Page 57 of Shadows in Bloom

And I would put on a show now. For her.

Slowly, I spread my legs, running my hands up my thighs. Glancing down, I saw the dark patch on my underwear that gave away just how turned on I was. Wren’s gaze was fixed on the same place, her mouth forming an O as she stared down at the evidence of my arousal.

My own mouth fell open when she tugged off her hoodie, leaving her in her leggings and cami top. She shot me what was clearly a shy look from beneath her lashes. How could she be shy when she was so undeniably beautiful? When the effect she had on me was so obvious?

I beckoned her towards me, and she sank down onto the edge of the bed, her gaze never leaving mine.

“I want to see you,” she whispered, and that was enough for me. I reached behind my back, undoing my bra and throwing it aside, baring my breasts to her gaze. She gave another one of those sexy little moans, tilting forwards on the bed, resting her hands either side of my ankles.

Pulling up my legs, I let them fall even further apart. She gasped, and I smiled. Tracing my fingers over my hardened nipples, I held eye contact, watching as her gaze darkened even further. I slid my palms across my skin and then cupped my breasts, full and heavy in my hands. I played with them for a while, slow and teasing, getting both me and her even more worked up, until I couldn’t wait any longer to touch myself properly.

But I still wanted to tease.

Sliding my hand down my body, I stopped at the top of my underwear, and then eased my fingers inside. As soon as I touched my clit, I moaned. It felt so fucking good after being on edge for so long. Wren watched me with her lips parted, her fingers tightly curling around the bed sheets. I wasn’t sure if she knew the effect she had on me, but no one had ever affected me the way she did.

“Do you want me to…”

Her voice was low and throaty and so fucking sexy, but I shook my head, not wanting to push her before she was ready. It was important to me that she took the time to go at her own pace, giving full and enthusiastic consent without getting caught up in the heat of the moment, and I would give her as long as she needed. There would be no pressure from me. Not ever.

“Next time, perhaps.” I moved my hand lower.

“I want to see you. All of you.” Shifting forwards, she ran a hand over my foot and up my leg, stopping just beneath my knee. Taking my cue, I ridded myself of my underwear, leaving me fully bared to her. I spread my legs even wider as I began to slide my fingers in and out of my aching pussy.

“I can’t believe this is happening,” she murmured, moving even closer, and fuck, the way she was looking at me, so hungry…

I came, her name falling from my lips, my orgasm soaking my fingers as my body arched up off the bed, my toes curling into the sheets. Wren shot forwards, kissing me desperately, and then she grabbed my wrist, bringing my hand to her lips, tasting me.

“You’re so—” She broke off on a moan. “Fuck.”

“You liked that?” I said breathlessly.

“Mmm. So much.” A smile curved over her lips. “Want to watch me now?”

My jaw dropped.

“Yes. Yes, please.”

WREN

The touch on my shoulder had me spinning around to see Judge looking down at me with an inscrutable expression. “Wren. I need you to come with me.”

I followed him away from the campfire area where the cirque members had been congregating, towards the motorhomes, cars, vans, and lorries that were gathered over to the side of our current site. He led me through the midst of the motorhomes, stopping in front of the door that led inside the largest, most opulent motorhome. The home that belonged to him and Vivienne.

When we stepped inside, my gaze was immediately drawn to the dining area where Vivienne, Florin, and Teeth were seated at the table. I steeled myself as I seated myself opposite our resident knife thrower, Florin, who grinned at me. I couldn’t help returning his smile. He was so sweet and adorable looking, with his angelic face, huge blue eyes, and golden-blond curls, but he was the most bloodthirsty member of the cirque, without a doubt. The man loved killing. It seemed to genuinely make him happy. I couldn’t deny that I’d become afflicted with the same bloodlust that seemed to affect the other cirque members, needing to slip away after a session with the Chosen to get some relief with my fingers or a vibrator, but the actual killing part wasn’t something I enjoyed, or would ever enjoy.

Judge took a seat at the head of the table. Clearing his throat, he indicated his head towards Teeth, who grinned, showing off his sharpened fangs. Florin had a pretty smile; Teeth’s was like something out of a nightmare, and he relished the effect he had on people.

Teeth lifted the tablet, swiping across the screen. When he turned the screen towards me, I gasped, clapping a hand over my mouth. Right there, in full colour, was him. My true nightmare.

The photo appeared to have been taken from a distance by a long-range lens and showed him exiting the house with a large duffel bag in hand. The sight of the dirty white uPVC door behind him brought back fresh memories. That door led to the place I’d been trapped in for years. I’d never been able to escape.

Florin glanced over at me, his eyes widening, and then he leapt up from his seat, bounding around the table to me and throwing his arms around my neck. “Don’t look so sad, Wren. We’ll get him. I’ve been sharpening my lovely knives, and they’re all ready. What would you like to do? Shall we slice him up? Maybe carve some words into his skin? Give him lots of pretty wounds and let him bleed out in front of us? I vote for a lovely, long, slow death. What do you say?”

“Florin.” Judge shot him a warning look. “Not now.”

Florin pouted, but after giving my cheek a quick kiss, he removed his arms from around my neck and went to stand in front of Teeth. Teeth sighed, but pushed back from the table, allowing Florin to crawl into his lap, curling into his chest. They both smiled, and I noticed Vivienne giving them a fond look.

The distraction wasn’t enough to stop the tremors in my body, though. Was this really happening? Before I could open my mouth—to say what, I didn’t even know—Judge spoke again.

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