"Come on. We need to get to Tri-City and see if my mother was right." How I could help the world was a mystery to me, but I hope the city would give me the answers I needed.
The journey from Old Yella to the city will take three days, maybe more. Baby and I take point. His golden fur shining in my line of sight. Crowley takes the rear with Chris. I know the way to the forest where he told us there was food. As it appears on the horizon, he moves through the group to stand next to me as I squint at the trees. Overgrown, dark and wild, the area looks foreboding. But not to me, and probably not to the four men surrounding me.
"I feel them, my people. Twenty perhaps. Distance makes it harder," Chris says.
I turn to look into Chris’s eyes as he speaks. The blue gets brighter when he looks at me, almost like there is light behind them.
"You know how many others there are?" I ask quietly.
Looking back towards the forest, he's silent for a moment before answering. "Hundreds."
Well shit, that’s not good. Charlie takes my hand as he stands beside me, grounding me. Chris peers around my body to look at our joined hands. He copies the move, lacing his fingers with mine. Between the two of them, I feel at peace, safe, liked, maybe even loved. Resting my head on Charlie’s shoulder I let out a breath. After so long without human touch, it’s made me kinda needy.
Chris no longer carries the faint scent of rotting flesh. Now he smells like man, yummy. Thank God. The more they touch me, the more I want. Remembering at the last second Connor can hear me, I’m not surprised when his hand snakes around my stomach, resting on the patch of exposed skin between my strappy top and my low hanging jeans. Their hands on me send goosebumps across my skin, fire flows through my veins.
"Here's the plan, we…" Crowley says but Chris interrupts Crowley's plan making.
"No. I go. Before this," he lifts a hand to touch the black around his eyes, "I was hunter. I will bring you food, my Kayla. And for my new brothers." He tries to remove his hand from mine, but I squeeze tighter.
"Nope. We go together. Or never." Now I have them, I'm damn sure not going to lose them.
"Ok," Crowley claps his hands together. "Let's fuck shit up shall we?"
A chorus of "Fuck yes!" answers him, and Baby growls his affirmative.
Crowley, Connor, me, Chris and then Charlie walk in a line as we approach the grove. Baby goes ahead of us. He'll be fine on his own. This is what he does, hunt. Weapons raised, eyes roaming the darkness between trees, we silently search for prey. As we delve deeper, I signal the guys to stop, then climb the tree next to me. Making it look easy, I reach the top smoothly. It's dark under the canopy of leaves, but luckily for me all remaining wildlife mutated many years ago to have glow in the dark eyes. My dads told me rabbits are now twice the size they were when they were kids. They also weren’t bald and once had long floppy ears. Now they’re gruesome. It's possible all the bombs somehow changed them. Squinting my eyes, I scan the area for glowing orbs in the dark.
Crowley signals to Charlie to go with him while Connor and Chris wait at the bottom of the tree I sit in. Their eyes never stop moving. In the distance, I see four eyes bobbing up and down, low to the ground, gotcha! Snapping off a stick from the branch between my legs I let it drop onto Connor's head. He spins to look up at me. I jab my finger in the direction of the glowing eyes and then point to my mouth. That way, food.
Nodding in understanding he turns, whispers something into Chris's ear, then stalks off into the trees. No! Take Chris with you! I scream inwardly.
Sweet face it's fine. He needs to stay and protect you, besides, Connor says in my mind, almost making me slide off my branch. It's the first time he's ever spoken to me inside my head. I got this. And our bond has strengthened.
Yeah, you got this, Con! Bring me back some rabbit. It sure has Connor. The connection between us all is growing exponentially. I have to say, I fucking love it. Even if it’s scary. The silly smile on my face makes me giggle silently. Working with others, having bonds with them, it’s kinda cool.
Below me, Chris shifts foot to foot as he walks around the base of my tree while Connor stalks the rabbit. As the guys hunt, I allow myself to rest against the trunk and reflect a little. It's been mere hours since I came back from… limbo. Already, I feel less broken. Not-mum had said something about setting me free? The words were so oddly spoken it was hard to understand what she meant. Free to what exactly? I get my answer when Charlie appears through the thicket below me.
