Page 98 of The Claiming

CASSIE

It’s been three days since The Claiming and I haven’t left Frankie’s bed.

Jack and Frankie brought me here through the network of tunnels and told everyone I have Covid and I’m in isolation. At least that assures me privacy and after the doctor came and gave me a shot for any infection and dressed my wound, I am more like myself again.

Siri is keeping me company whenever she can and we talk about The Claiming and what happened that night.

“You know, it was hilarious.” She gossips as she sits beside me on the bed. “Susan Harper ended up with Connor Blake.”

“But he’s so arrogant.”

“I agree. If he had a brain, he keeps it in his trousers. He’s such a dud.”

“I’m guessing she’s happy, though.”

Siri nods. “She is. Their IQ matches, so I’m guessing it’s all about the sex with them and nothing else. She is parading around campus telling anyone who will listen that he’s bewitched by her and won’t leave her alone.”

“Sounds about right. I’m happy for them.”

I groan as I fall back against the pillows. “What happened to Karen? The last I heard, she was crying beside the riverbank.”

“Jesse borrowed the boat from the boathouse and rowed her to the other side. Jack came to find you and the rest is history.”

“So, she didn’t want to crawl back and be claimed. I wonder why she entered in the first place.”

Siri shrugs. “I asked her that and it’s a little sad, really. Apparently, she craves attention because she doesn’t get any. She’s never dated anyone and saw this as the perfect chance to step outside the box she’s in. When it came to it, she bottled out, and the idea terrified her. She’s okay though, and appears to be quite smitten with Jesse as a result of his rescue.”

“Does he feel the same?”

“Hell no.” She rolls her eyes. “Jesse has more exciting options and even though I don’t understand the full nature of what’s going on with him right now, he hasn’t been around much, preferring instead to spend his spare time with his new lady obsession.”

The door opens and Frankie heads inside and one glance at his expression has Siri reaching for her purse.

“I know when my welcome has expired. I’ll catch you later, Cassie. Be gentle with her, Frankie.”

She winks as she leaves and as the door closes behind her, Frankie makes a show of locking it behind her.

“What’s up?” My heart is pounding as Frankie approaches the bed.

“I am declaring you fit to fuck.”

The devilish gleam in his eye causes my heart to beat faster and as he whisks the covers off the bed, he grips my ankles and pulls my legs toward him.

“Open up baby, I’m home.”

“Asshole.”

I swear I can’t breathe as he tears off his t-shirt, revealing the strong abs that sit well under my touch. He removes his belt and, with a wicked grin, fastens it around my neck, just slack enough to grip. He lowers his pants and stands hard and ready before me and with one hand tears off my shorts and top and lifts me by the belt to face him.

“Never disobey an order again.”

“Or you’ll punish me?”

I lick my lips as his eyes darken and he growls, “I can’t wait to punish you, baby girl, but you will need to be stronger for that.”

His words are as thrilling as his actions, and I am melting in a puddle of desire at the thought of what Frankie has planned.

“For now, I will fuck you hard as a punishment for putting yourself in danger and then I will spend the rest of the night reminding you who will always own your soul.”

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