Page 72 of The Pleasure Contract

When I blink open my eyes the next morning, I’m instantly confronted with Az staring back at me. He’s so close, I can see the flecks of pink peppering his otherwise warm brown irises.

“How do you feel?” he asks, his eyes dropping to my neck.

Rolling onto my back, I take a moment to mentally check in with myself. I wiggle my fingers and my toes and stretch my limbs. Az had slept in my room last night and insisted I ride his face.

After sliding off of my royal throne, boneless and content, I’d realized that Az had enjoyed himself a hell of a lot, considering I hadn’t even touched his dick. Following a quick clean-up, we’d both fallen straight into slumber – not before Az insisted he arrange our bodies into a prime cuddling position, though.

And now? Do I feel like someone who has experienced some top-grade orgasms in the past twenty-four hours? Sure. Does my body feel worn out and a little tingly from being injected with the venom of a huge alien? Absolutely.

Do I feel any different about Az now?

I… I don’t know.

I loll my head toward him. “Relax. I’m fine.”

And I am.

I feel good.

Really good.

I really like Az – and not just for all the aforementioned award-winning orgasms. He’s… he makes my heart feel…

Ah, shit.

Am I in love with him?

Is this how it starts? The venom?

I’m not obsessed or anything.

My eyes catch on his strong jaw and the way his bicep flexes as he lifts his arm behind his head on the pillow.

Okay, maybe a little bit obsessed, but that’s just sexual objectification.

I know how strong those arms are.

I know what they can do.

I know they can lift me up by the hips and use me like I weigh nothing at all.

See – I’m not ‘in love’. I’m ‘in lust’. Totally different thing.

“You’re staring.”

My stupid heart jolts, and I snap my face back to the ceiling.

Az chuckles. “You can stare all you like, Lois. In fact, I think I prefer it.”

He gets up, making obnoxiously loud noises as he stretches. I’m adamant that I’m not going to check him out, but I don’t really get a choice when he nonchalantly wanders out of the room, completely butt-naked, and I’m left here to wonder if letting him bite me was the stupidest thing I’ve ever done.

Sitting up, I place my hand on my chest. I feel a bit dumb doing it – it’s not like my Grinch-heart just grew three sizes where Az is concerned or anything. I’ve always liked Az. Even when he’s annoying. I’ve come to love him – which is fine. You can love anyone like a friend or family member. But ‘in love’? That right there is where the danger is.

If the whole episode with my mom and Jerry taught me anything, it’s that you never really know a person until they’re desperate, down and out. And I don’t see me ever seeing Az get to that level. He’s a prince, after all. He has everything he’s ever wanted, all served up on a silver platter.

So I guess I’ll never know his true character. And that’s fine. I can love him for who I think he is. But ‘in love’? Nuh-uh. You’ve got to see all of the person to commit to that. Which is not happening.

I start to feel a little better. If I can think things through rationally like this, then that venom of his can’t have altered my brain, right? Maybe for humans it just makes you feel a bit… tingly? And happy?