His long golden hair fans out behind him as he races through the trees, two rabbits hanging from a rope in his hand. Our eyes meet as he runs towards me. Free to love. After I was raped at fifteen, I'd closed my heart. It had blackened, withering away more each day. When Connor waltzed into my life, I had fought my attraction to him tooth and nail.
Days later, when I'd met Charlie and Crowley, my feelings for the three of them began to bubble over. By the time I met Chris, I’d already accepted I wanted the three of them. In every way possible. Chris, well I have feelings for him too, although somewhat different than the others. That could be because I've known him for a shorter time.
They each have their flaws as do I. In our own ways, we’re all a little broken, but they each now owned a piece of me. I couldn't be happier. Which is bad, really bad. Because this is the year 2200, the world has been torn apart by bombs, war, Panda threaten to kill you should you so much as let your guard drop for a second. Oh and my body sets on fire.
So many things could go wrong, I could lose them all. Then what? I’ll be lost for sure. I couldn't survive losing them. Not even one of them. Having a mild panic attack in a tree isn't wise, so I calm my breathing before I fall down. Could I love these men? Could they love me? Time will tell. If we survive that is.
"Come down doll, we've got food. Let's leave this Godforsaken place."
Charlie's right, we need to leave. Several Panda roar from deep within the forest, meaning soon more will come. I scamper down the tree. As my feet land, Baby crashes through the bushes. "Let's go," I call over my shoulder. Together, we rush towards daylight. The sound of our footfalls drowned out by the screeches behind us. Sprinting faster, we burst from the woodland and keep running until the trees are specks in the distance.
"Fuck." Crowley bends over, his hands on his knees, panting.
"What's up, Crow? Not enough stamina?" I tease. Pushing himself upright he strides towards me, a heated look in his eyes. He grabs my waist, slamming his body against mine. A little squeal leaves my lips.
"I'll show you how much stamina I have, little badass." Grabbing an arse cheek in each of his hands he lifts me. I automatically wrap my legs around his waist. The chain across my body clangs with the movement. Crowley's eyes look down at it only to be greeted with a view of my little tits. "I haven't had sex for a whole year in anticipation of finding you," he grinds his hips into mine, pressing the length of his dick against me, drawing a moan from a place inside I didn't know existed, "and here you are, kicking ass, climbing trees. Fuck Kayla," his lips so close to mine they touch as he speaks. "I'm a goner already." Our lips collide in furious passion, my hands roam his head as his squeeze my butt.
A hand touches the curve of my neck, interrupting us. Connor reminds me we’re not alone.
Charlie says, "Kayla, look."
Breaking the kiss with a gasp, I turn to where Charlie’s pointing. Twenty or so Panda walk slowly over the hill we’re standing on.
"No." We all turn to Chris as he throws his arm out, halting us as we reach for our weapons. "Mine people. Safe." Well shit. I’ll never get used to safe Panda. Tilting my face to the sky, I realise it's getting dark.
"We need to find shelter. Follow me, it will take an hour to get there." Turning on my heel, I take off running but not before shooting Crowley a wink. Yeah, I just winked at someone. Go Kayla!
Keeping my pace slow so the guys can keep up with me, we reach one of my hidey spots. On the edge of another small town that only just escaped
the bombs is a little place I call "The Middle," because it’s halfway between home and Tri-city. Two more days and we’ll be there.
The building we file into is in decent shape. Of course, there are no windows or door to the entrance, but the stairs are blocked strategically so Panda can’t get to the next level. "Up guys." I point towards the steps then turn to Baby. "Protect me? Someone will switch with you in two hours." Of course, Baby can't answer me, so he turns and pads out the door, his nails scraping the tile floor.
Turning back, I see the guys are still navigating their way up. "Coming through. I'll show you how it's done." Moving to the sides, the guys allow me space to climb up and over the debris I'd placed around the base. They copy my moves, treading carefully so as not to move anything. I stand at the top. When everyone’s standing in front of me, I head to the main room. "This is like the main living space. There are five bedrooms which is handy." I look around my four guys, aiming for a wicked glint in my eyes. It works because every one of them smiles back at me. "Pick your rooms, oh," I make my way through the middle of the four of them. "The biggest is mine." I exit the main area and go into the room I always stay in when I'm here.
