Page 36 of Hunt Me

Hell, we don’t even have the privilege of batteries to waist on vibrators.

So, really, it’s pretty understandable that I want to climb Ruaridh like a tree.

I mentally slap myself. That’s a big no no you fucking idiot. He’s a Skull!

Keep your hands to yourself.

I was given fingers for a reason for fucks sake. Stop being ungrateful.

I look down at my hand and grimace. Long are gone the days of moisturised hands and cute nails. Now, it's dried-out calluses and a coating of substances that I do not want to allow my mind to wander to are caked across both hands, with dirt wedged under my chipped nails.

Once I've had an hour-long scrub, I’ll be good as new, rearing to go.

Yes, I smile to myself — great plan Fauna, genius.

Ruaridh lets out a groan from behind me and I can feel as my brain works overtime, ordering each and every cell to abandonall rational thoughts and instead run straight to side with my irrational pussy.

For fucks sake. My own body isn’t even on my side.

As if it's trying to prove a point, my head swivels on its own accord — little people pulling the strings like that rat did cooking inside the guy's white hat I remember watching as a kid.

My lips pop open as I take in the sight before me.

Ruaridh is stood at his full height, forearm straining with his finger in his mouth.

Sucking.

Rest in peace to my flaming underwear.

I pull my bottom lip between my teeth, biting down with such force as I watch his brows furrow in what seems like pain.

Then the tip of his finger pops free of those glistening lips, and his tongue darts out to wet them as he inspects what seems like a burn on the tip of his finger.

Ruaridh sighs, shaking his head.

A slight noise escapes from my lips. A squeak, maybe? The way I have my lip pinched between my teeth must have changed something because what the fuck am I doing squeaking at a man, pussy dripping wet because he’s burnt his damn finger.

Like really girl, pull yourself together and act like the strong ass bitch you are. Didn’t survive all these years of the apocalypse to start getting wet over a guy and a finger in his mouth.

Unfortunately, Ruaridh has the hearing of some form of hybrid human and guess what? He heard me. And, of course, that signature grin he has is back in place as he turns to look at me.

‘Is my Faun enjoying the view?’he asks, voice low and seductive.

I scoff out a‘you wish’as I walk his way.

If he’s burned himself, then that means there's heat, and when there’s heat, there’s potential for hot water. I almost have a skip in my step at the thought as I hurry my way towards him.

In an attempt to compose myself and regain the respect my body has just lost in front of him, I decide to go for an appropriate jab, and his being a wimp is the perfect opportunity.‘Didn’t realise Skull’s are such big babies,’nodding down to his finger.

He chuckles before speaking, his voice low and suggestive.‘You have no idea what I’m like. What I can be like.’

Is he flirting with me, or am I just delusional?

A chorus of little voices inside my head all scream yes. And as if he can hear them himself, he arches a brow my way.

He’s flirting withme.

It might have been a while… okay, more than a while since I’ve seen an attractive man, never mind one I’d allowed my mind to wander in the direction of sleeping with. But still, this, whatever is crackling between us, is something.