Page 36 of The Cult

Step by step, we crept out of the complex’s gate unnoticed thanks to their preoccupation with the fire. It was surprising how easily Tobias could blend into the flickering shadows, moving with eerie stealthiness. I’d give it to him—he seemed to know every blind spot inside this place. We ran, ducked, and dashed our way to the next gate, the last one before we made it to the section where the guys were.

“We need to go that way.” He pointed to the fifteen-foot concrete wall. Since it was usually manned by a guard, there weren’t any barbs like the one enclosing the entire community.

“The guards?” I asked, pointing at the vacant post.

“Busy,” he answered. “Hop on my shoulders.” Tobias crouched to the ground, his pants struggling to contain his muscular thighs. The image of him kneeling, his face looking up at me, almost made me bust a nut. There was no hiding my chubby with his well-trimmed chin inches away from my crotch.

“Sorry about that,” I apologized. I readjusted my dick through the pocket of my pants, not bothering to be subtle. There was no point.

“Fuck,” Tobias growled. His eyes widened when he responded with a shake of his head, but his eyes never left my crotch. Interesting.

It was a shame time wasn’t on my side, because the need to test how far I could get away with teasing him was all consuming, but I had tasks to complete. So instead, I followed his instruction and walked behind him, then climbed onto his brawny shoulders.

He stood. “Now climb up,” he said.

“Got it.” I carefully scaled the wall. Once my legs were stable on the narrow ledge, I straddled the wall, accidentally sitting on a small protruding metal bar. “Oh shit.”

“What’s wrong?” Tobias looked up, his brow furrowed and voice laced with concern.

“Nothing.” I scooted to find an even surface. “A rod poked my ass—and not the kind I like.”

Tobias blew out an exacerbated breath. He spoke but I didn’t hear what he said.

Ignoring his grumbling, I extended a hand to help him up. His calloused hand grabbed mine. The roughness of his palm elicited carnal desires in me. He propped his legs, pushing his body upward while holding on to my hand. He sat behind me, mirroring my position. “Can you jump?” Tobias asked, pointing at the grass. His warm breath made the hair on the back of my neck stand up.

I maneuvered my body to put space between us. I needed all my wits about me, and being caught in a peculiar position with him didn’t help.

“So, can you?” he repeated.

“Easy,” I said.

“Easy, huh.” He chuckled, annoying the shit out of me. “Show me, ki—”

I looked back, glaring at him. “Say kid and we’ll see what happens.”

“Show me, then.” Tobias crossed his muscular tattooed arms, amusement on his rugged face.

“Screw you,” I said, and jumped off the wall. I was satisfied when I landed on my feet, then stood proudly.

Tobias moved like a ninja: swift and slick. He was standing next to me in seconds. “Not bad,” he murmured before tapping my ass. Maybe it was only my imagination, but I swear his hand cupped my butt cheek. “Follow me.”

“Jerk,” I whispered, but obeyed anyway.

Tobias and I walked with our backs against the wall, hiding behind the occasional tree trunk. As much as I hated following more orders, I didn’t mind them coming from Tobias. I had convinced myself that he was helping me. That had to be the only rational explanation.

“Do you know what was on fire back there?” I asked.

“Yup.”

“What was it?”

“Old barn,” he said with a shrug. He continued walking, the view of his ass my reward for following.

“How big was the fire?”

“Why does it matter?”

“Just wanna make sure the guys will be okay.”

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