The Prey: A Dark Enemies to Lovers Romance (Oakmount Elite Book 3)

Did he just tell me to get on my knees?

I’m fairly certain I’m hearing things, so I hesitate a second longer than necessary but then he releases me and pulls away, leaving me without the protection of his body.

“Ely, I will not ask you again.” His commanding tone is dark and tempts me to disobey just to see what he might do if I don’t listen, but with Yanov lingering so close I don’t have the luxury of teasing. Or of getting out of this.

And then there’s his friend…Sid-something? His gaze makes me feel like ants are crawling over my skin, and something unpleasant lingers on the edge of my mind. An instinct that tells me never to be caught alone with him.

My legs wobble like towers of jelly while I try to navigate to my knees without toppling over. Using my hands, I lower myself to the ground, pressing my palms to the sticky, cold concrete to help balance myself. By the time my legs touch the bare concrete, I’m dizzy and afraid I might vomit all over the floor.

It’s this or Yanov; choose the lesser of the two. Getting away from Yanov was the only good thing about my father selling me off to pay his debts to the Arturo family. I had hoped I would never see the man again, but like all things in life, I never get what I want. My entire body shakes, and goose bumps crawl up my arms.

The cold concrete beneath me isn’t helping matters.

What is Sebastian going to do to me?

I don’t see him forcing me to have sex. Yes, he lacks morals, but I know he doesn’t want me, not like that. He may give me a lingering look or two but nothing has ever happened between us.

Well, not until today.

He can barely stand to be in my presence. So what’s the plan, then? Uncertainty coats my insides, but I remind myself that it doesn’t matter. I’ll do whatever he asks of me so long as he doesn’t let him touch me or take me.

I cast my gaze to the floor, not daring to look at Yanov for fear that he might take it as an invitation, and if he touches me again, I will absolutely lose it. Sebastian takes a step toward me.

I know this because the tips of his expensive leather shoes appear in my line of vision. His unique sea-salt scent fills my nostrils, and I nearly gasp when his warm fingertips graze my chin. With minimal effort, he tilts my chin up, forcing me to meet his gaze. His pretty green eyes twinkle in the light, and I sink into their depths, becoming almost mesmerized. How can someone so cruel and heartless be so beautiful and tempting at the same time?

“Are you my property, El…Little Prey?”

I inhale sharply as awareness arcs between us. For the first time, he understands the ugliness of that name; he realizes that’s what Yanov and my father always called me. Gratitude spears through me that he’s calling me something else. I’m not sure he’ll continue with the nickname after tonight, but right now I appreciate the tiny gesture.

My tongue feels heavy in my mouth, but I force the word out. “Yes.”

Cocking his head to the side, he eyes me curiously, and there’s something soft in his eyes, even as his shoulders are set tight and rigid. “Are you sure? Because this asshole doesn’t seem to believe me. I think he needs a visual since his ears aren’t working all that well.”

I swear I hear someone snort, maybe in laughter, maybe in derision—I don’t know. I’m trapped in this dark trance that Sebastian put me in, and strangely I don’t want to leave.

“What do you want me to do?” I ask.

When he speaks, his voice is soft, coaxing. “Be a good girl and crawl over to the red chair. I’ll be following you.”

The connection between us flickers out when his fingers slip from my chin. For one moment, I hesitate, wondering if there is another way out of all of this, but as soon as I consider the idea, I shove it away. I don’t know what I’m doing. I need to let Sebastian lead to get us the fuck out of this situation and to save myself.

Ugh. I hate myself a little bit more right now for how much I need him.

I do as he instructs and crawl across the floor, trying not to look as awkward as I feel.

I’ve almost reached the chair when I hear a loud, booming voice behind me.

“If you’re going to put on a show, at least make it good…” It’s the other guy, the one with the S-name, chiming in. I grit my teeth and try to forget that he’s still here, that Yanov is here. That I’ve put us in this horrible situation by simply existing.

The chair is now in front of me, so I sit back on my knees but keep my gaze on the floor. I can feel the heat of embarrassment blooming in my cheeks. It’s a matter of survival. I understand that, but I can’t explain how much shame I feel being watched as I crawl across the floor.

Sebastian slips into the seat in front of me, and I look up from the floor dragging my gaze over his legs, until I finally reach his face. Our gazes collide, and I swear my entire body lights up. Every cell becomes electrified. What is wrong with me? I should not be reacting like this to him. I should be terrified. Shaking like a leaf in a thunderstorm, but no, I want to lean into his darkness, to let him corrupt and taint me.

