Page 98 of Ever Dark

Nox whispers his words, but I know Draven can still hear him. He flashes me a pained look, his eyes full of questions and hesitation. I know I’ll need to appease him with answers tonight. The last thing I want is for there to be any confusion between us.

We’ve gone to hell and back since that first night in the bathroom at Duff’s. I need him to know that my feelings for him have only deepened. I’ve become just as obsessed with him as he is with me.

“Finally!” Lettie shrieks as she barrels toward me. I inhale a deep scent of her cookies and cream scent as she wraps her arms around me. “I should’ve known you’d all be late to your own party.”

I arch a teasing brow at her. “Have you ever tried to wrangle the three of them? And I had Nox to dress on top of that.”

She smooths her hair. It’s tied loosely into a low ponytail at the nape of her neck. She looks gorgeous as ever in a green and white striped romper. “You have your hands full it seems. So where is your mystery nightmare man?”

I nod toward a corner of the garage, the one spot in here that’s not illuminated by Bones’s industrial lights. Nox’s eyes are glazed, his chest tight. No doubt he’s already overstimulated. “This is a lot for him.”

Lettie’s eyes widen. “He’s fucking huge. Holy shit. Good job, Mia.”

I chuckle. “Yeah, I never thought about it much on the other side. But seeing him here… he’s a beast.” I lick my lips, my belly fluttering again. All four of them make my glands salivate and my pussy twitch.

She fans me with her hands, giggling. “Okay, simmer down.”

I flash her a devious smirk before we wander over to the makeshift bar she set up. The hired bartender pours us a couple shots of whiskey before I can even open my mouth to order. From the DJ in the center of the room, to the tables full of delectable snacks, she’s really outdone herself.

“How are the guys handling everything?” She wrinkles her nose as the first sip of bourbon rolls down her throat.

I do the same, my eyes watering. “On the surface, fine. But Draven is off. Well, he’s just his usual broody self. But he’s been more distant. I’m giving him space.”

Lettie’s eyes bulge. “No. That’s the opposite of what you shoulddo. I know Draven well. He’ll just keep retreating inside himself. Force him to deal with it, Mia. Reassure him that you’re still into him.”

She’s right. I’ve been avoiding it. Dancing around the fact that I’m in love with him. As fucked up and twisted as that is. I fell in love with him the second he crashed through my gates. I knew in that moment that his brand of toxic matched mine.

I nod and take another sip. “I’ll find him.”

She rubs my arm. “Good. I’m going to go introduce myself to Nox. I’ve never met a nightmare man before.”

Imagining the look on Nox’s face as he listens to Lettie ramble on at full speed makes me laugh out loud. “Go easy on him. I don’t want his head exploding.”

She sticks her tongue out at me before bouncing off with an extra pep in her step for my benefit. Fuck, I’ve really grown to love that girl. I’m going to miss her when she goes back to Tenebrose next semester.

I spot Draven over by my newly restored cherry-red Super Beetle. He looks out of place next to it in his designer suit. What’s even stranger is watching him sip Blackwell gin out of a red Solo cup. I’m surprised he didn’t bring his own engraved flask.

“Hey, Slick. Penny for your thoughts?” I don’t know why my palms are sweating. I’ve let him do some of the vilest things to me. But now I’m suddenly shy. Go fucking figure.

He places his hand on my chest; his fingertips dance across my collarbone. My breath hitches. The movement is delicate, gentle, and electric. We’re simmering with need. I tilt my head up toward his, meeting his darkened gaze. “Dray…”

His hand goes from gentle to firm as he wraps it around my neck. “Meet me in the bathroom upstairs.”

I nod as his fingers dance away and he leaves me standing there breathless. I slam another shot of whiskey on my way up, my belly a bundle of nerves. I never know what version of him I’m going toget. His anger looks a lot like desire. And vice versa. Either way, I’m desperate for his darkness. His toxicity and pain.

As soon as I enter the bathroom he slams the door shut with me up against it. He boxes me in with his arms, his palms flat against the wood on either side of my head.

“I’m feeling nostalgic, Trouble.” He rubs his cheek against mine before stepping back. “Turn around and face the mirror.”

My pussy twitches under his command. Those are the very same words he said to me that first night at Duff’s. I grip the counter and angle my hips back, giving him access.

He runs his hands up my thighs, pushing my denim skirt up around my waist. He draws in a sharp breath when he discovers I’m not wearing any panties. “That’s my good fucking girl.”

My knees shake in anticipation. I need him inside me so fucking bad it hurts. “Draven, please.”

“Shhh, relax.” He drags his finger down my ass crack and underneath until he finds my entrance. I’m a sopping mess by the time he pushes two fingers inside my pussy.

I let out a deep moan and double over the counter. “Fuck.” I press my cheek against the linoleum tiles, my body heat rising with every jerk of his hand.

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