Aftereffect (The Order of Ravens and Wolves Book 1)

by T. L Hodel

  The way the stone slab felt on my skin, the musty smell, and the sting from Louis’s slap. It all felt so real. But that was crazy, right? Who in this day and age wore ceremonial robes? This wasn’t Medieval times. People weren’t tortured in underground chambers by some secret sect of the stonecutters. Still . . .

  I brushed my hair over my shoulder, and felt around the back of my neck. No bumps or anything that I could feel, just smooth skin. Why was I still not convinced?

  “You’re losing it Riley.” My cheeks puffed out with an exhale. “Micha didn’t brand you.”

  The thought was laughable, so much so that I might’ve chuckled a little at my paranoia. Except, I heard the shower door clock closed and Micha say, “Yes, I did.” followed by the feel of his skin on mine.

  “What the hell do you think you’re doing,” I shrieked throwing my arms up to cover myself.

  He pressed in closer and my blood turned to ice. Micha was behind me, naked and very hard.

  Everywhere!

  “Having a shower,” Micha stated, and lifted his arm to grab something above me.

  I didn’t know what it was. At this point I didn’t care. If I looked, then I might see more than I wanted to.

  “Get out!” I demanded, my voice sounding stronger than I felt. “This shower’s occupied.”

  “I don’t mind.”

  “Well, I do!”

  “You sure about that, Mouse?” Micha snickered in a mocking tone. “You were eye-fucking me pretty hard today.”

  That was beside the point. Wasn’t my fault he had those eye-catching abs. Didn’t mean I liked looking at him.

  “You’re such an –” I stopped and cocked my head in contemplation. “Did you say that you did brand me?”

  The sweet scent of my coconut body wash filled the air as Micha spoke. “If it makes you feel any better, you weren’t supposed to remember.”

  “How is that supposed to make me feel better?” And why did it give me a thrill to know he was using my body wash?

  “I said if, Mouse.”

  He was so infuriating, and now he smelled like me. This gorgeous god of a man smelled like me. What did he look like all sudsy and slick? I couldn’t think like this, all wet and naked with Micha fucking Kessler.

  I let my forehead fall to the tile wall, and closed my eyes to try to get some clarity. It grew quiet, too quite. I almost looked behind me to see if Micha was still there. I could feel him watching me, but I couldn’t hear him. Only the spray of the shower and my own breathing. I was so tense that when his hand slowly swept something soft down my back, I shot forward, hugging my body to the wall.

  “Calm down, Mouse,” Micha said, pulling me back to him and dragging the soapy loofa down my back and over my butt cheek. “I’m not going to hurt you.”

  “Yet,” I whispered.

  “What?”

  My body started to openly quake when his hand slid around my hip and over my stomach.

  I cleared my throat and clarified, “You’re not going to hurt me, yet.”

  “I guess that all depends on you, Mouse. Though I do have to say,” He leaned forward and ran his tongue up my cheek, scooping up the solitary tear that rolled out of my eye. My clit throbbed when he released a low throaty groan. “Nothing tastes quite as sweet as your tears.”

  I sucked in a shuddered breath. Micha always hurt me. The things he said and did, left scars. Even now I was in pain. My skin tingled, nipples pebbled, and I was achingly wet between my thighs. It was only a matter of time before he wore me down, I knew that. I could fight it, but in the end, he would win. My body would give in, and that was what hurt the most of all.

  “Fuck you,” I growled, refusing to give into my unwanted desires.

  Micha dropped the loofa, splayed his hand on my stomach, and pressed me back into him.

  “You’re not ready to play that game, Mouse,” he breathed in my ear. “But if you want to give it a go . . .”

  He thrust his hips and I gulped. His erection pressed into my back, soft yet hard, like a steel rod wrapped in silk. It terrified me and excited me at the same time.

  “Don’t touch me,” I snarled, slapping his hand. I was losing myself and needed to get away from him.

  Micha growled, moved his hand to my neck, twisted me around, and slammed my back against the wall. “The next time you say no, or don’t to me, your mouth will be so full of cock, you’ll taste me when you breathe.”

