Page 26 of The Devils of Saint City

Forcing a smile, I scoot past him and try to walk without the chain between the cuffs smacking awkwardly off my legs. I look like an idiot, but I push it aside as I head to the living room and sit next to Manson. “Hi.”

Confusion is written all over his face, but I can see the way it lights up. “Hi.” He glances over at Asher when he enters theroom, but turns back toward me like he won’t miss out on this opportunity. “How are you feeling today?”

Fuck. How long has it been since someone’s asked me that?

It’s not like I can tell the truth without starting another fight, so I offer him another soft smile. “I’m fine. A little tired, if I’m being honest, but maybe it’ll be better tonight if you two let me keep the cuffs on this way instead of cuffing me to the bedpost again.”

“We will,” he rushes out, sending a pointed look Asher’s way like he’s standing his ground. “Have you had any episodes? I heard a lot of clanking last night, but when I checked in there you were asleep.”

Maybe I did then. “It’s hard to tell. Since I never remember them, usually the only indicators I have are exhaustion and... well, cum. If I can’t get what I’m after I usually just fall back into a deeper sleep.”

“That checks out.” Hazel eyes rake my frame. “It was hard not to go in there.”

I really should’ve thought ahead. Breaking the silence means these two will take what they need when I’m awake, and if I have any hope of keeping things the way they are, I have to play along. “Did you miss me, Manson?”

The dumb tattooed giant nods. “A lot,” he admits. “Did you miss me?”

“Well, I wouldn’t be sitting here if I didn’t.” It’s not a lie, though it’s not quite as genuine as either one of us would like it to be. “What do you need?”

Manson hums, his finger sliding along my thigh tentatively. “Sit on my lap.”

Like fuckin’ Santa.

Almost a little curiously, I maneuver over into his lap and tuck the chain under my arms.

Asher disappears into his bedroom just as I feel Manson relax under me, his rough palms resting on my thighs to keep me close. “You guys talk it out?”

“As much as we could, I suppose. You know how he is. He never really says what’s on his mind.”

“Sounds about right,” he sighs. “Don’t know what it’s going to take for him to realize he isn’t that silenced little kid anymore. Reading his mind every day is fucking exhausting.”

At least it isn’t just me. “He’d get a lot further if he’d use his words, but I get it. That’s why I have you, right?” I lean in, kissing the tip of his nose. “You won’t hide things from me.”

It’s weird what something so soft can do to a man. The look in his eyes when his fingers curl into my skin makes my stomach flip, and when he leans in to catch me in a kiss, I nearly regret doing it at all.

The butterflies it sends scattering through my stomach are all traitorous little whores — I did it to manipulate him, not the other way around.

Yet kissing him is easy. The way his tongue moves, his lips fit with mine. The moany little breaths he lets out as he pulls me closer. I forget for a moment that I’m handcuffed and cup his face with both hands, then abruptly pull back.

Fucking cuffs because I can’t be trusted. Cuffs to punish me. He’s just as guilty.

Still, I think he mistakes the flames in my cheeks for shyness instead of embarrassment and anger.

“Yeah, I really missed you,” he admits, kissing my nose back, and when he shifts I feel how hard he already is. “This shit is much better than fighting, isn’t it?”

No, because I feel like I’m betraying myself. But why, though? What’s so wrong with wanting a little pleasure if I’m stuck here either way?

“I don’t know how to stop,” I admit quietly. “It’s always been like this.”

“I know. We’ll get there one day, I can feel it.” He shifts again, releasing a hushed laugh before he speaks again. “Want to know a way you can get a little payback?” He nods toward where Asher disappeared to, piquing my interest.

“Absolutely yes.”

“Edge him.” There’s a dark glint in his eyes as he feeds me this secret. “Drives him fucking crazy, and it forces him to communicate. Hell... I bet you can get Asher Ellis to beg, Rhea.”

I highly fucking doubt it. He’ll just shock me until I either pass out or do what he wants, but I appreciate the attempt at help all the same. “And what happens if I edge you?”

Manson grins, cock twitching under me. “Hey, I’m not above admitting I’ll beg. I’m just saying we could work together and get that dude to —” The shower water shuts off and interrupts what he was saying, and I realize I didn’t even hear Asher get in. “Anyway... think about it.”

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