Page 78 of Moonlit Thorns

“That’s so sad. Your poor mother. You poor boys.”

More tears drip over my thumb, and I bring it to my lips, tasting her saltwater tears.

“What happened to him? The man who killed your mother?”

“He was arrested and held for trial. Didn’t make it, though. He was stabbed to death in jail while he was awaiting trial. The killer left the shiv in his chest, right where his heart is. Just like he did with my mother.” A low chuckle escapes. “That might be the only thing in my life I ever felt thankful to my father for.”

Anabelle slides over and pulls me into a hug, pushing her hand into the hair at my nape. At first, it feels foreign, allowing someone to try to comfort me physically. But after a few heartbeats, I let myself sink into her comfort and surround her with my hands, accepting her offering.

She pulls away and places a palm to my cheek. “That’s so tragic, Asher. I’m sorry. What happened to your father?”

I place a finger over her mouth. “No more talking. All you need to know is that this land is soaked with the blood of many people, and he’s one of them. That’s all I can tell you.”

Anabelle studies me for a moment then nods, leaning in to kiss me. When our tongues meet, I feel the horrible memories float to the recesses of my mind and disappear like the mist on a lake when the sun comes out.

Too soon, she pulls away and stands from the couch. I’m going to protest, but without a word, she lifts her tank top over her head, toes off her shoes, slides her shorts and panties down her legs, then finally removes her bra. When I reach for her, she bats away my hand and leans in to undo my shorts. With my help, she splays them open and gets my boxer briefs down under my ass.

She straddles me, and I take a nipple into my mouth, swirling my tongue around then nibbling with my teeth as she sinks down on me until I’m fully seated inside her. Anabelle groans and threads her hands through my hair as she circles her hips.

I lose myself in her body as she rides me. And for tonight, I don’t worry about controlling the scene or having her do my bidding. I just let her offer me the comfort of her body.

Later that night, after tossing and turning for an hour in my room, I sneak into hers, slide into her bed, pull her close, and finally fall into a deep sleep.

Chapter

Thirty-Three

ANABELLE

My nerves make me feel as if a confetti bomb went off in my stomach. It’s the night of the sex club, and the theme for tonight is ancient Rome, so I’m dressed in a gauzy white dress with gold straps. It’s more like two pieces of fabric that hang in front and behind with a gold belt to cinch them in. Beneath, I wear white lace panties, and I have a gold leaf crown on my head.

I give myself one last check in the mirror before turning around. “Who decides what the theme will be?” I ask Asher, who’s still getting changed in his closet.

“The director of the night.” He steps out, and I have to stop my mouth from falling open.

Asher is dressed like a Spartan and reminds me of Gerard Butler in the movie 300. He’s lucky I don’t strip him right here and now because he looks that damn good with the red cape and his chest on display.

He pauses when he sees me. “You look like a goddess.”

My cheeks heat. “Thank you.” I stand there for a beat while he looks as if he wants to devour me. I need to change the subject because it’s clear to me that we won’t make it down to the basement if I don’t. “So what’s the director?”

He clears his throat. “Prior to the party, someone from the club is sent an invitation to be the director. That person gets to choose the theme.”

“How do you decide who to send it to?”

He shrugs. “It’s random for the most part, though if there’s an agenda to be achieved and we can use it as leverage, that may be a deciding factor.”

I step toward him. “It’s that big of deal?”

“Just think if you had a specific sexual fantasy you wanted to live out. This would help you do it.”

“Makes sense.” I wonder what I would choose as a theme if given the chance.

Asher wraps his arms around my waist. “Are you nervous?”

“A little… will we… last time we did stuff in front of everyone. Is that what it will be like this time?”

His gaze becomes intense, and he trails a finger down my jawline. “I have no plans to share you with anyone, and that includes having you be anyone’s viewing pleasure. From now on, everything that happens will be behind closed doors in my private room.”

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