  There was the monster I knew. The arrogant ass who expected his demands to be met. This Micha I could handle, or at least I thought I could.

  “I’ve been pretty lenient with you Mouse, but you keep running your mouth.” He leaned in and added in a whisper, “I think it’s time you made it up to me.”

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Micha

  I allowed Riley her modesty. Let her keep herself hidden, but she had to keep fighting me. I knew she wanted it. She knew she wanted it. She was just too fucking stubborn to admit it. Guess it was a good thing I didn’t give a fuck about consent. I wanted her to fight me. Got hard just thinking about it. It would make her moment of surrender that much sweeter.

  “I’d be very careful if I were you, I’m barely hanging on here.”

  I took a second to admire the way she looked, naked, and held against the wall, with my hand wrapped around her neck. She wasn’t worried about covering herself now. So, I took my time, devouring every inch. From her little tits with perky pink nipples, down to her tiny waist, over the curve of her hip, and to her smooth pussy. Fuck. That sight alone was enough to make me blow my load. A bare, virgin pussy . . . almost like she did it just for me. At least she fucking better have!

  Fiery rage filled Riley’s eyes, feeding my need to take her. “You can’t do this to me!” she snarled, stomping her foot.

  “Oh, I won’t be doing anything to you.”

  The cute little confused look she gave me almost made me chuckle. She was so fucking innocent. It was time to change that.

  “You’re going to jerk me.” I explained, almost losing it when I felt her throat muscles working under my palm to swallow. Fuck, I wanted to feel that around my dick. I’d been picturing those pretty pink lips wrapped around me for months. “Maybe if you do me nice, I’ll leave Daddy alone.”

  Her eyes narrowed into angry slits. “You can’t be serious.”

  My brow arched. “Do I look serious?”

  I knew what was coming, and I felt the grin curling my lips before she spoke.

  “No.”

  Bingo.

  “Mouth it is.”

  My mouse was panicked now, struggling to pry my hand off her neck and get away. I was so far past fighting at this point. Riley needed to be taught a lesson, and if that meant I had to hold her mouth open and fuck her face, so be it. There was no way she’d get out of this one, but my mouse proved me wrong, when she reached out and gripped my dick tightly.

  “Is this what you want?” she hissed, lightly pumping along my shaft.

  Fuck yes!

  Her jerky inexperienced movements were doing it for me. One stroke was tentative, the next hard and full of rage. I could see the confusion on her face. How she was angry, and hating herself almost as much as me. Yet her eyes sparked when I groaned in pleasure. She wanted to please me, and that was sexy as fuck.

  Riley tightened her grip and snarled, “You like this, you sick fuck?”

  I was a sick fuck, and I was going to drag her right down the rabbit hole with me.

  I growled, fisted her hair, and ran my tongue up the side of her neck. The scent of her fear combined with the taste of her anger was an intoxicating concoction – one that had me tugging roughly on her scalp.

  “That’s it,” I groaned when her tiny hands tightened their hold. “Give me all your rage.”

  Scared by the primal lust evident in my tone, Riley slowed her movements, and whimpered. She tried to shrink back into the shower wall, but we were no where near from done. She started this shit, and she was goin
g to finish it.

  “Don’t stop now, Mouse,” I taunted in a teasing tone. “I was just starting to reconsider fucking your mouth.”

  Her eyes gave me those angry fireworks I loved so much while her hands came back to life, jerking roughly along my shaft.

  That’s more like it.

  “Try it and I’ll bite it off.”

  It was so fucked-up that this shit was turning me on. I’d never been harder in my life.

  “Harder.” I growled, wanting more of her wrath.

  “What’s wrong?” she snarled, pumping me furiously. “Can’t find anyone willing?”

  “You seemed pretty willing when you grabbed my dick.”

  Droplets of water sparkled like diamonds on her lashes as she peeked up at me. “I hate you.”

  “How wet are you right now?” I leaned in, and sucked her earlobe between my teeth. “I bet that hot little pussy is dripping down your thighs.”

