Page 15 of In His Veins

I wait outside the door and am soon rewarded when I hear the creaking bed and a symphony of grunts and moans. I grab myself, imagining the noises Callum will make when I have him strapped to a table and plunge my blade into his flesh.

The girl cries out, a sound I find that I quite like.

A woman saunters by, covered only by curious strips of leather, prompting me to follow her into a room overflowing with percussive beats. I grab a whip.

10

CALLUM

I’m learning that Ava’s bedtime routine involves showering, braiding her hair, and using her vibrator. Her outfit from her night at The Restriction is still on the floor and, even though we slept together a couple hours before, she grinds into the vibrator as if she’s starved for touch.

It belatedly occurs to me that she might use pleasure as a pathway to sleep as she passes out immediately after returning the device to her bedside table. Her limbs are stretched across the mattress, filling every corner of the space despite her petite frame. Her tank top has ridden up and, with my eyes closed, I can almost feel the raised texture of her belly.

I don’t know how long I watch her sleep through the cameras before desperation consumes any remaining rationality. Climbing from my car, I walk from my usual spot and let myself into her apartment. As usual, she only locked the handle and the door easily opens. I keep an eye on the video feed to make sure my entrance doesn’t wake her up, but as expected, she doesn’t stir. Shuffling into her room, I settle into the armchair facing her bed.

Light snores fill the room and, for a moment, it startles me. The sound must be too quiet to be picked up by my microphones. My fist presses to my mouth to smother a laugh. I sit there for a while, imagining her face if I told her that she snores, or how she might seem indignant and protest at the accusation. She’s peaceful and lovely when she’s asleep, and I wonder how her body will mold to mine when we share a bed.

Her warm, amber scent overwhelms me in her room. Remembering those pretty scars, I pull myself out of my jeans and pump into my hand, my eyes scan her barely visible bare skin in the faint glow of an old nightlight. Her chest rises and falls slowly as I think about sliding into her while she sleeps and fucking her until she wakes up before giving her enough pleasure to put her back to sleep. The thought consumes me, but the logistical benefits of remaining anonymous override the temptation.

Ava’s lingerie from earlier this evening lays discarded by my feet. I snatch it up, gripping myself a few more times before coming into the fabric, using it to wipe myself clean, and toss it back on the floor.

Tucking myself back into my jeans, I lean forward to inspect her scars, overcome with the need to know her reason for so many self-inflicted lacerations, It’s something I’m certain the Giovanni brothers are unaware of. Making myself leave before I can do something really stupid and locking the deadbolt on my way out, I realize I’ll never be able to stay away for long.

11

AVA

Warm light filters through my blinds as I stretch my arms over my head. The delicious soreness between my legs influences the urge to stay in bed and dream about that man all day, but I force myself to get up so I can stop for Plan B before work. In the heat of the moment, it didn’t even occur to me to ask for a condom until he shoved his dripping cum back inside me.

Even though it was reckless, my legs clench at the memory. I haven’t felt this light and free since before Eliott.

The entire drive to the pharmacy and to work, the feeling of that stranger stayed in the forefront of my mind. He touched my body as if he knew it as well as I did. I know he felt the scars, and he might have even seen them, but the way he touched them was like a caress. I don’t know how I’ll manage to concentrate on taking orders with his memory occupying me this way.

I take the pill before walking into The Sable House, which is still winding down from a later lunch rush. Josh grins when he sees me, and I offer a quick wave.

“Looking much more rested today, Ava. Feeling better?” For a moment, I think he knows about last night and scramble for an answer. Josh beats me to it. “Oh my god, and you got a tattoo?”

So caught up thinking about last night, I forgot to cover it with a long shirt. I clamp my hand over it before giving him a weak smile. “It was something I did with Paige a little while ago.”

He puts down the mug he was cleaning and comes toward me to look closer. Josh holds my wrist gently, twisting my arm a little as he inspects the now scabbing tattoo.

“It’s gorgeous but definitely hella fresh. I’m surprised you didn’t tell me about it.” I raise my eyebrows, surprised at his assumption, and pull my arm from his grasp. Josh is my friend, but we seldom talk outside of work.

“It’s kind of personal, I guess. You know how Tony loves mythology and I kind of wanted to show him first.” It’s a poor excuse and Josh knows it, but he shrugs.

“How is Tony? I haven’t seen him in a minute.” Relieved at the change of topic, I wash my hands before tying my apron.

“He’s pretty good, actually. He and my brothers were in here a few days ago for some brunch.” I pour myself a cup of black coffee and add some cream and sugar before chugging it.

“I’m sorry to have missed him. He’s a cool guy.” He opens his mouth to say something else, but I’m pulled away by a party walking into the door. Relief, followed by guilt fills me. Josh has a way of seeing things a little too closely, and I’m not in the mood to explain myself today, but that doesn’t mean that I don’t feel bad for feeling that way.

The steady flow of tables throughout the day and well into the evening has me working on autopilot. So much so that I don’t notice him until it’s too late.

My heart is in my throat as I freeze in my tracks. He lifts his hand and waves as if we’re wonderful friends. My stomach drops and I scramble to the kitchen, meaning to set my tray on the counter, but the ceramic shatters as I race to the back door, unseen. Making it to the back alley, I remember my keys and phone are in the kitchen, making me curse myself and debate whether or not I should risk going back inside, or if I should take off on foot. However, the door bursts open behind me.

Eliott prowls into the dark alley and what little bravery I possess, withers.

He braces an arm above my head as he backs me into the wall and tilts my chin up with his other hand.

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