Page 113 of Wanna Play A Game?

I swallow. “Oh…I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be.” He squeezes my arm. “Not your fault.”

We lay there for a bit longer, and I squirm. “I really have to shower.”

“So eager to wash me off of you?”

“I feel gross!”

“Fine. I need one too.” He hops out of bed and offers me a hand. “But that just means I’ll have to mark you with my scent again. And soon.”

I groan but take his offered hand. When we get in, Sawyer insists on scrubbing me clean.

I snatch the soap from him. “I can do it.”

“Let me.” He winks at me. “Then you can do me.”

I roll my eyes and start to lather up.

“Don’t shower with Miles or Ryder, though. They’re both water hogs.”

Sawyer rubs right behind where I run my hands, cleaning right behind me.

I snort. “I don’t see myself showering with Ryder. Ever.”

Sawyer shrugs but doesn’t say anything.

I pause. Wait. Does he expect that to happen? I look at the man in front of me. He’s on his knees washing my thighs. “Is that what…will we all…shower together and stuff?”

Sawyer continues washing. It feels good, his huge hands being so gentle on my skin.

His silence scares me. I shouldn’t have asked. This is just the game.

I step away from Sawyer. He grips my thighs and yanks me back to him, looking up at me through the falling water. “There are a lot of things I want, Cali. But you’re not ready to hear them right now.” He kisses the tops of my thighs and stands. “Let’s just start with trusting me enough not to lie to me, yeah?”

I swallow. I don’t know if I can ever do that. But I’m scared that I want to. Why the hell do I want to?

Chapter 56

Miles

I’m on my second trip upstairs to get more hot coals. The upstairs is quiet, with the exception of a shower running. My gut swirls with excitement and discomfort. I’m torn between watching Ben pay for the things he did and curling up with Cali in my arms.

Against my better judgment, I move back downstairs.

Cali looked at us with real fear again, and it made me sick.

Isn’t that what this guy used on you? Fists?

Fuck. Ryder’s words hit me right in the gut again, making fear and anger pour through me. I rip the door open.

Ben is thrashing, screaming into his gag. The rats have started digging into his flesh, their fur covered in blood. It looks agonizing.

I’m not like him. And I’m not like my father.

I drop the coals on the cage.

The rats scurry faster, sensing the heat. It smells horrible in here, like cooked fur and piss. I will the rats to dig faster so they don’t get burned.