“I don’t?—”
“Clearly I need some lessons. Why don’t you come over to myplace and show me some moves,” he says, interrupting me. He places a hand on my arm and Tempest swats it away.
“I recommend you never touch or even speak to my fiancé again,” she says and smiles.
She takes my hand in hers and we walk away. This should not be so hot, but it is. The little streak of protectiveness. I know it’s just a part of the act, or maybe she really doesn’t want some creepy dude bothering me, but warmth floods my chest in this primal, sensual way.
It reminds me of the time she bit me, and the way it felt like every nerve in my body became a livewire.
“What a dillweed,” Tempest says after a few beats of silence.
“A total bag of dicks,” I reply, and we lock eyes again, just grinning at one another. “That was fun. I like being a little evil with you.”
“You’re such a nuisance.” She gives my hand a squeeze, and I realize our fingers are still interlocked. The soft, warm fur of her hand in mine gives me comfort.A beautiful nuisance.
Movement No. 18
Tempest
There is a sparkle in Yasmeena’s eyes as we get up onto the bar, our bodies moving in perfect harmony. It’s like nothing I’ve ever experienced before. It’s as natural as breathing, the two of us just understanding each other’s movements and tells.
Things feel different now, too. I feel like the death of her friend Roxanne pushed us closer towards friendship, and forced me to confront some of the conflicting feelings churning in my gut.
I might have to kill Draven. Hel, I might even have to kill some of the others, but I don’t think I can kill her. Even if she never forgives me, even if she can’t possibly begin to understand, I will make sure she’s spared. The people she loves most, too. Khalid and Lilian. The children. I don’t want to hurt Taryn, either. If I can, I’ll ensure everyone’s safety. Everyone but Draven.
I’ll simply do what I must, no matter the cost to myself or my sanity.
Yasmeena’s body shifts and she’s straddling me now. It’s a move we’ve done at least a hundred times in the last month or so, but it feels different. She’s looking down at me and smirking.
There’s something so sexy and charged about her today, itfeels like it’s rewiring my brain. The way she showed up that asshole yesterday. She’s the only thing that’s been on my mind lately.
Not the strengths and weaknesses of the carnies, not the maps I should probably be making, nope. Just her. And it’s lust. I know it’s lust. You can’t work with a woman this gorgeous in skin-tight clothing every day and not feel at least an ounce of attraction, but it’s really bad.
Maybe it’s her, or maybe I’m just pent up, but whatever the reason, it’s driving me nuts.
“Do you feel like we’re ready?” I ask, my voice breathy.
“Let’s go through it once more,” she says, and I nod.
We start the routine over, going through every pose and movement. It’s more my strength we’re relying on than hers, but she’s flexing her body a lot more. It’s beautiful and we make a great team.
At some point, her knee grinds against my inner thighs, grazing over my clit and I have to fight the moan that threatens to escape my mouth.
“Fucking Hel,” I say as she shifts, pushing her chest up against mine while we’re hanging upside down.
She’s not differing from our routine, but she’s definitely going out of her way to press herself against me, almost teasingly. Or maybe she’s not, and I’m letting my own horny thoughts get in the way of our amazing performance.
I try to ignore the heat sizzling in my abdomen as we finish our final pose and get down from the bar.
I take in a deep breath. “You?—”
“Great job up there,” she says, interrupting me. “I’m sweaty, so I’m going to hit the showers. You should, too.”
Every muscle in my body tenses, every hair standing at attention. Yasmeena showers everyday after we’re finished, and Ialwayswait until she’s done before heading in there. She has to have noticed by now, the way I linger right outside the bathroom.
I’m always supposed to be with someone, although that doesn’t seem to be enforced anymore. I’ve been able to walk around freely. I go off to the river everyday and talk with Taryn. Everyone seems to trust me more now, so why is she suggesting I follow her?
Unless I really am reading her intentions correctly.
