Page 58 of The Invite (The Massacre Ball #1)

Nessa

@thedeviluworship: Be ready for me.

I stare at Augustus’s last text.

Even through it, he sounds bossy. I wonder if he inherits it from his mother. Or perhaps his dad, who was a mayor. With parents like them, leadership qualities and a commanding nature must run in the family.

I would be repulsed by Augustus’s attitude—even if I seem to make an exception when we’re fucking—if it hadn’t come from a place of protectiveness.

Every time he calls me honey, I melt into a puddle. Maybe if I weren’t so fucked up in the head, I’d be able to resist him harder and not give in at the first sign of affection.

While waiting for him to pick me up, my mind travels to Anonymous. I’m all set with a fake account, but I’m still undecided about whom to post. I hardly mingle with anyone, so I’m clueless about fresh town gossip. Posting about a colleague will raise flags and—

Oh… wait.

I cannot post at all. It will be disastrous. This is something I didn’t think through deeply. Nobody except for Augustus knows that I’m also a target. So, if I do upload a secret tonight, the rest will immediately know there’s another player and start searching for me. Thus, revealing my identity.

What will they think if they know their teacher is involved too?

What if they accuse me like Augustus did?

Slumping against the couch, I stare at the ceiling, as if the solution is written there. Should I risk not participating? But won’t that put the others in even more jeopardy?

I jump when there’s a ping on my phone.

My first instinct is to assume it’s Augustus. When I glance down, it’s a text from Ace, who I haven’t spoken to since I returned from his place.

ACE: Hey. How’re you doing?

After the whirlwind of yesterday, it slipped my mind to text him. It’s so sweet he’s checking up on me. No matter what my relationship is with Augustus, I’m not letting it affect my budding friendship with Ace.

ME: Hii. I’m feeling better.

ME: Thank you for letting me stay with you.

His reply is instant.

ACE: Just when I thought we had gotten past you thanking me. You’ll give a man a savior complex, pretty girl.

I chuckle, typing a reply just as there’s another message from him.

ME: You mean you didn’t already have one? ;)

ACE: Also, you’re welcome at my apartment any time. Consider the guest room yours.

ACE: Ha. I didn’t know you joked.

ACE: I totally forgive you for saying thanks.

His response makes me pause. Am I lowering my guard without even realizing it? And in front of two polar opposite men. Quite a paradox. One man makes me feel lighthearted while the other equally scares and brings me safety. Yet they both managed to sneak past my walls.

ME: Whew… I’m relieved.

The doorbell rings just as I’m putting down my phone. My heart booms at the prospect of seeing Augustus. Despite knowing that tonight won’t be anything like last night. Our future hinges on the plan. Nevertheless, being with him makes me forget about the looming danger for a little while.

I get a head rush from how fast I stand from the couch and run to the front door.

Swinging it open, a full electric shudder through passes me as I take in Augustus from head to toe.

My mouth waters at the short-sleeved shirt he’s wearing, displaying his sexy tatted arms in all their glory.

The snake—my favorite piece—flexes as he steps inside and shuts the door with his boot.

His signature menacing gaze roams down the leather jacket I’m wearing, as per his wish, to the high-waisted jeans glued to my curves.

Being the center of his attention is thrilling beyond words.

Is it weird that I’m not bothered by our age difference?

His intensity mirrors mine as we feel the pull between us.

My head tilts to maintain eye contact as he backs me deeper into the hallway. Curving one arm around my waist, he yanks me to his solid chest. My pulse pounds harder when his head dips, thinking he’s about to finally kiss me.

Only to feel his lips graze my left cheek in a soft peck.

Disappointment coils deep inside my belly but I push it down.

“Fuck! I missed you,” he rasps desperately.

His raw confession spreads through my bloodstream, filling me with a sense of belonging. It’s infectious and a thousand times better than the prospect of kissing him.

Maybe one day he’ll have the urge and do it.

