Page 39 of A Taste of Bliss

Evan pokes his head in again. “All done with your chew toy?” he asks, looking at all the blood staining the sheets. We nod to him and he comes in, waving his hand around, and suddenly the sheets are fresh, not a single speck of blood to be seen.

CHAPTER TWELVE

BLISS

THREE YEARS AGO

As we watchVoracious Maw wrap up their set and the frontman Wrath collapses on stage, I look around to see if anyone is going to help him. He’s obviously in pain, but everyone is acting like it’s part of their show. I turn to Jordan.

“Someone needs to help him,” I say, tugging on his sleeve.

“It’s just part of their gimmick, Bliss. Don’t be fucking dumb.”

I let my hand fall away from his arm. “Don’t call me that,” I tell him, my voice too quiet.

“I won’t call you dumb, if you stop being dumb.”

I turn and start pushing my way through the crowd. Jordan sighs and follows me out, reaching out and grabbing my arm. “Babe, look—he’s fine.”

He points up to the stage and I see Wrath thanking the audience and walking off stage without saying anything or interacting with the crowd. I think that’s normal, but part of me wonders if he’s also just in too much pain.

“Bliss, I’m sorry. But they’re just a lame band with a bunch of gimmicky performances. I just hate to see your compassion wasted on a skinny ugly freak show in a mask.”

“Why are you so hateful towards them? Why do you care so much that they wear masks?” I want to hurl the words at him, wound him like he does me, but my voice once again barely carries. I know with his fae hearing that he heard me anyways.

“Because, it’s not about the music with these fucking gimmicks. Everyone fawns all over them, while bands like ours don’t get noticed because we’re considered average. But if they didn’t wear masks and all these fan girls could see how nerdy and unattractive those guys actually are, no one would be at this show.”

“You don’t know what they look like!”

“I saw them before the show and trust me, Bliss, they’re just a group of skinny gamer types. And if you were wanting them to fuck you, you’ll be seriously disappointed. Not one of them would be able to lift you up. You’re too heavy for them. You’d just have to lie there underneath them while their tiny dicks barely fill you up.”

His words hit a deep insecurity within me. He’s remarked on my eating habits a few times over the past year, like he’s worried I’m putting on weight. I usually like my body, my curves, but sometimes I can’t help but compare myself to Amelia and Reese. They are leaner, taller. My hand involuntarily moves to my stomach.

“Babe, you know I love your body. But it’s why I lift such heavy weights, so I can have fun with you, throw you around a bit while I make you come.”

My shoulders sag at that. I can count the number of orgasms he’s given me during our whole relationship on one hand. And they all came after I’d been reading some really filthy smutty books.

“I want to go home,” I whisper to him.

“We’re going to the bar.”

“I don’t want to. I want to go home.”

“Stop being a fucking bitch, Bliss. Why are you ruining tonight for me? I have work all next week. I just want to hang out after my show with my girl and my friends and you start a fucking fight with me.”

I turn and walk out. If he doesn’t want to fight with me, then fine. I won’t fight. I’m going home.

“What are you going to do, just walk home?”

“I’m calling a ride.”

“The fuck you are. You’ll probably end up fucking the driver in his car.”

I whip around. “What? Why do you do that? Why do you slut shame me just because of what I am? I have never, ever slept around on you.”

“Well, maybe you should start, because Bliss, I hate to break it to you, but you’re kind of boring in bed. Maybe you could use the experience.”

“Give me your keys,” I say, holding out my hand. “I’ll drive myself home, and you can get a ride with Jinx.”