Page 162 of The Unravelings

The predator is on the prowl for his willing prey.

The mouthwatering aroma of his cologne hits my senses with the same jarring familiarity it did at the blood drive, stirring an odd sensation inside me. Stepping directly into my space and knocking me back into the wall beside the bathroom door, I gasp at the cool wall at my back. His arm rests against the wall above my head, forcing me to lean back and stare directly into the storm that swirls in his eyes.

“Aw, Crumpet,” he breathes with a slight chuckle. “I’d recognize you anywhere.” He grins down at me, tilting his head.

I don’t have time to speak when his fingers brush against the scars on my face, tracing them despite the heavy makeup covering every inch of my skin.

Apparently, I can’t conceal them from Malic.

Or anything.

Panic wells up inside me as I stand rigidly, allowing him to trace my burns and move his fingers through my shaggy brown locks. Like a lamb to fucking slaughter.

“I saw you the second you walked in.” He cocks his head again, examining my short hair. “New hair? It suits you.” His piercing blue eyes darken as they roam over my clothes again, really taking in the outfit I’m wearing. I swear his pupils dilate and his breath kicks up a notch. “New clothes, too?” he groans, licking his lips with a hunger that has my skin heating and my back bowing. “What brings you back to me, Little Ghost?”

He steps impossibly closer, pressing his body into my slightly smaller frame. The wall is the only thing grounding me in the moment. Shivers spill down my spine and over every inch of my body at the feel of him against me.

“To see you,” I whisper, forcing my heavy tongue to work. Was it a lie? No. “The fight,” I force out.

Malic grins more. “To see me, hmmm? I’m honored, but I thought you were leaving, Crumpet.” His eyes look me up and down with approval. “But I won’t deny I’m happy to see you.”

“I did leave. But I came back. Only for tonight,” I say breathlessly, getting lost in the depths of his eyes as he takes me in again and again. “Only for tonight,” I try to emphasize, pleading with him to understand that this can’t happen again.

Not after tonight.

Malic presses against me again, pushing me further into the wall. He leans down, his lips a millimeter away from mine. Kiss me. Fucking kiss me. My mind chants with an eagerness I hadn’t realized was there. His breath passes over my parted lips, sending more shivers down my spine. I’m a damn goner, for sure. Then, he stops everything. Hesitates right before he connects the softness of his lips against mine and simply stares into my eyes as his pupils dilate.

“Only one night?” he murmurs, his lips brushing against mine with every word he speaks. “Then, maybe we should take advantage of our one night together?” he asks. “Maybe I should take you back to my room and show you a proper time. Dirty the sheets. My mouth on your pussy again and again. Me claiming you like I should have the last time I laid eyes on you.”

“Fuck.” I shiver when his lips brush against my jaw, peppering soft kisses on my flesh.

“That, too.” A chuckle vibrates through his chest, and he groans, running a finger across my throat and down toward my tits. My back arches, giving him access as he squeezes over my barely there shirt. “What do you say, Little Ghost? Should we pick up where we left off? Only this time, I’ll tie you to my bed and never let you go.”

You hear that, internal Olivia? He’s promising to tie you to his bed and never let you go. He’s dangerous. He could ruin you in a damn night.

Yeah, yeah. Don’t care. Need him.

“Malic!” Wilder shouts from somewhere close.

“Ah, enter the cockblocker of the century,” Malic mumbles against my neck.

In my hazy state, I peel my eyes open and watch as Wilder stomps toward us with a furious expression clouding his face.

Malic doesn’t move a muscle, keeping himself firmly pressed against me as his growing want pokes my stomach. It does something to me. Stirs something crazy inside me that begs me to do something about this right here and now. Fuck this is bad. So fucking bad.

“How wet are you for me, Little Ghost?” he whispers directly into my ear. “Should I dip my fingers into your pussy and feel it as it coats my fingers? Hmm? Maybe Wilder would want a lick, too?”

“What?” I whisper, turning to look directly at Malic as he hovers above me, his hand teasing the waistband of my jeans with a chuckle. Well, until he pulls his fingers back and clicks his tongue a few times.

“Soon,” he whispers on a promise, kissing my cheek gently. “Soon, you’ll have it all. And so will I.” He grins, stepping back and adjusting himself.

Something Wilder notices immediately as he looks Malic over with heated cheeks. He averts his eyes and clears his throat.

“Malic.”

“Keeper,” Malic greets happily. “What brings you to my neck of the woods? Were you here for the show?”

Wilder gets even redder, shaking his head. “Show? Your neck of the woods? What the hell?” Wilder asks, rubbing the back of his neck with exasperation. “It’s almost time and…” Wilder stops abruptly, his entire body tensing at the sight of Malic standing so close to me again. “Who the⁠—”