“Cleansing,” he says curtly, continuing his aggressive ritual.
Yep. Cleansing. Such profound insight. What a riveting conversation... God, this is going to be hard work.
“Is that like a ritual thing?” I ask, my voice tinged with a nervous giggle, which I cut short as his eyes dart to mine for a split second.
Is he annoyed at my question?
“The filth of my enemies clings to me,” he replies, his voice grinding like gravel. “It infects me with their weakness.” His mouth tightens as he scrapes more vigorously at his skin.
“You? Weak?” I blurt out at such a ridiculous thought, looking at the formidable size of him, remembering what he did to those horrible aliens. It’s a perfect hook though and I can barely suppress a smirk, knowing I can work with this, stroking his ego—men love that. “You’re anything but weak, Dracoth. So big and strong. You must be the best... um, fighter in the entire universe?” I take a step closer, my voice softening to a murmur, my eyes widening with feigned admiration as I gaze at him.
His crimson eyes snap to mine, then sweep over my naked body, lingering—just for a heartbeat—on my breasts and between my legs. I smile, trying to encourage him, my confidence growing. Yet his lack of any overt reaction worries me.
“Weakness can infect even the strongest warrior’s heart,” he growls, his gaze then drifting away clouded in some crazy murder thought, no doubt.
I could sigh. Seriously, why can’t we talk about, I don’t know, favorite foods or how much my boobs are turning him on right now? I mean, we’re both naked in a shower and he’s talking about some warrior nonsense. How do I even reply to this without sounding like a talking fortune cookie?
“But your heart only beats strong and proud.” The words leave my mouth, and I could die from the cringe, feeling like I’m reciting the script of a terrible movie. Still, I draw closer to the red titan, my eyes demure and submissive, playing the part he seems to prefer.
“While others are riddled with falsehoods,” Dracoth mutters, his words halting me for a split second. The implication stings, striking a little too close to home. I search his face, my heart skipping a beat, half-expecting that he’s about to reject me. But he remains still, only watching me with that maddeningly blank expression.
“I hate liars,” I declare, finally something we both can agree on—screw lying bitches. I inch closer, now directly in front of him, the heat from his shower melding with an almost supernatural warmth emanating from his body. A naughty longing pools within me as Dracoth’s huge cock looms close, almost touching my breasts.
I could touch it—God, I want to—but caution holds me back. Instead, my fingers graze his side, marveling at the solid, rock-hard contours of his muscles. He feels like something carved from volcanic stone, while in comparison I’m so soft and small. It seems ridiculous. Usually, I’m the tall one, but this massive contrast only excites me more. My breathing quickens, my pulse racing, on the verge of victory, desire surging between my legs.
I move closer, seeking his warmth, his strength—my triumph. But his massive hand stops me. His brow furrows in disapproval, and just like that, my fragile dreams come crashing down. Dread coils in my stomach, heavy and cold.
“You reek of lies,” Dracoth says, his nose wrinkled in disgust. “I can smell it, see it in your trembling hands, hear it in your racing heart.”
I attempt to laugh it off, but a panicked squeak slips out instead. “I’m just a little nervous.” My eyes dart over his towering frame, lingering on his enormous cock for a frantic heartbeat. “You wouldn’t hold it against a girl to be a bit anxious around such a big fighter like you?” I add, mustering a smile beneath my coy gaze, hoping to salvage the moment
“More lies,” he scoffs, obliterating any hope I had of rescuing this disaster.How much does he know?My pulse races, threatening to betray my composure. Not only afraid of being rejected, but maybe even something worse. “I heard every word you females said,” he continues, his massive arm gesturing toward the entrance.
Oh, fuck.
A lump forms in my throat as my mind scrambles trying to remember what incriminating things I might have said.Did he hear what I told Sandra? Or Carmen’s talk of escape?
“Even now, you seek another lie to cling to,” Dracoth growls, his molten eyes blazing into me, filling me with terror.
He’s not as dumb as he looks—an easy mistake to make, given his heavy, angular brows and stingy use of words. But I see it now—the brutal, cunning intelligence lurking deep, blazing within his crimson gaze, weighing my every word and action.
Fuck, it’s scary. I’ve made a huge mistake approaching him like this.
A yawning silence lingers, only the relentless patter of the shower’s water breaks the tension. I avert my gaze, my mindand body in complete disarray. My mouth opens and closes soundlessly, each potential word dying on my lips, strangled by the fear clutching my chest, the uncertainty he’s cursed me with.
Dracoth grunts dismissively, turning his back on me and resuming hiscleansing. Being ignored—I can’t stand it! I hate it; I hate him! It’s the worst form of rejection. My anger simmers, seething deep like the molten of his eyes. It’s too close to the pain my father left, a gaping wound in my soul that can never be closed, constantly seeking attention and affection, finding nothing, just ignored, deemed not worthy, somehow defective. No matter how hard I try, it’s never good enough. It sickens me, twisting my stomach with rage.
This fury inside me carries me to the precipice, wanting to lash out and hit him, to make him feel a fraction of the pain he’s caused me, to see the anger his actions have caused. How fucking dare he dismiss me after everything we’ve been through, after everything he’s done to me!
I see only red—the red titan with his back turned and the red hatred clouding my wet eyes. “You know what, Dracoth? FUCK YOU!” I scream, unable to hold back, my pent-up trauma spilling out of me, with not a care in the world what happens to me as a result. I pound on his broad back with my fists, each blow as useless as tapping against a boulder. I claw at his skin with my nails, but there’s no purchase against his thick skin and muscles. My powerless assault only fuels my rage more. I want to hurt him, but I can’t!
He whirls around with frightening speed, seizing my wrists with unbreakable strength. The heat of his hand nearly burns my skin as I squirm against his immense power.
“What new human madness is this?” he scoffs, holding me effortlessly in place.
“Madness?” I spit breathlessly, my face contorted into a vile sneer. “At least I’m not a fucking hypocrite, like you.” I glare atthe giant red bore, my rage and contempt the only weapons left to me. “You moan about lies? Don’t make me laugh. Like you have the moral high ground.” Each word, each syllable, drips with the most potent venom.
His eyes widen slightly—the first genuine reaction I’ve seen from the giant bore. Never mind he has my hands held above my head, my nakedness exposed helplessly as I twist, failing to escape his iron grip.
