NOVEL NEXT Chapter 40: 40 - I Want You To Roll Like A Pup (2.7k words)
YaYa's POV
Lounging on the mattress, I watched Skaris approach me silently as the trio made themselves comfortable around the round table.
Skaris revealed snippets of conversations he overheard between Bai and Tony, which made Muir and Curtis frown in displeasure.
"Bai's not wrong-I've barely lifted a finger around here compared to her," I combed my hair with a flourish that caught the dim light just so, an air of causality framing my posture, "Why should she worship someone who lazes around all day? Bai is paying her due with her contributions, so I don't see why her attitude matters to you so much."
Just as the words left my mouth, Skaris dropped the bomb about Bai's unrequited affection for Muir.
The revelation hit Muir like a bolt from the blue. His eyes widened in alarm, darting up to meet mine. There was a mix of panic and pleading in his gaze as he hurried to defend himself, the words tumbling out in a rush. "I-I kept my distance. There was no attempt to seduce her or anything of the sort," he stammered, his voice laced with urgency.
"Seems like Muir's attempt at gaining YaYa's favor is backfiring," Vick said, barely able to get the words out through his chuckles as he patted Curtis's shoulder.
Curtis nodded in agreement, a satisfied smile plastered on his face.
Muir left his table and flew toward me, his steps frantic and unsteady. "YaYa, please, I swear, I didn't mean for it to end like this."
I tilted my head to the side, feigning confusion. "I don't see how this is a problem. It's not like you will do anything about it, right? Or did you decide to act on her feelings?"
Muir fell to his knees before me, "I will no longer treat her like my cub."
"I told you to treat her like your cub, to mentor her, not to shelter her like a damsel in distress," I quipped, the smirk on my lips belying the sharpness of my tongue, "If you are so afraid of Bai falling for you, make her hate you. Assign her the grittiest chores ─ make her chop wood, kill and skin the animals, or stop paying for her projects."
"What is a damsel in distress?" asked Curtis.
"It's a term for a female who's seen as helpless and is in need of help."
Muir frowned at me, showing slight anger as he tried to snatch the comb from me, "You never specified into details how I should treat her. I thought you were protective over females and their cubs. You never complained either, so I thought everything was alright."
With a chuckle that held more than a hint of mischief, I avoided him, "Well, you certainly did a good job. So much so that Bai is head over heels for you. Guess it's true what they say ─ you learn the best from your mistakes. And you, my dear birdie, have just been schooled."
My words only seemed to fuel Muir's rage as he tried to catch my comb again. The comb slipped from my fingers, and my laughter echoed through the room as I watched him struggle to pick it up.
Without a moment's hesitation, Muir lunged forward and tackled me, pinning me against the mattress. His breath fanned across my cheek, and I could smell the sweet alcohol on his breath.
"Why are you so mean? I only wanted to take care of her, as you requested," Muir's voice was hoarse and filled with emotions.
I laughed again, and his body tensed, pressing into mine. His chest rose and fell in an agitated rhythm,
"Are you angry at me?" I asked, "Do you feel wronged?"
"You have no idea," Muir replied, his tone gruff.
"What are you going to do about it?"
Before I could react, he had flipped me over and pinned my hands above my head, the weight of his body holding me down.
"Let's find out." He said, his hands glided over the smooth silk of my dress, his fingertips rough against the soft fabric.
He leaned forward, his breath warm against my ear, "Is this what you were hoping for? To provoke me?"
My pulse quickened, and a flush crept down my core, "Perhaps."
I arched my back, and our bodies pressed together. The heat of his skin seeped through the thin silk, igniting my nerves. His hands traveled lower, coming to rest on the curve of my hips.
"You are a bad girl, Yaya," he breathed, his lips brushing against the shell of my ear.
A shiver ran through me, and I couldn't help but squirm under his touch. "Yes, I am," I replied, my voice a low, throaty whisper.
He gripped my hips tightly, his fingers digging into the soft flesh. "And what do you think you deserve for being such a bad girl?"
My lips curled into a sultry smile, and I leaned closer to him, my lips brushing against his ear, "I think I deserve to be punished."
He let out a low groan, and his hands moved to cup my ass, squeezing it. "Oh, yes. I think you do." His lips crashed against mine, the kiss hot and demanding. My fingers tangled in his hair, and I pulled him closer, deepening the kiss.
