Page 31 of Pose for Me

"But you're not most people, are you, Rayne?" I continue, my voice dropping to a husky murmur. "You didn't cry out for help. Didn't try to run. Instead, you let me bend you over and fuck you senseless while the blood was still warm on the ground."

Her breath hitches, a pretty flush spreading across her cheeks and down her neck. I can see the rapid rise and fall of her chest beneath the towel, her pulse fluttering visibly at the base of her throat. She's aroused, turned on by the memory and my words.

"I..." she starts, then falters, seemingly at a loss for words.

I finish the braid, securing it with the hairband before letting my hands come to rest on her shoulders. Our eyes lock in the mirror, my gaze holding her captive as I lean down to press a kiss to her temple.

"You don't have to explain yourself to me, little Rayne," I murmur, my thumbs tracing gentle circles on her skin. "I see you. The real you, not the mask you wear for the rest of the world."

I gently pull Rayne up and tug the towel away from her body, hanging it over the towel rack. My eyes roam over her exposed skin hungrily, drinking in every detail. The urge to touch her, to claim her again, is almost overwhelming. But I restrain myself, knowing she needs rest.

Taking her hand, I lead her out of the bathroom and down the short hallway to her bedroom. I turn on the bedside lamp and it casts a warm, intimate light across the space. I've spent countless hours in this room both with Knox and by myself, watching her sleep, memorizing every detail of her existence. But she doesn't know that. She has no clue how deeply our obsession with her runs.

The little grey cat is waiting on her bed for her, watching her human as she watches me.

I pull back the sheet, gesturing for Rayne to slide in. She hesitates for just a moment before complying, her movements slow and languid as she settles onto the mattress. Her eyes widen slightly as I pull the sheet back up, covering her naked form. She keeps watching me intently as I stretch out beside her on top of the sheet, propping myself up on one elbow.

"What are you doing?" she asks, her voice soft and slightly uncertain.

I smile, reaching out to brush a stray lock of hair from her face. "Staying until you fall asleep," I murmur.

Gently, I pull her against me, tucking her head under my chin. My fingers trail up and down her spine through the thin barrier of the sheet, tracing patterns only I can see. I can feel the heat of her skin, the softness of her body, even through the fabric. It takes every ounce of self-control not to rip away that flimsy barrier and lose myself in her again.

The cat stretches out on the other side of the bed, amber eyes tracking my movements as though guarding Rayne. Perhaps she still doesn’t trust me completely with her human. I haven’t succumbed to using bribery like Knox.

Rayne's body gradually relaxes against mine, her breathing evening out as exhaustion begins to take hold. I continue my gentle caresses, soothing her towards slumber. Rayne's breathing slows and deepens, her body completely relaxing against mine as she drifts into sleep. I remain perfectly still, savoring the weight of her in my arms, the soft puffs of her breath against my chest.

As I continue holding her, my mind wanders to all the nights Knox and I have spent watching her from the shadows. The countless hours we've devoted to learning every detail of her life, her habits, her desires. It's an obsession that's consumed us both.

We followed her, learned her routines, her favorite places. We watched her work, marveling at the passion and artistry she poured into every photograph. We saw the way she interacted with her clients, always professional yet warm, making them feel at ease even in their most vulnerable moments.

We memorized the cadence of her voice, the rhythm of her steps, the scent of her perfume. She's consumed our every waking thought. We've planned meticulously, biding our time until the perfect moment to make our move. And now that we have her, now that she's in our grasp, the obsession has only intensified.

Our obsession runs bone-deep, an all-consuming need. We'll create a fortress around her, eliminating any threat before it can even touch her. She'll be safe, cherished, worshipped.

But more than that, we'll nurture the darkness I’ve seen lurking beneath the surface.

Because she is ours.

And we are hers.

Chapter 21

Rayne

Theshrillbeepingofmy alarm jolts me awake, tearing me from a dream filled with flashes of blood and heated skin. I groan, fumbling blindly for my phone to silence the incessant noise. As the quiet descends once more, I flop back against the pillows with a sigh.

Memories of last night flood back in vivid detail–the attempted mugging, the violence of River's intervention, the raw, primal encounter that followed. My body aches in the most delicious way, a pleasant soreness radiating from between my thighs and along my inner muscles.

I stretch languidly, savoring the dull throb that accompanies the movement. I can't remember the last time I felt so thoroughly used in the best possible way. Certainly not in the last few years, when intimacy has been more of an occasional indulgence than a regular occurrence.

As I swing my legs over the side of the bed, I notice my hair is still braided. River's handiwork. There's something both thrilling and unsettling about the mix of tenderness and violence he embodies and like a sentimental fool I leave my hair in the braid.

I pad to the bathroom, not bothering with the robe and ignoring Luna’s cry for attention. The harsh fluorescent light makes me wince as I flip the switch, illuminating my reflection in the mirror. My eyes are drawn to the marks littering my body and neck that I’ve managed to collect in only a few days. My fingers trace the marks almost reverently, remembering the intensity of both encounters.

Stepping into the shower, I let the hot water cascade over me. It soothes my muscles but does little to wash away the memories or the lingering arousal they stir. I find myself wondering how long this delicious soreness will last, how long I'll get to enjoy this feeling, how many more encounters I'll have with River and Knox before they lose interest.

I quickly finish my shower, reluctant to linger too long under the warm spray. As I step out, wrapping a fluffy towel around myself, the humidity in the bathroom is already oppressive. Summer has arrived with a vengeance, promising another sweltering day.

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