Текст книги "Willing Captive "

Автор книги: Belle Aurora

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Текущая страница: 8 (всего у книги 13 страниц)

Sigh.

Throwing it on the chair next to the bathroom, he places both hands on his hips and he watches me. His eyes become slits as he mutters, “Something’s fucky here.”

Shit! Busted.

Heart racing, I ask, “Will you sit, please?”

At hearing the tremor in my voice, his eyes soften and he sits on the bed with his back to the headboard. “What’s up, princess?”

This princess was different from the others. This princess was not an insult. It was a sweet nothing.

I whisper, “There’s something I need to do. So I should just do it, right? I mean, if I overthink it, I won’t do it, so I should just do it.”

Looking confused as hell, he utters, “You do what you need to do, Lily.”

Nodding, I slowly crawl across the bed and over him. Never one to give anything away, his face remains stoic while I straddle his lap facing him, then place my palms on his chest.

“What are you doin’, Lily girl?”

Not able to meet his eye, I answer quietly but truthfully. “Reacting.”

My eyes trained on his full bottom lip, I lift my hand and run it up his rough and stubbled cheek. My stomach clenches as I lean forward in an attempt to kiss him.

All my squishy feelings come to a screeching halt when he grabs both of my hands, places his forehead to mine and says “Don’t. Don’t do it.”

I blink.

I think it would’ve hurt less if he threw a bucket of cold water over me.

Cheeks flaming with humiliation, I move to pull away from him, but he holds me tight. Nox whispers, “I’m not rejecting you, Lily. I’m protecting you.”

My voice shakes while I squeeze my knees tighter around his thighs. “I don’t need you to protect me right now, Nox. I need your mouth on me. I need to know why I feel like this, and if it’s just a thing, or if it’s more. You told me to do what I had to do. All I want is a kiss.” Dipping my chin, I whisper, “Just a kiss.”

His thighs tense under me. Placing his hands on my knees, his thumbs stroke the skin there.

“You’re startin’ something dangerous here.” He breathes in deeply and adds on an exhale, “You sure you need this?” His voice is soft, but the words come out firm.

Meeting his hooded gaze, I confess, “I don’t know if I need it, but I want it really freakin’ bad.”

He swallows hard.

Loosening his hold on my hands, he mutters roughly, “You kiss me, you do it properly. Show me what you need. Not gonna move a muscle, just show me.”

Oh God!

Permission.

I have permission! That’s, like, a gazillion times better than rejection!

Raising my hands to his cheeks, I cup them and move my thumbs over the roughness that I like so much. Closing my eyes, I lean forward, pull his face closer to meet me halfway, and press my lips to his.

He doesn’t move but allows me to kiss his closed mouth deeply and softly, over and over again. The bulge in his boxers grows even larger, and the very tip of him kisses my cotton panty covered sex. At the very same time that he hisses and jerks, I gasp as my eyes widen.

Oh wow, that feels nice.

He doesn’t give me an inch. His mouth doesn’t open and I find myself begging for a taste of him. I whisper against his lips, “Please. Open. Please. I need it.”

At hearing the sincerity of my plea, his lips part a little.

Not wasting any time, I sigh as I lightly brush the tip of my tongue against his.

Warmth cloaks my entire body.

My hands slide down his cheeks, to his jaw, and up through his hair. Tingles shoot from my toes all the way to the hairs on my head.

It’s everything I hoped for and more.

Not able to stop myself, I moan into his mouth, wanton and needy, “Yes.”

His arms coil around my waist, he pulls me closer so we’re belly to rock-hard abs. His mouth opens wider as he tilts his head, finally giving in. He presses his mouth into mine hard, almost punishingly, and I feel myself getting damp between the legs.

Kiss me forever, you brute.

You know how when a guy and girl really like each other in a book, they talk about a spark between them?

With Nox, there is no spark.

No.

He bypassed the spark.

When Nox touches me, there’s nothing less than the whistling, shrieking explosions of fireworks.

Big ones.

The ones they save till the end of the show.

The ones people hang around to get a glimpse of.

Seriously.

That good.