  She did not like that.

  I didn’t give a fuck. This was the hottest hand-job of my life.

  “Do you kiss your mother with that mouth?”

  “Do you really want to talk about my mother when your hands are on my cock?” I twisted my fist in her wet locks, enjoying her squeal. “Who’s the sick fuck now?”

  “Aw,” her face twisted in a mocking frown, “didn’t Mommy love you enough?”

  Fuck! The gloves were coming off, and her claws were out. Her words struck home, twisting my heart while making my dick harder.

  “That’s it, baby, get yours before I get mine.” I purred. Her ragged breaths and husky tone only spurred me on. “And I will get mine.”

  Ice shone in those blues eyes. “Arrogant prick.”

  I ran my tongue up her cheek, loving how her chest heaved, pressing those perfects tits against me. “It’s not arrogant if it’s true.”

  “You’re sick.”

  “You like it.”

  The innocent way her face twisted in confusion threw me over the edge. “No, I don’t.”

  “Yeah?” I groaned, feeling a tingle at the base of my spine as my balls pulled up. “Then why are your hands still on my dick?”

  She stilled as my come sprayed on her belly, marking her as mine. I growled and pressed my forehead against the tile wall, as my dick twitched, releasing the rest on my load. It took a minute for me to catch my breath. I’ve never come so hard in my life.

  Listening to the shower spray, I waited for the inevitable backlash. Minutes ticked by and there was nothing but silence. Riley should’ve hit me by now. Or at least tried to push me away. Confused, I popped an eye open and looked down. She was standing there with a blank stare on her face.

  “You look like you just murdered someone, instead of jerking me off.”

  I had the same look on my face once, but I had killed someone, though. Still couldn’t look Rosy in the eyes.

  Riley opened her mouth, but nothing came out. I frowned and pushed off the wall. Maybe my mouse was more fragile than I’d thought? She had nothing to be ashamed of. One day she’d learn to embrace her desires – I’d teach her. As much as I loved the way she looked covered in my come, right now she needed to be taken care of, and much to my surprise, I wanted to do that.

  I steered her into the warm spray, and gently cleaned her. She didn’t move. Didn’t even twitch as I scrubbed her down. And when I moved on to cleansing myself, she stood there staring blankly at the wall. It wasn’t until I sat on the end of the bed, drying her off, that the life started to come back in her eyes.

  “Why me?” she asked in a hushed whisper.

  I tapped her leg to step in the white lace panties I’d picked out. It was a bit disturbing how easily she complied, lifting her leg and stepping into them without an argument. What was more bothersome, was the fact that I was disturbed at all. I took my time sliding the fabric up her legs, enjoying the feel of her smooth creamy skin, and reminded myself that I shouldn’t coddle her. Jerking me off was nothing compared to what I had planned. She needed to toughen up.

  She repeated her question, “Why me?”

  I sighed, and slipped a navy teddy over her head. “Does it matter?”

  My dick hardened at the sight of her. When it came to lingerie, Logan knew what he was doing. The silk hugged Riley’s curves and the color brought out her eyes. She looked fucking beautiful.

  “Yes it matters.”

  Fucking chicks, always wanting to talk about their feelings and shit. There was a reason I kicked bitches out when I was done with them. The only thing I felt, was satisfied, tired, and fucking annoyed that they were still there. I could’ve left Riley. I could’ve gone and slept in another room, but for some fucked up reason, I didn’t want to.

  Her blue eyes locked with mine, and I could see the desperation in them. “Please tell me.”

  “Why?” I asked, arching a brow at her.

  Why the fuck was this so important to her? Did she expect me to say I loved her or some shit? Because that wasn’t happening. That ship sailed the day my mother died. The only thing beating in my chest was a vacant black void.

  “Please, Micha,” Riley pleaded, “give me something.”

  I sighed and sat back. Uncomfortable at how the tears brimming in her eyes tugged at the hollow hole in my chest. I’d made Riley cry countless times. She thought I didn’t see, but I did. So why the fuck was it bothering me now? I was just exhausted. That’s all it was.

