Page 38 of Crucible
“Because I said you’d have to earn it, not pay for it. Because you’re all swine, and I don’t like you very much. You don’t deserve to hear me sing. You deserve to beneutered.”
Before I realize my feet are moving, I’m across the den and gripping her golden curls in my fist. I yank her up and over the back of the couch while she screams before turning her around to face me. “I’m getting really sick of your shirt, you ungrateful brat.”
She glowers back up at me. “You’re pronouncing it wrong. My name’s Au-re-li-a. And what exactly would I have to be grateful for? You expect me to fuck for watery stew and a hard bed with scratchy sheets. I’mAurelia. I don’t bend for anyone, so decide what you’re going to do about it and take it up with management, pumpkin.”
“Excellent advice.”
I shove her away, and she stumbles right into Thorin’s arms. He catches her, and I hold my breath as I wait for him to decide. Will he finally admit he wants her, or will he continue to pretend he hasn’t been hard ever since we found her?
“Take your hands off me, and I’ll think about forgetting you exist when I’m rescued.”
“It’s unlikely,” Thorin returns.
“I swear on my parents’ graves—”
“I have no doubt you’ll try to forget us, but it’s unlikely you’ll ever succeed, Au-re-li-a.”
Thorin brings her closer and then closes his eyes as he buries his nose in her neck. He inhales deeply, and his next breath rushes out so harshly that Aurelia releases a terrified whimper. I’d bet my left nut she can feel his ire and desire skating over her bare shoulder and down her spine.
She pushes against his chest to get away, kicking, punching, cursing, and growling. Aurelia’s giving him everything she has, and while she’s fierce, it’s not enough.
Shushing her, Thorin palms the back of her head and presses it into his chest. I can see the answer in his gaze the moment he opens them and meets mine. For years, Thorin tricked himself into thinking he likes his women soft and pliant, but this is what he really needs—someone he can bend just to the point of breaking, someone whowillbreak and then ask for more.
He shifts his hold to Aurelia’s waist like they’re lovers, but she’s too busy scouring her nails down Thorin’s bare arms to notice Seth and me tightening the kill circle.
“Looks like we’re going with door number two, boys.”
THORIN
Turning Aurelia around until her back is to my chest, I hook an arm around her neck. Her hands fly up the moment I tighten my hold, gripping my bicep and forearm. It’s foolish to waste all her strength fighting me when she’s going to need it. Aurelia stubbornly tugs at my arm, and when force fails to free her, she resorts to pain, digging her sharp nails into my skin.
God, it makes me harder.
“Let me go,” she chokes out.
“We tried to do this the easy way, but I’m starting to think you like it rough.” I grab one of her hands and force it between our bodies. “All you had to do was sing for us, songbird.” I press her palm firmly against the hard ridge trapped by my sweats. Aurelia muffles her disgust at the last moment, denying me the satisfaction. My dick feels like it will snap in half if I don’t get off soon. “What do you think, boys? Should we give her what she wants?”
I look at Khalil and then Seth. The latter is practically bouncing from excitement. If it were up to me, I’d choose someone with fewer claws and teeth for Seth’s first time with a woman, but it’s not like we had options. And even if we did,he’dstill choose her. Seth would beg to bleed for her.
I shove her into him, and he catches her. “Gonna give it to her good,” Seth promises.
She goes to Khalil next. He catches her by the neck and plants a kiss on her lips. Aurelia squeals and tries to turn her head this way and that, but Khalil follows her, keeping their lips connected until he’s good and ready. When he breaks the forced kiss, he stares down at her like someone standing over a buffet after a years-long fast. “I thought you’d never ask, Goldilocks.”
When he shoves her toward me, I don’t try to catch her.
I let her fall to her knees at my feet and wait while she stares at the floor for a moment, her entire body trembling as she tries to find a way out of this. I don’t let her think for long before I grab Aurelia under her arms and haul her back to her feet.
“The answer is no. There’s nothing you can do or say to change our minds. You’re ours until we’re done with you.”
There’s disdain in her eyes when they search mine. I expect tears, pleas, or even an attempt to appeal to our good side. I even expect another loogie.
Idon’texpect her to lean her head back and then drive it forward as hard as she can.
Because Aurelia’s so much shorter, she’s in the perfect position to minimize damage to herself while maximizing my pain. The skin of my bottom lip splits the moment her head connects with my face. Pain bounces between my teeth like the vibration of a bell after it’s struck.The last of my resistance falls away the moment the metallic taste of my blood fills my mouth. I need to have this woman as surely as I need air to breathe.
While blood is still pooling in my mouth, I tighten my hold on her arms. My grip isn’t tight enough to warrant her cry of pain until I remember the second-degree frostbite on her arms. I use her distraction to press my lips against hers, but I go a step further than Khalil, shoving my tongue between her lips and making her swallow my pain.
I accepted a long time ago that there would be no redemption for me, but fuck…Aurelia tastes like the forbidden fruit that cements my place in hell.