My hands clutch at his head, dragging my nails through his short hair, and I pull myself even closer to him. The move places his hard-on right where I need it and I moan again while he groans through our kiss.

I’m desperate for this to happen. Tonight is the night.

Rubbing my back, he slides his hands lower, places them on my hips and starts a motion, rocking me back and forth as our lips remain connected. Rubbing against each other, deeper and harder, my breathing turns heavy, and the flush rises up my neck and onto my cheeks. Pulling back from me, he watches me closely.

My eyes flutter.

His eyes darken.

The feeling of prickles in my belly and lower back warn me that something’s happening, but before I register what’s happening, it hits me, hard and powerful.

Digging my fingernails into his scalp, I gasp.

Well, this is new!

My heart races and my breathing hitches as my core contracts over and over again. I buck against him moaning long and low. Still rigid from the endless pleasure surging through me, he captures my mouth and kisses me hungrily.

Mouth on mine, Nox whispers, “Fucked up, baby.”

Fucked up?

My heart sinks. This is not going how I planned this going.

I open my mouth, but he speaks again before I get the chance. “I know what you need, baby.”

Closing my eyes, he lowers his mouth to mine and kisses me fiercely. Again and again.

And it’s better than good.

It’s fucking astounding.

***

Nox

Never had something so beautiful so close before. As soon as I walked into the bedroom, I saw the changes I was dreading.

Lily.

She finally saw the connection. She finally felt the chemistry. And, clearly braver than I am, she finally decided to risk humiliation to find out if what we have is something worth pursuing.

She’s killin’ me slowly, and she doesn’t even know it.

With every kiss. With every glance of her gorgeous green eyes. With every flip of her kick-ass hair. With every half smile. She’s killin’ me.

But watching her face as she came apart in my arms?

Fuck me.

I’d die a thousand deaths to see it again.

But that’s beside the point.

She’s in my care. And I’m going to take care of her.

I’m not falling for her. No. I’m not falling.

It’s too late to use present tense.

I fell fuckin’ hard.

Just hope she doesn’t figure that out.

Right now, though?

I know what she needs.

Chapter Fourteen

Firsts

Lily

“Oh God!” I almost shriek.

Nox’s arm tightens over my squirming belly and he lifts his head. “You ‘kay?”

Lifting my head, panting, I fight the urge to smack him and nod vigorously, “Don’t stop!” Then I push his head back down.

I feel his breath on me as he chuckles soundlessly. His tongue darts out, slowly lapping at my sensitive folds and I die.

I die.

Over and over and over again.

Okay, so let’s rewind here for a minute.

Earlier tonight, I laid it out for Nox.

Honest to God. Courage ignited like a spark low in my belly, and I knew tonight was the night.

It was a speak now or forever hold your peace moment.

You could call it a do or die moment.

Or even a stop being chickenshit moment.

Whatever you want to call it, it hit me like a ton of bricks. Something akin to desperation took hold of me and I struggled with it. I fought it hard but it won out.

There’s desperation and then there’s desperation. Holding back was no longer an option.

I want Nox. I need Nox. And I’ll tell you how I know this.

Number one, he takes care of me, even though I can be a total shithead. Number two, he’s been nothing but good to me since our first motel adventure. He even smiles at me now. And it’s a nice smile. Number three, he trains me like he would anyone else. Never treating me like a girl. Only as an equal. Number four, he took pity on a scared girl and allowed her comfort when she needed it. A huge pro on the list.

Number five, every night before we sleep, he spoons me.

That’s right. Nox spoons.

And while he spoons me, he takes my hand, links our fingers together and holds them to my chest. Then, yes then, he buries his face into my hair and he sighs.

And that sigh…

Ugh.

That sigh.

It makes my heart flip around in my chest. It makes my nose tingle. It makes me feel beautiful. I’ve never had that before. Okay, so I’ve never had anyone before. But I’m thinking if a man like Nox, gruff and withdrawn, can make a woman feel beautiful with nothing but a breath…

…I’m thinking that’s special. It feels special. And special, for me, is rare.

