Page 17

sixteen

Chase You, Taste You

September

Scarlett

I feel a shiver come over me as I run the pads of my two fingers over the scar on my stomach. I lose myself in the kaleidoscope of colors as the wind swirls the leaves around outside the window as I zone out. Even though I should be paying attention to Hunter, I can’t seem to focus on anything other than what’s outside my window, even though there’s nothing there.

It’s my first day back to work since River’s death. I needed more time after I was shot, the extent of which I still don’t recall. I recall being in a dark room with the men in masks, but nothing else comes to mind.

Hunter clears his throat, attempting to get my attention. Reluctantly, I rip my eyes away from the window and force a smile, hoping it meets my eyes.

“Is everything okay, Dr. Stone?” Hunter asks, his bright blue eyes shining brightly.

“I’m fine, Hunter, and please, it’s just Miss Stone, no doctor.” For some reason, I never wanted to be announced as a doctor. The title just never felt right to me.

“Sorry, I kind of like doctor .”

"We are not doing this today, Hunter. We're here to discuss what's going on with you." Trying to keep the conversation professional, I ignore his flirting and flip through his chart, skimming my notes.

When I realize that his release date is near Halloween, another unfavorable emotion comes over me, but I try to push it away as I turn to face him and put on another fake smile. “So, let's talk about how you feel about getting released.”

Instead of going straight home after work, I go to the bar down the street from my apartment. Since River was killed, I’ve been mired in thought, and I haven’t discovered a way to dig myself out of the hole. I take the seat at the far end of the bar, closest to the door, in case I need to leave quickly. I've always been like that when I go places.

The bartender spots me the second I sit down and brings me a beer and a shot, walking away with a smile, knowing it's what I've been ordering every time I come in. I was never a big drinker. I liked to trip more, but alcohol seems to numb the pain more than ecstasy or acid. I down the shot in one gulp and then take a sip of my beer, barely registering the burn. There's another one slid over to me, and I toss it down my throat.

I scan the bar, noticing the regulars I've been seeing the past month, but one stands out, and I've seen him before. Where, though? I return my gaze to the shot in my hand, chasing number three with my last sip of beer.

"Did you want another?" I recognize the man I was staring at as he slides onto the empty stool beside me, propping his elbows on the bar.

"Sure." I shrug, accepting the drink and nodding to the bartender for another beer too .

"Rough day or something?" he asks when I finally turn my head, taking in all the tattoos covering his body.

I’ve seen him at the beach... and the lake. He grins, noticing my expression, as if he realizes I know who he is.

"I suppose you could say that. Hey, you were at the lake that night, weren't you?"

"Yeah, we all were." Bits and pieces of what happened start to rush back to me as he gives me the same smirk he gave me that night.

Nothing makes sense, though. Everything is still a huge fucking blur.

"Scarlett, right?"

"Yeah, that's right. I'm not even going to try to guess your name because I have no idea."

"Nixon, but some call me white. " As he runs his fingertips across my forearm, my hair stands on end, and goosebumps prickle my skin, sending a chill down my spine.

I want to remove my arm, but something in his eyes prevents me from doing so. My eyes fix on him as my body freezes to the stool, and I notice that his grin is growing progressively more menacing.

"Where's your friends you were with that night?" he asks, his gaze never leaving mine as he takes his shot.

"Melanie is doing her own thing, and River... well, River is no longer with us." His brows knit together with curiosity.

"Meaning what?" he prods, trying to decipher the message hidden behind my cryptic response.

"He was murdered that night." He doesn't even flinch as I say it, which gives me a rather uncomfortable chill, but I ignore it and look away from him, refusing to let him see the tears forming behind my eyes.

He places his hand on my arm, putting an end to the tickling his fingers were doing. The simple gesture causes me to turn my head and smile, meeting kind eyes rather than evil ones. I return his smile, forgetting about the gut feeling I had when he first came over, as the alcohol does its job of loosening me up.

"I 'm sorry about your friend, Scarlett. Did they find out who did it?" I can hear genuine sympathy in his voice, which calms my frayed nerves.

"Thank you, but no, not yet." Helicoptering my finger around, I signal to the bartender for another round, just wanting to forget about the hell that River went through for one night.

"Did you want another drink?" I ask Nixon, a smile on my lips as we lock eyes once more. "My treat this time," I add, offering him another flirty smile.

"Sure, I'd love to drink with you."

