Page 123 of Fight or Flight
The snap of a twig in the forest beyond the yard catches my attention, and I scan the area. Was that an animal? Or maybe the forest is just settling like a house does at night. Is that a thing?
“You are?” I ask and look away from the trees. Whatever it was sounded small, so unless there are killer bunnies out here, we’re safe.
“Of course. I was so worried when I found out what happened. That must have been terrifying.”
My chest squeezes, and all the good feels from my drinks disappear in a flash, like a popping bubble, leaving behind the restlessness and despair I’ve been desperately trying to mask.
“It wasn’t fun.” I toss my empty cup onto the ground for no reason other than I don’t want to hold it anymore.
“But you’re okay?” she presses.
“Right as rain, darlin’,” I drawl.
She giggles and slides her hand over my back in soft circles.
Instead of feeling nice or soothing, her touch reminds me of the sensations I sometimes get where it feels like something is crawling on me, and it takes way more willpower than it should to not step out of her reach.
There’s another snap of a twig or something breaking, and I can’t be sure because the world isn’t all that clear right now, but it sounds closer.
“What was that?” She looks around nervously.
“Probably a killer bunny.”
She laughs, the melodic tone loud in the quiet night air. “There are killer bunnies in the woods?”
“No one has proven therearen’tkiller bunnies out there, so who knows?”
She laughs again and gently drags her nails down my back.
This time I can’t help leaning away from her touch.
She blinks up at me. “You used to like that.”
“It tickles,” I say by way of an explanation.
It doesn’t because I’m not actually ticklish, but lying is easier than telling her that there’s a lot of stuff I used to like that doesn’t do it for me now. And even more that I used to dislike that are all I think about.
Like strong hands and a hard body that know exactly how to give me more pleasure than I ever imagined possible. Long, lean muscles that not only match my strength but can easily restrain me. Icy blue eyes that are as mesmerizing as they are intense. Full lips and a raspy voice that can reduce me to a whimpering mess with just their words, and a hard dick that feels way too good against me, and in me.
I shake my head like I can physically shake those thoughts from my mind. I donotwant to think about Jace right now. I’vespent most of my energy tonight tryingnotto think about him, and definitely not while I’m hiding from a party and probably surrounded by killer bunnies.
“Where’s Mason?” I ask, my tone harsher than I was a moment ago.
“Around,” she says lightly. “But I don’t want to talk about him when I’m out here with you.”
Snap.
“What was that?” Lianna asks, her voice trembling as she presses right up against my side.
Her fear is genuine, but I’m not in the mood to play protector when she’s the one who invaded my alone time. If there is something in the woods that wants to attack, then so be it. Who am I to deny a creature his dinner? Or maybe it would be more like late late-night snack, considering the time.
“Just the woods making noise,” I tell her.
“Are you sure?” She looks around again. “Maybe we should go inside.”
“You can if you want. But I need some more air.”
“You’re not happy to see me?” She looks up at me with big, liquid eyes as her lip comes out in a little pout.