I don’t want to miss a second I have with him. And I had to let him know that. So after he let me kiss him, I know he felt what I felt. I know this because he made me come. See, he gave me one of my firsts. And it was amazing. But I secretly want him to have them all. I want that because he’s special.

Panting hard, my core tightens. Gripping the sheets tightly, I try in vain to elevate my hips but he holds me down firmly while torturing me in the best possible way. “Easy girl. Let it happen.”

Flushed and demanding, I struggle to be free, but he calms me with a whisper, “Got you, baby. Come for me.”

Frustration tears through me, “I can’t! It’s so close, but I– I– I can’t!”

His mouth closes over my ultra-sensitive bud and he sucks. White spots blur my vision. A sob tears out of me as my body trembles and shudders with release. I buck and jerk restlessly, feeling completely out of control. But it’s okay.

Nox has me.

My body quakes one last time before it becomes limp.

That was completely exhausting.

And totally what I needed.

Panting, I allow myself to take in the stillness of the room. I blink slowly, suddenly drowsy, when I feel Nox kiss the inside of my thigh and start to rise.

His head ascends and our eyes meet. He sees too much with those eyes.

It’s suddenly too much.

I’m overwhelmed.

I swallow hard. Blinking rapidly, I whisper through quivering lips, “Never had special before.”

Nox watches me carefully, not revealing what he’s thinking.

Never revealing what he’s thinking.

A second before I fall apart, his hand wraps around my ankle and he pulls me down the length of the bed. Catching me in his strong arms, he sits on the floor at the foot of the bed, pulling me into his lap. He cradles me and now it really becomes too much.

Shoving my face into his neck, gut-wrenching sobs break free from somewhere deep in my heart. “You don’t even know what you’ve done to me. And that really sucks because you’re so fucking great, and you don’t even know that.” Shuddering breaths, then, “And it hurts to feel this much now because it shows me what a goddamn, shitty life I’ve been living.” I pause, then whisper, “You’re really amazing, Nox.”

What I don’t add is, ‘and I’m in love with you.’

Nox doesn’t coo. He doesn’t tell me everything will be alright. He doesn’t pretend I’m not a mess. But he does let me cry it out. And once I’m done covering his neck in tears and snot, he lifts my sorrow-weakened body.

Yes. Sorrow.

Sorrow is what you feel when you mourn. And I’m mourning my life.

My wasted life.

“God, I’m a blubbering mess,” I mutter as he places a strong arm around my waist, supporting me as he walks me into the bathroom.

Nox turns on the shower, then moves to stand in front of me. My blurry eyes search his face, those icy-blue eyes warmer than I’ve ever seen. Without a word, his fingers grip the bottom of my tank and he lifts it over my head, throwing it to the side. He doesn’t remove his boxers. Taking my hand, he links our fingers and leads me to the shower.

Making sure he hits the water first, he pulls me under the warm spray, careful not to wet my hair, and we stand there for a long while.

Emotionally exhausted, I don’t utter a word of complaint as he begins to wash me. Running his soapy hands all over. His palms slide down my neck as he carefully washes my breasts, lightly running his thumbs over my nipples. My eyes flutter as they tighten, craving more of his attention. We never take our eyes off each other’s.

This is not a sexy moment.

It’s a beautiful moment.

All cried out, I lose myself in the feel of his hands as one slips between my legs to cleanse the sensitive flesh there. Slowly but carefully, he works his hands, expertly caressing the globes of my ass and back up to the small mounds that are my breasts.

We rinse, step out and I stand on the mat as Nox dries me off.

Wearing only a towel, he wraps an arm around my shoulder leading me back to bed. I lie by my lonesome, but watch as he turns his back to me and removes his wet boxers. He towels himself off before stepping into a dry pair of shorts.

Walking with a purpose, he climbs into bed, laying his head down on the feather pillow. I try to turn, as per our usual spooning routine, but he stops me with a strong hand on my towel covered hip. His firm hand softens, he gently opens the towel revealing my nakedness but I don’t flush.

It’s too late for flushing. My body knows those hands. They’re imprinted all over me. Gripping my hips, he pulls me forward until my nipples brush his firm chest.

Lifting my face, I whisper, “Say something. You’re freakin’ me out.”

