I lean in close to him, so no one can see that nothing sexual is happening between us. In the darkness, it looks like we are kissing. There are no rules, but I’m guessing that whatever you are doing has to at least be perceived as sexual. If not, this would just be a fistfight to the end.
Lloyd’s eyes bulge and his hands grip mine, scratching them until I release enough for him to speak.
“Ready to say your safe word yet?”
“Not fair. You have to be doing something sexual. Otherwise, I can tell the owners, and they will remove you from the games when I remove myself.”
Dammit.
I force my lips over his as I squeeze around his neck again. This is actually better. I can assure he can’t breathe if I’ve sealed his mouth and blow carbon dioxide in his face.
I don’t take a breath. My mouth is locked over his. My tongue dances at the seam of his lips that feel swollen from lack of oxygen.
Finally, I release him.
He mutters a word—his safe word.
I release him and walk away.
I find Liesel. Her man has her leaning against the railing, and his head is buried between her legs, tasting every inch of her.
My mouth waters at the sight as her eyes roll back. But just as she predicted, he can’t get her to completion.
Her nails dig into the poor man’s back, drawing blood.
“My turn,” I can hear her say.
The man’s eyes light up like he’s just entered heaven.
She kneels in front of him.
Don’t fall for it, man. The devil lives in her eyes. I wouldn’t let her near your man parts right now.
She takes his cock into her mouth in one deep swallow, and he’s down her throat. It’s not that impressive since the guy isn’t that big to begin with.
Suddenly, she bites down.
I wince at the sight as a blood-curdling scream echoes through the ship.
A man walks over to him. “I need you to say your safe word if you want to end your games.”
Liesel still has her mouth around his penis as his blood drips down her chin.
The man is still screaming hysterically, but he can’t seem to remember his safe word.
“Say your safe word, and this ends,” the man is basically pleading with him to use his safe word.
“I can’t…remember.” He stutters.
“It’s pterodactyl.”
“Pterodactyl!” he screams.
Liesel takes her time releasing the man. When she finally unsheathes him, two more men rush over to carry her victim away.
Liesel stands up with blood dripping down her chin and onto her bare breasts. She’s completely naked, covered in the man’s blood with his saliva dripping between her legs.
I grind my teeth together.
“This ends tonight’s game. There are eight of you left. The games start tomorrow at midnight. Enjoy the rest of your night and day tomorrow, but make sure you get plenty of rest. Tomorrow’s games last as long as it takes to crown a winner.”
As soon as Mr. Reyes finishes speaking, Liesel takes off. Everyone moves aside, too scared of her to stand in her way.
I chase after her, through the hallways, down the stairs.
She’s about to slam her bedroom door shut, but I catch it.
My eyes take in everything—the fucking sexiest woman I’ve ever seen. She looks like a vampire. I have no doubt she’s more powerful right now than any vampire in any novel or movie I’ve ever seen. She’s fucking glowing with strength.
“You should have said your safe word, killer. Tomorrow, you’ll be the one I’m taking a bite out of.”
I shake my head. “I would worry about tomorrow later if I were you. Tonight, we are playing my game. Tonight, I want to hear a lie. Tell me all the lies, because I can’t wait another night to kill you.”
13
Liesel
He wants me to lie.
I must have really gotten under his skin. And now he’s here getting under mine, taking in every ounce of my nakedness.
I still have blood on my face from biting Mr. Young. I’m sweaty and sticky from being manhandled and his failed attempts at making me come.
My hair is wild, and my makeup must be dripping from my face. The only piece of clothing I still wear is my mask.
Langston is shirtless, and the top of his pants are still undone, but he has a lot more clothes on than I do. He’s sweaty, but no blood covers him. He looks almost dignified.
“We should both get some rest. Tomorrow night is going to take every ounce of strength,” I say.
He forces his way inside my room, and I push the door shut behind him.
“But by all means, please come in.”
He snorts as he turns to look at me with his heady eyes, hooded and dripping in lust and desire.
He’s just as turned on and unsatisfied as me. That’s why he’s looking at me like this. Not because he finds me attractive, I remind myself.
I want to get dressed, put a robe on at least. I feel weak without clothes on, but I can’t let him know that. Tomorrow if I get to wear any articles of clothing other than my mask all night, I’ll be lucky. I need to get used to it. I need to feel powerful naked.
Somehow though, being nude in front of everyone else makes me strong. But in front of this man, with his eyes dancing over my body, I feel powerless.
My memories flutter through everything that has happened tonight, but only playing the parts that included Langston. Him kissing and groping the first woman, completely in control. Siren down on her knees, pleasuring him. Him threatening his male partner.
“She really loves you, doesn’t she?” I ask out of nowhere. It’s the only thing I can concentrate on.
“Who? Phoenix?” Langston says sheepishly, like it’s too much for him to think of Phoenix while he’s living this life.
“No,” I shake my head. “Siren.”
There is a beat of truthful silence as Langston and I trade breaths.
“Yes. Siren loves me, and I love her.”
I can
