Page 75 of The Rat

“Pauly’s all posturing, andno action. He won’t do anything, and when I leave, he’ll claim hewas ready to take me on, but it was too late. It’s alltalk.”

“I hope you’reright.”

“Aww, you really are worried about me,aren’t you?”

“Yeah… I am. More and more inmates arewearing those red bandanas. Choosing his side.”

Sebastian hummed by his ear.“What’s to say they’re choosing his side, what’s to saysome aren’t loyal tome, and are keeping me informed?”

“What?”

“I’ve got everything undercontrol, trust me.Love your picture by the way, very … simple.”

Rory pressedback intoSebastian. “Asshole.”

“That picture took youthree lessons?”

“I’m not good atart.”

“No shit, bet your dad didn’t putyourdrawingson the fridge…”

“He didactually.”

“Out of pity.”

Rory’s mind went back to the fridgewhen he was a child. Covered in pictures of butterflies andunicorns from Erica, then his questionable squiggles.

“Most probably.”

Sebastian laughed.“Shouldn’thave torn it up, although I guess it looked better asconfetti…”

“Bastard.”

Rorytried to struggle free, but Sebastiandidn’t give him up. Rory turned his head back, and felt stubble onhis nose, the curve of a jaw dipping into a throat. He took a deepbreath of Sebastian’s scent, and his stomach fluttered.

“Did you sniff me?”

“No.”

Sebastian ducked and pressed hisnose close to Rory’s neck. “You smell good, too.”

“I didn’t say you smelledgood.”

“I better have a showerthen, want to join me?”

Rory shivered at the suggestive tone. “No,I’m all right.”

Sebastian rested his lips againstRory’s ear, and whispered in a husky tone, “Wanna playchess?”

Rory shivered in Sebastian’s arms, andhis heart picked up the pace. He licked his lips, then shook hishead.

“N—not right now.”

“Later then…”

****

Rory woke up already achinghard. He heard the twisting of the tub opening, and closingrepeatedly, Sebastian below him, toying with him, and he’d hadenough. He slipped his legs over the side of the bed and droppeddown.

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