Moth (Monstrous, #5)

by Lily Mayne

“I would have blue balls by now, I’m sure. Although, my balls are already purple—Hello, human.”

I love edin lmao

“You got me a scarf?” I let out a blissful sigh, my warm breath heating my cold chin and nose under the fabric. “Thanks, Moth.” He grunted, pale eyes flashing to me before he started walking again. “So you stop bitching about being cold.”

Moth huffed. “Well you must be a special little snowflake then.”

“I was mainly distracted by how hot you were,” I said in a joking tone—but it wasn’t entirely a joke.

“Well…” Moth drawled slowly, making my jaw clench. “Looks pretty empty to me.” “Great deductive skills,” I snapped, beyond confused as I looked around us. “Remind me to give you a gold star sticker later.”

“There’s nothing wrong with you,” I said immediately, brows pinching into a frown. “Fuck anyone who looks at you like that, Moth.”

“Can I kiss you?” I asked, my voice lower as arousal started pumping through my blood.

“Will you… will you tell me if I’m doing it wrong?”

“That doesn’t mean I won’t want to lick every inch of you,” I told him with a little grin, pleased when his pupils expanded in a rush. “When you’re comfortable with me doing it, that is. I guarantee, Moth, I’m going to love every part of you.”

“I love every part of you,” I told him. “You’re perfect.”

His voice was muffled against my neck. “I just hate everyone.” He was silent for a moment, before he croaked, “I don’t hate you.”

I guessed he was referring to the differences in his body. Rage spiked again, making my fingers flex against his thighs. “There’s nothing wrong with you, Moth.”

“I’ll be fine, baby.” The term of endearment slipped out without thought, but there were too many pressing things to worry about for me to get embarrassed by it.

“But maybe once we’re both clean and you don’t smell like monster guts.” He snorted and leaned in to kiss my cheek. “Princess.”

“Still the best nurse out here.” I grinned at Moth as he flushed the wound out, trying not to wince. “Sexiest nurse I ever had.”

“Charlie.” His voice was low and husky in the dark. I heard him swallow. “Can I—Can I kiss you?” My gut bottomed out. “Yes,” I rasped straight away. “You don’t have to ask.”

They’re just a part of you. And I love every part of you. You’re beautiful.”

If they thought Charlie made me happy, they wouldn’t hesitate to eliminate him. And he did make me happy. He was the only thing I could remember making me truly happy in almost my entire life.

At least I’d had him for a little while. At least I knew what it was like to want someone so fiercely it consumed me, and to be wanted back. At least I’d gotten to know someone truly decent, and kind, and compassionate—even if he could be an annoying shithead sometimes.

“Even though you don’t feel the same, I…” God, I needed to shut the fuck up. “I think you’re perfect just as you are. You don’t need to change or hide any part of yourself for someone else, Moth.”

“I thought I was in love with Ghost,” Moth whispered, because Ghost was standing right over there. Watching. “But I never felt like this about him. How I feel about you. I’ve never… felt like this about anyone.”

“I love you too.” I buried my face in his neck, breathing in his scent. “I love you, Moth.”