Page 100 of Snake

Nim

The snow clouds have finally retreated. Stars glitter down fiercely from an infinite, velvet black sky. The smell of water hangs heavy in the air here, but I’m protected by a thick blanket, and the men on either side buffering me from the cold, damp air.

They weren’t kidding about the view from the top of Hart Falls. It’s spectacular. We watched the sun go down from here, although Silas was arguing the best spot in Cinderhart to do that was over in Tipple Fields. But I guess one of them didn’t own a holiday home there, because Silas was quickly voted out.

We’ve shared three bottles of wine between the four of us, and now there’s a bottle of whiskey doing the rounds. I feel loopy and uninhibited...which is probably why I’m not doing anything about the hand on my thigh, the one that keeps inching closer and closer to my core.

This holiday home belongs to Knox’s family, apparently. They hardly ever come out here anymore, and they don’t need the money so they don’t even bother renting it out.

Vicky had so much money, she could easily have arranged somewhere for my parents to stay. Even an apartment in downtown Cinderhart, or something in the less wealthy parts of town, like Jackleg Valley, would have been a million times better than the city.My parents could have lived here. This beautiful house could have been my home, and we would never have had to leave Cinderhart.

So why did they leave?

It’s like they were running from something. And that makes me wonder what dark secret this town is hiding. Something so horrible that they had to move to get away from it.

Mason’s hand slips between my legs. “Want a better view?” he asks.

We’re on a piece of land that is still technically part of the property owned by the Pellegrinos. Someone realized just how spectacular this view was, and they built a fire pit and some roughly hewn seating that faced toward the setting sun.

With Hart Falls just a few yards away, that thunderous racket as background noise, it honestly is one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever been.

There’s a metal railing a yard away from where we’re sitting. The true boundary of the property—and safe ground. Beyond that is a stretch of jagged rocks, then the haze of water thrown up by the falls. The river is further away, hidden behind a fierce growth of verdant foliage. The rush of the hidden white rapids adds to the noise of the falls.

“Uh...” I stare at the railing where Mason obviously wants to take me. Water drips from the metal as it collects from the misty air.

Mason grabs my hand and guides me over the rocky ground until we’ve left the warmth of the crackling fire behind and we’re instead enveloped with the earthy scent of damp stone.

A brisk breeze tugs at the corners of my blanket. Mason takes it off my shoulders and then wraps it around us, cocooning us against the wind and the fog.

Forcing our bodies together.

Today has been...interesting. The Serpents showed me a lot of what Cinderhart has to offer. My head is still reeling from taking it all in—from the mouth-wateringly delicious burgers at the Liberation Diner, to the professional salon visit Knox arranged for me.

I run a hand through my hair, a small thrill chasing up my arm. The hairdresser did an amazing job. I look so damn glamorous that I can’t stop eying my reflection whenever I pass a shiny surface.

But that’s not what has my head stuffed full of conflicting thoughts.

Knox, Silas, Mason...they truly were on their best behavior. I felt like I was on the best date of my life...with three guys. And for once, there wasn’t a jealous look or snide remark from any of them.

I guess it’s easy enough to change for one day. I’ve had mood swings that lasted longer. But this felt different.

They didn’t even seem to try all that hard. It all just felt so...natural. So easy.

Because surrendering is always easier than fighting.

I shove away the voice. That’s the instigator in me speaking. The one who’ll never be happy with anything. Who thinks there’s always something that can be better about my life.

I’m done listening to that voice. It’s led me down a dangerous road.And right now, I’m pretty sure it was the wrong one all along.

Mason’s lips tease my earlobe, his teeth grazing gently on my skin. “I can’t stop thinking about those sounds you made,” he says in my ear. He doesn’t have to be quiet, because the furious roar of the waterfall captures every sound we could make and drowns it out.

I hum in the back of my throat, my mind drawn back to last night. I push my ass out a little, relishing how that makes him groan. I can feel his dick hardening, the ridge it forms behind his jeans.

One hand still gripping the blanket tight, I reach behind me and run my palm over his cock. He lets out a deep, “Mmm,” that stokes a fire deep inside me.

The Serpents also took me clothes shopping. It felt like they were spoiling me, but I didn’t have the heart to stop them.

After the first boutique, I didn’t want to stop them. Turns out, it’s not just Knox who likes to dress me up. All three of them were handing me clothes through the dressing room’s curtains, insisting I put on a fashion show for them.

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