His lips twitch and his eyes crinkle at the corners. Lowering his face to mine, he kisses me softly and I sigh, kissing him back just as softly. Against my lips, he mutters, “Goodnight, Lily.”

Then he lifts his chin, tucks my head under, and sighs that special sigh.

Feeling around, I find his hand, link our fingers and follow him into a restful sleep. I silently pray that tonight is not a dream.

Because if it is, I don’t want to wake up.

***

Warmth on my neck wakes me. Insistent lips kiss me wetly from under my ear to the base of my throat. A mewing sound escapes me as I stretch my arms over my head, trying to break my sleep.

A growling response comes from Nox, and subconsciously I wrap my arms around his head, his lips at my throat. Not having opened my eyes yet, I lift my neck providing him better access. His mouth travels down my chest and into the valley between my breasts. Wet warmth covers my nipple and rips a gasp from me. My core contracts as he suckles me.

Holy shit!

Unable to stop myself, I reach down, scraping my fingernails on his stomach, down lower until I come into contact with something incredibly hard, long, and warm. He growls into my breast, never removing his mouth. Open palmed, I rub him over his boxers.

But it’s just not enough. I need to feel him.

Placing my palm on his abs, I trail down his stomach and into his boxers. As soon as my fingers brush the head of his hard length, he releases my nipple with a pop. Squeezing his eyes shut, he mutters, “Fuck me. Fuck me. Goddamn.”

Wrapping my hand firmly around it, I’m shocked at the feel of him. I didn’t expect him to be so big or warm, or hard, yet smooth at the same time.

It feels good.

Not quite sure what to do, I beg quietly, “Please. Show me how to do this.”

Clearly not needing me to ask again, he reaches down, wraps his hand tighter around mine on his erection, and shows me how he likes to be stroked. Up and down, nice and slow.

I watch his face. Looking almost pained, he makes a choked sound. I stroke him harder and faster. Breathing heavily, he murmurs, “Fuck. Jesus. Lily. Baby.”

“Kiss me.”

His hand shoots out, fingers tangling in my hair as he plants brutal, deep, bruising kisses onto my mouth. Kissing him back, I whimper when he catches my bottom lip between his teeth. Both my hands on him, I continue to stroke him and I feel his length harden even more. His stomach clenches. He groans, biting down on my bottom lip harder. I mew and his groan turns into a growl.

Growling, he releases my bottom lip but holds me by the back of the head tightly, as if I would escape him.

Yeah. ‘Cause that’ll happen.

Not!

Our mouths open, we breathe into each other, making desperate pleas through growls and moans. Nox reaches down quickly, holding my hand still under his. His blue eyes widen; he stops breathing a moment before his hips jerk uncontrollably. He thrusts fitfully into my tight grip and he groans through his release. My hands suddenly coated in something wet, sticky, and warm. I can’t take my eyes off him.

Oh wow.

Oh wow.

That was…wow.

“Whoa,” I whisper.

He closes his eyes and I feel him deflate in my hands. It’s a weird feeling! Still breathing heavily, he opens his eyes and looks at me. A small smile tugs at my lips and I’m suddenly giddy.

Bunching my nose, I squish my face and say through a stupid smile, “Good morning.”

He blinks, still looking either half asleep or exhausted from his release, peeking through one eye. He catches my smile and chuckles, “Fucking great morning, princess.”

Oh, I like that.

“So you’re talking to me again?”

Brows furrowing, he says, “Come again?”

Unsure of myself, I say quietly, “It’s just that last night you didn’t say a word to me. But I know I was in a scary bad mood, so I just thought I’d tell you that it won’t happen again, and I’m sorry for ruining a really great night.”

The air is sucked out of the room. Nox’s body goes rigid against mine. Looking up into his face, my eyes widen.

Shit.

He’s pissed. Jaw tight, the vein in his temple throbs as he glares at me through narrowed and icy-cold eyes.

He’s not pissed. He’s livid.

Why do I have to open my big mouth? It was such a good morning!

Gah!

I open my mouth to correct whatever it is I said, but he puts up a hand as warning.

