Circus Save Me, page 9
“Where did you sleep last night?” I ask softly.
“I slept in the animal tent,” his voice is soft and deep and has me shivering as it seems to play over my skin. This close, I can’t escape my growing attraction to him or the feelings he seems to stir in me.
“When did you join the circus?” I find myself wanting to know everything about him.
“Erm, 2055.”
I try to add it up in my head, that would make him a kid.
“Did you volunteer or...?”
“No. Alcide found me, my mum was a whore. She wasn't allowed to have a child but raised me in secret, when they found out, she abandoned me out in the middle of nowhere when I was young.” The pain in his voice has me reaching across, grabbing his hand and holding it. He offers me a smile, his eyes filled with pain and memories.
“I was supposed to die. I remember I had been walking for what felt like forever when I finally found some food. I was just about to eat it when I heard a tiny cry. It called to something in me, so I found myself looking for what made it.” He strokes my hand as he speaks, like you would stroke an animal. “It was Fluffy, well, baby Fluffy. He was skinny as hell and had obviously been left as well. I spent the whole day getting him to trust me enough to share my food. I spent the next two gaining the rest of his trust. When I went to sleep that night, he was on the other side of the tree from me. When I woke up, he was in my lap.” A tear slips down my cheek and he catches it, wiping it away.
“It’s not all bad Rhea. We’ve been inseparable ever since, we became each other’s family. He taught me how to hunt and survive and I helped him. When Alcide found me, I was more animal than man. He offered me a home, a family. For me and Fluffy.” He runs his eyes over my face like he's memorising it.
“I slept that first year in the same tent as Fluffy. In some ways, I changed, but in others I am still the same.” Frowning I try to understand what he is hinting at.
“What do you mean?” He looks at my hand in his, my hand almost completely dwarfed by his larger one.
“I am still more animal than man. I might be able to act human, but I will always be more comfortable around them. I’m not like Jesse, always knowing the right thing to say. Or Alcide, who can charm the pants off of anyone. I’m just… me.”
I tug at his hand, which is still clutched in mine and I wait until he looks at me.
“I like you. I don’t need pretty words, or charm. I love that you look after all the animals as family, I love how you managed to survive when so many would not. You are perfect the way you are.” He grins at me, his heart in his eyes. “Plus, it's not like I’m perfect either. I barely know how to be human myself, being taught for so many years to be nothing changes people.”
He draws in a breath. “So, we will learn together,” he offers softly.
My eyes drop to his lips, so close to mine. I’ve never kissed someone before, but right now I’ve never wanted anything more.
Before I can lose my nerve, I lean my head toward him, pushing my lips against his. I freeze once there, unsure how he will react. I have never done this before, and I briefly panic that I am kissing him wrong. I almost pull back, but he grabs the back of my head gently as he kisses me back. All thoughts disappear from my head, my focus purely on our lips and the feelings it is evoking inside me. Featherlight and soft. We explore each other before he nips on my bottom lip, making me gasp as he slips his tongue in my open mouth.
Fisting my hands on his chest, I moan as he strokes his tongue with mine. Not wanting to waste my opportunity, I run my hands down his impressive chest. He shivers and pulls me closer. Our kiss picks up speed before we are forced to part, both gasping for air. We watch each other before his chest rumbles and he yanks me to him. As he rolls on top of me, our bodies crash against each other. My legs fall open, cradling him. He darts his mouth back to mine as I stroke along his chest and back. Everywhere I can reach.
A smash has us breaking apart, staring at each other in confusion. Another louder bang sounds, as Fluffy roars. Voices shout as people wake up.
“What's that?” I ask breathlessly.
Rex shakes his head, obviously to clear it before jumping off me. Leaving me cold and alone.
“Stay here, I will go and see.” He pulls on his jeans as he talks, not bothering with a shirt he runs outside. The flap shows me shadows moving and flames. Jumping out of bed, I stumble over to my clothes and yank on my trousers, my back to the flap of the tent.
“Well, look what we have here. Frederick’s bitch.” The sneer has me spinning, almost losing my balance as I face the man standing in the flap entrance. Two more flank behind him, all running their eyes over me. My eyes dart between them as I start to panic.
“Please get out,” I beg.
The man ignores me and walks inside, his friends following, the flap closing behind them. My eyes dart everywhere, trying to look for a way out.
“Frederick’s not here now bitch, so how about we play?”
Horrified, I watch his eyes light with lust as he licks his lips. I can hear Rex, but he sounds far away. It looks like I am all on my own. Stumbling back I try to search for a weapon without losing eye contact.
“How about you make it easy for us slave. Bend over like the whore you are.” His friends cackle behind him as I tremble in fear, but I won't be that meek little slave anymore.
“You’re going to have to make me,” I say with more confidence than I feel.
“Gladly.” He grins, stepping towards me. His friends following as the lust and anger rolls off them in waves. I’m trapped at the back of the tent, as they advance on me.