I notice two shot glasses cradled in his hands. He takes one and tips it back into his mouth, swallowing the clear liquid like it’s water. I try not to notice the way his lips shape to the rim of the glass or how sexy he is when he isn’t being a complete asshole.

“Get on with it,” Yanov interrupts.

I flinch at the sound of his voice and breathe deeper, trying to keep myself calm. Just having him near me makes my skin crawl.

“Shut the fuck up,” Sebastian snarls and slams the shot glass onto the wooden end table beside him.

“You’re dragging this out because you know she doesn’t belong to you, pup. If she were mine, she’d have already put my cock in her mouth. Just admit it and stop wasting my time.”

No. No. I don’t belong to him. I stare into Sebastian’s eyes, hoping those words resonate, that he can see them.

“I’m not dragging it out. It’s not my fault you have no patience. I think you’re jealous that she is mine, and if that’s the case, then maybe you shouldn’t stick around for what happens next.” Sebastian’s hard gaze moves from Yanov, who I’m certain is standing behind me somewhere, to me. I try my best to forget Yanov’s here but that’s pretty difficult when he starts talking.

“Keep your eyes on me,” Sebastian commands, and I nod, staring only at him, trying to forget where I am and who else is here. It’s terrifying how my body reacts to him, like there is this imaginary rope tethering us to one another. My core clenches in anticipation, desire swirling low in my belly.”Open your mouth, Little Prey.”

I don’t question him. I simply open my mouth and stare up at him, waiting for his next instruction. I have no other option but to put my trust in him. He’s my dark angel, swooping in to save the day. I swear I see the side of his lip lift in the ghost of a smile, but when I blink, it’s gone.

“Wider. Open your mouth nice and big for me.” I’m not sure what he plans to do, but I tip my head back a little and open my mouth wider, hoping that’s enough.

He nods, as if approving, and then clasps the other shot glass with two fingers, and brings it to his lips. Instead of downing it and swallowing, he simply holds the liquid in his mouth. I blink, watching, confused, as he leans forward and pinches my chin between two fingers.

Shock gives way to something sinister and sickening when he spits the contents in my mouth. I’m both appalled and strangely turned on by the act. The vodka burns against my tongue, and I swallow it down quickly to ease the burn. My eyes water from the alcohol, and Sebastian looks down at me like I’m a star pupil, releasing my chin and patting my cheek gently.

Pulling back, he settles into the cushion. I lick my lips, the vodka in my belly warming me from the inside out. Okay, I can do this. From the position I’m in, I’ve gathered where this is going to go. I’ve watched enough porn. It shouldn’t be that hard, right? I just need to unbuckle his pants, pull his penis out, and put it in my mouth.

It’s no big deal. Women do it all the time, E.

The fact that I myself have never done it doesn’t matter, right? Never mind the attention we’re gathering. I can feel eyes on me, and it makes my already hot skin, hotter.

As if Sebastian can smell the anxiety rolling off me, he reaches forward and gently caresses my cheek. “Undo my pants and take my cock out.” Each sharp word is clipped.

The opposite of his gentle touch.

My heart skips a beat at the demand. I stare down at his lap, then up at his face, and back down again. I force myself to move and reach for his belt buckle. My fingers tremble as I thread the leather through the loops until the ends hang loose across his lap. I’ll use every ounce of courage I have left to get through this very moment.

With a deftness I don’t feel, I unfasten the top button, then slide his zipper down. It’s a little awkward since his zipper is backward. In typical Sebastian fashion, he leaves me to struggle. When I finally get the zipper down, I give in to the growing desire to see his face.

I look from his lap and into his eyes. I’m not really sure what I anticipate finding there. Anger? Desire? Hate? I’m greeted with none of those emotions. Instead, I find his gaze narrowed and the corner of his mouth tucked tight in his teeth like he’s trying to focus his attention on something else entirely.

I’m not sure what that look means, but it only intensifies my anxiety. I don’t want to mess this up—if it’s even possible to mess up a blow job.

Swallowing around the ball of fear threatening to clog my throat, I focus my attention back on him.

“It’s obvious you don’t own her and have not trained her properly. Look at her trembling hands.” Yanov interjects, and I find myself retreating into my mind.

I can’t do this. I can’t.

“She’s nervous, asshole. I’ve never made her do this in front of an audience, so sit down and shut up before I make you suck my cock.” Seb growls. Yanov stares at him balefully before sitting. Beside him, Sidorov hides a smile. “Now if you’re done interrupting, my Little Prey will continue. “

He stares down at me, hypnotizing me with that intent green gaze, and I find myself nodding.

I’m ready.