My mouth snaps shut and he starts, “First things first, my silence last night had nothing to do with you, but also had everything to do with you. You were not good last night, Lily, and I’m not the kind of guy that’s filled with sweet words.” Shaking his head, he adds, “That’s not me.”

I’m trying to understand where this is going so I simply nod.

He nods, too. “But I get you. And I know that nothing I said last night would’ve helped. So I shut my trap, knowing that whatever I could’ve said would’ve only made things worse. That wasn’t something we needed. So, rather than using words, I showed you how I could take care of you. So now you know. We can go from there.” His face softens as he says, “You didn’t ruin anything, baby. Got to taste you in every way, take care of you, and hold you all night. That’s not bad.”

Shaking his head slowly, he utters, “That’s fucking phenomenal.”

My head dips to hide my smile, but he catches my chin between his fingers, pulling my face back up to his.

The smile he wears isn’t one I’ve seen before. It’s soft and sweet. And it’s aimed at me.

I love that.

Face turning serious, he says, “You get me?”

Yeah. I totally do.

Not trusting myself to speak, I nod and mouth, “Yeah.”

His eyes crinkle. “Then kiss me, baby.”

He doesn’t need to ask again.

Lifting my face, I press my lips to his and kiss him sweetly. I feel him smile against my lips and it’s so beautiful that my stomach dips.

Finally pulling back, Nox inhales slowly, he utters on an exhale, “Don’t really wanna get out of bed but we need to eat.” A cruel smile appears on his face. “You know what today is, princess?”

Shit. Shit. Dammit. Shit.

I do know.

Cringing, I whine and he chuckles. We both speak at the same time.

“Leg day.”

***

Showering quick as I can, I slip into the kitchen while Nox is showering and eat some plain oatmeal (blech!) and drink half a glass of orange juice. When he finally comes down dressed in his work-out pants sans tank or tee, I watch Nox as he eats his apple.

We stand at opposite ends of the kitchen smiling at each other like a couple of dorks.

Finishing his apple with a smile and a shake of his head, he holds the core and walks pastme to throw it in the trash. When his chest brushes my back, my nipples harden.

That’s the effect he has on me.

A man like Nox is wild.

You can’t tame him. You don’t want to even try. His ferocity is gorgeous. There’s beauty in every single scowl and glare he shoots my way. Things won’t ever be the same for me. And I’m grateful.

I never realized how much I hate my life. Not until he showed me beautiful.

Pressing close to my back, he wraps his muscled arm around my middle and I sink back into him. Tilting my head, he places a slow-wet kiss under my ear and I close my eyes. A throat clearing makes me jerk.

My eyes snap open and I cringe.

That’s because Boo and Rock stand there, mouths gaping.

My heart races. I don’t want Nox to get into trouble.

Feeling protective, I blurt out, “It’s all my fault! I seduced him! And I was good at it, too!” Twisting my neck, looking up into Nox’s face, I add seriously, “Wasn’t I, babe?’

Nox smiles down at me so hard, it looks like he’s holding back laughter. He leans down and presses a chaste kiss to my mouth.

I mentally gasp.

Don’t do that! I’m trying to save your ass, you nitwit!

Boo chuckles roughly, shaking her head as if to clear it. “Has– has the world gone mad?”

“I don’t know, babe.” Rock’s eyes crinkle at us. “But all I will say to you both is to be careful, alright?”Nodding vigorously, my fearful expression turns sour when Rock adds, “And if it’s not on, it’s not on. You get me, lovely Lily?”

Bunching my nose at his condom reference, I grip a banana and throw it at him, hard. Catching the banana with little effort, he peels it, takes a bite and walks away laughing under his breath.

Boo smiles softly but her face falls a little when she says softly, “I’m happy for you both. I really am.”

There’s a but in there somewhere. I can feel it in my bones. Walking over to us, she stands on the opposite side of the counter and adds, “But you need to think carefully about this.” Nox’s arm tightens around my waist and I swear I hear him growl. Boo ignores the display of dominance and utters, “Have you thought about what happens aft-”

Nox warns heatedly, “Boo.”

