walk.”
Aaron caught my hand as I was rising to leave. “I hurt your feelings, honey, I can see that. I am so sorry. Please. YOU can talk as much shit as you like. You can drink all the tequila for all I care. I am making this about me, when it is really about you. Brett left you today, sweetie. I know you don’t think he did from that stupid painted message. But that fucker was trying to spare your feelings.”
“Yep, he really did,” I snarled. “When he left me bent over bare-assed against the kitchen table. He really did a great job of sparing my feelings Aaron.”
Laughter tumbled around us. I gaped in shock. When had it got so damn busy in this shit hole? Fuck me. I pushed my credit card into Aaron’s hand, but he shook his head. “No, no way, you are one of my most prolific writers, the other shitheads keep me waiting many months for a book, you churn one out in two weeks. I love you, lady. This piss up is on me.”
I smiled, walked past the laughing yipping idiot man folk, and made my way to the bathroom. And of course, as I was contemplating my reflection in the mirror, Thorn responded to my message.
I don’t think you could handle even a taste of me, Elena. But assuming you could, how would you taste me?
I bit my lip, feeling my brows draw together in a frown of concentration. Relax, I coached myself. Shit. Maybe I had gone a bit too far with that last message. He thought I was the most talentless half-witted writer ever, I was convinced. I cringed now seeing it. I shouldn’t have said the ‘bathe in him’ thing. That was more than a little fucked, and I was sure every other fuck tard of a fan had said that to him.
This had to be good.
Everything depended upon it.
I loved and respected this man, and he had given me my writing mojo back when I needed it the most. My thumb shook as it hovered over my phone. Then I went in.
Just a taste? I don’t think even with my powers of imagination that I can describe that, Thorn. I couldn’t just taste you. Impossible. I would end up devouring you.
The little notification flashed, SEEN .
That was bad, I decided. But it would have to do. I stuffed my phone back into my bag, and then inspired, I fired another message.
A little greedy, aren’t we? I said one tease per day? You already received your tease. xx
SEEN
Then:
Devour me. Hmmm, that is entirely to my liking - thank you for that image.
Also, did you tease me? When? I haven’t been teased tonight. Was it that cute picture of you licking a wine glass? Or that strange befuddled message about bathing in my blood like a certain damned countess?
Where was the tease, Elena?
I laughed out loud. I couldn’t help myself.
Go fuck yourself. I messaged before I could stop myself.
Much better, was the response.
Then:
I like you. You are a lot of fun. I think Cellrager needs to come to Ashby. What do you think? I nodded. I think Ashby would never be the same, but it would be an improvement. Come raise hell. Wake everyone the fuck up.
He was responding rather quickly.
I cannot raise hell. We are already in it, Elena. I can only try to make it more bearable. That is what Cellrager is all about, after all. Our tiny prisons of hell we create for ourselves whenever we step into the comfort zone. Seriously, though. Keep teasing me. I like it.
He then sent me a picture – he had turned away from his laptop and had flashed me a wry smile, his dark green eyes shining bright. It was the friendliest smile I had ever seen on him. Ever. This was rare. He looked… happy.
Fuck me, he was gorgeous; my breath was stolen for a moment looking at him.
Next time, don’t hold back. I want you to rape me with your words. Good night, Elena.
Contradictory piece of shit. I sighed and even though I was being a smart ass, I couldn’t help myself as I messaged back:
Then you don’t understand the concept of the Tease, my friend. Raping you with my words would be too overtly obvious, your TEASE