Before I realized what was happening, I was no longer kissing the juicy lips that tasted of grape wine but a hard beak. I groaned in frustration and threw a pillow at him.
Muir shifted into his eagle form, looking down at me with a smug expression as he left me hanging, horny and desperate, "This is what you deserve, bad girl."
Vick and Curtis laughed at my plight, and I shot them a glare, "Don't get too comfortable. The night is still young."
"Oh, come on, don't look at us like that. We're just enjoying the show," Vick said, a smirk on his face.
Skaris shook his head, "I just find it interesting that you don't seem to mind being treated like this," he mused.
I chuckled, a wicked glint in my eyes, "Well, it wouldn't be punishment if I enjoyed it. Besides, it's not like I can't handle it."
I leaned back against the cushions, the silk of my dress flowing over my curves like liquid moonlight. I wanted to savor the feeling, the deprivation, and the sweet anticipation of pleasure. It was frustrating, yes, but the wait only heightened the experience. I closed my eyes and let out a soft sigh, "This is torture, but it's a delicious kind."
Skaris didn't look amused, "If you think this is torture, then you clearly haven't experienced the real thing."
"Care to enlighten me?" I asked, curiosity coloring my voice.
Skaris sat by my side, "Have you ever been tied up, blindfolded, and at the mercy of your captor? How about being whipped, beaten, and humiliated until you beg for death?"
I tapped a finger on my chin, pretending to consider his question, "I think I'd rather die than give my captor the satisfaction."
Skaris smiled darkly, "That's a bold statement. You have three powerful males to protect you. But not everyone is so lucky. Some people are captured, raped, and murdered. All while their captors laugh and gloat, reveling in their suffering."
"So you're saying I should be grateful for being treated so well?" I quipped.
"In a sense, yes. You have a roof over your head, a full belly, and a bed to sleep in. You're lucky, Yaya," Skaris said.
I stretched out on the bed, the soft furs and silken sheets enveloping me in a cocoon of luxury. "You have the same now, and I don't see you wagging your tail in gratitude."
Skaris gave a noncommittal shrug, "That's because I know it's temporary. Once the novelty wears off, I'll be back to the harsh realities of life. But you, Yaya, have the potential to live a long, luxurious life. And for that, you should be grateful."
I laughed, the sound echoing off the stone walls. "Ah, so that's the rub. I have a bright future ahead of me, but you don't. Is that what you're saying?"
"Yes. I'm nothing but a paw in your game, to be used and discarded as you see fit. My life means nothing to you, and my death will be met with indifference," Skaris replied indifferently.
I raised a brow at Muir, "Why could Skaris get it, but you couldn't?"
Muir shrugged, "Because he doesn't care about you as a person, about your feelings, or your pain. I do. There were things I wanted to know about you, but he just doesn't," he ended his words with a provocative smile.
I used my pointer to slide it across my neck in a slicing motion, which prompted the birdman to wink back at me. "..." They sure as hell got bold with their actions, didn't they? I ducked under the covers and decided to fall asleep.
"Oh, come on, Yaya, don't be like that. You're supposed to be the one in charge here," Vick teased, trying to coax me out of my hiding place, "You said it yourself. The night is still long."
I refused to budge, "I'm done playing with you."
"You started it," Vick reminded me.
"And I'm ending it," I replied, my voice muffled by the blankets.
Vick sighed, "Fine, have it your way. We'll just sit here and drink, and you can listen to us badmouthing you."
I grabbed a pillow and threw it at him, "Go away, you annoying bug."
Vick caught the pillow, a mischievous grin on his face, "If you're going to insult me, at least be original about it."
"Go away, you overgrown insect."
Curtis spewed his wine out of his mouth, his shoulders shaking with mirth.
"That's more like it," Vick said, chuckling.
"Go eat dirt, you oversized bug!"
"See? That's better."
"Bug-faced jerk."
"I prefer handsome."
"Go suck a rotten egg, you hideous beast!"
"Hey! Don't bring my looks into this."
"Bug-eyed freak!"
"That's it! I'm not going to stand for this anymore." Vick lunged at me, but I managed to dodge him.
Muir was hitting the table as he laughed, tears forming at the corner of his eyes.
I ran around the room, evading Vick's grasp. I passed by Skaris, who was covering his mouth with his hand to stifle his chuckle.