Lowering her eyes, she purses her lips. Lifting her head, looking right at me, she smiles. “I’m happy for you, Deedee. Just-” My throat clogs when her eyes mist. “Just be happy, okay?”

Without waiting for a reply, she turns on her heel to follow Rock.

Nox squeezes me and I place my hand over his, squeezing back. Twisting again, I ask, “Why did you do that?”

I don’t have to elaborate. He knows what I’m talking about.

His eyes warm for just a second before ice cloaks them once more. Looking down at the counter, he explains softly, “There are girls out there you want to fuck, and there are girls out there that you want to love.” He looks me in the eye. “Not ashamed of you, Lily.”

He stops speaking for a moment, allowing that to sink in.

Leaning his chin on top of my head, he utters, “You’re not for the background.” Burying his nose into my hair, he mutters, “You deserve center stage.”

A violent tremor washes over me, my entire body breaking into goosebumps. My heart squeezes, and I try hard at pushing back the tears from hearing something like that come out of Nox.

“I thought you didn’t do sweet.” My voice sounds thick even to me.

With a smack to my butt, he steps back, takes my hand in his and smirks, “Besides, I’m the boss. What are they gonna do? Fire me?”

My brows lift and I tilt my head while pursing my lips.

He has a point.

A goofy smile spreads across my lips, and I allow him to lead me to death by workout.

Chapter Fifteen

Special ferret and friends

Nox

“How much time we got?”

None. We don’t have any time left. But I’ll be damned if I lose Lily now. I just fucking got her.

Turning to Rock, I lie, “Some. Any news?”

“Actually, yeah.” He looks me right in the eye. “You’re not gonna like it.”

A stabbing pain shoots through my chest. It’s someone they know. My poker face in place, I ask, “What is it?”

“Gotta understand, dude. There was no reason to look before, but Mitch got an anonymous tip and…” He trails off.

My stomach flips. Biting the inside of my cheek, I nod for him to tell me.

Rock shakes his head and mutters, “This is hard, man.”

Rage builds in the center of me. I’m ready to knock skulls. Forcing a chuckle, I roll my eyes, “Fuck, Rock, tell me already!”

“Jamie Harrison.”

…The fuck he just say?

I’m sure I heard wrong. But Rock repeats himself, “Jamie fucking Harrison. For real, bro.”

Whoa. Definitely didn’t see that coming.

Ciaran Flynn is going to need some serious help after all this is over. We’re talking trust issues for life.

He took in the boys when their father died and this is the thanks he gets? Just goes to show, you can’t put your trust into anyone.

Lily. My princess. She’s gonna be devastated.

If I were to do what I really wanted to do right now, I’d go downstairs, take a van, and drive. I’d drive all the way back to California to the residence of Jamie Harrison, knock on his door, and when the weak, sly fucker answered the door…

Boom.

Off with his fucking head.

But I can’t do that. I promised to watch Lily and that’s what I’m gonna do. I have two minds about telling her though.

My body sinks deeper into my chair. I have to tell her. Eventually. When she needs to know.

I’ve spent too long in silence. Rock watches me carefully. With a single nod, I stand and ask, “Feel like sparring?”

***

Lily

Boo and I walk past the workout room and hear, “I’m warnin’ you, man.”

That’s Nox. And it sounds heated.

My eyes widen in interest. I look up and see Boo holding the very same expression. She crooks her finger and I follow her to the almost closed door. We peek in and watch the clowns at work.

Rock pops him in the nose while bouncing around, “Or what? You’ll tell on me to your girlfriend?”

Ouch, Rock! That was mean!

Boo giggles quietly and whispers, “He doesn’t mean it, Dee. Just watch.”

Nox’s face turns hard. His eye twitches.

Oh shit.

“Say it again,” he says in dead calm. “I dare ya.” Shaking his head, he adds, “I love you like a brother, man. But I swear to God, I’ll drop you so hard, so fast, you won’t know what hit you.”

Rock continues to bounce on the balls of his feet, feigning punches. He smiles harshly, “Quit fucking around already. I know you wanna punch me, so do it.” He stops bouncing. “Unless you’re a pussy.”

