Page 30 of Darkest Desire

“You like rubbing that in, don’t you? I’m starting to think you may be lying about it.”

I swallow hard. “What makes you say that?”

“The fact that you were self-conscious to go to bed naked with me last night.”

“So? Just because I’ve been with other men, doesn’t mean I want to get naked with you.”

He inclines his head, his eyes sneaky with a secret. “Sure. But there’s an innocence to your face that tells me you’re still a virgin.”

I can’t stop my blush but I don’t back down. Nothing will make me back down when it comes to him. “I’m not. I told you I’m not.”

“And if you have been lying to me, I wonder why? Why not tell me you’re a virgin?”

“Because I’m not.”

“All right. Well, when we eventually have sex, I guess I’ll find out then.”

I have to clench my hand into a fist to stop myself from smacking him across the face. “We’ll never have sex. I’ll never let you touch me.”

“You say that now. But that could change and I’m a patient enough man.”

“You’re insufferable.”

“And you’re a liar,” he says hotly into my ear making me tremble.

“Says the murderer.”

“Just because I’ve killed people doesn’t make me a liar. I’ll find out eventually if you’ve been lying to me. Until then, it’s time for you to go back to our room.”

“It’s only eight.”

“Well, the festivities are going to start soon outside. It’s beginning to get dark. It’s the perfect time.”

I place my hands on my hips. “What exactly are these ‘festivities?’

“You’re not going to find out. Now, go back to our room. If you don’t, I’ll drag you up there. And don’t even think about sneaking outside. You’ll be spotted by one of my guards and brought back inside.”

“And if I sneak outside and manage to make it into your maze?”

“Then it’s going to be dangerous. So I wouldn’t do that if I were you. Now go.” He turns me in the direction of the stairs and gently nudges me. I want nothing more than to lay into Nico and tell him how much of a bastard he is but I know I’m not winning.

As I head for the stairs, I notice the other guests watching me, giving me looks I don’t quite understand. Devious looks. Dark looks. Pitying looks.

The women share secretive smiles with one another while the men eye me over with hunger. What exactly is happening in Nico’s maze tonight? What is this party really about?

I’m not sure I want to find out anymore.

I head upstairs and shut myself in the room. After a minute, I hear the door lock. Rushing to it, I start pounding on the door. “Nico? Did you just lock me in here?”

“It’s for your own good,” he says through the door. “Have a nice night, Sasha.” His footsteps fade away.

A primal scream escapes my throat as I pound on the door. He’s unbelievable.

I slump onto the bed and lay there for almost an hour, bored out of my mind, when I hear sounds coming from outside. I crack open the window that overlooks onto the maze and see people running into it. People screaming. It sounds more playful than true terror.

One thing I notice is how people are discarding some of their clothes as they enter the maze. Men take off their shirts, makingthem look more animalistic, while the women strip down to their underwear.

What is going on out there? Is Nico having some sort of orgy?