Page 58 of Brightness

“No. I have no clue where they are. Some went to jail, others to foster homes. I was lucky when I got out.”

“How did you? Get out, I mean?”

He takes a few deep, steadying breaths. “I started to realize something wasn’t right—that maybe this way of life that was ingrained into me wasn’t the right way. When my dad started bringing in outsiders and they wouldn’t assimilate, they wouldn’t change to our way, I started listening. They kept telling me it was wrong. We were immoral for doing what we were doing. That what I was doing was evil.”

My fingers stop on his shoulders. “What were you doing?”

His chin drops to his chest again, like he’s ashamed. “I was only young, sixteen at the time, but my father was trying to initiate me to become like him and my older brothers who were running the farm. I didn’t know any better. I was raised this way from birth. It’s all I ever saw growing up. When the children turned five, we were taken to a party to see the elders doing all kinds of fucked-up things. That was our initiation into the farm. From that age, it’s so entrenched into you that it all becomes second nature.”

I need something to relieve my tense muscles now.

“Void… what were you doing?” I repeat, an edge of hesitation bleeding through.

He turns to face me. His eyes meet mine, and they’re so full of regret, it smacks me right in the chest. “My job was to tie women to the wooden crosses, naked, and make sure they were prepared for the elders.” He grimaces the second he says it, and his whole face screws up in pain.

“It was a sex cult?”

“Yeah… everything my father and brothers did was in aid of pleasing the human form. The women who were there were willing participants, but then he started bringing in outsiders, and they… they were not willing. That’s when I knew that maybe this life I’d been living wasn’t the right kind of life for me.”

“So, you got out?”

“The farm was raided by the heat. My father and older brothers were taken into custody, and the rest of us sent to foster homes. I struggled for a long time, fighting between the urges my father taught me to embrace, and the life the real world taught me was the right way. It’s why I struggle with you. Because I don’t want to be that guy with you.”

I shuffle, moving around to sit next to him. “I get it now.”

“You do?”

I breathe out faintly. “Yeah. Growing up like that is rough. It made you think, made you act differently.”

“Yeah, exactly. It’s why I can’t rush this with you, Ivy. We both have to be ready.”

After hearing his story, all he’s been through, plus the fact he’s finally opened up to me, I can’t imagine a better time than right now. I sit up on my knees, grab the hem of my shirt, and slide it over my head, then throw it to the floor, leaving me in my black lacy bra.

Void widens his eyes like he has no clue what the fuck I’m doing, and my heart begins to race. “I am ready, Void. You won’t hurt me. Trust yourself like I trust you.” I reach out to grab his hand and move it to the top of my breast. He squeezes, just enough to send a wave of excitement through me. “Don’t hold back, Void. Please. Just let go.”

A low growl reverberates through him as he lunges forward, taking me with him as he falls to the bed. I let out an excited squeal as his lips press against mine. His tongue slips in, rough and hot, and my hands slide up his back and into his hair, pulling him closer. Void’s body presses down between my legs, applying pressure against my aching pussy.

I can’t help but whimper into his mouth.

He pulls back from me, and for a second, I think he’s going to stop, but his hands move either side of my bra, and with brute strength, he rips it apart at the seams. I giggle as I throw it to the floor, and his eyes take in my ample mounds.

He shakes his head. “Fucking hell. I’m going to go easy on you this first time, Ivy, but next time, I can’t make any damn promises.”

Hearing him talk like that does something to me. I squirm on the spot as his fingers make quick work of my leggings, yanking them down the same time as my panties, leaving me completely bare in front of him.

Void sits back on his knees between my legs, spreading them wide. He closes his eyes for a moment, just taking in a few deep breaths before he opens them again. “You’re so fucking sexy like this, Ivy.”

I gnaw down on my bottom lip while waiting patiently for him to touch me. “Void, please,” I beg.

He grins, the sight almost making me orgasm on the spot, then his head ducks down between my legs. Anticipation builds inside me until his tongue hits my clit, and I gasp at the warmth. I’ve never felt anything like it before. Sure, I’ve double-clicked my mouse more times than I can count, but this? This takes it to a whole new level. “Shit…” I pant as his tongue caresses me in the best possible way.

A tingle moves from my toes to my scalp as my heavy breaths echo around us. My fingers move down to thread through his hair and hold him to me. He slowly slides a finger inside me while his tongue annihilates my senses. My back arches off the bed as a throaty cry erupts from me. I’ve never had a man touch me before, and hell, am I glad Void is the first, because he’s amazing.

His finger moves in and out while his tongue flicks my clit. Beads of sweat top my brow, and goose bumps cover my skin. My breathing quickens so fast, I can hardly catch it. My fingers grasp his hair, holding him to me harder, grinding his face against me as I gnaw on my bottom lip so intensely it hurts, but I love the pain. Everything’s so damn fucking good.

“Holy shit, Void!”

He pushes his finger higher and adds another, making my entire body shudder and shake as he flicks his tongue one more time. My muscles tense so fucking tight it’s like they might burst from the tension, and lights flash behind my eyes. Then, I hold my breath as a wave of pure ecstasy slams over my body. I orgasm so fucking intensely that I find it hard to breathe, but once I remember how to inhale, my muscles fully relax, and everything turns to jelly. “Jesus Christ.”

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