Page 123 of Claimed By a King

She takes my hand and pulls me into a hug. “You can always watch me,” she purrs. “I like knowing people are looking.”

I sigh wistfully because I used to like that as well. The thrill of knowing people could see, at least. Hopefully, I’ll get my voracious appetite back one day.

“Right, I’m stealing Mama Z,” Alana declares. “I need a shower and I need her to wash my back.”

“The hell you are,” Gray growls. “I’m not fucking leaving Zoe’s side. So unless you’re extending that invitation to me, it’s not happening.”

Slasher lets out his own growl. “You’re not going any-fucking-where near Alana showering.”

Alana links her arm with mine and sighs theatrically. “Fine. In that case I’m taking her to the common room. But you two need to keep your distance. We need some fucking girl time.”

I can’t stop laughing as she waves them off and drags me to the main room, only stumbling a few times. I consider telling her she’s only wearing one shoe, but then decide against it. She’s wearing the shoes I gave her, so I know she’d panic and want to find the other one right away.

The main room is almost empty, sans Tex and Tio at the bar. I smile and greet them both. Despite our clash the other day, Tio says hi, though he does leave quickly. I know the Cunts made sure he knows they’re not upset with him, and honestly, neither am I. If he continues acting weird I have to make sure he knows that.

“I don’t think there’s any tequila left,” Tex chuckles. “So I hope you’re not here for more.”

Alana sticks her tongue out at him. “What about the fancy bottle you don’t think we know you’re keeping hidden?” Tex stiffens and glares daggers at her until she starts laughing. “Relax, Tex. I wouldn’t dream of touching your private stash. But I wouldn’t say no to some coffee.”

With the renovations Tex has made it even clearer that only those he approves of are welcome behind the bar, so he prefers to bring us stuff and keep his bar tidy.

Once we sit with two steaming cups of Joe, he leaves the pot with us and heads to bed. Gray and Slasher move into his office, leaving the door open. I know it’s so they can both keep an eye on us. Which I find that I don’t mind at all.

“So,” Alana says.

“So?” I ask before taking a sip of the delicious smelling coffee.

Alana makes herself comfortable in the chair as she looks at me over the rim of her cup. “Have you taken a ride on Gray’s dick yet?”

I’m so shocked by her question I swallow wrong and end up coughing and sputtering until coffee comes out of my nostrils. “W-what?” I gasp.

Rolling her eyes, Alana says, “Don’t pretend you didn’t hear me, Z. I asked if you’ve taken a ride on his disco stick. Played hide the sausage. Knocked boots. Bumped uglies—”

“Okay, okay, I get it,” I laugh. “Stop making up disgusting euphemisms.”

“If you don’t answer the question I’ll continue,” she challenges, and I have no doubt she’s serious.

I wring my hands together in front of me. “No, not yet. But I want to.”

“So what’s holding you back?”

With a sigh, I say, “If I knew, I’d have ridden his disco stick already.”

That sends us into a fit of laughter, which feels both freeing and good. We laugh until we both have tears in our eyes, and my stomach hurts.

“Every time he touches me, I feel… off,” I say, trying to explain now that the hilarity has subsided. “It’s like I’m both pulling and pushing at the same time. I want him to touch me, but I can’t stand it when he does.”

Explaining it to someone who hasn’t been there to see it is hard. With Gray it’s easier because he sees the honest effort I put into it. But as I explain it to Alana it almost sounds like excuses.

Alana nods slowly as though she’s pondering my words. “Is it everywhere you can’t stand his touch?”

“No. It’s like…” Trailing off, I swirl my hand in the air as I try to find the right words to describe it. “It’s more the intent. I think. Like when I know it’s leading somewhere or if he takes me by surprise like when he kissed me and I kneed him in the balls.”

Her eyes widen, and she giggles into her hand. It’s only then I remember no one else knows about that, so I quickly fill her in.

“RIPballs,” she exclaims once I’ve told her what happened. “But hey, good on you for standing up for yourself. Did it make you feel better?”

“No,” I whine. “Terrible. That’s how it fucking felt. I don’t want to hurt Gray. I want to love him and…” I abruptly stop speaking when I’m dangerously close to sounding like a fucking Hallmark sap.

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