Page 950 of Lessons in Cruelty

No, no, no.

Not like this, not⁠—

I come.

In my fucking pants.

Like a goddamn teenager.

The world whites out. I’m distantly aware of Haven garbling wordlessly, of the wet smacking sound as Rooke and Kai keep fucking her past her climax and into another one.

I land back on earth with ringing ears, just in time to see Rooke’s hands close over Haven’s tits. Her flesh oozes between his fingers as he grips her, slamming balls-deep into her ass.

He comes with a muted roar, and both Haven and Kai turn to look at him.

I’ve never felt more like an outsider in that moment. Like I’ve just stumbled into the hidden shrine of some cult and interrupted their most sacred, secret ritual.

But it isn’t Rooke’s control that cuts deepest.

It’s the way Kai lets him check every mark without being asked. The way Haven reaches for both men at once. The way they close around one another when the performance is over, secure in the knowledge that none of them has to explain what they need.

Lord, I’d join the Cult of Rooke in a heartbeat. The rapturous look on Kai and Haven’s faces makes me wish I already had.

Instead, I watch them fawn over him as he finally surrenders to his darkest desires…as if their own climaxes are already forgotten.

The envy hits me hard and fast, like a knife slipped between my ribs in a dark alley somewhere in Outbye. I try to push it away, but it only settles in deeper.

What I’d give to have just one day of this.

Not the kinky sex.

Someone knowing me—the most secret part of me—so well, that we didn’t need words anymore.

My heartbeat ticks in my ears as silence settles in the room.

Haven’s legs shake when Rooke gently pushes her off him. She stumbles a little as she heads over to the couch, before collapsing on it like she barely made it there in time.

Rooke strokes his hand over Kai’s head, then gently grasps his chin and tilts his head up. “Think I didn’t notice what happened on the couch, boy?”

Kai rolls his eyes.

“There will be consequences for both of you.” His voice is soft, but there’s still a note of authority. “Now be a good boy and go take care of our little Haven.”

Kai grumbles something under his breath as he stands. Before he can walk away, Rooke catches him by the wrist.

“Look at me.”

Kai does. The last of his defiance fades as Rooke studies his face, then checks the marks around his wrists and throat with gentle fingers.

“You with me, Kai?”

He swallows. Nods.

“Words.”

“I’m with you,” Kai croaks.

Rooke cups the back of his neck and draws him close, pressing his mouth to Kai’s forehead. “Then go see to our girl.”