Page 3

Raine

S trong arms gently wrap around me, as I'm carried to a different room. The familiar spicy scent of bergamot, pepper and amberwood swirl through my senses making me intoxicated with lust. I’m laid gently on a plush bed with smooth satin sheets.

A fire flickers in the corner, casting elongated shadows across the small, rustic room. My heart pounds with each memory that surfaces, clawing its way through the haze of the afternoon. With every recollection, the world tilts precariously on its axis.

As I blink away the remnants of sleep, physical sensations return–the throbbing pain behind my temples, but also an ache between my legs that I’ve never experienced before.

“Where am I?” I whisper. The events from the bar flood my mind–Jason’s threats, Huxley’s intervention, the tension that ignited between us, and then—darkness.

"Easy, love." His familiar voice rings out through the room, easing some fear. His presence is both a comfort and a source of turmoil.

"What happened?" I manage, the words barely escaping my lips as confusion colors my tone. The shadows shift, elongating the lines of his face, revealing the worry etched in his brow.

"We’re at a safe place. We had to leave town in a hurry," he admits, his voice grave; the weight of his words hangs between us like a thick fog.

"But... why?" I ask, my voice trembling. "I mean, we barely know each other."

Huxley's eyes soften, and he runs his hand through my silky blonde hair, tucking a stray strand behind my ear. "I couldn't stand the thought of something happening to you, Raine. You're too damn beautiful and pure for this cruel world. I had to keep you safe, even if it meant breaking a few rules."

I survey the room closely–log walls embrace us, sturdy and unyielding, while a stone fireplace flickers feebly in the corner, attempting to keep the cold at bay. The atmosphere is heavily lined with an unsettling intimacy, but it’s the dawning realization of betrayal that pierces my heart.

He drugged me.

“What the fuck? You knocked me out!” The accusation explodes from me, fierce and unyielding. Rage swells in my chest, a wild beast fueled by the confusion and fear gripping my mind. How could he betray my trust like this? I try to pull away from his embrace, but his muscular arms hold me captive.

“Raine, I’m not going to hurt you. Take a deep breath,” he urges, his tone calm and soothing yet filled with a weight that reflects my own turmoil. I inhale sharply, but the clenching of my heart lingers.

He runs a hand through his tousled, brown hair, brows knitted together in regret.

"I'm sorry. I had to get you out of there. Things were about to escalate, and you were in danger. It was the only way."

I can see the torment in his fierce gray eyes—the pulse of guilt echoing in the space between us. My heart softens slightly, yet the anger remains, like embers refusing to extinguish.

"You’re the one who escalated things! I had it handled! You don't get to decide for me! And why the hell do you walk around with syringes filled with drugs?" I cry out, my mind racing with what this means for me. My father will come for me now; he’s probably already on his way to wherever the hell we are.

"You have no idea what you were dealing with, Raine. I can protect you," he assures with a firm voice that leaves no room for argument.

I cross my arms defiantly, raising my chin as I glare at him with challenge. "How can I trust you, Huxley? You’re basically a stranger, and you just drugged and kidnapped me. How do I know this isn't all part of your plan?"

His silence stretches, and for a moment, the air thickens between us. I can feel the pulse of tension as he searches for the right words, his chest rising and falling with each breath.

"I understand why you’d feel that way, I truly do. But you have to trust me when I say I would never hurt you… not intentionally. I care for you, Raine, more than I should."

"Trust? What does that even mean anymore?" I shoot back, recalling the shadows of betrayal that loom large from my past. My father’s unorthodox teachings have ingrained a profound sense of caution in me, an armor that is now hard to peel away.

"Look, Huxley, whatever Jason's done, it doesn’t mean you can just drug and kidnap me," I retort, my voice laced with an assertive annoyance that just poses against the uncertainty swirling within me.

He meets my gaze head-on, his jaw clenched tightly, a taut string ready to snap. "What Jason did? He threatened your life, and who knows what else, and you’re worried about me?" His incredulity is mirrored in my heart, pounding with a mixture of fear and something else—curiosity, perhaps?