When our drinks are placed in front of us, neither of us hesitates to finish them. My cheeks quickly become hot and rosy. I've been laughing for a while at something he said that wasn't that funny, and I feel more relaxed than I have in the past month. Other than just that night at the lake, which I can’t even completely recall, something about Nixon seems familiar.

Two hours after entering the bar, Nixon stands up and approaches me from behind, placing his hand on my lower back and setting off small internal fireworks. No one has touched me like that since River… and the men in the masks.

"I'm going out to smoke a cigarette. Do you want to join me?" He smiles and whispers into my ear, tickling the skin on my neck with the warmth of his breath, which causes me to shiver.

"Yeah, sure," I agree, throw a few bills on the bar to pay for my drinks, and eventually leave the bar voluntarily with Nixon, not knowing what tonight will bring.

Nixon

Unlike Blade and Saint, I don't have to drug Scarlett to get her to do what I want. All I had to do was be nice to her and a little fucking manipulative in order for her to feel at ease around me. Her decision to come out to smoke with me was entirely her own; I simply pointed her in the right fucking direction.

I keep my gaze on her as she puffs away on the mentholated cigarette between her puffy, luscious lips as we stand in the dark, quiet alley between the bar and a strip club. Damn, what I wouldn't give to have them wrapped around my cock. The looks she keeps giving me and the raised brow she keeps flaunting make me think she has plans of her own while we're back here, away from everyone's prying eyes.

I can tell she's drunk—not completely obliterated—but she's definitely on the verge. Which makes my plan for tonight so much fucking easier, and without me giving her drugs to block her memory, I know she’ll remember every fucking thing I do to her. But I'll take it easy so I don't scare her.

"So, Scarlett. Do you have a boyfriend?" I ask, already knowing the answer.

"Nope. River and I used to date, but after the death of our friend and the disappearance of another, we went our separate ways. I guess the stress was too much on our relationship," she offers willingly, puffing heavily on the cigarette and doing her best to blow rings of smoke into the foggy air.

"So, are you looking to come back to my place for a little… company ?"

She smiles, fear no longer visible in her jet black eyes. “I don’t know if I’m ready for all that,” she says, without actually admitting her ass is a fucking virgin. But unbeknownst to her, I already fucking know.

“We don’t have to do anything you don’t want to do. I’m not one of them .” I keep a sweet smile on my face, attempting to reassure her.

She bores her eyes into me, taking her sweet time to sweep her heavily drunken gaze over the tattoos that cover almost all of my skin, trying to make sense of some of the artwork. I step into her, lightly pressing the front of my body against hers, making sure she can already feel how fucking hard I am. I expect her to blush due to our close proximity, so I’m surprised when she reaches out and grabs the hem of my shirt, pulling me closer so our lips are mere fucking inches apart. I wasn’t expecting that. But I’ll take it.

She rises on her toes, even in her heels, just to be able to reach my mouth comfortably. She kisses me without saying anything, letting her guard down with one of the only men she fucking shouldn't. Shit, should I kiss her back or pull away to pretend to be doing the right thing?

“Scarlett, is this what you want?” I ask her, trying to appear sincere, gliding my thumb over her glossy lips as her eyes follow my every move.

“Yes, it is, and I’m not just saying that because I’m drunk.”

As I grab the back of her neck and crash my lips down on hers, she laughs and hiccups, her cheeks turning pink. Hungrily, I sweep my tongue around in her mouth, tangling it with hers. I catch each moan that escapes her throat in my mouth and kiss her like she has never been kissed before. She’s panting against my lips when we break the kiss, and as she considers my offer to take her home with me, her eyes start to fill with curiosity.

“What’s that look for, Scarlett?” I ask in the most subdued voice I’ve ever used, doing everything in my power to avoid alarming her.

“Is your offer still open about coming home with you?” As she asks, she blushes and twirls a silky lock of her black hair around her finger.

“It sure the fuck is.” I grin and re-capture her lips, this time kissing her a little rougher, sinking my teeth into her bottom lip, causing her to softly yelp right into my mouth.

I might get myself into trouble with the boys tonight, but it'll be worth it.

When we separate for the second time, lust heavily clouds her eyes as she bats her dark, innocent lashes at me. Her smile is contagious, and I can’t help but return it, thumbing her puffy bottom lip, red and swollen from my sucking.