A growl has me looking towards the tent flap, to see Sid standing there. Grabbing the hairbrush next to me, I watch in horror as the cat jumps at one of the men, teeth flashing. I don’t have time to help, as the man at the front rushes me. Grabbing me by the hair, he flings me harshly on the bed. Scrambling back, I kick out when he grabs my legs. Screaming, I smash the brush down on his head.
He scowls as he snatches it out of my hands and flings it over his shoulder. Chest heaving, the next scream sticks in my throat as I watch the way he grins at me, his eyes alight with lust.
The ripping of my top is loud in the room, my breasts tumbling out of the now torn material. Tears drip down my face, as I kick and fight, trying my hardest to get him off me. It’s no use, he's too big. The scream finally erupts from my mouth, long and ragged as I thrash. He pins down my hips and tugs at my pants.
I can hear Sid clawing and growling as the other two men swear, trying to stop them. I don’t know where he came from but I have never been more grateful for him showing up, almost like he knows I need him. God, I hope they don’t hurt him. Shame and terror race through my veins as the man above me backhands me. My head snaps to the side, ringing with the force. It stills my movements, and he’s able to get my trousers down to my ankles before I start kicking again. It only seems to help him get them off, eagerly he presses his hips to mine. Rubbing his dick across me, making me cry out in revulsion, my stomach lurching at the thought of what is about to happen.
My power rushes forward finally, but there's not much it can do to stop this from happening. My soul cries out at what I know is going to come. I promised myself I would never let this happen, but now I'm powerless. I hate it. My hand hardens as I pummel at the man's head, trying to stop him as he fumbles with his trousers. He groans in pain before he looks up at me. Freezing at the hate in his eyes, I don't see the fist aimed at my head. My powers retreat, leaving me human as it slowly descends towards my unprotected face.
I refuse to let my eyes close, but I flinch as it gets closer, only for it to stop just above my face. Blinking, my chest heaving as tears stream down my face, I look up and straight into Blain’s enraged face. His eyes are burning and his face hardened, so different from the anger he shows me. The look he gives the man is terrifying.
Grabbing the back of the man’s neck he pulls him off me and throws him to the floor. Scrambling back, I clutch the edges of my shirt together over my breasts as I watch Blain. The need to cover my nakedness after what almost just happened is running fiercely through me. I try to pull my pants back up; they are ripped, but they will do for now. He glances at my terrified face before moving in front of me and facing the man.
“You okay, Harpy?” he asks.
I nod before trying to talk.
“Fi-” I clear my throat before carrying on, “Fine.” My voice shaky and filled with tears.
“Get up,” He commands before kicking the man. The man stumbles to his feet and rushes Blain. Unsure what to do to help, I sit hesitating on the bed as Blain destroys the man. The fight is over before I can even move. The man falls to the floor, unconscious. Blain stands there, his chest heaving in and out with his fast breaths, his hands fisted at his sides as he looks at the other two men. One is on the floor, Sid on top of him as the other darts in trying to hit the cat.
“Get out before I kill you,” Blain warns, his voice deadly. A knife appears in each hand and the men must see it. The one trying to hit Sid sprints out, the man on the floor crawling after him.
Blain still has his back to me, I can almost feel his fraying control as the knives slowly disappear. Sid looks at me and nods before jumping on the end of the bed and curling up in a ball, licking himself.
“Blainy?” I ask softly, my nickname for him which I usually use to piss him off sounds more like an endearment, although my voice is rough from screaming. He hunches his shoulders before turning to me. I see the fury and malice on his face before he wipes them away with his usual scowl.
“Harpy-” I don't let him finish, I throw myself into his arms with a cry. He catches me with a grunt and stands stiffly as I wrap my arms and legs around him. I don't even care at the moment that it’s Blain, I need to be held and he just saved my life. Slowly, as if unsure, his hand drops to my back and he rubs it, causing fresh tears to fall.
“Damn, Harpy, you’re okay.” His voice is the softest I’ve ever heard it. Pulling my head from where I buried it in his shoulder I look at him. When I continue to cry he grimaces.
“What's the matter princess, wishing it was Rex or maybe Jesse who was here? Sorry, looks like you are stuck with me, guess you will just have to suck it up. Now stop fucking crying, it's pathetic.”
It’s my turn to scowl, my fear and panic turning to anger like it always does around him. Why does he always have to be an asshole?
“Can’t you just be nice for one fucking second?” I shout in his face.
“Why? Can’t deal with the truth?” He sneers.
“God, you’re such an asshole! Stupid fucking man, can’t you see how glad I am that you were here!”
Ugh! I want to smack him, hit him so hard it might knock some manners into his stupid pig-headed…
Our eyes lock as both our chests heave from anger, my body still wrapped around his. My eyes round before sliding shut as his lips smash to mine.
Groaning, he devours my mouth, nipping and sucking until I’m panting. He pulls away as quickly as he started. He untangles my legs from around him and steps back from me so fast I fall back onto my ass on the floor. He leans across me to grab something and throws it at me.
“Put some fucking clothes on, will you?” he demands, his tone harsh but I think I can see something softening in them as he looks over me again.
