“So, where are you taking me?” Butterflies fluttered in Lynn’s stomach as she followed Pablo along the crunchy forest floor. He wore shorts and a tight t-shirt. She liked the way the shorts hugged his ass just right. Around 6:00AM, the sunlight cast a dim glow through the heavy canopies and Nox’s Sphere. A mist settled over the undergrowth, adding an ethereal quality to their noisy trek.

“It’s a surprise,” he called over his shoulder. He cradled a fluffy blanket in one arm and a full rucksack in the other.

One minute, they were listening to Sagan catch Rayne up on the trauma. The next minute, Pablo whisked her away on a secret mission. Exhausted, running on two hours of sleep, she still hoped for—

Her man stopped below a vast tree with whimsical twisting branches. Their boughs supported a sizable treehouse complete with a rope ladder and a window.

With his back to her, Pablo explained, “I know it’s not that impressive, but I’ve tried so hard to make us some space—”

Lynn ran the three steps between them and gave a little warning grunt before jumping onto his back. The last time she jumped him, they both went down. But Pablo grew up and out quite a bit since Fair. He dropped his provisions and held steady. She kissed the side of his neck. “I love it. I love you.”

Pablo turned his head, and they kissed awkwardly with Lynn hanging off his back. They both laughed at the smothering lips and slipped tongues as they came up for air. His rich brown eyes sparkled as he spoke in a voice burdened with need, “Lynn, get in there. Now.”

Beaming, she hopped off his back, snatched the blanket, and rushed to the ladder. He made it sturdy, and she loved him even more. With each rung, her feelings for him increased. He did this. For them.

Lynn peered below to find him standing at the bottom. His lids low as Pablo watched her climb. Shivering in eighty-nine degree heat seemed unlikely, but there she was, covered in goosebumps.

The spacious and clean interior surprised her. A little table took up the far corner with a mason jar full of wildflowers. Her heart fluttered, accompanying her butterflies as she laid out the blanket.

Pablo climbed inside. “Do you like it?”

She grinned. “It’s the most quiet I’ve heard in four months.”

He placed his hands on her hips and leaned in. He kissed her neck with his perfectly full lips. Between kisses, he promised, “It won’t stay quiet for long.”

Lynn sighed for him and reached into his hair. Her other hand bumped the rucksack on his back. He stopped and slipped out of it. “What’s in there, anyway?”

Pablo tossed it to the side. Then gazed at her with warm, heavy eyes. Slow, teasing, he drew out running his tongue across his lips. She was this close to swooning when he answered, “It’s water. You’ll need it.”

Grasping his shirt and jerking him to her, Lynn took that enticing bottom lip of his into her mouth. He cradled her neck and clasped her hip. Her man moaned for her, and her knees almost gave out. Breaking the kiss, she peeled his shirt off him, revealing one tantalizing inch at a time.

Pablo trailed fingers along the string tying her bikini top secure at her nape. “Ever since you started wearing these, I’ve had a hard time concealing how much I like it in just my scrubs, Lynn.”

“I know.” He grinned at her as she continued, “That’s why I wore them even on cooler days.”

“You’re such a bad girl.” His free hand buried into the rear pocket of her shorts. When he squeezed, she purred. “Are you sure you’re qualified to give me an education on divinity?”

Feeling bold, Lynn reached up and deftly untied the knot holding her top on. As the skimpy material fell away, Pablo went to his knees with reverence in his gaze. Without words, he told her what this gift meant to him. Without words, she told him she loved him for it.

During his worship of her, they removed every article of clothing she wore. He expanded his divine initiation downward. Gripping his hair, she cried out his name between other incoherent words. For his first time, he certainly mastered some dexterity with his tongue.

She never told him she figured it out sometime between their first attempt and this one. Leaving it to him, she wondered why he never mentioned he was a virgin. He was exemplary, first time or fiftieth. Her knees buckled as he accomplished his aim. For the second time.

Pablo caught Lynn and stood. Sweat dripped down her spine from heat and exertion. She loved it. She also loved the sparkle of pride in his gaze as he helped her stand. He licked the taste of her from his lips, and she almost fell down again.

