Second to the Right (The Neverland Chronicles, #1)

by T.S. Kinley

‘To die will be an awfully big adventure.’

“Don’t you know that nothing lasts forever, no matter how hard you wish it to be so?”

I think it was Aristotle who said ‘He who has overcome his fears will truly be free.’ Peter was the epitome of free. And now it was my turn to be fearless—free. What choice did I have but to follow him anyway? I was at his mercy. I took his hand and followed him blindly, into the forest. It was then that I knew I was in trouble, this boy mesmerized me.

“Shall I cross the veil and kill him for you?” his face was absolutely serious, “Then we can forget all about him.”

“Told you I’d catch you.” He was teasing and haughty. I could only huff in response and he laughed. “You don’t ever have to be scared when I’m around. I promise I’ll always keep you safe.”

“That’s why I chose you Gwen, your optimism for the future is something I’ve never had.”

He grabbed my hand and planted a brief, chaste kiss on my cheek. “Goodnight, Gwen. Dream of me,” he whispered before he disappeared into the maze of suspension bridges.

“We have time. I won’t rush things with you. I plan to draw this out. Savor every step along the way… then maybe you’ll stay.”

“You have nipple rings? How did I miss that yesterday?” My own thoughts came out before I realized it. “Well that’s easy, you were too busy looking at his cock to notice them!” Ryder howled a laugh and now it was Eben’s turn to blush.

“What you’re looking for in Neverland.” He had a seamless way of turning my own questions around on me, and somehow I felt compelled to answer. “I’m not sure. A break from reality maybe… but whatever it is, hopefully I’ll know it when I find it.” I sighed. “Have you found what you were looking for in Neverland?” “Maybe.” He smiled at me as his one word answer had my mind contemplating exactly what he’d meant.

I had spent so much time trying to analyze the intentions of the men in my life and I was tired of it. I came back to my original thoughts that I would only have these boys for a limited time, and it would be reduced to nothing more than a fond memory when I returned home. So what really was the harm in indulging myself, regardless of what their end game was? I knew that it was a dangerous game to play. If I allowed myself to feel something for them, what price would I pay when it was finally time to leave?

“But Gwen’s different. She’s not just a quick fuck for a good time. If she decides to have sex with me, I want it to mean something for both of us.” Ryder looked at me, a sweet expression on his face and I melted.

“You’ve been biting that lip all day and now it’s my turn for a taste,” he said, his voice husky.

“I didn’t bring her here for you all to fuck her. She’s a daughter of Wendy. You know what that means to me! She’s better than that, and you don’t deserve her!”

“And you think you deserve her?” Eben shot back,

“The difference between you and I, is that I know I’m not good enough for her. I won’t lead her on, just for my own selfish pleasure.”

“I get to choose! I choose who I want, how I feel, and, yes, I choose who I fuck. I don’t belong on this pedestal that you’re trying to put me on.”

“You want to know what my intentions are? I’m not really sure I can answer that just yet…” he sighed. “But, I’ll admit that I can’t explain what it is that I feel for you. I enjoy your company more than I should. I look forward to seeing you when you’re not with me. Actually, you fill my every thought when you’re not with me. You’re beautiful and sexy. I can’t stop thinking about that kiss, and every way I want to take you, every way I want to make you scream my name. It’s infuriating and exciting all at the same time.”

“I want you. I don’t care anymore if you break me when you leave. I’d rather be a broken man who took his chance at real love rather than a foolish man that turned his back on it.”

“I know I’ve made a complete mess of things, but not anymore. I’ll take whatever you want to give me, in whatever time we have left, and that will have to suffice. I’ll have to find the strength to hold it together until the end of eternity. Maybe we could meet there, in the end, and pick up where we left off.”

“Gwen, I know I can’t keep you,” he said slowly, his voice husky and low, “but in this moment, you are mine.”

“I want you to remember me. Inside you, right now. How good I make you feel when I’m fucking you. Remember this when you see the other boys again.”

I’m not sure it’s possible to be fucked into happiness, but I think that was as close as it gets.

“I told you, I’d take whatever you’re willing to give me. I meant it. I won’t be gone long. Being away from you pains me more than you know.”

“But I think it’s only fitting for a daughter of Wendy to be Queen of the Lost Boys.”

“I think you’ve broken me, because I don’t think anyone will ever compare to you.”

“I love you too, Hen. The only difference is that I really mean it. You’re still making up your mind, but that’s okay. I can wait and you know for damn sure, I’ll do everything I can to make you mean it,” he said.

“Does fear… excite you? Does it turn you on to know that at any moment I could gut you like a pig with one quick rip of my hook?”

Our goodbye felt overly formal after what had happened between us. I mean I had just been naked in his wicked arms only a few hours ago. From enemies, to lovers, to strangers in a matter of moments.

“You know, you deserve to be happy. It’s alright to let yourself be happy. Seems like you started to be in Neverland, but you got in your own way. I have my path and I’ve accepted that. Now you need to follow your heart. You have to find a way to go back.”

Did he think that was a good enough excuse for leaving her unprotected? She was my world and I would be damned if I was going to let her go now. I wouldn’t leave her to the depravity of what Hook had in store for her. She was mine and I would get her back.