Page 52 of The Invite (The Massacre Ball #1)

Nessa

The bike ride ends too quickly for my liking. Even though we drove for almost two hours to a nearby town and my ass is numb.

My displeasure shows because an amused chuckle reverberates off Augustus’s chest when he literally has to peel off my arms from around him. I’m holding him in a death grip, unwilling to let go.

“Just a pit stop, Nessa,” he says to lift my mood.

That’s when I notice the small diner we’ve stopped at called Charlotte’s Cove.

We can’t see inside because of the tinted glass windows and the pretty flower pots adorning on either side of the front gate.

A few more bikes and two cars are parked beside ours, letting me know of the minimal patrons hanging around inside.

The knowledge we’re in another town eases my anxiety about being caught in public with my student.

I’ve already put my job and future in jeopardy by sleeping with Augustus. Not once, but twice. I can’t even call it a mistake because I all but begged him to claim me.

Sighing, I reluctantly get off, accepting his gloved hand to not lose my balance. After removing my helmet, he dismounts his bike. Kicking the stand, he secures it.

Tucking a wild strand that came loose from my ponytail, he grips my chin between his thumb and forefinger. “You’re the first and only woman who’s sat on my bike. I plan to take you again and often.”

His shocking admission booming in my head, he takes my hand and we stroll toward the diner.

Everything he’s done today has felt like the beginning of something between us. Even though we clearly have an unsaid end date to our forbidden relationship—or rather situationship—looming ahead.

So, he really shouldn’t pull at my heartstrings like that.

The door to the diner creaks when Augustus shoves it open.

We’re immediately surrounded by low chatter and utensils clanking in the kitchen in the back.

The lights are dim, providing a cozy vibe.

Booths line along the walls on each side while in the center, there are a couple of two-seat dining tables.

No one pays us any mind as we choose a booth at the very back.

I slide into the seat and plop down. Instead of sitting across from me, Augustus slides in right beside me, slinging his arm along the back of the booth. Not an inch of space between us. My skin burns where our thighs touch despite the clothes.

“There’s a perfectly fine space over there.” I point out to the opposite seat.

“Perfectly fine is for losers,” he scoffs, unzipping his jacket. “I like the absolute best, which is right next to you.”

“You could use a lesson in modesty.”

“You could use one in flattery.”

“Has anyone told you that you’re a smooth talker?” I discreetly shift to the corner, away from his deceptively warm body to put some distance and ward off his hypnotic spell.

“Yes.”

“Who?” Jealousy flares that I have no business or right to feel.

He tugs me flush against his side with one hand curled around my inner thigh, and utters with a smirk, “You.”

My cheeks heat in a telltale blush. However, I’m saved by the young waitress who stops at our table. She taps the pen on her tiny pad, and asks without looking up, “Are you ready to order?”

“Give us a moment.”

At Augustus’s deep voice, she finally looks up and desire reflects in her eyes. Her entire demeanor changes and she cocks her hip to the side while thrusting her chest out at the same time.

I may as well be a cloud of dust for all the attention she gives me.

Possessiveness rears its ugly head and I squash it down, glancing at my lap. She’s closer to his age and stunning. They can flirt all they like, I don’t care. This isn't my insecurities talking, just my self-preservation, which had seemingly taken a back seat until now.

“Would you like to hear the specials?” she offers in a chirpy voice.

My head jerks up when Augustus’s large hand engulfs my clasped ones, and he huskily asks, “Honey, do you want to hear?”

There’s no mistaking the reverence in his tone or the dark possessiveness with which he watches me. All I can manage is a shake of my head.

My heart thuds so loud, I swear the waitress must hear it. However, she’s too busy glaring at me for cockblocking her.

It pisses me off. He came with me. He’s mine. That should clue her in.

If nothing else, the dark hickeys on my neck should.

Giving her a sugary smile, my voice comes out edgy as I dismiss her. “Just bring us the menu and some water, please.”

“Sure,” she huffs and stalks away.

A minute later, she returns with our request and vanishes again. I’m immensely satisfied when she glances longingly at Augustus, who has his gaze glued to my face and his fingers absently stroking my ponytail.

As soon as it’s just us, his grip goes from playful to hard, and he tugs. Licking the spot where his hickey sits, his mouth traces to my ear. “The sight of you jealous over me is my second favorite thing about you.”

“What’s the first?”

“You naked and begging me to let you come.”

I shudder, replaying all the carnal ways he’s brought me wicked pleasure. My body plays to his tunes every time he touches me. Even now, sore from taking two rough poundings of his huge cock, I’m burning up all over again.

Attuned to my body’s signals, he doesn’t miss the squeezing of my thighs or my choppy breaths. Dragging his hand toward my pussy, he flicks his tongue on my earlobe. I feel it directly on my clit.

“Show me your tits.”

My eyelids fly open. “Right here?”

“Yeah.”

“Someone will see, Augustus.”

Sharp teeth replace his teasing tongue and bite down on my ear. “We’re the only ones here. So, do it fast.”

“But—”

“No buts, Nessa,” he growls. “We have a deal. You give me your body, no questions asked.” My hips roll as his palm brazenly cups my pussy over the jeans and he grinds the heel of his wrist right against my clit.

“Right now, I want to stare at my marks on your tits and suck on those cherry pink nipples.”

