My gulp brushes against his palm, and I wait for pressure or payback, but the touch maintains its gentility. It even trembles.
“You’re so pretty, Azalea,” he whispers. “Like the full moon on a clear night. From the moment I met you, you captured my attention and consumed my waking and unwaking world. I’d give anything to know what you’re thinking right now.”
I’m thinking it’s such a bleeding shame Junction hasn’t gotten around to killing you yet. But I obviously can’t say that, so when I crack my lips, what comes out instead is: “Shower.”
“Hm?”
“I need,” I swallow, struggling, “to shower.” Breaths are difficult. “Please.”
His smile warms, and he releases my throat. “Of course.” Sweetly, he pulls back, sitting me up. “I’ll clean it first, then I can start the laundry while you get in. Do you mind if I switch the mattresses for you? I’ll wash my gloves first.”
Feelingoff, I glance at the brand-new, plastic-covered mattress. This unease within me seems entirely separate from that mattress right now. I’m nearly positive I could pass out on almost anything if given the chance. In fact, all my usual rules and worries seem so much smaller compared to these new ones closing in. I’m certain the usual anxiety and fear will return if there’s silence in my skull for even a moment…but right now?
Right now, all I can think about are fingers around throats—crushing his…possessing mine.
Chapter Nine
?
May the fake dating portion of our game begin.
Malcolm
For reasons I cannot decode, but would kiss on the mouth, I believe that Azalea is trying to pretend she’s in a proper relationship with me. Watching her attempt this feat is the greatest entertainment I have ever, in my life, observed.
I’m enchanted.
Obsessed.
Blessed beyond reason.
Discomfort rampant, Azalea stares at my gloved hand while we methodically make our way through the half of the park attractions we didn’t get to see yesterday. Brow furrowed, she clenches her fists and wrestles against determination.
She’s been doing this since before we got in line at Fantasy Haven’s most popular ride—Faerie Veil. The impressive rollercoaster takes its riders on a magical adventure into a world beyond human comprehension, through a village of mythical inhabitants, up a mountain of frost, and around a valley of glimmering paraphernalia seemingly abandoned by the fair folk…
Needless to say, yesterday, when I suggested we ride it, Azalea looked at me as though I’d coughed in her vicinity.
Today, she’s worn out. Distracted. Easier to manipulate.
It wouldn’t surprise me at all if she’s not even aware what line we’re in.
Fragile breath fills her, and she unlocks her hand, closing it up again after moving it an inch toward mine.
Scowling, she shifts her disapproval from my hand to her own.
“Dove.”
Shejumps.
Large blue eyes slash to mine, and her face twists into an expression that is nothing short of agonized. Her lips stretch back to bare her teeth—which I’ve just deduced might be what happens when she forces what she thinks asmilelooks like—and she says, “Yes…crow?”
Longing for the day when she’llreallysmile for me, I open my hand to her. “Here.”
She looks at my leather-clad fingers. Then back at me. Then back at them. Her pupils ping-pong as her fabricated smile gains a substantial amount in the way of constipation. “Ah,” she says, fortifying herself. “Th…anks.”
Her fist half opens, but her fingers do not meld with mine. They instead hover, near, like a claw.
From her eye twitching, I deduce that this must be an extremely hard science for her.