"You have no idea what you’ve gotten yourself into. I may be a stranger to you, but think about it, Raine. I’m the only one who seems to care enough to risk everything to protect you. I don’t want to see you hurt, and I won’t let that happen."

In that moment, the fire in his eyes softens, morphing into something vulnerable yet fierce. I feel it too, that tumultuous need to believe, the sheer desperation to latch onto whatever light he offers in the tempest of my confusion.

But trust is a hard currency, one I struggle to trade. "I don’t understand why you care so much," I whisper, my frail resolve cracking under the weight of vulnerability. "You’ve barely even spoken to me before last night."

Huxley shifts closer, the heat radiating off him drawing me in like a moth to a flame. His fingers brush along my jawline, his touch gentle yet electric, igniting a shiver that ricochets through my body.

"I'm not your enemy, Raine. I promise. Let me prove it to you."

The pleading in his voice almost breaks me, and the walls I’ve built around myself sway, threatening to crumble into the warmth of his sincerity. The realization of how touch starved I’ve been hits me like a freight train. It’s been so long since anyone has shown me genuine care, and the intensity of his gaze makes my heart ache with longing I didn’t know I had. But I can’t afford to let my guard down. Not now. Not ever.

"I can't trust you," I whisper, heart racing at the conflicting emotions raging within me.

"You don't have a choice, Raine," he replies, the firmness of his tone slicing through my confusion like a knife.

"Just let me go. Please." The desperation in my plea clashes violently with the undeniable chemistry crackling between us.

Huxley moves closer, his presence overwhelming. He leans in, ghosting his warm breath over my skin, making every nerve in my body tingle with anticipation.

"I can't. You'll have to trust me. I'll protect you, Raine." The way he says my name sends ripples of excitement coursing through me.

Closing my eyes, I take a shaky breath, the tension between us palpable.

Why does my heart scream that maybe he’s the most dangerous of all when my body aches for his touch?

I shake myself out of the haze, desperately trying to regain my composure. My heart pounds in my chest, the rhythm chaotic and wild, a frantic scream that warns me of the danger lurking so close. Is the danger Huxley or my father?

"I don't have a choice, do I?" I whisper, the ghost of defiance lingering in my tone. The air thrums with electricity as Huxley, the mystery that both entices and terrifies me, leans even closer.

"No," he confesses, his voice low and dangerous, laced with an undertone of authority that sends shivers down my spine. He cups my cheek, warmth radiating from his hands as they caress my skin, momentarily shielding me from the storm brewing inside me.

My heart dares to dream of safety, yet the part of me that screams caution knows better. His eyes hold secrets that could shatter my world.

“I need you to trust me,” he repeats as his lips tentatively press against mine.

Fear and desire wage a war within me, each battling for dominance. My mind screams to pull away, to protect myself from the unknown danger that Huxley represents. But my body betrays me, leaning into his touch, craving the warmth and safety he promises.

"You think you can just sweep in, mess with my life, and make everything alright? To protect me from what? Your demons?" I challenge, anger swirling with an undeniable allure that pulls me toward him.

"No, not my demons, dammit. Your demons—Jason, your father, the life you've been living. You may not see it, but you’re in deeper than you realize. I won’t stand by and watch you get hurt."

"Then maybe don’t knock me out next time!" I snap back, trying to stifle the softer emotions stirring in me.

“I’m not the one you should be worried about, little girl, and you’re starting to piss me off.”

His words hang in the air, weighty with implication. The certainty in his voice is like a cold breeze on a warm summer night, sending shivers down my spine. I can’t deny the way my body reacts to Huxley’s presence, the way my heart races and my breath hitches every time he looks at me like he wants to eat me whole. Huxley’s eyes bore into mine before he pounces on top of me, pressing me to the bed.

***

Huxley

“What the hell–” I don’t let her finish before I slam my lips over hers, effectively shutting her bratty mouth up before she says anything else infuriating. Her words, sharp and laced with sarcasm, have seeped under my skin, grating on my nerves. The way she challenged me, the way she jutted her chin and crossed her arms defiantly, today of all days—has my patience running dry.