“Did I pass my first lesson?”

In answer, she unfastened his shorts roughly. Trying for sultry, she stared into his eyes as she said, “Let me give you a gold star.” Then she bit down on her bottom lip as she concentrated on removing his shorts. She didn’t get far. He clasped her face and kissed her roughly, forcefully backing her to the blanket.

Pablo took her down on the pallet with a sweep to her good leg. Breaking the kiss, he said, “We can do the gold star later. Right now,” he kissed her neck and purred in her ear, “I’m ready to pass my final exam.” He slipped his boxers off and settled between her legs. All the while he kissed her collarbone, chest, stomach—everywhere.

For a brief moment, they stared into each other’s eyes, breath heaving and sweat dripping. Lynn giggled as Pablo brushed her hair from her face. “What?”

If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

She kissed his palm. “I keep waiting for someone to find us and interrupt.” Unable to control the fit, she giggled some more.

He chuckled and kissed her nose. “I may have threatened everyone with a slow death if they followed us, today.”

She gave him a lazy smile. “So much for discrete.”

He brushed against her. Ready. “Lynn.” He swallowed before beginning again, “I think the last of this fight is coming soon. I don’t want to waste another moment worrying about being discrete or people interrupting. I just want to spend what time we have left together.”

His words struck her as similar to Tameka’s earlier warning, “Make time before there isn’t any.” Shaken by the depth of his eyes and his love for her, she passed a few peaceful heartbeats in his passionate gaze.

Lynn arched for him. Pablo took the invitation with devout regard. Virgin in name only, her man was a god in bed. Attentive to her every inclination, she knew his admiration never ended. She also suspected he hid some female anatomy books on a secret shelf somewhere. He took his time, and she certainly didn’t mind.

They clung to each other, making love as if their world would soon end.

~*~

Lucy brushed by Matt for the third time as both carried chairs and unfolded tables to prep for the grandest Propagation Cycle the Cult of Night ever witnessed. Tomorrow. Out in the compound’s open courtyard, her black robes clung to the sweat dripping down her body. August arrived intent on shattering July’s record highs. Despite the heat, she prided herself on unloading just as many items as the young man she initiated with. No matter how much he avoided eye contact with her.

“Lucy, what’re you doing?” Justice Lee approached from the residence zone. He glanced between her and Matt. “Promoters do not take part in menial labor.”

Matt carried on despite the interruption.

“I want tomorrow night’s event to be a success. I can guarantee it with direct oversight—”

“I love listening to you talk. Your voice is so sweet, and your diction is impressive.” Lee’s eyes roved over Lucy as he complimented her.

She stood taller, straightened her shoulders, and held her chin higher. “Thank you, your honor.”

“Walk with me.”

She followed in step. Matt’s eyes burned into her exposed back. She always sensed when he watched her, like a breath on the back of her neck.

Justice Lee swept his hand, displaying the grounds. “Look at this amazing feat you’ve accomplished. Fifteen Justices and their compounds are attending tomorrow night’s Cycle, all thanks to you. You’re putting so much hard work into it, Lucy. Nothing could go wrong.” He paused and turned to her. Crooking a finger under her chin, he raised her gaze. “What’s the actual cause for your anxiety?”

“The Propagation aspect. I’ve never…” She looked away.

“Lucy.” He turned her back to him. This was the most physical attention he paid to her since her arrival. “I suspected as much.”

Her eyes widened at his confession.

Lee released her chin and nodded solemnly. “I’ve thought back many times to our first encounter. Doe-eyed and pulse throbbing, you were so clearly inexperienced.” For a moment, he stopped speaking, and his eyes glazed over.

Behind him, Matt hauled two tables to the center of the courtyard. Shirtless, his freckled arms bunched with the load. When he unfolded them, the muscles in his back gathered and stretched. Also freckled.

“Lucy.” Lee sounded as if he called her name more than once.

She snapped back to him and swiped her brow. “Sorry. Hot.”

“Yes. You are.”

Lucy’s head cocked to the side before she caught herself.

