BLUE IRIS
Chapter 13

Iris

Cora is dead.

Cora was killed.

I WAS still shivering. A sudden coldness hit my core upon hearing the news. I wrapped my arms around my body, berating if I should blame myself or not.

Its just... it was even harder to believe when she was just standing right in front of me as I made her admit her mistake, then all of a sudden, she was gone. She died because of me. I confronted her. If I didn't let my anger affect me, she might be still alive until now.

"You okay?" I stopped pacing and stopped biting my lip, looking at worried Colt. "You can't blame yourself, Iris. She chose to trust them," he added. "And she could still be alive right now if I didn't confront her."

"She's planning on leaving the camp. She once suggested a safe zone area. I asked her if how did she know about it, she said that she found leaflets. I ignored it-that could be a trap. We don't need a safe zone because we are safe here. What we need is a vaccine or a cure that's all. We are totally in the oblivion about what happened to half of America. How about Europe, Asia, the Middle East? Have anyone finally figured out what kind of virus that wiped out the world? We still don't know." Gael rubbed his chin, frowning, not even meeting our gazes.

"We're not leaving this place for as long as we are safe inside," Colt said. "We will survive for as long as we stay together and stick to the rules. No more sneaking out. No more secrets. No more lies. We scavenge. We hunt. We plant. That's how we survive. We don't need luxury right now. What we need is safety from the virus, from the people who want to harm us out there. We can think of going back to our old life once we have the vaccine, but right now, we set aside those things, we set aside the future. Focus and think about today, this way, we won't die bleeding, or from hunger, or with a bullet hole on our head."

Everyone stayed silent and listened to Colt. I even saw the admiration in Gael's eyes, and I, myself, my heart swelled with pride.

Colt continued, "You are all free to speak and share your opinion with Gael, but we should think if it's good for everyone. If you want to leave the camp, I won't stop you, and I'm sure Gael won't stop you as well, but if something happens to you outside, we won't come to rescue you anymore."

"What happened to Cora was awful, and you should take it as a lesson, and it could happen to anyone if you won't take my advice seriously," said Gael.

"From now on, I demand transparency. You know what happened to our old place and what happened during the ambush. So, we should keep our location in discreet to the people outside this camp. We meet them outside but never bring anyone inside, unless with Gael's approval," Colt added.

I heard about their old place was taken away from them by a larger group, and that they were ambushed on the road. They lost members, and Colt's brother was killed while Gael was seriously wounded, causing his left leg to be amputated. "Iris shared something about the leaflets of a safe zone. The place may exist and the offer may sound appealing, but that's not how it is-that they will provide you with anything for free. They controlled everything; they have powerful weapons and manpower. They have strong infrastructures; heavily guarded walls, but it only looks appealing from the outside. You don't wanna know what's in there. Iris won't run away if she feels safe, will she? You've seen her when she arrived at our camp. What they care is to be powerful so that they can conquer this country while they took people in as their slaves or kill everyone that they see as threats." Gael stood up, looking at us one by one. "Starting tonight, we should stay alert. We don't know if those people who were with Cora would come to us. They could be following her discreetly whenever she came back. Just be careful. If you notice anything unusual, knock on my door immediately." "Is there anyone of you who wants to speak?" Colt asked, but everyone seemed still pretty shaken.

"Templeton, Colt. Thank you!" Gael said.

"No need to thank us, Gael," Frost replied.

"Colton, I'm glad you're back. I'll talk to you tomorrow." I grabbed Colt's hand and squeezed it.

"Tomorrow." He nodded and met my gaze. There was a concern there, but there was also a fire that promised something. "Don't think too much about it, okay? Good night, twig."

I smiled at him despite the guilt was forming in my throat. "Night."

***

"WHAT ARE you still doing here?" Lois was already lying in her bed with a book on her grip.

"Just came back from the shower. Where would I be?" I wore my shirt and cotton shorts.

"You call that shower?" She laughed. Her rich voice echoed in the entire cabin.

"Well, that place is a shower room, so I call it a shower." I laughed with her.

"Please, get out of this cabin. And take your gun with you. I need to be alone for a night." She turned her back on me, opening the book. Lois was an English teacher, major in 20th-century literature. And yes, she loved books, and one thing she had in common with Colt was reading.

"Is this your way of telling me to go to Colton's cabin and seduce him?" I felt my face and neck impossibly hot.

"You can't call it seducing when you both are on the same page."

I lied and rested my head against the wall, thinking of her advice. It was appealing, but what would I answer if he said to go back to my cabin and get some sleep.