He strides out of the tent, leaving me laying on the floor looking bewildered, my mouth red from our kiss. I look at my lap at what had been thrown at me, it’s some of Rex’s leggings. It will be huge on me, but right now I will just be happy to be covered. Sid yawns, making me look at him, he looks at the flap then to me.
“Hell, if I know,” I say stiffly, grumbling as I climb to my feet. Yelling outside has me hesitating, I need to go out there and check on everyone, but not like this. I hurry into the clothes Blain had ‘supplied’, me with before slipping out and looking around.
The ground near the big tent is scorched and a fire is still raging near the entrance to the camp. Men are running back and forth, some with buckets of water. Spotting Alcide, I slowly walk over. He stands with his back to me, men gathered around in front of him.
Stopping behind him, I gently put my hand on his back, he looks over his shoulder and throws me a smile before turning to face forward again.
“Gentleman, you will forget you ever came here. Forget about the slave girl and go back to your pathetic lives. Nod if you understand,” his voice is strong and sends shivers down my spine. My power rushes forward like it recognises something in him.
Peeking around him, I frown at the group of townspeople in front of him. Their faces are slack, their eyes empty. They all nod at the same time.
“Good. Now leave,” Alcide says, his voice filled with something intangible.
They all turn and walk away, lumbering out of the camp and back to Cinders.
“What was that?” I whisper in awe.
Alcide turns to me, dislodging my hand and making me take a step back.
“You didn't think I would be in charge if I wasn't one of you, did you?” He goes to say something else but frowns at me instead.
“What happened to you?” He growls looking me over, his expression dark. I cross my arms across my chest. Even though I am mostly covered, my torn shirt still makes me feel exposed, evidence of what nearly happened clear for all to see.
“Some men came in my tent. Blain fought them off,” I mutter.
“Blain?” Alcide says, his eyebrow raising. Nodding, I watch him; did he mean that he used a power on those people somehow?
“Interesting. Here.” He pulls his shirt off and offers it to me. Smiling in thanks, I take it and pull it over my ruined one. Once it covers me, I try to pull the tatters of the other one out. Grunting, I yank trying to tear it. Alcide’s hands still me.
“Let me,” he murmurs. His long cold fingers work under his shirt and collect the tattered remains of the other one. With a pull, it comes out and he drops it on the ground.
“You okay?” He asks quietly. I look at the ground, how do I answer that? Why is it so hard to talk to him? Even outside he seems to fill up the space, his power and personality taking over, making me shy.
“Rhea,” he demands, making my head pull back up. I look at everything on his face but his eyes, trying to ignore the questions in them.
“I’m fine.”
“Bullshit.” He cups my cheek, forcing my eyes to his. They beg me to trust him, to never lie to him.
“I will be okay. They didn't-” I force out a shaky breath and swallow the tears I can feel pooling again, “I will be,” I answer honestly.
“You don't have to hide anything with us, Cariñoa. We are your family now, trust us.” Nodding, I watch as his face transforms from solemn to smiling.
“Did you mean you have a power?” I ask, being brave.
“Yes, I will tell you about it sometime. For now, I need to check on everyone, will you come with me?” He waits for my answer as if it is important.
“Yes.”
He grins at me, those brilliant eyes catching me and keeping me staring at him like an idiot. My kiss with Blain has me blushing and pulling away from him, looking around at everything but him. He chuckles before wrapping his arm around my waist, his large hand resting on my hip.
“Come on then, Cariñoa. You look very fetching in my shirt by the way.” My cheeks have just cooled but instantly heat again. What is happening to me?
By the time we have checked on everyone, including the animals, I am exhausted. The last two days are catching up with me, leaving me a walking zombie.
“You need to rest,” Alcide murmurs as he picks up a crate that had been flung out into the middle of the camp, its contents spilled in the yard. He turns it over and packs it back up as I watch, almost swaying in the wind, my eyes like sawdust.
“I’m okay, I can help,” but even to me, my voice sounds tired. He grunts before standing and assessing me with that eyebrow arched. He looks me up and down. I shiver and cross my arms, trying to hide my reaction considering what almost just happened. Smiling at me, he saunters up and grabs me by the back of the legs. I let out a little scream as he flings me over his shoulder. Yelping, I smack his back, where I hang like a sack of clothes. He smacks my leg back as he starts to walk away.
“Alcide, put me down!” I shout.
“Hush, Cariñoa, you will wake everyone.”
Gritting my teeth, I blame my tiredness for smacking his ass next. He stops on a laugh.
“Is that how you want to play? Game on.”
I can almost see his grin.
“No, wait-” Yelping, I try to sit up as he spanks me.
“Alcide!”
He ignores me and starts walking again. “Come on, we need to get some sleep. We are leaving tomorrow.”
“What?” I ask, shocked.
“We aren't staying here, it's too dangerous. We leave at first light, that's why everyone is packing up. You can stay with me for a few hours, so I can keep my eye on you. That should stop you from getting into trouble.”
