The Book of G

by Lily Archer

“There is. It’s the riddle of ‘how much of me can you take before you feel like you’ll split apart’?”

“I know what I’d do with you.” I drop my palms to her thighs and let them rest there. “I’ve thought about it quite a bit. First, I’d get a taste of you, every bit of you. I want to inhale it, lick it, fucking bask in it. I think about how you’ll feel on my tongue, and I already know it’s sweet. It’s that scent I catch every now and again, the one I thought was pie.” I chuckle, the sound raspy and low in my throat. “It’s you, and I want to gorge myself on nothing but you.”

I’d kiss your ears, especially the points—the ones you pretend don’t exist.”

“Tell you my name. I get it. Now be quiet. Daddy’s trying to concentrate.”

“By the time we’re through with this trip, you’ll understand there’s no amount of wickedness I wouldn’t do for you.”

“Just tell me what you want, Charlie. Tell me and I’ll burn down heaven and earth to give it to you.”

“You should feel what you do to me. What you keep doing to me.”

Her skin pebbles. “Focus, G.” “I am focused.” I stare at her. “On the beast.” “The one in my pant—Ow!”

“Behold, the real Beast of Gevaudon.” I waggle my brows.

“I love you. Don’t you know that? I don’t think I’ve ever loved anything other than myself. I don’t remember how I used to be, but somehow, I know that’s true. At least it was, until you. I feel like maybe I’d been empty, like whatever life I had before was only a buildup to this. To you and me. I can’t explain it, but I know this is real, this is where I’m meant to be, because it’s where you are. I’d follow you anywhere, Charlie. I’d do anything to keep you safe, to make you happy.”

“I’ll keep you safe,” I whisper to her and kiss her cold forehead. “I’ll keep you safe. I’ll hold you while you sleep. Don’t worry. I’m here. I’ll always be here.”

“I’ll never regret doing anything that keeps you with me, that keeps you alive. You’re my life. You. I can’t lose you, Charlie. I can’t.”