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“What madness destroyed me and you, Orpheus?” VIRGIL
My mother used to say beautiful things were wrought from the most unimaginable pain.
“The fun,” Aiden says, letting his gaze drop to my mouth, then lower and back up, “is that I know what to call you when I collect my dues.” My eyebrows scrunch together, and his jump. “You weren’t for sale to him, angel, because I already paid for you.”
“This is weird,” I say when his hand finds my elbow, and he guides me to a back corner near the family restroom. “You’re weird.”
“Breathe, angel,”
“You’re doing so well, pretty girl.”
“Yes, just like that, angel. You’re fucking magnificent, coming for me like this. Such a good girl for your stranger.”
kissing her felt like coming home after a lifetime of not even realizing you’d been missing.
“Naughty girl, letting someone else call you the nickname I gave you. Very disrespectful.”
If she’s my pretty pink pop star, I’m her rabid fan.
“Doesn’t it feel so much better when you do what I ask, pretty girl?”
“I was hoping we’d be able to spend Thanksgiving together.”
“No, angel. There’s nothing holy about what I’m gonna do to you.”
“That’s it, pretty girl. I knew you could do it. Knew you’d look so good coming on my cock.”
“Fuck, you’re beautiful,”
“I’m going with you to that dinner, one way or another.”
“Do you make a habit of going around and kissing girls in random restaurants, or is Dahlia’s special?” Dahlia’s isn’t. Riley is.
That man can try all he wants, but he’s not ever going to get her. Not the way I do.
What is a socially acceptable amount of time to let someone bully you?
“Do they give a shit about money? Because I could probably be the owner of this tourist trap by sundown, if I wanted to be.”
“My mother would disown me if I didn’t correct the golden boy’s mistake, so apparently I’m making you breakfast.” Glancing at me over his shoulder, he lifts an eyebrow. “Be a good girl and help out, hm?”
My dick is getting frostbite just sitting here.
“She doesn’t look at me the way she looks at you.”
I’ll choose his warmth, even if it means getting burned. At least when you’re on fire, you know you’re alive.
“Fuck, Riley, what are you even doing out here? You’re not dressed for the snow.”
“You didn’t come o-over tonight.” He blinks. “What?” “You d-didn’t come over.” It’s hard to speak as the feeling slowly returns to my nerve endings, the frigid air sticking to my skin. “So, I c-came to y-you.”
“Angel,” he finally says, swiping a thumb beneath my eye. “You’ve been waiting for me?”
Riley’s kiss consumes me.
“I believe I’d like anything you did,”
“Stop doing that.” I grip her chin, tugging her back so she’s forced to look at me. “Stop immediately shutting down and beating yourself up when someone asks for more information. This is how humans communicate. You’re not stupid, Riley. Stupid girls don’t get away with the shit you have.”
“Riley.” My voice is a growl, primal and irritated that she keeps denying me. “We’re doing it right this time, or not at all.”
“Insanity,” he whispers, pulling out to the tip just to thrust all the way in again. “I’m afflicted, and I think you’re somehow both the cause and the cure.”
“Take it,” he mutters, and I can’t tell who exactly he’s chanting to. “Take my cock, pretty girl. Fits you perfectly.”
“And you, Riley fucking Kelly, are beautiful in a way that’d make the constellations weep.”
“I’m only a psycho where you’re concerned. You bring it out in me.” My nose dips, brushing her hair, and my grip on the wall slackens slightly. “If you only knew the things I want to do to Caleb, just for daring to speak to you.”
“Do you like hearing about how miserable seeing you with him makes me? How I’ve gotten off some nights to the thought of him bleeding out in front of me?”
“The only thing wrong with me is that I’m not currently suffocating with your thighs wrapped around my head.”
“When I said I wanted to see all of you, I meant all of you. Now, be quiet and let me enjoy my meal, or I’ll find something to gag you with.”
“How many people have you been with?” “What?” “I didn’t ask the last time we…” she trails off, exhaling heavily. “But you know my number, so I think it’s only fair I know yours.” My dick jerks in my palm, and I consider lying. I want to lie, so she doesn’t get the wrong idea. But when I open my mouth to speak, the truth is what comes out. “Two total.” My fingers flex around my shaft, and I grit out, “Only one that mattered.” And none in our time apart.
“Goddamn, you’re such a good girl, taking me at both ends. You look fucking perfect getting stuffed full like this.”
“I know, pretty girl. Fuck, I know. Feels so goddamn good to be fucked, doesn’t it? To be owned?” I’m losing it, losing the last vestiges of my sanity as they break off and evaporate into her soul. “Take it, Riley. Own me. Claim me right back, and make me blow inside this sweet, filthy cunt.”
It’s obsession. Addiction. I’m a fucking addict.
“How come you always taste like peppermint?” He pushes one of the spherical candies between his teeth—just like the one he’d transferred to my mouth when he first showed up weeks ago. “Is that some sort of oral fixation?” “No.” His voice dips an octave, smoothing over me like satin, and he leans in, pressing his lips to my neck. As he drags his tongue up, alternating between suckling and licking his way to my jaw, he inhales deeply. “It’s a Riley fixation.”
“Merry Christmas,” I tell her, threading my free hand through her blush-colored locks, fisting the base to press a harsh kiss to her mouth. “Ungh,” she moans, jerking away and sitting upright. Her tits are covered in faded-red bite marks and rubbed raw from the scruff on my jaw, and my dick roars to life at the sight. “No fair that you brushed your teeth.”
“Your morning breath isn’t that bad.” Pushing up on my elbows, I rub my nose against her chin. “Tastes like us.”
“Mine. My filthy girl,”
“I got you something.” “Oh.” I roll off her, both of us wincing as I disconnect our bodies. She takes the bag, then frowns at me as my fingers drift between her thighs, spreading our juices over her swollen lips. “Hey. Talk about a distraction.” I smirk. “Just open it.” “But I didn’t get you anything. You can’t give me orgasms and presents when I don't have anything for you in return.” “All I want is you, Riley.”
Star-crossed doesn’t even begin to cover our story.
Go, my mind screams. Go over there and make me come back with you. Or stay. Don’t pretend you’re done.
A god among mortals.

