Page 18 of Essa

"Oh, he definitely needs it," Seth chuckles, a smile on his lips that matches the one on Adam's.

Seth looks at the male under my arm, and his gaze drops to where my tail is locked onto him. I expect questions or maybe a stern talking to since this will be the second time I've drugged Adam.

Seth surprises me, though, by asking, "Is the first aid kit in the same place?"

"It is," I say, brows furrowing.

I don't know what to do with Adam now that I have him complacent and in need of looking after. I'd love to take him back to my room, have him lie in my bed so I can play with his hair, and tell him how he needs to worry about nothing. He can just relax, accept my protection, and allow me to watch over him. But I'm not sure what Seth wants to do, and he's the one who has a relationship with Adam. He should have the most say in this.

"I'll go grab it. You want to meet me in the entertainment room?" Seth asks, pushing his red curls back with one hand as the other fiddles around in Adam's pocket before pulling out the glowing green pleasure crew pendant and slipping it over Adam's head. "Just in case any of them think you did this against his will."

He gives me a playful wink and darts down the hall to the medical alcove without waiting for me to answer his question. I showed him where I kept the first aid kit the night I first bit Adam. It wouldn't be hard for him to find even if I hadn't since the medical alcove is just past my room.

That's one of the reasons I chose the room I'm in. That and being close to the pleasure crew females since I was responsible for watching over them. And, after having so much excess in my youth, it has been nice to have much less, even if the other crew members don't understand my need for simplicity.

"Let's go watch a movie," I whisper in Adam's ear.

The suggestion takes easily in his mind. He makes a soft whimpering sound in the back of his throat. I don't know if something is wrong with me, but I very much enjoy hearing that sound.

"So good." I squeeze his shoulder and appreciate the way his skin on his arms breaks out in little bumps of pleasure.

He takes slow, lumbering steps toward the entertainment room, but I don't rush him. He's doing as he's told to the best of his ability, even if his abilities are dampened right now because of my venom.

As the entertainment room door opens, I prepare myself for questions, chastisement, and maybe even some of the other crew being angry with me. The first thing that happens is that all of their talking ceases. The arguments or conversations or whatever they are having end when they see Adam and me walking with one another. Then, confusion is on their faces. I use that moment of confusion to guide Adam to the couch.

"Put everything back how it was before you messed it up," I say, soft and melodic in his ear. I release his shoulder, letting him get to work.

He's slow, but he starts moving the pillows back. It's him following my directions that makes everyone realize whathappened out in the hallway. I don't look at any of them because I don't want to see the judgment in their eyes. Not about this. Not about something special I'm able to share with someone.

"Hey, babe," Sloane says when she's close enough to touch my arm. I let out a huff of laughter since my friends all sent my closest friend to make sure I'm not about to start biting and drugging everyone. "What happened?"

"Adam was an asshole, and Essa was defending herself," Seth says, entering the entertainment room with the first aid kit. Adam looks over when he hears his name, and his carefree smile grows as his eyes land on the male he so clearly loves. "And, not to make you guys uncomfortable, but he enjoys being like this. Just don't bring it up when he's not drugged."

Adam returns to work, and I run my fingers over his short, dark hair, scratching at his scalp with my nails until he whimpers in appreciation. My lips kick up as I watch him work, as he tries to nuzzle his head closer to my touch. I'm going to reward his sweetness while we watch the movie. I'd like to reward this sweetness as often as he'll let me.

"I understand if you'd like to reprimand me, but our rules state that friends don't drug other friends without consent. Adam has made it very clear he isn't my friend. Even if we were, he gave consent. It may have come in the form of him attempting to assault me, but it was consent." I think this is a very reasonable way of explaining how this all came about, but when I look at my friends, they have various looks of shock and horror on their faces.

"He tried to assault you?" Alik asks, his hands balled up so tight they're turning a pale shade of lavender at the knuckles.

"I'll kill him so fast," Phial hisses, attempting to get out of the miniature nest Avery built out here. He doesn't get very far since she tugs him back down, and he's a sucker for his human.

"No." I shake my head and rub at my temples. "Maybe I should explain more. I found out he wanted me to bite him. That's why he was acting out. I told him I wouldn't bite him unless I felt threatened because that's how I was raised. I'm a properly raised Haventh female. We don't just bite anyone. Only those who might hurt us and lovers who request it. Seeing as I am not his lover and he's never going to request a biting, I offered him the only way for him to get it."

"He wanted you to bite him?" Sloane asks, her brows rising on her forehead. She knows I don't find biting particularly arousing, and I still don't, but she will be curious about what has changed my mind.

"Wait, why would he even think to have you bite him?" Jovi asks.

My eye twitches at the thought of explaining that this isn't the first time I've bitten the clone. I probably should've told someone about it earlier so they don't think I was trying to hide it. I didn't know how to start that conversation, and I wasn't sure if it would get me in trouble.

Adam finishes putting everything right on my couch and moves close to me until I throw my arm back over his shoulders and hold him tight. He rests his head against my shoulder, nuzzling against me. He leans hard into me, causing me to stumble a little, and I laugh, pushing at his chest.

"Don't push me," I tell him, keeping my voice soft so he doesn't think he did anything wrong.

He just wants closeness. It's one of the effects of the venom, though I've never witnessed it affect someone's neediness as much as it does Adam. When he stops pushing against me, I scratch down the back of his head.

"Good boy." I keep the words quiet and pressed against his ear so none of the others hear.

Seth makes a coughing sound, and I know it's him covering his laugh. I appreciate it since I don't want Adam to think anyone is laughing at him when he's allowing himself to be this vulnerable.

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