Dragging his mouth to the hollow in my throat, he sucks and kisses along my collarbone. I run my fingers up his arm and clutch his bicep. As I dig my nails in encouragement, his lips become hungry and leave toe-curling bites down to the top of my breasts visible over the deep neckline of my top.

I’m still sore from his rough pounding yesterday. Yet, a dull ache ignites in my pussy. If he shoves down my jeans and fills me with his cock—which throbs against my stomach—I won’t stop him. Sharp desire breathes a life of its own, craving the pleasurable pain he inflicts.

“Did you pack your bag?” he asks instead after raising his head.

I push back the fallen strands on his forehead and bring my palm to rest over his steady heartbeat. “Yeah. I’m ready.”

“Grab it and your keys,” he commands, the softness replaced by his broodiness. “The sooner we get out of here, the better.”

“Where are you taking me?”

“Somewhere safe.”

“And where’s that?”

“You’ll see.” He smirks.

That tone combined with the smirk sends all sorts of warning signals to my brain. I’m well aware by now that no amount of interrogating him will get me the answer. I’ll just have to wait and see.

“The place better not be a cave or something, August,” I warn playfully as I push past him to grab both the overnight bag and my keys.

But a strong hand around my neck hauls me back and tilts my head until I lock eyes with a set of dark and serious ones. “I need your trust, Ness. And I need you to believe me when I say I won’t hurt you. Not intentionally.”

Dislodging his grip with some pressure, I turn around and cup his face.

“When I said yes to being yours, it included my trust. I don’t understand it but I feel safe with you, Augustus.

Maybe I’m being foolish considering how it all started between us, but I can’t deny that I… feel a connection with you.”

A storm brews in his pupils, a dark contrast to his soft voice, as he murmurs, “You’re not the only one, little prey.”

I smile and the black cloud passes from his eyes. They sizzle with possessiveness as his thumb brushes over my lips. “Is this… for me?”

He utters it like he can’t believe I’d ever smile for him. I don’t know why but it makes my heart pang. So, I assure him, “Yes.”

“All because I admitted to having feelings for you?”

“Yes,” I softly reply, the moment feeling pivotal. “It made me happy to know this isn’t one-sided.”

“I’ve never craved or cared to make a person smile.

” The timbre of his voice turns deeper as he confesses, “Until I saw it last night and heard your sweet giggle while you sat behind my bike. I’ve been wanting to see and hear it again ever since.

I didn’t think it was possible for you to be even more gorgeous, then you do this,” he tugs at my bottom lip and rasps, “and prove me wrong.”

I swear my smile broadens while my stomach does a backflip.

He drops his hand like I electrocuted him and it balls into a tight fist. “We need to leave or I’ll fuck you and won’t stop for hours.”

When I stay rooted to the floor with my jaw slack, he slaps my ass to jolt me into action. “Get moving. Now.”

In less than five seconds, I’m scrambling to the living room and returning to his side. One of his hands is clutching my helmet, which I’m obsessed with. Paired with the jacket, I feel like a sexy biker girl. So much so that it deludes me into believing I can learn to ride a bike.

Once we reach his bike after locking up my house, he turns to me and zips up my jacket. I run a palm over the gas tank, and ask, “Which model is this?”

“Ducati Diavel.”

“Oh.” I feel silly, like I should know the name or something.

Amusement flickers on Augustus’s face when he doesn’t see a spark of recognition in my eyes. Before he can sense my embarrassment, I pop out another question. “Do you have a name for it?”

“Just because I call you pet names doesn’t mean I have them for everything and everyone in my life.”

Color travels to my cheeks at the intimacy of his statement. “But if you wanted to, what would you call it?”

“How about you pick?”

“It’s yours. So, you should decide.”

Tracing the slope of my neck with a fingertip, he drawls, “And I’m asking you.”

My gaze ping-pongs between him and the bike. One single name comes to mind right off the bat, but it stays stuck on the tip of my tongue. So, I lie, “Fine, I’ll think about it.”

I reach for the helmet but he pushes it behind his back. A narrowed gaze meets mine, and he demands, “You’re lying. Tell me the name, Ness.”

