Page 24 of Doesn't Count

“If I didn’t know any better, I’d think you're a little turned on. Tell me, Eris. Do I turn you on?” He mumbles into my neck.

I shake my head, swallowing, my throat excruciatingly dry.

He chuckles, “I don’t believe you and until you admit it, we’re not leaving this barn.”

One of his hands replaces his face and trails my bare shoulder teasingly. It reminds me of that moment last night in the woods, with his knee between my thighs. The memory instantly forces a groan from my lips, my eyes widening in horror at my own mistake while his light up with amusement.

“Tell me, Eris,” he whispers seductively in my ear, “If I touch you between your legs, would your body betray you and make you a liar?”

I shake my headnoagain, but he only snickers. “I’d advise against lying to me because I’m going to find out one way or another.”

I growl, his words breaking the sensual intoxication fogging my judgement. “Don’t you dare.”

He takes my threat as a challenge, sliding his hand from my shoulder to my hip, inching down. Before he gets too close, I’m gripping his wrist and shoving him away. I can see his eyes glitter with excitement, and it only confuses me. I don’t understand his games and I’m growing really tired of playing without any rules.

“What about now?” He brings that hand up to my neck,delicately stroking my esophagus with his thumb. “Do I turn you on now?”

I don’t answer because I know he’ll give up. There’s no way he’s going to force me to admit anything. Maybe I am turned on, so what? It doesn’t mean I have to tolerate him and his aggravating mood swings. He’s going to have to live without an answer.

His brows dip as his eyes narrow, still waiting for a response he’s not getting.

Annoyed, his grip tightens on my neck. “Want to know a fun fact?” He doesn’t wait for a response. “When a lion hunts his prey, he plays with her a little before he feasts. Do you know why?”

My mouth drops into a frown, “Why, Khaos?”

He leans in again, close enough to where his face touches my ear, his bandana rubbing against the shell. “So, he can wear her out enough to make the kill that much easier.”

I nod, letting out a small, feminine chuckle, “Now you tell me. Are you the lion, or am I?”

Without letting him answer, I shove his hand away and storm out of the stall, leaving him there. I drag my bags back to the bus ignoring the guys, heading straight for the back room to finally get dressed.

If Khaos thinks he has this power over me, then he’s as delusional as I suspected.

Chapter Seven

Ashton

It’s day three of this tour and I have nothing. I’m curled up on the couch, the bus on the move towards Little Rock for the show in a few hours. I’ve wasted an entire day thinking of what to write and actively avoiding the band. Khaos hasn’t looked at me since the barn and the others occasionally ask me questions about random things they’re arguing about like are blow jobs really that bad and what’s an appropriate number of people to sleep with in one’s lifetime?

I shut my laptop and catch Khaos stealing a glimpse at me before reverting his gaze elsewhere. It’s driving me insane, everything about this assignment has been a living nightmare, literally. Even if I were to tell someone what’s happened in the last couple days, no one would even believe me. I don’t even believe it.

“Ash, how many boyfriends have you had?” Hypnos asks.

I slip my computer into its bag and join the guys in the booth. I shrug my shoulders, smiling, but not answering.

“You?” I deflect.

“Awe come on, don’t be like that.” Than goads.

I roll my eyes, “How many do you think?”

“More than anyone can count.” Khaos grumbles.

I can feel his spite, always so harsh and bitter. “Why do you say that?”

“Look at you.” He gestures with his hand.

I look down at myself as if I can see me from his eyes, but I’m not sure what he means by that.