In response, he held out his arm to escort her to the shade. Sitting down with her, Lee patted her thigh and then clasped it. She peered into his light brown eyes as he carried on, “We’re friends, right?”

“Yes, your honor—”

“No, no. I’d like to think of us as equals. All the Justices know you’ll do great things here.”

She beamed at him excitedly. “Really?!”

He chuckled while his hand traveled higher. “Of course. You’re our shining star. But what I’m getting at is some traditions we uphold require more than your eloquent speech or capacity for rhetoric. The Propagation Cycle is mandatory. With that in mind, as your friend, I am willing to help you out.”

Lee’s pause demanded a response from Lucy. “I’d be so grateful.”

“Good. I’ll be your first, seeing as how you’re obviously so comfortable with me.” He squeezed her upper thigh for good measure.

Over Justice’s shoulder, Matt stared openly at her with rigid posture, and his mouth set in a hard line. Both men waited for her to reply.

She smiled. “Justice Lee—”

“Your honor!” An Enforcer ran across the courtyard to their gathering.

Anger flashed in Lee’s eyes before he turned away from her. “What is it?!”

“Sir, there’s something you need to see.” The twenty-something-year-old’s eyes stretched wide. His skin drained of color. What awful thing made a powerful specimen of human male look so terrified?

Justice called over his shoulder, “You two, with me.”

Matt and Lucy shared a glance, then followed.

The Enforcer led their group outside the gate and into the rice paddies. Justice, who wore the most black coverage, slumped in his robes. The humidity from the river and the heat from the sun compounded the sweat pouring down Lucy’s body. Her blond hair curled and frizzed with it sticking to her forehead. The soggy fields weighed down her clothes. She envied Matt wearing just his khaki shorts—

Without warning, Justice took her by the arms and stopped her. “I don’t think you should see this.” His eyes looked grim. They also flicked down to her moist cleavage. He licked his lips before explaining, “It’s Justice Heather, one of the visiting Justices you met yesterday. Someone murdered her. And it’s gruesome.”

Lucy stabbed her favorite teacher to death with a music stand day one of the apocalypse. She tugged gently out of Lee’s hold and stepped around him. Aware of Matt watching her again, she examined the woman’s body. Unmoved and clinical, she knelt closer to search for wounds. Eyes bulged, face blue, vomit in her mouth. “She asphyxiated.”

A breeze rustled through the paddy. The woman also ripened in the heat. Placing a sleeve to her nose, Lucy stood and stepped back to the men watching her. The lust in Justice’s gaze intrigued her. The intensity in Matt’s gaze intrigued her more. She glanced at the Enforcer. “How long ago did you find her, and did you move the body?”

“Fifteen minutes ago, and no.”

Lee asked, “Does anyone else know?”

“No, your honor.”

With a casual jerk of his head, Lee ordered, “Matt, dispose of the body.”

The Enforcer and the Collector set to work without hesitation. As they dumped her into the river, Lucy thought of nothing but how much she disliked the way the woman spoke to Matt yesterday.

The older man turned to the younger woman as if he feared her protest. “These things happen. Let’s not let it ruin the special event you worked so hard to organize.”

“I couldn’t agree more.” Lucy turned away and walked back toward the compound. She waited for him to catch her stride. “What will we tell her followers?”

“People come and go from this lifestyle all the time. This Cycle’s grand event is the perfect catalyst for that sort of stress.”

She paused and faced him at the gate. The breeze blew her hair into her face. “Will you seek her murderer?”

He brushed the errant strands behind her ear with clammy fingers. “If it were you, I wouldn’t hesitate. But Heather was not well liked. She often harassed the young male Enforcers and Collectors. Despicable behavior. The suspects are countless.”

Lucy nodded her understanding and made to walk away.

Lee caught her arm. “What was your answer to my earlier proposal?”

When she turned back to him, Matt and the Enforcer walked into hearing range.

“Yes, Justice. It would honor me to have you as my first.”

Walking through the gate, the redhead spared her a passing glance. Staring into Matt’s deep brown eyes, Lucy understood madness for the first time.