Baring myself in public has never crossed my mind in my wildest dreams, but Augustus’s filthy words alone tempt me to shed all my inhibitions. I’m scared of how aroused I am.

“You sold your soul to the devil,” he rasps. “It’s time to pay up.”

Before I lose the courage, I reach up and lower the neckline of my tank top. Since I went braless, my breasts pop out one by one, displaying lewdly for Augustus’s salacious gaze. Cool air hardens my nipples into stones. Blue and purple bruises mar the pale skin.

Yet he makes no move to taste them.

I squirm, blushing furiously. I become hyperaware of the voices of the neighboring customers despite us being secluded in the corner. Nevertheless, I become wetter under the blazing heat of Augustus’s stare.

Just when I think I can’t take it anymore, his mouth descends and seals around my right breast. My back bows when he suctions hard, rolling his tongue around the peak. A moan threatens to slip free, but his palm slaps over my lips, cutting it off.

He sucks for a good long minute until it’s sensitive and swollen. I keep looking over our booth to make sure no one is walking in our direction. It’s not an easy feat with his hungry mouth toying and tasting his marks.

Switching to the other, he twists my body for a deeper angle. I can’t resist arching against his lashing tongue. He eats my breasts like he eats my pussy. Filthily. Recklessly. Thoroughly.

I’m so close to climaxing from it alone.

Just as the thought strikes, I catch a flash of the waitress in my peripheral. Shit. She’s marching toward our section. With my mouth covered, I can’t warn Augustus.

Twisting my fingers in his silky hair, I pull extra hard and slap his arm with the other. Feral eyes lift to mine and narrow, promising sweet retribution for interrupting him.

Wrenching his palm down, I gulp a breath and wheeze out, “The waitress.”

He glances over his shoulder while I hastily cover my chest and lean forward on the table with my arms crossed.

My efforts are in futility because Augustus doesn’t wipe his glistening lips, which are swollen and red from all the sucking.

Only when the waitress finally stops at our table does he lick his luscious mouth, making her attention drop to the small movement.

The girl flicks her furrowed gaze in my direction and they widen when she sees the flush painted on my cheekbones.

With my hair tied in a ponytail, I can’t hide the pointed tips poking against my top, giving away just what was happening before she arrived.

Tables have turned and now she’s reeking of jealousy.

A swallow works down her throat before she croaks, “Decided what to order?”

Augustus flicks open the untouched menu, taking control of the situation while I’m still getting my breathing under control and simultaneously trying not to die of embarrassment. He’s completely composed, arrogant, and nonchalant as ever.

Stretching his arm behind me, he massages the back of my neck soothingly and places our order—two plates of steak, mashed potatoes, and a side salad.

My stomach rumbles in anticipation of the steak. It’s been so long since I’ve eaten it. I keep the tidbit to myself. He already knows a lot more about me than anybody in this town.

“Can I bring you anything to drink while the food comes?” she asks. “The kitchen is swamped, so it’ll take a bit longer.”

Augustus squeezes my neck in question. “Ness?”

I glance at the drink section in the menu and perk up at one of the options. “I’d like a chocolate milkshake.”

The waitress leaves after noting it down.

“Did you not want anything?”

He takes a sip of the water before him and shakes his head. His hand goes back to toying with my ponytail and those predatory eyes slide to mine. “I wanted to cook you dinner but thought you might enjoy getting fresh air instead of being cooped up inside the house.”

It takes all my willpower not to melt at his thoughtfulness. Clearing my throat, I quip, “So, you only went back to your place to change?”

“Why? Did you miss me while I was gone?”

“No,” I scoff.

“I obviously made the right call judging by the eye fucking you gave me at your doorstep.”

“Don’t flatter yourself. I was just admiring your bike.”

“It’s my bike. So by extension, you were fawning over me.”

“Someone thinks too highly of themselves.”

“Just stating a fact.” Dipping his mouth, he taunts, “Admit it, I turn you on. Or you’ll prove you really are a chickenshit.”

I twist, match his stare, and arch a brow. “Would a chickenshit cut you with a knife?”

“I guess not.” He leans back with a smirk.

Before he can continue pushing my buttons, I switch the topic. “Where are we going next? You mentioned this is a pit stop.”

“You’ll see when we get there.”

“What’s with the secrecy?”

He leans forward, resting his thick forearms on the table. “I’ll share if you tell me something personal about you.”

“You already know enough.”

“I told you nothing short of everything will be enough.”

“I also told you that it’s impossible.”

“Quite the opposite, Nessa.” He stares intensely. “You’re the only one standing in the way.”

“This isn’t a date.” Before he can retort, I add, “Nor do I want to turn it into one. If that was your intention, you may as well take me home after we eat.”

I expect him to back off but his intrigue deepens right before my eyes, much like an eagle homing in on its prey.

I’m once again saved by the waitress, who drops off the milkshake with two straws.

Curling my fingers around the glass, I raise it to my mouth and take a sip.

The coldness of the drink is a welcoming sensation to calm my flared nerves.

When I set it down after finishing halfway, Augustus snatches it to have a taste.

He drinks it from the same straw, causing me to cross my legs. If he’s obsessed with my breasts, then I’m equally obsessed with his mouth.

There’s no sign of the brooding yet flirtatious man when he meets my gaze. I’m both disappointed and relieved he’s given up on opening me up, until he states in a hard voice, “It’s time we talk about Anonymous.”