"Life is too short," she sang.

I sat straight and grabbed my gun under my pillow. "If he rejects me, you'll work in the garden for the whole day."

"Not a problem. As long as you will tell me how does his beard feel like between your thighs." She laughed out loud.

"Shh! Lois, keep your voice low. Everyone can hear you."

"Who cares?"

"Wish me luck."

"You don't need one, Iris."

The walk to Colt's cabin was faster than a flash. I didn't want someone would notice me sneaking out to be with my boyfriend. My stomach had a fluttery feeling when I heard him telling Darick I was his girlfriend for the first time. I thought I had weakened knees.

I knocked softly when I reached his front door and suddenly wanted to flee when there was no response.

What if he's sleeping? I thought of self-loathing after this, and how on earth would I face him tomorrow? Oh, my God! I bit my lip.

In an instant, the door swung open, revealing a half-naked Colt. My eyes grew wide. I was right, after all, there was definitely a treasure beneath that shirt. A few tiny dark hairs sprinkled over his broad golden bare chest. I could feel his fiery gaze on me that made my pulse thunder in my veins. My skin tingled. My nipples hardened beneath my shirt.

Like a predator to its prey, I strolled my gaze down to the well-defined muscles of his abdomen down to the dark hair trailing down and disappeared beneath his waistband. And that exposed V where his jeans hang low was beyond sexy. Does he even know his presence melts something inside me?

Damn it, Colton!

I raked my eyes back to his golden strong arms and corded neck until I saw a sexy grin spread across his face.

"Done?"

"Would you mind if I come in?" Did I just say that? I blinked rapidly, feeling my face heated some more.

"Please." He gestured like a gentleman.

The moment the door shut behind us, my breathing quickened. My muscle quivered. Gooseflesh erupted all over my skin when I felt his breath warming the skin of my neck.

In a split second, I was pressed against the wall as he drilled me with his blazing gaze.

"Why are you here sneaking out in the middle of the night, twig?"

"Um, Lois threw me out of the cabin. She said she wants some time alone." I grinned sheepishly.

"Really? That doesn't seem like her."

"I know right?" I shrugged.

"Are you trying to break the rules or drive me crazy?" His voice turned deep and raspy. Eyes till pinned at me.

"Maybe both?" My brow rose.

"I should probably punish you for that?"

"What would be my punishment if I may ask, officer? Are you going to cuff me?" I leaned in just an inch closer, and our lips would touch.

"Hmm, let me think." His eyes darkened as he squinted them on me it was almost predatory, yet I found it sexy.

I settled my hands on his chest. Heat rushed through my body like I was on fire as I felt his skin against my fingertips. Ached settled up in my sex. Biting my lips to stifle my moan, I traced my fingers down to his abs, to the hair, and I abruptly stopped on his waistband.

His breathing caught. "Don't tease me, Iris. Patience is not my strong suit." His hands moved on my waist, then slowly slid up my back under my shirt.

I gasped. "What is your strong suit, Officer Snow?"

"You'll replace it out soon, twig." He smiled lazily. His touch was gentle yet it burned and stirred pleasure in my body that I was hungered for.

I caught my lip between my teeth stronger as the moan that I'd been holding long enough was almost slipping out.

"Iris, tell me to stop."

I shook my head. Even if I wanted to, I didn't want to. I came here with one purpose, and I made a move, so why would I let him stop now? There's no going back-it's a one-way trip.

My head threw back as his hands found my breasts, cupping them, tweaking my nipples that made me cry out with intense pleasure that I craved from him.

"Damn if I don't love how your body reacts to my touch," he whispered before capturing my lips-kissing me hard and deep, then the kiss ended only for me to replace him staring at me with eyes blazing with lust and hunger.

He kissed me again-this time it was slow, taking his time to explore-biting, nipping until he fully invaded my mouth with his hot tongue. His beard tickled my face, making my skin more sensitive. He tasted minty, and everything I like about Colt.

My hands snaked around his neck. My legs wrapped around his waist as he gripped my thighs enough to leave his fingerprints on my skin.

His hard and unbelievably huge bulge was pressing against my sex-he just lit me on fire more than I imagined. I almost lost my sanity when it hit something already aching and so sensitive.

I rubbed myself shamelessly and gasped when he sucked my lip hard and tugged it between his teeth-a mix of pleasure and pain merged all together, banking the throbbing sensation in my core.

He broke his mouth free, breathing hard as he leaned his forehead against mine.

