Page 144 of Deviant

I do as he says and begin to peel my clothes off my body, his penetrating gaze following every move I make. Once I’m only in a bra and panties, I slide into bed, only to have him pull me to his side, my head instantly finding purchase over his bare chest.

“I know you said we weren’t going to do anything tonight, but did you really mean it?”

“Why are you asking?”

“I’m still really sore from last night,” I confess, a bit embarrassed, though I really shouldn’t be, since he’s the reason every inch of my body feels tender to the touch.

“Hmm. I figured as much. It’s fine. There are plenty of other ways we can enjoy ourselves tonight.”

I place my chin on his chest and stare at him.

“How can you think about sex after everything that happened tonight?” I ask, honestly puzzled as to how he can switch off so easily. “I mean, look at where we are. Aren’t you just a little bit… oh, I don’t know… concerned?”

“AboutThe Scourge?” he asks while fiddling with a lock of my hair.

“Yes,The Scourge!” I slap his chest lightly. “This whole house… Henry and the twins… that white room… it’s all…”

“Terrifying?” he finishes for me.

“Yes. Very much so.” I chew on my bottom lip. “Aren’t you even the tiniest bit scared about what will happen tomorrow?”

“No.” The word falls from his lips with such conviction that I can’t help but be in awe of him.

“Nothing scares you, does it?”

“No,” he replies with that same assured, confident tone of his, as he continues to play with my hair.

“Must be nice to be you then,” I mumble, resting my head on his chest. “I’m petrified.”

“What scares you most?” he asks, sounding intrigued with my confession. “I know that you don’t fear death, so where is this fear coming from?”

I look up at him again, his blue eyes shimmering with genuine curiosity.

“We’ve made friends in this group. People like Harper, Andy, and young, sweet Abbie. It’s been a long time since I’ve made such a connection with someone. I forgot how good it felt to have that camaraderie, to have friends that care for you. I just don’t want them to get hurt, which I know is naive of me, since we were literally sent to this house to die. But still… they’re my friends.”

“I see that you left out my name from that list.”

“Is that what you are? My friend?”

“I’d say I’m yourbestfriend since I’ll be the one to give you what you desire most.”

My shoulders relax at his remark and the insinuation behind his eyes.

He’s right.

Among all the people I’ve bonded with on this journey, this is the friendship I value most.

Maybe that’s the real reason I’m so scared.

Yes, I’m worried about what may happen to our friends in the morning, but what really petrifies me is wondering what kind of gamesThe Scourgemight have in mind for him.

I’m so lost in my head that I only snap out of it when Elias pushes me to lie on my back, his strong body looming over mine.

“How about we stop talking about shit we can’t control and start focusing on what we can?” he says before leaning down to press his lips on mine.

It takes me a second to register what’s happening, but just a second. All too soon do I let myself enjoy the feel of his warm lips, the way his teeth tug at my bottom lip, his tongue teasing his way into my mouth. My heart feels like it’s about to leap out of my throat with the way he hums approvingly each time my tongue wrestles with his. By the time he lets up on his kiss, I’m seeing stars and counting rainbows.

“What did you do that for?” I ask breathlessly.

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