Page 58 of Nightshades

His lips graze my throat, full and softer than I imagined a beast’s mouth to be, and two sharp points threaten to break my skin. “Your curse.”

Roots tighten around my body, securing me so I can’t escape. This should feel like a curse. I should be screaming for help, begging for him not to hurt me, fight for my life, I should do something, anything!

But this is exactly what I crave.

“You like being in the hands of someone who might kill you, don’t you?”

“You won’t,” I manage to mumble between my incoherent thoughts.

“I might.” He runs his claws through my hair.

“Do it, then,” I grit through my teeth. “End me. End whatever you’re doing if all you want is me.”

“End youuu?” The familiar hushed breath travels across my cheek. “That would end me.”

I close my eyes, relishing in the thrum of my heart, wondering if I’ll die tonight. The thrill alone might kill me, waiting to see if I’ll make it until tomorrow.

I don’t know why, but I can trust this brutal beast.

“Why aren’t you screaming? I smell your fear, Little Dream.” In a rough grip, he palms my breast, squeezing until I gasp from the sharp point of his nails teasing my nipples. “And yet I smell your desire.”

“You terrify me,” I admit, licking my lips, wishing he’d allow me to look at him. “I love that.”

“Why?”

“Mi alma lo dice,” I reply, submitting to his hands exploring my body.

“What does that mean?”

“My soul says so.”

He falls silent. I only know he is still here because I feel him. He is still standing behind me, radiating heat, a fire brewing between us that I would happily give in to, to experience more of whateverthisis.

Because what if I wake up and this was all a dream? I know most women would want that. Most would be crying, begging to be set free, fighting against the restraints, and I can’t.

His roots loosen their grip, allowing me just enough space to turn around so I can finally see the monster who has invaded my home. The moment my back is against the wall, the roots bind me again, keeping me still so I can’t run.

His fingers slip under my chin, the digits wide and calloused, and they lift my head.

“Look at me.”

I didn’t realize I had my eyes shut, too afraid to know that maybe he isn’t real. I’m still not convinced that this isn’t a dream.

“I am your worst nightmare,” his voice softens for the first time, “and you are my sweetest dream.”

Opening my eyes, they widen in shock when I have to tilt my head all the way back until I hit the wall, my gaze migrating from the chiseled abs to his wide chest, broad shoulders, and a sculpted jaw. His eyes are pitch black, and he has horns in the middle of his head like a mohawk. Black veins and roots appear all over his body, slithering like snakes as if they are their own entity.

“What are you?” Another tear breaks free from my lash line.

“I’ve already told you.” He tilts his head, the light gleaming from his nose piercing.

He has an eyebrow piercing and two massive bone gages in his ears. His nipples have small bones through them too.

I wonder who they belong to.

“So you’ve said. That is what you have labeled yourself as, but what are you?”

“I am no longer a man, but a DNA experiment,” he says, pinching his brows together. “I am part rhino, nightmare, nightshade, vampire, and anglerfish.”