Page 48 of Shadow's Chosen

"No."

"Then why should it matter?"

Nezka tapped his glass as he glared at him, then his dark expression lifted, and he smiled. "You got me, Krow." He set Sona off him and gestured for Elise. Elise hesitated, knowing they were watching. She slowly came over and sat herself down on Nezka's lap.

The first thing she noticed was how ungodly warm he was, like she had just sat herself next to a radiator. He placed an arm around her waist while his other hand went over her thigh. Elise stiffened slightly at their sudden closeness but didn't squirm. She wasn't as uncomfortable as she imagined she'd be. In fact, she felt a sudden wave of relief, even if she was still a little nervous. Sona growled next to them, but Krow shooed her off, and she obediently went away.

Jona watched Elise closely with narrowed eyes. "So, you really got her tamed, huh?" he said. "Like your little pet, that it? And you don't want your mistress knowing you are giving her a squeeze at night."

Nezka only smiled more, though his eyes darkened. "It's a bad indulgence on my part that the boss wouldn't be too pleased to see." His hand rubbed against Elise's inner thigh. Elise tensed, feeling a sudden dull achy heat pull at her near where his hand touched. Her hand flinched as if to pull his own off out of sheer embarrassment, but she dared not break his little game.

Jona seemed uncertain as he watched them. "Think we could make a trade?"

"Likely not," Nezka said. His hand lifted to rub at her belly then higher still to brush against the underside of her breasts. Elise almost squirmed as her breath quickened. Beads of sweat began to dampen the back of her neck. His arm wrapped around her waist, tugging her closer, and she felt him squeeze her hip for reassurance.

"Too bad," Jona said.

"She's just a little comfort until I'm back to our stronghold," Nezka explained. "It means nothing. I just like to play with others. Once I get her back to my mistress, I'll have a new toy."

The men seemed satisfied with that and let Elise be. Though Jona still watched her idly, they finished off another round of drinks and played a few sets of some tabletop gambling. Elise let herself relax after a time, leaning back against Nezka, allowing the moment to happen, knowing she was better off where she was now than if she were alone without him.

Only, the heat festering in her body didn't go away which alarmed her a little. And was only made worse when he squeezed her thighs or nuzzled her shoulder while brushing his fingers across her breasts. Her heart fluttered in her chest, and those few times he touched her, she was sorely tempted to move her hips and rub against him, wondering how he might react. Would he get hard like a human man? Or would he not see the contact as arousing? She felt crazy thinking it, but she couldn't stop herself regardless. Feeling like she might be losing her nerve, she went for Nezka's cup on the table and took a long drink.

Nezka snatched the cup from her and pulled her back by her hair. "I didn't say you could take that," he said with a hiss.

Elise's heart did a flip. The others snickered around her, watching with bright eyes.

"Sorry," she mumbled. Her body warmed even more, whether from the drink or from Nezka's sudden forcefulness, she wasn't quite sure. He let her go, and Krow laughed.

"The girl wants to have some fun too, see?" He poured her a drink and slid the glass across the table.

Elise didn't take the cup right away. She looked to Nezka first whose eyes flickered over her briefly before he tapped his ear. Elise took the cup and drank it down. She placed the glass back on the table, and when Krow offered her more, she shook her head. The liquor was strong, and she didn't want to get so trashed she couldn't think straight.

Nezka pulled her back against him, stroking her thighs. The fiery liquid settled quickly in her stomach, and in no time at all, she slipped into a daze. Despite the circumstances, she felt relaxed, even euphoric. She listened and watched the men play their games without thought or care, even almost laughing at one of their jokes. She leaned her head back against Nezka's shoulder, liking the warmth of his hands massaging her, and closed her eyes.

"Get the fuck out, you lot," came a loud voice, waking Elise instantly. Krow stumbled to his feet, hand slashing the air, nearly knocking glasses of the table. "I'm tired and want to have a squeeze before I pass out cold." He called them vulgar names as his men carried him out from the lounge, laughing and stumbling. Elise blinked several times to clear her head. Dawn must be coming again.

She looked around at Nezka who glared back at her then gently set her off him. Jona still remained at the table, swallowing the last of his drink, watching them.

"I'll follow you upstairs," he said and gestured for one of the women at the bar to come. One slunk over, and he took her hand. Nezka rose and grabbed Elise, pulling her back into the club.

Others still mingled inside, a few couples pressed together against the dark walls, moving to their own slow rhythm. Elise side-eyed them, and an image of her and Nezka in their place popped into her thoughts. This time, she didn't readily swat it away. Her gaze fell to his backside, to the flat spines and tight lower muscles and she shivered, her body suddenly feeling heavy. She glanced back behind and caught Jona watching her. He smiled as they made their way to the stair.

As they came to the door to their suite, Nezka pulled Elise inside. But before the door could slide shut, Jona blocked the doorway, setting his hand against the frame. He pushed the woman he had brought with him into the hall and told her to get to his room as he stared back at Elise then at Nezka.

By his lazy expression, Elise could tell he was nearly gone from the drink. He swayed a little on his feet and gave them a crooked smile.

"I get you're not gonna let me have her even for a moment," he slurred, gesturing to Elise. "But I can enjoy the sight of her at least. If you're gonna have her, at least let me watch."

Elise stared back at him, at first in shock then with disgust. She looked to Nezka, expecting he'd tell Jona to get his ass out, and found the hunter smirking, not in an expression of amusement but that of annoyance, giving the drogin a deathly glare.

"Come on, Nez. I won't even move from this spot. Won't make a sound," Jona said.

Nezka stared at him for a moment longer then looked away and laughed. "As if I'd let you. Please."

Jona's face twisted as he bared his teeth. "Why not, huh?" He took a step, his hand on the door frame turning into a fist. "You know, Krow's been more than nice with you, giving you all this shit just for a few fights. Lettin' you sit at his table amongst other fighters. Bet you didn't know I'm one of his best. Yes, that's right. I might not look it, but I'm a mean asshole and damn good at a brawl. If I asked him, he might reconsider allowing your little pet to be shared. He only spares her because he wants to see you fight, and he's being nice, that's all. You think others haven't come along asking the same for their mates and got the same treatment?" He fixed them with a nasty grin. "No. And it's not like you could fight us all, huh? We could take her if we really want, and there's nothing you could do. So, come on, throw me this bone. It's the least you can do."

Elise stood there, too flustered to speak. She stared at Jona then turned back to Nezka whose expression, to her surprise, hadn't changed.

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