Bloodshed (Order of the Unseen, #1)(44)

I shyly grin at the memory, chewing on the corner of my lip.

He shoots me an “I told you so” type of stare.

And I nervously laugh, feeling giddy.

Ghost frowns, looking back and forth between the two of us, confused. “What?” he questions.

“Nothing,” I rush out, as the chilly air brushes against my skin.

“You left,” Michael points out, disappointment coating his tone. “You didn’t even say goodbye.”

“I’m sorry,” I tell him, lowering my gaze to my boots. “I just wasn’t sure what to do. I said it was just for one night, and I didn’t think—”

“Let’s leave the past in the past,” Ghost speaks over me, straddling his bike. “You’re here now, Quinn. That’s all that matters to us.”

I timidly grin, wondering how this could possibly be real life.

“What are you doing tonight?” Jason asks me, gripping the handlebar of his bike. “Let me take you out.”

“I’m probably just staying in,” I reply, gesturing down to the book against my chest with a nod. “Get some reading and studying done.”

Michael dryly chuckles. “On a Friday night?” he inquires.

I roll my eyes at him.

“What’s that book about, anyway?” Ghost questions.

Locking my eyes with his, I inhale a small breath of crisp air.

“It’s clearly a romance,” Jason answers for me. “Look at the cover.”

“Yes, it’s romance,” I begin, hesitating for a moment as they all study my face, waiting patiently. I’ve never felt this scrutinized, but in the best way. I finally feel seen. “Well, dark romance,” I clarify.

All three of them smirk, and their eyes darken.

My heart flutters with anticipation.

“You’re blushing,” Michael observes, a flash of amusement behind his gaze. I can’t believe I almost forgot how tall they are. I feel so small around them.

So fragile.

Yet, here I am, giving them my most precious gift. Trust.

And even though I just met them last night, it feels like I’ve known them for years.

Na?ve, little Quinn, Ghost had called me.

Maybe I am.

So, what?

Michael cocks his head to the side, watching me closely. “Your face is so fucking red,” he taunts. “You’re pretty damn cute when you’re embarrassed.”

“Let me guess,” Jason lets out, stepping in my direction, now towering over me. Craning back my neck, I stare up into his striking, hazel eyes. He places a finger beneath my chin, giving me no chance to look away. I’m so lost in his eyes. “These romance books you read… They’re filthy. Aren’t they?”

I swallow hard, trying to keep myself composed while tightly clenching my thighs.

After a moment, his eyes narrow, and his gaze drifts down to my lips. “Well?” he asks.

“Yes,” I confess, squeezing the book to my chest.

“Oh, Quinn,” Ghost murmurs, stepping close beside us, tenderly brushing my hair behind my shoulder. He leans down, his mouth beside my ear. “Wouldn’t you prefer real life over fiction?”

There’s an immediate throb between my legs.

I glance over Jason’s shoulder momentarily and watch Michael observe us from his bike. His gaze roams down Jason’s backside before he eyes me curiously.

Ghost strokes my cheek with the pad of his thumb, drawing me in with his hypnotizing eyes. “Now tell us… Did we succeed in bringing those dark fantasies of yours to life?”

Jason twirls a small strand of my hair around his finger.

The two of them standing over me, this closely, makes my memories from last night come flooding back.

“Yes,” I murmur, a small breath catching in the back of my throat.

Michael creeps up from behind me and wraps his arms around my waist. “And yet, you want more,” he breathes, resting his chin on my shoulder. “You just can’t seem to get enough. Can you?”

“Such a pretty little thing,” Jason coos, playing with my hair. My skin grows hot, and there’s an ache between my legs.

Ghost displays a devious smirk. “What’s the matter, baby?” he questions, closing the small space between us by pressing a soft, tender kiss on my lips. Leaning his forehead against mine, he breaks our kiss, sighing deeply. “Don’t be shy,” he whispers, his breath fanning my lips. “We all know you weren’t shy last night when we had you screaming…”

Jason steps closer. “When you were clenching those tight little holes around our cocks…” he adds in.

Michael lets out a deep, throaty laugh. “So, about tonight?” he questions.

A crushing warmth shoots through my body.

It’s electrifying.

Their phones all go off at the same time. Ghost backs away, his attention now devoted to the screen. “Damn it,” he dryly hisses. “Tomorrow, princess. It’ll have to be tomorrow.”

Jason and Michael release me at once, all three of them now glued to their phones. By the annoyed look on their faces, I can tell it’s some type of business.

Flustered from the moment we’ve just shared, I sigh, attempting to even out my breaths.

“I should probably head back,” I timidly explain. “I have a test to study for.”