Page 67 of Pretty Black

“It’s yours, you get to say.”

“If you keep talking like that, Elijah and Felix are going to get a show, and since I don’t want anyone else to see it, you have to stop.”

“My cock and ass are all yours—”

He cut me off with his mouth and a growl and dragged me out the door.

The screaming started half a second after we made it through the door. He stared at me as we approached the waiting SUV. I smiled as our names filtered to us on the wind. Caspian opened the door but didn’t climb in. He kissed my forehead, then let me climb in first, not releasing my hand. My heart skipped a beat.

He got in beside me and pulled the door shut. He started to say something, but I grabbed the back of his neck and directed his mouth to mine.

“The first public picture the fans are going to get of our ship is you kissing my forehead. Do you know how fucking feral they are going to go?” I asked when we finally broke apart.

“I didn’t think about it, but I look forward to entire blog posts dedicated to why my kissing your forehead does not mean we are gay, and it’s just what a friend would do.”

I lost it in laughter. “You’re right!”

“I’ll have to kiss you on the mouth to even have a chance of convincing them.”

“I’m not sure you’ll ever be able to convince them you’re into guys. That set of your fans are pretty rabid, Cas,” Elijah said from the front seat.

“Fuck, he’s right,” I said, devolving further by the minute.

Caspian’s laughter joined mine. “We could have a sex tape and it would be 'That’s just what bros do.’ I would put money on it.”

“You’re right. The mental gymnastics…”

“If Taylor’s fans still thinks she’s straight after all those videos of her making out with a woman, I don’t think there is any hope for you two,” Felix added.

“Listen, friends kiss with tongue,” Elijah said, holding back a laugh.

“You better not be kissing anyone else, including friends,” Caspian said against my lips.

“Only you.”

You breathe life into my soul.

Brought back to life with our love.

Fashioned in this shape to find you.

You’re written into my DNA.

Run your fingers through our love.

Let me feel your beautiful and terrible ways.

Destroy me with your love.

There was no resisting this.

Only giving in, flowing with the tide of us.

TWENTY-ONE

PRESENT DAY

Iris Black

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