"You want to get out of here, Scarlett ?" Her name rolls off the tip of my tongue slowly, causing a breath to hitch in her throat.

I run my fingers up her stomach, feathering the tips over her breasts and watching her chest heave from the sensation. I watch goosebumps form as I slide them up her silky, caramel skin, sweeping them across her collarbone and slowly gliding them under her chin. I grip her jaw tightly, tilting her head so her eyes meet mine. Desire swirls within them, and with each blink, her pupils dilate.

Smiling and still waiting for her answer, I ask her again. "Are you ready to go?"

"Yeah, let's go. Do you live far?" She unexpectedly reaches out and takes my hand as we begin to move down the alley.

I don’t know if she’s trying to get closer or out of fear of what might be lurking out here in the darkness, but I lace my fingers with hers and squeeze her hand firmly.

"I live a block away, so I figured we could walk or..." I grin, and she raises her perfectly sculpted brow in a question.

"Or what?" she finally asks.

"...or we could play a little game." Her eyes widen and her smile fades slightly as she hears the word "game," but she quickly recovers with a smirk.

"What kind of game?" We reach the end of the alley and cross the street once the cars have passed, her hand still clutched in mine.

"It's called chase you, taste you." Her eyes sparkle with wonder as I wink at her, drawing her deeper into the darkness as we walk down the dimly lit street.

"What kind of game is that?" she laughs, and it makes my fucking dick hard. Thank fuck, we're almost home.

"It's the kind of game where you fucking run, and I chase you... and when I catch you—cus I will—I get to taste how fucking sweet you are." She swallows hard, her grip on my hand loosening as if she wants to release it, but she doesn't.

“Oh.” That’s all she says, looking straight ahead as the thoughts in her head race, and I already fucking know what she’s thinking.

"Would you like to play? I’ll make you feel really good when we get back to my place.” I promise her, with no intention of lying.

“What apartment is yours?”

“That building, right up there.” I point as her big, brown eyes widen and a small, sweet smile spreads across her glossy lips.

“No way. Really?” She looks at me, fear no longer visible in her eyes.

“Yeah, why?”

“I live in the apartments across the street from yours. That’s funny,” she laughs, finally warming up to me, which works in my favor.

“The irony, huh?” I playfully bump her shoulder, still gripping her hand tightly.

“So, do you want to play, Scarlett? All you have to do is run to my building and hope I don’t catch you." I lick my lips, watching her eyes follow my tongue.

“I’m a little drunk, though. I don’t know how well I’ll be able to run.”

“Give it a shot.” I let go of her hand and shoved her back, urging her to run towards my building.

Even if the distance is only a block, the chase is still half the fun. I simply stroll behind her as she runs, her black hair flying wild in the wind. Watching her ass jiggle in the tight pants she chose to wear, I palm my erection over my pants, getting myself ready for when we get inside. It’s a good thing the guys are at the Mausoleum tonight. I don’t want anyone interfering with what I’m about to do to my little toy…

Scarlett

Other than the copious amounts of alcohol coursing through my veins, I’m not sure what made me agree to Nixon's game, but here I am, running down the sidewalk, attempting to beat him back to his apartment. I ignore the bitter wind on my face and breathe through my nose, trying to keep my chest from hurting from the cold invading my lungs. I’m not sure what causes me to turn around, but I do. And when I do, he’s nowhere to be found.

It’s dark, Scarlett. That’s why. He’s still coming.

I continue to run in the pitch black, attempting to stay in the dim glow of the fading streetlights, using them as a guide. I sigh with relief as I approach his building and note how close it is, realizing it’s not far. Although the wind on my cheeks is cold, it soothes my hot body and helps to lessen the heat that’s rushing through me.

As I turn to look behind me, I hear footsteps but see nobody. What happened to him? Coming to the front of the apartment, I grab the stair railing and hunch over, trying to catch my breath after the short run. My vision is obstructed by my hair, and I can’t see anything, but a chill runs down my spine as I sense someone approaching me. As I turn around, a hand is placed over my mouth, and I am yanked against a firm chest. I recognize Nixon as the person holding me by the potent, woodsy scent, so I unwind in his firm embrace as he drags me inside the structure.

“Gotcha,” he growls in my ear, nipping at my lobe. “That wasn’t so bad, was it?” he growls again, this time in hushed tones, dragging me down the hall with him.

