Page 185 of Soul So Dark

My mouth opens with a silent gasp as the widest part clears my tight entrance. It’s gotten much easier, and I’d be lying if I didn’t feel an exhilarating sense of accomplishment every time that I put one in. Letting out my breath, I straighten up and stroll over to my desk, tucking my leg under me before sinking down.

“The other day, I left one of your plugs in when I went to class.” I gently rock my hips back and forth, feeling the satisfying pressure. “I wasn’t thinking, sat down like normal, and almost screamed and fell out of my seat in front of everyone.”

“Oh,no,”AJ chuckles. “So, you're telling me you actuallydohave a virgin ass?”

“Are you surprised?”

“Filthy girl like you? Yeah.”

“You have no idea how filthy I am.”

“Because you’re a little butt slut now? I bet you’re positively unholy.”

With you, I could be...

“I also like how you call themmyplugs,” he adds, “even though they were a gift foryou.”

“Sorry,” I snicker, reaching for my mask.

“Don’t be sorry.You’remine, so what’s the difference?”

“I am, huh?” I remove my headset briefly to slide the black and purple mask down over my face. “Do you realize that I don’t even know your last name?” I ask as soon as my headset is back on.

“You trying to take it?”

“Is it a cool one?” I ask as I turn on my camera. “If you have a terrible last name, that won’t work for me. I have to maintain appearances.”

AJ’s familiar dark figure appears, sitting in his black leather chair with his face covered by his Ghost mask. “Many have attempted to capture it, but none have succeeded.”

That one makes me snort. “So, what do the A and the J stand for?”

“Absolutely Jacked,” he says without missing a beat.

“Oh my god, you’re so lame,” I laugh. “Anyway, how are you even going to find me at GalactiCon if you don’t know what I look like?”

“Easy, I’ll just look for the best Lara Croft.”

“Do youknowhow many Lara Crofts go to these things?” I snap.

“I’ll know,” he’s unfazed, “because I figured you out a long time ago. You like showing off, you like being watched, and you like me watching you best of all.”

Suddenly, I feel the faint ache in my chest again; the one that comes on when I realize someone who should be here is missing. And it’s happening more frequently. I’ve been able to keep it in check until now.

“Yes.” It comes out in nearly a whisper. “Because I wish you were here.”

“I have a lot of guilt about that, Ry.”

“Why?”

“If I’d decided to meet you earlier, then I could’ve prevented what happened to you. Because I’d never let anyone hurt you like that.”

“You don’t know that.”

AJ doesn’t know Bowen, or my brother, or about all the shattered pieces I left back in Dire Ridge.

“Yeah, I do. And after you told me about it, I took a risk sending you that package. I know it could’ve turned you off completely and pushed you away for good.”

An unexpected giggle escapes my throat. “You want to know a secret?”