For a fleeting moment, she is completely still, shocked by my sudden move. Then, as if on cue, her defenses crumble; her delicate fingers tangle in the fabric of my shirt, pulling me closer as I intensify the kiss, trying to drown out the mayhem around us.

Her soft, warm body presses against mine, and I can feel the fight slipping from her; the tension in her shoulders relaxes as she surrenders to the heat radiating between us. I pull her closer, desperate to bridge the wild chasm that has grown between us in the light of our argument.

"You're so fucking gorgeous, Raine," I whisper between kisses, my voice hoarse with desire. "I've wanted to do this since the moment I laid eyes on you."

“Wait! What are you doing?” she finally mumbles against my lips, breathless but caught in the moment, her body betraying her bewilderment.

“Shutting you up,” I reply, teasingly, smirking against her mouth. Then I feel her smile, just a fraction, her annoyance replaced by a spark of mischief.

"You think this will make me quiet?" she challenges, her eyes shining with playful defiance even as she presses against me, seeking more of what we have stumbled into.

I chuckle softly, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear, bringing my forehead to hers, my gaze intense and commanding.

"You'll be anything but quiet, Raine," I growl, my voice deep and husky, "but you won't be saying a word I don't want to hear." I can feel her shiver against me, her breath hitching as I trace a path down her neck with my tongue, nipping at the sensitive skin there.

She swallows hard, her eyes widening slightly at the promise in my words. I can feel her heart racing against my chest, her breath hitching in her throat. I take advantage of her momentary stillness to scoot her up higher on the bed where I want her.

I press her down forcefully into the mattress, my body hovering over hers as I trail kisses down her jaw, her neck, her collarbone. She arches beneath me, her fingers tangling in my hair as she tries to pull me closer, her breath coming in soft, desperate moans. Raine lifts her hips from the bed, probably hoping I’ll give her exactly what she wants. Too bad I’m in charge.

“Someone is needy," I taunt against her skin. I can feel her body trembling beneath me, her need for release growing stronger with every passing second. Pulling off my shirt, I throw it to the floor then tear Raine’s over her head in one swift move, her eyes never leave my inked chest. Her perfect teeth sink into her bottom lip as she runs her nails along my torso. A smile plays across my lips at her unabashed stare. Her jeans are the next to go, not bothering with the consent I can already see shining in her eyes.

I continue my deliberate assault on her senses, my lips and teeth and tongue teasing and tasting every inch of her bare skin. I can feel her body tensing, her breath hitching, as I near the apex of her thighs.

I look up at her, my gaze meeting hers, as I gently push her legs apart. She's wearing nothing but a thin pair of white lace panties, and I can see the damp spot where she's already soaking through the fabric. Her eyes are wide and pleading as she begs me to take her over the edge.

"Please," she whispers, her voice fueled by desperation. "Please, Huxley."

I smirk, my eyes shining with a blend of amusement and desire. "Please what, firefly?" I tease. "Tell me what you want, and I might just give it to you."

Her jaw clenches, and I watch the battle play out behind those captivating eyes. She swallows hard, determination glimmering in her gaze. "Fuck you!" She hurls the words like a dagger.

A low laugh rumbles from my chest, the heat between us palpable. "Oh, little one, you will be soon enough, but I think that earned you a punishment."

Before she can retort, I flip her onto her stomach, a motion that sends a gasp escaping her lips. The sight before me is a masterpiece—the soft curve of her back leading to that perfect round ass, a tempting offering illuminated by the play of flickering flames.

Her breath catches, anticipation hanging heavy in the air. I lean down, planting teasing kisses along her spine, each touch relishing the way her body responds—how it shivers and arches at my ministrations.

"Raine," I murmur, my voice low and demanding, "you need to learn who’s in charge."

With that declaration, I deliver a not so playful swat to her ass. A sharp gasp escapes her throat, but rather than retreat, she pushes her backside higher, challenging me.

“Admit it. Tell me what I already know. Who owns this sweet pussy?” She lets out an aggravated growl.

“It’s mine, asshole,” she quips, making me chuckle. I’m thoroughly amused by her fierce spirit. Game on, my little firefly.

