Page 87 of Disharmony

“Where did you come from, Ash?” Zed asks. He’s acting like I’m an alien when I’m the only one who isn’t in a costume. His mask renders his expression unreadable, but the way he looks at me through his red eyes makes me feel like he wants to swallow me in his glare. “You’re just a girl from nowhere who’s flipped everything upside down in a day.”

“I don’t understand,” I mumble.

“You don’t understand now,” Zed says. His tone has softened, but there’s something ominous hiding beneath his words. “But you will.”

Ripper shakes his head and looks at his feet. “I shouldn’t have kissed you.”

“No!” I interject. “I wanted you to kiss me.”

“What about me?” Venom pipes up. “Do you want to kiss me?”

Ripper’s fists clench, like he’s readying to throw him across the tour bus and push Venom through the window.

“Venom, I—” Before I finish my sentence, Venom reaches out to stroke my cheek, rendering me speechless. My head is spinning, but not from alcohol now. “I—”

I must seem like a bumbling idiot, but all I can focus on is how his fingers leave a burning trail down my face, and how good it’d feel for them to explore me more.

Venom’s gaze lingers longingly on my lips as he runs his finger over my cupid’s bow. He drops his hand abruptly and says to Ripper, “You didn’t want to share her with us. That’s why you regret asking her here.”

“Don’t I get a fucking say in this?” Without Venom’s touch, I’m jolted back to reality and plant my hands on my hips. “This isn’t a dick measuring contest.”

“No, it’s not,” Zed agrees as Ripper and Venom are preoccupied with staring at each other like they’re going to rip off each other’s faces.

I’m about to thank Zed for talking sense when his strong hands wrap around my waist. I’m dumbstruck as he lifts up the bottom of his mask to reveal his painted face underneath to kiss. He smells amazing, like peppermint, freshly laundered clothes, and something I can’t put my finger on. His tongue gently probes my lips apart like he’s trying to find out more about me. If my head wasn’t already gone, it is now. I thought Zed hated me. Why the fuck is he kissing me? As Zed pulls away, he pushes his mask down again.

Ripper’s stunned reaction mirrors my own. “What the fuck was that, Zed?”

“I wanted to see what all the fuss was about.” Zed shrugs. His eyes trail down my body and linger on my bare legs. “I can understand now. She has a pretty voice and mouth.”

My cheeks flush.

“Zed,” Ripper growls in a low, threatening tone. “She’s my guest. I invited her.”

“But she is staying for us,” Zed replies. “Isn’t that right, Ash?”

“Ripper, I came to see you, but I…” How can I explain kissing him feels like a betrayal to the others? For some reason, the three of them are intrinsically linked. They’re a package deal and can’t be separated. “I don’t even get what’s happening right now. Is this some kind of joke or have I hit my head?”

They chuckle, lightening the mood and the undeniable sexual tension building between us.

Venom shakes his head. “She really doesn’t understand.”

“You’ve hypnotized us, Ash,” Ripper says, stepping forward. “You’ve captivated me.”

Venom’s warning comes back to me.

“Is that a line you use with girls all the time?” I joke.

“No.” Ripper flinches. “I asked you to come because I want to spend time getting to know you. I didn’t have any expectations for anything more. I’d never do anything you’re not comfortable with. If you want us to take you back to Camp Harmony right now, I’ll drive you there myself.”

“No!” I object. The song playing over Buggy’s speakers switches toOblivion, making me smile despite the weirdly tense atmosphere. “This is one of my favorites of yours.”

“Did you ever think you’d be listening to it on a tour bus with the Basilisks?” Ripper asks, holding out his hand.

“Never!”

I take it and laugh as he twirls me around. Their heavy metal screams counteract our slow dance. He pulls my body close and holds me tight as we sway to the music together.

As the chorus hits, Venom gently takes my hand from Ripper’s shoulder and slips his fingers through mine. Ripper doesn’t resist as Venom pulls me into his embrace. Venom’s movements are more calculated, and his warm breath on my neck sends a shiver of desire running down my spine.

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