  “Time for bed,” I said, getting up and throwing on a pair of sweats.

  “God damnit!” Riley yelled, stamping her foot. “You owe me an explanation!”

  “I don’t owe you shit.”

  “Yes, you do!”

  Grumbling, I scrubbed a hand down my face. I just wanted to go the fuck to sleep.

  “I swear to God, Micha, if you don’t give me something I’ll –”

  “Because I fucking need you!” I ripped the blankets back and glowered at her. “Now get in the fucking bed before I gag you and tie your ass to it!”

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Riley

  I need you.

  I hadn’t seen Micha since he said that. He was gone the next morning before I woke up, didn’t acknowledged me at school, and didn’t come over last night. A good thing, right? So, why was it that I couldn’t I fall asleep until I smashed my face in his pillow and soaked up his scent? It was my room, and my pillow.

  I kept wondering if I did something wrong? I still felt him in my hands. Hard, smooth, and hot. I don’t know why I jerked him off, maybe I wanted to give him a taste of his own medicine, but I did it. Not only that, I liked it. Thought he did too, but maybe he didn’t? Maybe I did it wrong? Why else would he ignore me?

  “He’s watching us again.” Lana shifted her suspicious gaze to Preston, who was leaning against some lockers down the hall.

  Yeah, that was still happening.

  Harper glanced warily at him. “He gives me the creeps.”

  You and me both, Harper.

  I was pretty sure he harvested the souls of the innocent for his dark lord. Come to think of it, he was probably the dark lord.

  “Parker has a game tonight, right? Maybe he’s here for his brother?”

  “Maybe?” Lana said, ducking away to hide the pink tinting her mocha skin. “Nan should be here. I’ll see you guys tomorrow.”

  “Bye,” Harper said.

  I nodded. “ See you.”

  Part of me was dying to meet Lana’s grandma. The kid in me was giddy to get a glimpse of the witch we used to whisper about – which only made me feel horrible – I knew what it was like to have people talk about your family.

  My nose scrunched up as I closed my locker. Naomi thought it would be super fun to fill my locker with trash today. Mrs. Jones, the vice-principal had it cleaned out, but there was still a lingering scent. At least they got rid of the ‘go home trash’ written on the outside. Naomi definitely lacked originality.

  I scowled when Preston looked up at us. “Don’t you have somethi
ng better to do?”

  “As a matter of fact, I do,” he said, typing something into his phone. “Be good, brat, I’ll be back.”

  I waited until he walked away to stick my tongue out. Only an idiot would taunt death head on.

  “That was um–”

  “You don’t have to explain.” Harper said. “But I’d be careful what you say around Lana. She’ll ask questions.”

  She was oddly accepting of Preston. I eyed her for a second, wondering if she knew something? Then I remembered that Harper was well versed in Kessler cruelty, maybe more than I was? I’d slapped Mason and threatened to rip his balls off so many times, that it was becoming habit – and that was only the times I’d caught him tormenting her – God knows what he did when I wasn’t around. I’d tell Harper to stick up to him, but who was I to talk? I was the one who missed her contractual boyfriend last night.

  Talk about self-loathing.

  “I have to wait for Logan, so I’m going to go hang out in the library.” Something I was informed about this morning. He told me I should come and watch practice. Gotta say, seeing Micha half naked and wet again wasn’t really high on my priority list.

  “I can come with you. I’m going to be here for awhile. Sean’s getting ready for the game,” Harper explained. “That is, if y-you want me to?”

  This girl broke my heart. She was so unsure about everything. It was like she was waiting for me to wake up and decide that I hated her.

  I smiled and threw my arm over her shoulders. “I would love that.”

  I liked spending time with Harper. She didn’t talk my ear off like Shelby or Lana did. She was content to just read her book quietly while I worked on my history assignment. Our teacher dubbed it, ‘The rich and interesting history of Ashen Springs’, and there was nothing rich, or interesting about this town. Trust me, I’d been looking for over an hour.

  I dropped my forehead in my palm and grumbled, “This is impossible.”