Starve

by A.J. Merlin

“I did what I had to do to survive,” Cairo repeats, suddenly only inches from me.

“Do you think you’d do what you have to, in order to survive?”

God forbid the mental patients get smut or romantasy, I suppose. Who knows what we might do with such clandestine, taboo topics?

They’re starving.

“Like eat you.”

“I could find so many fun, pretty ways to hurt you, Fern. And maybe if I do, you’ll realize I’m not human enough to be your friend.”

“Let me hurt you, little bird,”

“I could make you want it and keep your mind off of anything else.”

“Your heart is pounding hard enough that if you were a rabbit, it might burst. Do you want to fly away, hmm? Instead of being here with me?”

“If only you knew how delicious you taste, Fern.”

“You like that?” Cairo teases, using his hands on one, though he alternates where his mouth is so I never feel neglected for long. “You like my fangs on you like this? What if I stopped playing so nice with you, hmm?”

“You can claw at me,” he invites. “Pull my hair and sink your nails and teeth deep. I’ll like it, Fern. I promise you I will.”

“Such a sweet voice you have, little bird.”

“I’ll mark you inside and out, so there’s no mistake that you’re mine.”

“Claw me deeper, Fern. I want to wear your marks like you’re ...

“No, little bird. Marked as mine and worn out from what I did to you. Though I want to do so much more to you. I was keeping myself a little human, for you.”

“Did you?” I ask, knowing it’ll just spur him onward. But I can’t help wanting to see what he’ll do. To know exactly what will happen if I push my flesh-eating monster when he’s in my shower with my mouth so close to his cock.

Never in my life could I have imagined being a monster’s toy like this. Now I don’t think I could find anything more satisfying.

“Fuck, you love being down there for me, little bird. You can’t deny it when I can smell it. Come on,” he goads. “Touch yourself for me. Do something useful with your hands.”

“I think you’re arrogant. You’d regret me taking you like the monster I am.”

“Such a pretty, gorgeous thing,” Cairo purrs. “Get your mouth back on my cock, Fern. I want to come in your mouth and watch you swallow all of it.”

“I did exactly what I had to do in order to survive. And I’ve never regretted eating him, or Esther, or this man.” He gestures at the drunk behind him. “Because, Fern, like I’ve been trying to tell you?” He leans in suddenly and holds onto me while nuzzling his bloody mouth along my jaw. “I’m a monster.”

“I have to go move my kill,” he informs me. “I’m saving it for later. If I catch you before you get back home, you’re mine, Fern, because you didn’t listen. And if there aren’t consequences for your actions, how will you ever learn?”

“But there’s no one alive who can save you from me.”

“If you’re going to fight me, then fight me,” Cairo urges. “Don’t shove at me like a helpless little thing. Come on.” He grabs my hand and brings it to his chest. “Curl your fingers. Claw at my skin. Fight me, Fern. I know you have it in you.”

“So slow,” Cairo taunts. “So weak, aren’t you? I could do anything I want. I could have you in all the ways I want, little bird. All the ways I’ve been too afraid to show you.”

Do you really think fucking you in your bed while you gaze up at me with those sweet eyes of yours is enough for me? Now that you know what I am, can’t you take a guess at some of the things I want? No?”

“I want to fuck you until I’m satisfied I’ve ruined you, little bird. Until your body aches for me, and I’m sure that you’ll never be satisfied by anyone else. I’m going to mold this sweet pussy of yours to my cock, before I do the same with your mouth and your ass. You’re mine.”

“That’s because I’m usually hungry.” He chuckles. “So it takes a lot for me to think about anything else. But I’m not hungry now. You have all of my attention. All of my affection.”

“No matter if you want it or not. I hope you like me as I am, Fern. Because you aren’t getting the other me back for a while. Not when you so willingly came out into my territory while I was hunting.”

want to feel your mouth around my fingers. Distract me, so I don’t just fuck your pretty cunt now until you’re screaming on my cock.”

Cairo tastes of blood, and death, and something wild. But I can’t get enough of it.

“So it looks like you’re going to have to suffer for me, pretty girl. All night long, until I’m satisfied. But don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

“Maybe if you’re good—after a few more times—I’ll carry you home before I fuck you again. Doesn’t that sound nice of me?”

“There are so many ways I want to have you,” he interrupts. “Just because I’m a monster, doesn’t mean they’re all like that. Some of them…” He cups my face in his hands, pressing his face to mine. “Some of them are gentle, and sweet. Because you are a thing to be cherished and kept warm.”

No one’s ever taken care of me like this before, and I decide I’m ruined for anyone else, if this is how Cairo is going to treat me. I don’t feel broken, or fragile, or as though he’s treating me like a child. I just feel cared for and important.

“I always love how you taste, but when you get close, you get sweeter. You’re like candy on my tongue. I’ve never tasted anything like you.”

But I refuse to suggest I should’ve stayed home. I will not stay home when he’s doing something potentially dangerous. Even though I have no idea what sort of help I could be.

“You are desperate, Fern,” she coos, pressing herself closer. “And the reason this hurts so badly is because you know that if Cairo really does die, you will starve.”

“Because I’m trying to tell you I love you.”

“That I was starving,” I snarl against his lips, kissing him just as hungrily as he kisses me. “I was starving before you, Cairo. I just didn’t really know it.”