"I want you so bad. Tell me to stop now and I will. But once you say yes, I won't be able to stop until we both have no more energy left and barely able to catch our breath," He rushed his words out. "To your bed now."

A low rumble erupted from his chest in agreement.

He leaned down and laid me carefully on his bed as if I was fragile. He then took my shoes off one by one and carefully placed down beside his bed. I sat on the edge, yanked my shirt off above my head, and pushed down my shorts with the panties he gave me. I was not a virgin anymore, and I didn't have the luxury to play demure.

I watched his throat bobbed up and down a few times.

"Need help?"

"Can't a man take a few moments admiring his woman?"

"I replace it hard to believe you don't have a single ink in your body." Leisurely, I admired every inch of his skin until he unbuttoned his jeans and pushed down to his knees that left me breathless. His thick erection sprang from the thick black hair. Sweet Baby Jesus, he's monstrous.

"Disappointed?"

Are you kidding me?

"You're perfect with or without ink." I gulped to see him completely naked. He was magnificent, better than any male model I'd seen in the magazines. And this one in front of me was real. No makeup. No Photoshop. No lights. In raw and flesh-a living male model in a post-apocalyptic world.

Colt was ripped in every angle my eyes could see.

Kneeling down between my thighs, he spread them. "You're beautiful, twig. So beautiful that I had to stand there for a minute and watched you naked in my bed and at the same thinking why did I deserve you." He caressed my cheeks with his callous thumbs.

I took his thumb and pressed it against my lips. "You are handsome and hot as hell. Your eyes are just as gorgeous as you are whether you're happy or angry, sad, or confuse. I like you not only because you are strong, badass, and tough, but because you have a heart of gold."

Then I pressed my lips into his, and he opened his mouth for me as I slowly kissed him with passion.

His hand was cupping my neck while the other was started exploring around. Colt's mouth traveled down my neck-sucking and licking my earlobe that held my breath. He then captured my breast with his hot mouth-tugging, nipping, and licking my nipple.

My back arched from the pain and pleasure, almost driving me off the edge. His hand slid between my thighs, replaceing me wet and ready-my folds slicked under his finger.

I moaned and slid closer to him, begging for more.

I gasped, tightening my hands on his hair as he slid his finger inside me. I threw myself back to the bed and bit back the scream of pleasure as the sensation intensified, and it lost my self-control.

His hand was gone. Panic shot through me despite that I almost reached the temporary bliss. Then foil torn with his teeth, sheathing his impressive length. He then spread my thighs, positioning himself. I gasped as his shaft grazed my bundle of nerves.

Colt leaned down, biceps taut as he supported his weight. He then kissed me on my lips. "Twig."

"Colton." The anticipation was killing me.

I spread my thighs wider to welcome him as he slid his hot and throbbing length slowly in. Tremors seized my entire body. I'm quivering. I could feel as it got deeper and deeper, and how it stretched me, feeling completely full. Pain blazed inside me, but it was too pleasurable than pain.

He hissed, and I gasped. He groaned, and I moaned.

"Twig?"

"Yeah."

"Do you want it slow?" His jaw clenched.

"Do what you thought of me while you were alone in your bed."

"Hmm." He brushed his lips on me. "Hard and fast." Then he slid out and shoved back inside. Hard.

It caught my breath.

My hands found his arms, gripping the hard muscles as my anchor while my legs wrapped around his waist, wanting for more.

He growled against my neck. "Is it too much?"

"No. I want more." I squeezed my eyes shut and ground into him.

With full determination, he thrust again and again. Fast and hard. The slaps of our skin, the growls and moans, and the squeaking of the bed, and pounding against the wall echoed in the entire cabin.

Each hard thrust brought me higher and higher. My fingers dug at his back. Tremors surged through my legs. My teeth sunk on his shoulder, and at the same time, a guttural roar erupted in his throat. My heart pounded. My muscles contracted as the orgasm spiraled into me so wild and uncontrollable.

My eyes rolled back. The pleasure was so absolute that I couldn't breathe. My walls clamped around him as I exploded, calling his name in high pitch cry.

He hammered me harder with a slow growl, shuddered, and emptied his release-breathing hard and collapsing on top of me.

For a brief moment, Colt stilled. "Twig?" The genuine concern in his voice made me wanting for more.

I ran my hands on his back. "Should I leave?"

His head lifted. His gaze was intense. "Why?"

"Just checking."

"Silly." He took my mouth in a long hot kiss, and he was hard again.