“I’ll keep that in mind when I have you begging for the relief only I can give you. I’m sure you’ll be singing a different tune when I’ve got your body so wound up that you’re desperate,” I promise.

I kneel behind her, my fingers tracing along the delicate lace of her panties, the heat radiating from her skin nearly intoxicating. I blow cool air on her dripping cunt, her reaction immediate and full of need. She sucks in a sharp breath, her back arching instinctively, driving her closer to me.

"So, this isn’t what you wanted?" I tease, my fingers expertly working the fabric aside to reveal her glistening treasure. The response I receive is a soft, pleading moan that resonates deep within me, stirring an insatiable hunger.

“Are you all talk or—” Her words are cut off by the harsh slap of my palm meeting her ass once again—a reminder of her place. It seems Raine has more of a backbone than I thought or maybe I just bring out the beast in her.

"Shall I retrieve a ball gag? You’d be hot as fuck, lying there, taking everything I want to give you without that backtalk that seems to accompany everything you say," I suggest, letting my fingers skim the freshly reddened flesh.

She shivers under my touch, goosebumps erupting across her skin, and in a sudden burst of movement, I rip the lace of her underwear to shreds, tossing the remains behind me like confetti.

"Hey!" she screeches, her surprise fueling a rush of adrenaline through my veins. But before she can voice her frustration any further, I dive between her legs, tasting her sweetness. My tongue flicks expertly against her sensitive folds, each deliberate move eliciting gasps and moans from her that resonate in the air like a symphony of raw desire.

"You taste divine," I growl into her skin, tasting the essence of her eager arousal. My fingers dig into her hips, holding her steady as I drink her in. Her breaths grow more erratic, each gasp matching the rhythm of my movements, and I can sense her pulse quickening.

"Huxley, please…" Raine gasps, her voice thick with need, and the bravado she wore moments ago is stripped away, leaving her vulnerable and more enticing than ever.

I can’t help but chuckle, the sound rich and deep, vibrating through her core. "Not yet, firefly. Let’s play a little longer."

“Huxley!” she cries, a mix of annoyance and longing lacing her words, and the desperation in her voice urges me on. Each cry drives me to explore her further, to guide her closer to the edge where I know the real magic happens.

Each flick of my tongue, each deliberate kiss and caress, stokes the flames of desire between us. I want to make her feel every bit of the wild hunger I've awakened in her. Tonight, the fire will burn hotter than before, and when all is said and done, I’ll have her begging for more.

“Do you want to fly, my sweet firefly?” I murmur against her skin, my voice thick with desire, watching as she nods fervently, the fight long gone. I have her right where I want her.

“Beg me,” I command, my voice low and dangerous as I pull back slightly, teasing her soaked cunt with my fingertips.

“Please, Huxley,” she whimpers, the need evident as she looks over her shoulder at me, her eyes pleading.

“Good girl,” I praise softly, allowing my desire to mix with pride as I finally relent, pinching her clit. She yelps, then screams into the pillow, her voice a perfect melody to my ears as I thrust my fingers in and out, licking and devouring her delicious honey.

“Fuck yourself on my fingers, Raine. Swallow every inch until you’re coming all over me,” I demand, the words leaving my mouth like a growl.

She arches her back, each thrust of my fingers drawing her closer to the precipice, our bodies entwined in a dance as raw and primal as the two flames that we are.

“Let go for me,” I whisper, feeling the tension building in her body. She grabs handfuls of the sheets, desperation coating every inch of her skin. Raine’s body responds with a fury, her muscles contracting as she succumbs to the crescendo of pleasure I’ve orchestrated.

“Now, Raine!” I command, and her cries envelop me, her body quaking with the force of her orgasm, spilling warmth all over my fingers.

As she rides the waves of ecstasy, I lean down beside her, my breath mingling with hers, gasps and moans slowly fading to silence, leaving us tethered by the intimacy of that shared moment.

Raine, still recovering from the aftershocks, turns to me, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "Is that all you’ve got?"

I chuckle, knowing that this was only the beginning of our night. "Oh, you have no idea, firefly. This is just the warm-up, and I plan to take you higher than ever before."