"Come here, you little rat," Vick chased after me, his hands reaching out to grab me. I ducked under his arm and made a mad dash for the balcony.
It was raining heavy buckets outside, but I didn't care. I leaped onto the railing and jumped into the torrential downpour, landing in a crouch on the ground below.
As soon as I hit the muddy earth, I was splattered with rain and dirt.
Skaris leaped out of the balcony, "Do you have a death wish?! You can't just jump out of the balcony like a cheetah and not expect to get injured." He sniffed at the air, searching for any sign of injury, "Please get inside. It won't be good if you catch a cold."
I looked up and saw Vick sitting on the window frame with a cup of wine in his hand, "There'll be a warm bath and dry clothes waiting for you inside. Come inside when you are done playing."
Curtis and Muir materialized beside Vick, wagering emeralds on whether Skaris would manage to coax me indoors with their made up sign language. It was a wise choice not to go outside since it was pouring like hell.
My toes dug into the mud, feeling the cold wetness seep into my skin. I was soaked to the bone and the chill of the wind bit at my skin.
"My dear female, will you please come inside before you freeze to death?" Skaris demanded, his tail twitching in annoyance.
"I'm not freezing to death, and I'm not going to die. So you might as well just leave me alone," I retorted.
"You're going to catch a cold."
"No, I'm not."
"You'll get sick."
"No, I won't."
"Yes, you will." Skaris let out a low growl, and his tail swished from side to side, "What do I have to do to make you come inside?"
"Nothing. There's nothing you can do. Just give up," I said, shrugging.
Skaris narrowed his brows, and his nostrils flared, "What do you want?"
I thought about it momentarily, and a wicked smile spread across my lips, "I want to see you roll in the mud."
"Roll in the mud?" Skaris repeated, incredulous.
"Yep. Roll in the mud like a pup," I said, grinning when he refused to obey my request. The moment the bracelets on my wrists and ankles dropped to the ground, I disappeared before him, and reappeared behind him. I jumped on his shoulders and pushed him down into the mud, "Now, roll."
He spluttered, his face covered in mud. "How did you-," his words died in his mouth as I straddled his chest, holding him down.
"Just roll, will you?" I said.
Skaris caught me by the waist and rolled us over, so I was beneath him. He sniffed close to my neck, inhaling my scent. His tongue darted out, licking the water droplets off my skin.
But before he knew it, I was on top of him again, "That's not rolling, silly. This is."
"How are you doing this?" he demanded, hugging me tightly this time so I couldn't escape before rolling me over again. His hands traveled up and down my body as if what he was hugging was really me, not a mud monster. When his hot body pressed against my chilled skin, he shivered.
He glanced down at me, "You are freezing." He rubbed my body as if trying to conduct heat into me.
"And you are not rolling," I turned him over and laid on his chest, which was softer than the hard ground. It was nice, feeling the warmth from his body and the steady beat of the cold rain on my skin. I closed my eyes, losing myself in the moment as I snuggled closer to him.
Skaris's heart thundered against my ear, and his breath was ragged. He held me tightly as if afraid I would disappear.
His tail wrapped around my leg, holding me close as he turned me over to shield me from the rain with his body, yet again. His blindfolded face rested against my head.
"I don't want you to be sick," he said.
"I know," I murmured.
"You're cold."
"You're warm."
"But you're not," he countered.
"Then keep me warm," I replied.
His hands roamed my body, stroking and caressing my skin. I could feel the heat radiating from him, and the chill of the rain seemed to disappear.
He cradled me against his chest, his arms wrapping around me protectively. "Better?" he asked.
"Much," I replied.
Skaris nuzzled his nose against my hair, "Why do you smell so fragile? Like a flower about to wither away?" The rain was making it all the more difficult for him, "I hate it. It's like you're not real. As if you're a dream, I will soon wake up from."
I pinched his stomach, "Don't talk nonsense. If I were a dream, would I be able to hit you?"
Skaris let out a grunt of surprise, his arms tightening around me, "No, but in my dreams I'd be able to do this." He pulled me closer, his lips capturing mine in a searing kiss. His tongue invaded my mouth, exploring and claiming every inch of me.
The cold rain beat down on us, but it was no match for the heat that bloomed between us.
His lips trailed kisses down my jaw, his tongue darting out to taste the droplets of rainwater that lingered on my skin.