With his hand clamped over my mouth, I shake my head, still unable to speak. For some reason, I’m not afraid, though. He leads me into his apartment, closing the door behind us while his hand remains firmly placed over my mouth. I don’t resist as he drags me toward his bed and throws me on, quickly taking my clothes off. He takes a step back to admire my naked body, making me shiver and feel small beneath his intimidating gaze as he removes his own clothes.

“I chased you, Scarlett…” he says with a seductive tone and climbs onto the bed, hovering his entire body over mine. “...and now I’m going to taste you.”

He seizes my lips, wildly lashing his tongue against mine, while his hands slide down my body, exploring my breasts and cupping them firmly. I part my legs for him, and he wiggles his body between them, his cock pressing against my aching pussy.

Thinking this is my first time, I arch my back into his touch, relishing the pleasure he’s inflicting on my body. But when his lips move from my mouth to my neck and continue kissing down my body until he comes to a halt at the mound between my thighs, he looks at me and winks, completely throwing me off.

“What are you doing?” I ask, heavily panting.

"Tasting how sweet you are, just as I promised." He smiles as he reaches for my clit, tugging it between his teeth.

I grab his hair and pull it as he flattens his tongue, lapping up the moisture dripping from my pussy as I writhe beneath him on the bed.

“I thought…” My words trail off as he eases his fingers into me, slowly stretching me out while his teeth brutally tug on my clit.

“You’re not ready for what I have, Scarlett,” he says confidently, concentrating on devouring my pussy and making my eyes roll back.

My hips buck up against his face, chasing the sensation of his fingers inside me and his tongue tickling my pussy lips. I keep my hands tangled in his dark touseled locks, guiding him where I want him, the build of my orgasm beginning in my core with the flick of his tongue. My back arches once more, but he presses his palm against my stomach, firmly securing me to the mattress. He rolls circles over my clit using the tip of his tongue, ripping hoarse moans from my throat that echo throughout his room .

His lips and chin glisten in the light with my wetness every time he lifts his mouth from between my thighs, giving me an embarrassed blush as I throw my head back against the pillow. He inserts his fingers deep into my pussy, prodding me with them as they curl up against my spot. My legs shake as the tips of his fingers press against the magical area, and I try to lock them tightly around his head. He pushes them open roughly, shoving my trembling thighs against the mattress as he licks me faster.

I chase his touch once more as he pumps his fingers more vigorously and deeply, feeling my climax taking hold and the muscles in my stomach beginning to tighten. I yank on his hair as he bites on my clit, the first wave of pleasure ripping through me, soaking his lips in my glistening cum. He puts his mouth to my opening, removes his fingers, and starts sucking my juices out of me, sending my body into convulsions as another wave of pleasure renders me useless.

As my climax surges through me with full force, I arch my back and pull his hair, holding his mouth against my pussy the entire time. When he comes up for air, he smiles and licks his lips in satisfaction.

“You taste so fucking good. That’s that virgin pussy, Scarlett. You haven’t been tainted by a cock yet… which makes you even more delicious.” He crawls up my body and seizes my lips, leaving a taste of myself on my tongue as he ravages my mouth once more.

“What if I wanted to have sex?” I ask, hesitantly, when he breaks the kiss so we can catch our breath.

He sits up beside me, chuckling, lighting a cigarette and scanning my naked body with dark, hungry eyes, as if contemplating taking my virginity.

“As much as I’d love to fuck you for the first time… I can't." His voice is laced with resentment as he puffs on the cigarette, sending a thick cloud of gray smoke toward the open window.

“Why? Is there something wrong?” Suddenly feeling self-conscious, I sit up and grab the blanket to cover my body.

“No, there’s absolutely nothing wrong with you.” He grins, yanking the blanket down to reveal my body once more.

“Then what is it?”

“You’re a special girl, Scarlett. Did you know that?”

“Um, no.” My lustful eyes swirl with confusion as I sweep them over his face, trying to make sense of his perplexing statement.

“Well, you are.”

“Why?”

"There are people out there who have plans for you come Halloween… did you know that?” Danger lurks behind his pearly whites as he smirks.

“They’re crazy, and I’m not just saying that; they’re literally crazy in the fucking head. They’re obsessed with you and they’re coming for you…”

“What do you mean by that?” I frantically look around the room for my clothes as I speak with a voice tinged with worry, ready to just leave.

”I know you know my friends... Black and Silver, oh, and Red, and we’ve all got plans for you, Scarlett.”