“Aren’t we getting late?”

He just stares back silently.

I sigh, and breathlessly reveal, “Beast.”

“Hmm, I like it.” He bends and kisses my nose.

It takes me a second to process his sweet reaction.

He legit kissed my nose like I’m adorable.

Does he find me cute?

“Yes, you’re the cutest, Ness.” Cupping the back of my neck, he caresses the side and smirks. “Even when you’re holding a knife to my throat.”

Before I can retort, he pulls out what appears to be a black bandana from his pocket. Seeing my curious expression, he explains, “I want to keep the place I’m taking you to a surprise. Close your eyes.”

I don’t hesitate to convey I trust him as I obey him.

He ties it around my head, covering my eyes and cutting off my vision. It’s not too tight. Over it, he slides my helmet on and tightens the chinstraps. His hands fall away and I hear him kick the stand of the bike and mount it.

Guiding me with a hand, he helps me do the same. I wrap my arms around his abs. They flex when he roars the engine to life. Even though he probably can’t see, I know he senses my smile as I settle in for the ride, exhilarated and unafraid despite the blindfold.

It’s a whole new experience of riding with one of my senses gone, which makes the others sharpen. I feel the light breeze caress the uncovered parts of me, the vibration against my inner thighs, and the sounds when another vehicle zooms past us.

Every now and then, he caresses my hand, especially when he speeds up. My heart beats so loud I hear it in my ears. The grin on my lips never wavers.

All my worries about tonight slip away until we arrive at our destination.

Augustus cuts the engine.

A low buzzing remains in my eardrums, and I wait to listen for any noise when it dissipates to guess where we are. The sound of Augustus getting off is all I hear for a second before strong hands remove the helmet, leaving my eyes blindfolded. I gasp when he grips my waist and picks me up.

My feet never touch the ground.

His husky voice fills my right ear. “Wrap your legs around me.”

I shiver when a palm slides to my ass, pulling me flush, and he starts walking. The suspense of the unknown keeps me alert while being cocooned in his embrace tells me I’m safe. It’s a complete mystery how he changed from being my monster to my knight in shining armor.

When did it happen?

After he showed me another side of him yesterday as he took care of me.

A slight jolt snaps me out of my musings. His gait switches to a descending motion. Are we going down a staircase? The silence also becomes deafening.

“August,” I whisper.

He squeezes my ass. “Almost there, honey.”

I turn my head in the crook of his neck and I’m hit with a shot of his woodsy scent with a subtle hint of leather. I can’t resist having a small taste. His fingers dig harshly into my flesh as I lick his skin and kiss it softly.

Christ! I want to kiss him on the lips so bad. Just once. It’s turning into a desperate obsession. It’s been so long since I’ve felt the small intimacy.

Will he ever allow me the chance?

Maybe I can convince him if he feels our connection as strongly as I do. I don’t even know the S of seduction, so, it’s out of the window.

While I’m mentally plotting the best way to push or entice him, we come to a halt. I lift my head and I swallow against the gust of breath right against my mouth. I just know his face is tilted down and our lips are aligned.

My tongue peeks out to lick the corner of my mouth.

His rough exhale is so loud in the silence that it travels to the tip of my toes. The lustful tension in the air can be cut with a knife. Before that can happen, he places me on my feet and turns me around so my back is against his front.

Touching the sides of my face, he tugs the band over my head.

I blink several times, adjusting my eyes to the semi-darkness.

When the room comes into view, with its low rusty ceiling and tomb-like structure, I lose my grip on reality.

My mind scrambles to stay in the present, but as cold and horrific memories slam into my psyche, the walls start closing in on me.

“I… Gett mme,” I struggle to beg, my vision blackening.

“Nessa.”

Augustus’s concerned voice sounds faint. I’m slipping away from him, but I can’t seem to hang on as my fingers turn numb.

“No!” Someone grabs my waist, holding me back. I have to run.

“ Ness! ”

“Don’t hurt him!” I shout.

But they don’t listen.

A gut-wrenching sob leaves me. “No!”