenting a flurry of colors. They’re thick, and a little dot blinks brightly on the band. “Red means you only want to participate in the scene, blue means you’re up for being fully hunted, and green means you’re a predator.”
Kodi swipes a green one, her eyes twinkling. “I’m no one’s prey.”
I gently grab a red one before fastening it over my wrist. “Ready.”
“Okay!” Matt claps, gaining the attention of twenty sets of eyes. “For those of you who are new, prey gets a five-minute head start. You can choose to hide or run. When the alarm goes off, everyone with a green wrist band will begin The Hunt. If anyone is in need of assistance, your bracelet has a siren that sounds when you press the little red button. Any questions?”
When no one answers him, he instructs everyone with a blue or red wristband to step up to the forest’s tree line. I join the eight other women there, taking in the thick trees with apprehension. Matt is rattling off more rules about The Hunt, forbidding anyone from overstepping the clear boundaries set. It’s a safety precaution, and one I’m thankful for during our debriefing.
Movement to my right catches my eye, and I spot Dylan lingering to the side as he talks with Caleb. His gaze flickers to me before a smirk tugs at his lips.
Fuck.
I didn’t think he would be here…
