Apocalipstick (Hell in a Handbag Book 1) by Lisa Acerbo (the best e book reader txt) 📗

Don’t lie. Beyond the experiment and the curiosity, there’s a desire to do it. A need to share every part of herself with the man she loved.

She wanted him to know all of her and trusted him with her life.

When he knocked, she let him in and pushed against him the moment the door clicked shut, pressing her arms around his back.

Don’t back out.

She raised her chin so her lips could meet his and melted into their kiss.

“I missed you too, but what’s going on?”

“I’m ready,” Jenna said.

“Ready for what?”

“To let you share my blood.”

“I’m fine with the hunt.”

“I want you to know all of me.” She felt the wealth of muscles under his brown shirt.

When his tongue challenged hers, she melted. His hands worked her curves, teasing. They caressed her arms and then dropped down to her thighs. He kissed her neck and unbuttoned her blouse in a deft movement. When he finally released her, it took a moment for the world to steady.

He smiled wickedly. “I really missed you.” His fingers returned to her shoulders, gently massaging the tired muscles, until he pushed her shirt to the floor. Taking her by the hand, he led her to the bed.

“What are you doing?” Her heartbeat exploded in her chest.

He nibbled her ear lobe. “Exactly what you want.”

His fingers ran down her neck. She trembled in anticipation.

Jenna was ready. One part of her couldn’t believe she’d only met Caleb after the end of the world. It seemed unfair. But a voice in her head screamed it didn’t matter. “I want you to.”

She didn’t want his hands to ever stop caressing her. As much as he wanted to know her, she wanted all of him. His finger traced the pulse on her neck, and then his lips were there.

Whispered words kissed her skin, but she lost herself in the sensation.

A pent-up moan escaped her lips. There was a moment of pain, and then a tingle of pleasure built into a tidal wave. She wrestled for control, but rode the sensations, losing herself in them. Unable to hold back, she blissfully went over the edge.

Days later, on a crisp day when autumn had nearly fled, Lilly asked Jenna if they could go riding. They met at the barn after breakfast. Cat kept them company. The air was cool, but the sun still warm enough for only a heavy sweater. Jenna showed Lilly how to groom and tack the horse, and they mounted using a block she had created with Caleb’s help.

She brought a gun though Streakers had been scarce.

The two set off, enjoying the peace of the forest even with most of the trees now bare. Lilly showed no desire to turn around, and the two ventured farther from the inn than Jenna had been in a long time, but the woman remained quiet. Jenna didn’t pressure her.

“We’re friends, right?” Lilly asked.

“Absolutely.”

“I need to tell you something, but nervous.”

“I guarantee I’ve witnessed a lot worse in the past. It can’t be that bad.”

“It is.”

“We’ll deal with it.”

“Mack, Jim and I love it here, and Tundra’s been good since we arrived. She’s told Gunnar and David to lay off the whole power trip thing, but she has a plan.”

“Like a master plan of death and destruction?” Jenna joked.

“I’m serious. Tundra’s been working hard to get close to certain people here. She started with Aiko, Victor, and Bethany.”

“What do you mean?”

“She wanted to persuade the New Racers humans are beneath them and take control. Tundra wants the power to take what she wants whenever. Do you understand?”

“I think so.”

“If someone of the New Race wants human blood, Tundra believes they should take it. They don’t ask for it.”

“We’re a close-knit community, no matter what problems and disagreements arise. I can’t see anyone from here agreeing with Tundra. Aiko wouldn’t turn on us. She’s with Quentin. They care for each other.”

“Think about it. If someone called you the most powerful creatures alive, and you should be able to do what you wanted when you wanted, you’d buy into that logic. Tundra’s extremely persuasive.”

“Sounds far-fetched.”

“Why would Mack, Jim, and I have stayed with her if it was unbearable? She used me like a snack. But she’s smart. She knows how to get into your mind. She’d remind us how awful it was on our own and explain how they needed to feed to stay strong and protect us. Tundra would tell us to go because there were Streakers at every turn, and we’d be dead in hours. She is a great manipulator, and we all bought into it because it was easier than fighting. There was nothing to fight for, but now there is.”

“You think Tundra wants our friends at the inn to do the same thing. Make humans food and slaves? That’s what it sounds like you were when traveling with her.”

“Tundra needs to be in control, and she’s strong and powerful. I hate to admit it, but on the road, she was our best chance for survival.” Lilly paused. “There’s more. You’re a threat.”

“Why?”

“You’re in a relationship with Caleb. It goes against everything she is saying because Caleb treats you like an equal. She hates it. It doesn’t help Tundra has grown bored of David and Gunnar and now wants him for herself.”

“You can’t be serious.” She drew back on the reins and forced her horse to stop. It pawed the ground restless and waiting. It pranced and snorted, excited to continue.

“Why would I tell you all this otherwise.”

“This sounds like something out of a bad pulp fiction novel. Tundra’s plotting to turn my friends against me and use me like a food source. She also has a personal vendetta against me. She’s jealous and wants my boyfriend.”

“It sounds crazy when you put it that way, but every word is true. Why would I lie?”

Jenna turned her horse around, motioning for Lilly to do the same. “We should get back.”

She and Lilly began the trek back.

“What should I do?” Jenna asked, realizing