The room isn't big but the pile of rags on the floor covers almost the whole space. The last time I stayed here it was winter and the temperature was way below freezing. I'd gathered every piece of fabric I could from the surrounding area and piled them here.
The other rooms had what I now know are called mattresses on the floors. Old, dirty and bits of metal poking through, but the guys won't mind as long as they get some sleep. Chris stands in the doorway as I lay on the pile, moaning at the feel of getting off my feet. These boots protect my feet really well, but they make them ache.
"Comfortable?" he asks, his gravelly voice pulling at my insides.
"Umm come, join me for a minute." Chris's eyes widen. The black surrounding them makes the blue pop, like staring into a well with the bluest water at the bottom. Moving cautiously, Chris lays his head next to mine, his hands resting on his chest. Turning my head to look at him, I smile. He's come a long way in such a short space of time. I can't help but wonder what the future holds for him. "You ok, Chris?" He smiles then and beautiful white teeth greet me.
"I am. The more… time? … I'm with you," I nod, encouraging him to continue. "The better it gets. You're so pretty, mine."
"Kayla." I remind him, I secretly love the nickname Mine though.
"Yes." His smile spreads like he knows I like him calling me Mine.
"My name. It's not mine. It’s Kayla." He still gets his words confused but by correcting him I can at least help him a little.
"No, mine. You're mine and I'm yours. You," he blinks slowly, looking like he’s having trouble opening them again. When he does, I'm almost blinded by the light shining from them. "Saved me. I am better, more, you fixed me."
Oh boy. He thinks I fixed him? I don't know what's happening to Chris, but it has nothing to do with me. Does it?
Chris closes his eyes again, only this time he doesn't open them. The poor man must be exhausted. I don't even think he's slept yet. Carefully pushing myself off the rags, I make my way back into the main room. I'll let him sleep for as long as possible. We’re relatively safe here so why not. In the living space, Charlie knock things out of his way as he moves around.
Looking at the floor, he doesn't see me enter so I stand there and watch him. He's completely different than the others, not just bodily but also in his mind. He didn't say as much, but I know he’s a virgin. He'd hinted pretty hard at it. He's sweet, so much so I find myself gravitating towards him constantly. When I'm near him, he'll take my hand or touch me in some way. I find I've come to really enjoy it.
"Charlie?" Interrupting his wanderings, I make my way across the room to him and take his hand in mine. When he turns to face me, I gasp at the tears rolling down his face. "What's wrong?" The panic in my voice is clear.
"Nothing. No Kayla," bringing his other hand up he cups my cheek. "These are happy tears."
Oh, thank fuck! Wrapping my arms around his neck I pull him to me. Tears land on my bare shoulder. "Charlie," pulling away just enough so he sees my face, I whisper, "Which room did you choose?" Softly chuckling he drags me into the room across from the stairs. In the middle, he's laid out rags from the walls of my bus. "Oh Charlie." Spinning on my heel, I kiss him with all the feelings inside of me. Love? I'm not sure. But it's the closest I've ever gotten.
As one, we lower ourselves to the floor. Pressing his weight against me, a groan escapes him. This is the only room with a door. Breaking the kiss, I peek over his shoulder to see he closed it on the way in. "Charlie?" I ask as he lays soft kisses to my neck. "Oh." My back arcs off the rags as he nibbles a sweet spot just above my collar bone.
"I want you, Kayla." He pulls back, looking deep into my eyes. "Do you want me?"
"Yes, Charlie, I want you, this. I want it all from you." His answering smile tells me he wants all of me too. I can give him my body, I'm safe with Charlie I know, but can I give him my heart too?
Together, we push to our knees so we’re face to face. His hands drop from my face to the circular piece of metal holding my chains together, a question in his eyes. Nodding, I move my hands to the hem of his t-shirt as he begins to unlace the metal from around my torso. I lift up his shirt. He pulls down the straps of my top, kissing along the top of my breasts as he removes the material from my body. Our bare chests meet as he kisses me again, our tongues intertwining as we move together, taking off our boots with one hand, the other roams the other's body.
