Page 39 of When the Woods Go Silent

ROSE

The food Torrence brought out looks and smells every bit as good as it did before, but something has turned my stomach.

The bites taste fine on my tongue, but when I start to swallow, the food turns to ash in my mouth, lodging in my throat. I try another sip of liqueur, but it’s the same, souring and congealing on my tongue. I return to sipping my water and pretending to eat, moving the food around my plate. It feels like my body is rejecting everything, and I hope I’m not getting sick - that would be a disaster right before our opening week.

Ruby is definitely enjoying herself, though, and I’m so glad to see it.

Arlo’s main personality trait is being a huge flirt, so I have a pretty good idea where our night could go. I also don’t see anything more than a single night in our future, but I prefer it that way.

“This is phenomenal,” Ruby gushes about a vegetable dish that reminds me of ratatouille. I nod, in spite of the fact that most of my portion is still on my plate, just mushed into small piles to make it look eaten.

“No longer hungry?” Arlo asks as he leans closer, his tone asking about more than the food.

I turn my face toward him, getting a bit of his cologne. It’s some woodsy, generic male fragrance, but it smells good enough. “Saving myself for dessert, actually,” I say, dropping my voice to a purr that will let him know I’m done with dinner, but not necessarily with the date.

“I made raspberry brownies,” Arlo offers with a grin, and Ruby claps excitedly, overhearing him.

“Oh, yum. I love fruit and chocolate together,” she says.

“Let’s take ours to go. There’s a full moon tonight, and I want to show you the view from the rooftop.” Torrence is already rising from his chair. Ruby shoots me a grin, and I wink at her. The double date thing obviously made her feel more comfortable, but it’s obvious that we’re all ready to get to the more private part of the evening.

Torrence and Ruby head back toward the kitchen, their voices fading. Arlo turns his body toward me in his chair, a lazy smile spreading over his face. He fixes his icy blue eyes on mine as some faraway door slams shut, leaving the two of us alone in the building.

“I’m glad you’re here,” he says, his hand sliding under my silky skirt and settling on my knee. His thumb begins to make circles on my skin, growing wider each time like ripples in a pond.

“Oh yeah? Why?” I taunt, shifting in my chair so I’m facing him more completely. He widens his legs, sliding forward and bracing his knees on either side of my crossed thighs.

“I won’t play coy if you won’t. We were interrupted last time, and I don’t intend to leave tonight unsatisfied.”

“And yet, you never reached out to me,” I noted, raising one eyebrow and pursing my lips.

“I was out of the area. Sourcing product. That’s why I sent the treats instead,” he answers. It isn’t an apology, and I consider. He’s a bit rude and self-obsessed, but does that really matter fora single night? As long as he’s the giving sort, I decide I’ll stick around.

We continue our staring contest as his thumb reaches higher on my thigh, finding the softer skin on the underside. He squeezes possessively, and pleasure spreads upward with a rush of anticipation.

“I’m here now,” he observes, and I sense it’s the closest thing to an apology I’ll get.

“Ready to pay what you owe, then?” I ask after another beat of silence. I uncross my legs, my thighs opening between his. His hand slides up a few more inches, and heat pulses between us.

“It’s going to be like that, then?” His voice is lower, a hint of need making it deliciously rough.

I give him a smirk. “It most definitely is. I come first, or you don’t come at all. And no interruptions this time,” I warn him. “Or it will be the last time you see me.”

“Guess I need to get to work, then,” he growls, sinking to his knees between my thighs like he doesn’t want to waste a single second more with talking. The smooth fabric of my skirt slides easily up my bare legs, and his nearly colorless eyes flash up at me in the candlelight. For a moment it’s so similar to one of my recent dreams that my head spins, hoping like hell I’m really here.

And that I’m actually going to get to come tonight.

His strong hands massage their way up and down my thighs, spreading me wider as he goes. Arlo dips his head to kiss along one side, inhaling deep as he presses his nose against the center of my panties.

“So fucking sweet,” he says, his breath trapping heat against my sensitive skin as I try to resist rubbing against him.

“Wait until you taste it,” I manage, hooking one knee over his shoulder and drawing him closer. I’m impatient, and I don’t mind him knowing it. We made this agreement to show eachother pleasure last time, and if that’s all we’re going to be, then it better be good.

“What do you want, Rose? Tell me. Where do you want my mouth?”

I rake my fingers into his blond hair and pull his face up gently, giving him my best bedroom eyes. With my other hand, I slide my fingers against the center of my panties, pressing and rubbing my own wetness through the silk.

“Right. Here. Make me come, make it hard and fast,” I order with an edge to my voice, rubbing my damp fingers against his parted lips before releasing his hair. He watches me intently, and I see a hint of surprise flicker across his face as he sucks my fingers into his mouth, teeth nipping at my skin.

---