Nox’s eyes flash and I bite my lip to hold in my laughter.

Walking backwards, he starts undoing his boxing gloves. I think it’s over, so I move to walk away, but Boo stops me with a hand on my shoulder, looking all too excited. She mouths, “Watch.”

Rock smiles in victory and undoes his gloves, too. They both kick off their shoes and peel off their sweaty socks and meet in the center of the room. Rock grins, “Rules?”

Nox bounces up and down on the spot, shaking out his arms in an attempt to loosen up. He states, “One weapon.”

Rock’s face falls. “One fuckin’ weapon? No way. At least two.”

Nox chuckles, “Always tryna hustle. You wanna do this? We do it my way. One weapon.”

I have no idea what’s going on. My face bunches in confusion while Boo’s body shakes with laughter by my side.

Rock scowls, “Close your eyes, bitch.”

Placing his hands on his hips, Nox closes his eyes and Rock runs over to his bag. Fiddling through it, he takes an object out and places it in his palm, hidden from view. He’s too far away to see what it is, anyway.

Rock walks back to the center and announces, “Your turn.”

Rock closes his eyes, and I watch Nox walk over to his shoes. He pulls something out and places it in his shorts’ pocket before returning to the center of the room.

They stand a few feet apart. Rock says, “High school wrestling rules.”

Nox barks out a laugh, “No fucking way! This is street or nothing. Your choice.”

Rock whines, “Street’s whack!”

Nox prods, “If you’re too weak to handle it, we’ll call it a day.” I have to slap a hand over my mouth to control my giggles when Nox walks forward to Rock, places a hand on his shoulder, and asks in complete seriousness, “How about I run you a nice bubble bath?”

Rock shrugs his hand off harshly. “Fuck you, motherfucker!”

Boo and I remain hidden, bodies shaking in silent laughter. It’s like watching a documentary. Seeing the way wild animals behave when they think no one’s watching.

Nox laughs at his friend. “C’mon. One match. Street. One weapon.” Turning to Rock, he says, “Ready?”

Rock remains sullen for a whole ten seconds before he moves into a grappling stance and utters, “Let’s get it on, bitch.”

Nox chooses a boxing stance and mutters, “Oh, hush now. I don’t wanna hear how you talk to Boo in bed.”

Rock immediately responds, “My woman is a lady, so you better shut your mouth.”

My mouth parts. Placing a hand to my chest, I look up at Boo. She watches Rock through misty eyes.

Rock, you sweetheart!

And Nox smirks, basking in the glow of finally getting one back at Rock. He counts them in, “On three. One. Two. Three.”

They lunge at each other, then grapple, stepping in and out of each other’s space. Nox low kicks at Rock’s knee, but Rock is quick.

Rock high kicks at Nox’s face, but barely skims his ear. My man is pretty quick, too.

When Nox tries to catch Rock, Rock somehow reverses the move and I’m surprised when he catches Nox into a headlock.

It’s kind of alarming, actually.

Ever since I’ve been here, I’ve thought of Nox as a superhero. Nothing bad ever happens to them. They get caught; they fight, and they win every episode.

My heart sinks at the thought of Nox being nothing more than human. Humans can get hurt. They bleed, grow old, and die.

Inside this house, it feels like time stands still. Maybe we can live here together forever?

I’ll have to enquire about this at a more appropriate time.

Rock squeezes his throat closed and mocks in a deep voice that sounds just like Nox, “Street rules or nothin’.”

Nox’s face turns a nice shade of maroon as Rock cuts off his air.

And it’s freaking me out.

Rock doesn’t look like he’ll let up anytime soon. Just then, Nox reaches into his pocket and pulls out his weapon. He shoves it into Rocks mouth and pushes his jaw up to hold it in. Rock’s eyes widen and we hear him yelling through gritted teeth. We can’t make out the words though, being that he’s temporarily gagged.

Not another second passes before Rock releases Nox and gags, then dry heaves. Spitting out the weapon, he coughs and gags again. “You dirty, dirty fucker. A fucking sock? A sweaty sock?” Gagging at a steady pace, he wipes at his tongue.