Dropping my hand from his shoulder, I hook my fingers into the hem of his pants. Held up by elastic, they'll be easy to push down. I hesitate and he stops the slow descent of his hands as they make their way down to my breasts.
"Connor told us, he didn't mean to do it… Connor and Crowley were talking and the subject of being with you came up." He lets his hands drop. I almost cry out from the loss of his touch. "I understand if this…"
I don't let him finish because I am so ready for this. I fucking own all the power; I won’t let my past shape my future for one more second. I push his pants down to his knees, he lifts slightly so I can tug them all the way off. I work my jeans down and throw them behind the door.
"I want this, Charlie." I need this, him. Charlie. My sweet Charlie, to chase away the past, to rewrite what sex means to me. Only Charlie could thaw the coldness in my dead heart.
Completely naked, more than a little frightened, I take Charlie's shoulders and lay us down on the rags behind us. Charlie hovers above me. Looking into my eyes, he reaches between our bodies and lines himself with my entrance. On their own, my hips thrust up to meet him. The tip of him nudges my core. A moan bursts free from me without my permission. I'm so wet he slides up over my clit as he leans down to take my mouth with his. Softly our lips meld together as he slips down my folds and enters me.
Inch by inch, he pushes his cock into me. The full feeling is painful and delicious at the same time. His mouth swallows my moans as he seats himself fully inside me.
"Charlie, oh God." Barely aware of the words coming from my mouth or the moans interrupting them as he pulls back just as slowly, leaving the tip inside me. Doing this several times, Charlie's body begins to tremble, as does mine. Nerves and pleasure flow through me. Needing more, I use the heel of my foot to draw him back in. We both gasp as he thrusts forward, slamming into me. I cry out from the jolt of pain/pleasure. "Yes Charlie!"
My words spur him on, and he begins to move faster, harder, deeper until my eyes roll back in my head and my toes curl.
“Unh Kayla, fuck…so beautiful,” he moans, his eyes locked with mine.
Something deep inside me unfurls and spreads through my body. A warmth starts in the bottom of my belly as Charlie pumps into me over and over, hitting something inside making me want to lose my mind. His lips crash down onto mine as he presses further down onto me. With our whole bodies touching from ankle t
o lips, that feeling bursts through me, sending sparks of light dancing behind my eyes. As I call out to the ceiling, waves of pleasure crash over me, setting my skin on fire.
"Charlie!" As I call out his name he pours himself into me, spurts of hot wetness coat my insides as he moans my name over and over.
“Kayla, my Kayla.” Our eyes lock together as we explode. Charlie stills as the final sparks of electricity tingle across my body. Resting his forehead on mine Charlie whispers, "I love you, Kayla, you're the most incredible woman I've ever known." Something inside my chest hurts. I wish that I could love him too, but maybe letting him love me is enough?
He rolls over and takes me with him, my head on his chest. The pounding of his heart is loud in my ear as we both calm our breathing. We just made love, sweet passionate fulfilling sex. I can hardly believe how amazing that was, quick yes, but beautiful. As my eyes begin to close, Charlie kisses my head one last time and we fall asleep wrapped in each other's arms.
"Kayla, sweet girl it's time to eat." Connor's husky voice wakes me from the most peaceful sleep I've had in, well, forever.
"Huh?" Sitting up I rub the heel of my hands over my eyes.
"We prepared those rabbits; they’re ready to eat. Come." He reaches out a hand. Taking it, he pulls me gently to my feet. Charlie must’ve wrapped material around me because my boobs and lower half are covered with a dark red cloth. "Before Crowley eats it all." He looks down at the material with a smile on his face. "That's a good look for you."
I giggle at him as hand in hand we walk into the bigger room. Crowley sits on the floor, Baby at his side, eating what looks to be rabbit innards from a piece of metal.
"Chris is making a sweep of the area. Charlie's up next so I'll let him sleep one more hour then wake him," Crowley, bossy boots barks.
"Where am I on the sweep team?" I ask him. Suddenly Connor leaves the room. Huh? "What?"
"You're not," Crowley answers.
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