Page 27 of Run of Ruin

His thumb pressed against my clit, and as he fucked me with his hand, I felt mindless, weightless, breathless.

I’d never experienced something so blinding, never felt passion this consuming before. We weren’t even done, and already I needed so much more.

“You’re so fucking wet, Bex,” he praised which only made my core clench around his fingers tighter as I rocked my hips, chasing the pleasure he was offering. “That’s it, baby. Fuck my hand.”

So I did. I held onto his shoulders and bounced my body against him, feeling his fingers hook within me and hit me where no person has ever reached before.

“Ezra,” I cried out as I felt my pussy clench and my release begin to crest.

“Come for me,” he demanded, his dark eyes watching my face. I leaned my head back against the wall, my mouth wide open as a string of needy eager moans slipped from my mouth.

I felt the pressure build and build as he slammed his fingers into me, his thumb working my clit expertly in time with his thrusts. It was all too much, until the release shattered, wracking my body. I clung to him as I rode out wave after wave of pleasurable relief. His fingers stilled within me, no longer seeking to draw pleasure, but rather to soak up every second of the release he earned from me.

When my breathing returned to normal, I let my eyes find him again as he slowly removed his fingers from my throbbing core. With his gaze locked on mine, he lifted them and placed them on his tongue, closing his mouth around them. I watched with rapt attention as he drank my release from his skin with a dark, vibrating groan.

“Delicious,” he vowed, and I was suddenly ready for another orgasm.

Before I could reach for him again, the soft sound of footsteps echoed down the corridor. Ezra immediately stepped back, his hands quick to smooth down my dress, and a knot of panic tightened in my throat.

Zaffir rounded the corner, and to my relief, he wasn’t holding his camera. Thank god, because if he had been, the evidence of what had just transpired would have been glaringly obvious. His gaze flicked between us, noting our expressions, the slight disarray, and I couldn't quite read him. He was good at masking his thoughts, whatever they were. I suddenly found myself hoping he wasn’t upset. Which was absurd. Why should I care what he thought?

“Nova says it’s time to head to our lodgings,” he said, voice calm and almost too casual. “We can take the back way.” As he passed, I could have sworn I caught a glint of amusement in his eyes, perhaps a wink, though it could’ve just been my imagination.

Ezra offered me a small, reassuring smile before extendinghis hand. Without a word, I took it, our fingers intertwining as we followed Zaffir down the hall.

CHAPTER

SEVEN

Bex

The blessing,and curse, of having a memory like mine is that I remember every face I’ve ever seen. Every detail, every flicker of expression, every glance. It’s useful… usually. But not at three in the morning, when I should be asleep, resting up for the first trial. Instead, my mind kept looping through the last few days like a fever dream I couldn’t wake from. The faces of the brazen people I’d crossed paths with etched into my brain like scorch marks. Every flirtatious wink, every half-smile dripping with trouble, every glance that lingered just a moment too long. Every lingering, fiery glance from Zaffir. Every gentle and charged whisper from Briar. Every romantic spin along the dance floor with Thorne. Every swipe of Ezra’s fingers against my body. I could feel them all, see them all, and it was like they were here, breathing against my skin. My body flushed with heat, traitorous in its reaction. This was not the time or place for selfish desire. And yet… it stirred in me like a second pulse. My fingertips traced the curve of my collarbone, my breath coming in ragged, uneven spurts.

The cool night air didn’t seem to help steady me as Zaffir led us away from the ballroom and into what felt like a different world. We found ourselves standing in a large circular driveway, surrounded by ten rustic but beautiful cabins, their wooden exteriors glowing softly under the pale moonlight. It almost felt like a campground, though there was an undeniable luxury to it that made the place feel more serene than rugged.

Zaffir guided us toward one of the cabins, which he casually mentioned would be ours for the duration of the Reclamation Run. Ezra, Zaffir, and I, our little team, or whatever it was.

I couldn’t help but feel a little out of place as we approached the cabin. When I’d asked Nova if she’d be staying with us, she had laughed, a sound that seemed to echo in the night. “Like I’d ever sleep in one of these rundown little huts,” she’d said, as if the very idea was laughable. It looked more than fine to me.

I looked around and shook my head, comparing it to the dilapidated state of Canyon. This cabin was pristine by any standard, a far cry from the crumbling buildings I had grown up with. The disparity between the two worlds couldn’t have been clearer.

Once inside, I quickly withdrew into myself, trying to get distance from the whirlwind of emotions still buzzing through my body. My mind kept drifting back to the hallway, the feel of Ezra’s body against mine, the electric tension between us, and the pulse of his kiss still lingering on my lips. Then, of course, there was Zaffir, who had walked in on us. I couldn’t stop wondering if he’d heard everything, and even more absurdly, I found myself hoping that he had.

It was these thoughts that were keeping me awake, and there was a desperation lingering beneath my skin that I simply had to chase. My fingertips brushed across my peaked nipples and I bit my lips to stifle the moan that slid through my lips. My bedroom shared a wall with one of the men, I wasn’t sure who because I locked myself away pretty quickly after returning, but I heard movement over there as whoever it was readied themselves for sleep.

I needed to stay quiet, but I couldn’t ignore the burning in my core or the aching need in my blood. I needed another release like I needed another breath.

I slid one hand under the silk fabric of my sleep dress, and pinched my nipple between two fingers, groaning quietly at the delicious bite of pleasurable pain. Then my other hand trailed lower, and lower to my bare pussy. My legs slid open to accommodate my needy fingers as they pressed delicately against my throbbing clit.

I stifled another moan and I pressed circles against the bundle of nerves. My body was a live wire, burning beneath my touch as my mind flashed through memories of the four stunning near strangers who’d affected me this way. Pressing in, I let one finger hook inside of me, which drew a thick moan from my lips, one I couldn’t quite stifle quick enough. I paused for a few moments, remaining still. Hoping I didn’t draw any attention. After a few silent moments, when I was sure I didn’t wake anyone, I continued. Sliding a finger in and out of my heat, taking care to rub my clit and pinch my nipples in time to maximize my pleasure. I arched off the bed as my fingers drew me closer and closer to release.

Then I heard a soft knock at the door.

“Shit,” I cursed, drawing my fingers from my core and the cresting orgasm that was nearly there drifted away. I felt equal measures of frustration and embarrassment as I ensured mybody was covered by the silk dress and padded across the floor toward the door.

The door creaked open, and there stood Zaffir, leaning casually against the doorframe. His pupils were dilated, his hair tousled as though he’d just rolled out of bed. He wore nothing but tight sleep shorts that hugged his muscular thighs, and his bare chest was on full display. Even in the darkness, I could see the outline of his cock straining against the material. My gaze lingered over the freckles scattered across his skin, and, embarrassingly, I had the absurd urge to trace each one with my lips.

His eyes locked onto mine, intense and smoldering, and I could see the rise and fall of his chest, the way he was breathing just a little too hard. The air between us thickened, and for a moment, the world outside that door seemed to vanish.

---