Starve

by A.J. Merlin

My scowl deepens, but he holds up his hands in surrender just as a real, full grin curls his lips upward in apology. “Whoa, I didn’t mean it like that. No need to plan my death behind those pretty eyes, Fern.”

God forbid the mental patients get smut or romantasy, I suppose.

“We should talk about how weird that is, because it makes you sound like a stalker.” “I’d have to be human to be a stalker, wouldn’t I?”

“You can’t fix me what I need. And you don’t want me to eat in front of you, I promise you that, Fern,”

“I’m a monster, Fern,” he purrs, in a voice that’s barely human. “No matter how you want to look at me and differentiate me from the others that night, I’m still just as much of a monster as them.”

“I don’t think I’ve decided yet. But you should be more careful, little bird.”

“You’re such a good girl, Moro,” Cairo praises, totally ignoring me. “Even if you did start barking and wanted to rip up the couch today because you were bored without Fern. That’s okay. I’m bored without her too.”

“My legs aren’t broken.” “Maybe I like carrying you.” “Maybe you’re a stalker.”

“I was starving, so I ate as much of her as I could. And I don’t regret it, Fern. Not one bit. Even if she didn’t taste half as good as you.”

“No, that’s okay. You dig in, little bird.” His voice is gentle rather than commanding. “You can’t break my skin with your nails, I promise you that.”

“Don’t try my kindness, pretty girl. I’m hungry, and the mouthier you get”—he breaks off and lunges forward, running his tongue up the side of my throat, up my jaw, and only stopping at my hairline—“the better you fucking taste. I’m trying to help you so you don’t get lost on me. You wanted this confrontation so badly.”

“Such a masochist, aren’t you?” he murmurs. “Is that what helps ground you, little bird? If you want pain, I am more than happy to give it to you.”

“Let me hurt you, little bird,” Cairo purrs, sounding more like a cat than a person. There’s a strange, terrifying light in his eyes, making them look like emeralds instead of just plain green. “I could make you want it and keep your mind off of anything else.”

“Little liar.” Cairo clicks his tongue in disappointment. “You’re so disobedient, and I can smell a lie on you a mile away. I don’t like it when you smell of fear unless I’m the sole reason for it.”

“You taste so sweet for me. Fuck.”

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

“You can’t be afraid of my sharp edges, or the sounds I make,” he huffs against my skin, leaning up just enough to meet my gaze. “Otherwise, this will never work.”

“Such a brave little bird,” he coos teasingly, absently unbuckling the front of his jeans that hang low on his hips. “And all mine.”

“Needy,” he teases, but I level a look at him. “So are you.” I roll my hips up against him, and his hiss is answer enough.

“You’re so wet for me, aren’t you?” he murmurs. “Such a sweet little bird. Maybe you won’t like me though, here in a minute.” “Why?” I ask, eyebrows knit together in confusion. Cairo leans downward, his lips brushing my ear just to say, “Because I’m too starved for you to be gentle.”

“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.”

“Good girl,” Cairo praises. “Mark me just like that. Come on,” he urges, drawing back to slide into me again.

“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 going to wear mine.”

“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.”

“Fern…” He reaches out, his hand cupping my jaw and his thumb brushing over my lower lip. “Little bird, you don’t know what you’re asking for. Can’t you let me have this? Let me have you not knowing, so you keep looking at me like that instead of how you’ll look at me after?”

“I’m saying…Either you get your mouth on my cock, or I’ll fuck your face to show you the consequences of being such a fucking tease.”

“That’s my good little bird,” he purrs, voice rumbling in his throat. “You look so good on your knees. I’ve wanted you there for so long. Come on, pretty girl.”

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.

“You like being down there.” It isn’t a question, and his words are slurred a little as they pass his fangs. “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.”

“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.”

“Such a fucking brat when you want to be,”

“You’ll find what I am when I’m not holding back for you.”

“Good girl,” he praises, eyes dancing even in the darkness. “You ended up right where I wanted you to. I thought I’d have to do more work to get you here, but you really are the unluckiest person alive.”

You’re about to tell me I don’t have to be human for you. Oh, Fern…” He clicks his tongue in disapproval. “I will take great joy in testing that resolve of yours tonight. You know, Agatha will save you from Tyler and his…followers,” he sneers. “But there’s no one alive who can save you from me.”

“I can’t see,” I breathe when he moves to close the door. “Cairo⁠—” “I know.” He cuts me off in a voice not entirely his. “But that’s all right, little bird. Because I can.”

“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.”

“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.”

“I’ll take care of you, little bird,”

“Let me take care of you, little bird. Let me show you all the ways I want you to be mine.”

“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.”

“Will you come on my mouth, gorgeous girl?” he asks, barely moving his face away from the apex of my thighs. "I want to taste every second of your release. I want you right here.” He licks my slit again, and swirls his tongue around my clit. “All I want is my tongue buried in your pussy while you come for me.”

“I need you to stop panicking over me for maybe two seconds, all right?” A smile twitches on his lips, and I relax by degrees. Surely if he were dying⁠— “Because I’m trying to tell you I love you.”

“Are you hungry, little bird?” My answering grin is equal parts feral and voracious, and when I drag him to me, I bare my teeth happily to say, “I’m starving,” before kissing him again.