Before reading this chapter, please note that I'm going to be rating it M just as a precaution. In my opinion, I did keep it as vague as possible. It might still be rated T, but I just wanted to be sure. But if you use your imagination, you'll get it. If you decide not to risk it, it'll all be summarized in the ANALYSIS at the end.

Song Suggestion: Off of My Mind by Allison Gray

MAVEN

Her laugh is addicting. And I am willing to do anything to prolong it.

I feel her smile against my cheek. Then those same lips are on my neck. I've now had to wear higher collared shirts during the day because of Mare. I run my hands over her back and over the scars that linger there. I hate my brother for building that damn sounder. But I hate myself even more for using it. I should probably have the plans to the device destroyed as well. It goes on my mental to-do list.

But when I feel Mare's small hand on me, my concentration shifts. I grasp the bedsheets as she moves above me and I forget what I'm thinking.

"One week until the big day," she says.

"You nervous," I breathe.

"Closer to anxious," she kisses move back up to my stomach. "I'm just ready for this to be over with."

I look up at her. "That's not exactly every man's dream to hear while we're doing what we're doing."

"Well, maybe this will change your mind."

She continues. Then I open my mouth in surprise and I involuntarily close my eyes, my head crashing back into the pillow. I let out a long sigh as all the day's tension leaves my body.

"Another week of practice and I'll be ready," she whispers against my skin. "We'll need one more bag of diamond glass and soon the Rift will be crumbling in our hands."

"Anything you want."

"Really? Anything?"

I look down again and I see that devilish smile. It's my favorite of all her lip expressions.

And then Mare shifts forward and her brown eyes lear directly over mine. Her hands on either side of my head.

I place my hand on her cheek. "Within reason," I say and mimic her smile.

She reaches down and intertwines her fingers in my other hand. Slowly, without breaking eye contact, she brings it up and above my head.

And then like a flash of her own ability, she grabs my other hand and holds them both tightly above me.

"Within reason," she repeats. "Hmm."

She leans down, her face barely an inch away. I could kiss her if I wanted to. And so I do. She pulls away, her smile is even brighter. And she says, "when have you ever found me to be reasonable?"

I just smile back at her. Then, gripping her hands tighter, I shift my weight and turn.

The original plan was we switch places. But I misjudged my strength and I turn with too much momentum and then we're falling.

"Ow!" I hear Mare cry out. We land on the floor and my ankle twists and I land on top of Mare with a grunt, the bed sheet landing on top of our heads.

"Sorry," I say.

"You have a really bad habit of doing that," she says.

"I said I was sorry."

I make to get up but Mare cries out.

"That was your elbow in my rib," I hear her say through gritted teeth.

"Ugh, well - this would be easier if I could see."

"Oh, hang on."

Two seconds later the lights come on and shine through the sheets.

"That's better," I say and I look down and I take a moment to appreciate the view.

"Maven."

"Hmm?"

"Get out and get off."

"Right."

Now that there's light I'm able to swiftly and effectively maneuver off of Mare and I fall to her right. My ankle is still throbbing. I glance over and see Mare massaging her shoulder.

The sheets no longer cover our heads but they still cover all the essentials. Not that I'm a stranger to Mare's body by this point. Three weeks have passed since that first night. But it is still nice to see her in a semi-modest fashion.

She may not think so, but I always thought her a wonder to behold. Her beauty isn't standard like most women. It doesn't just stop on what's on the outside. No, it's what's on the inside, her internal beauty, that always drew me to her.

"You know we could avoid incidents like this if you didn't-"

"Have such a small bed, I know." It's all old argument. "I've been a little distracted lately."

"Oh, really? What could be the cause of such a thing?" She gives me that mischievous smirk then brings her arm up and rests her head on her hand. I do the same.

"I really like seeing you this way," I choose my words carefully. I don't want to scare her off.

"You mean naked? Yes, I would imagine so."

I laugh at that one.

"That's not exactly what I meant, but, yes, I do take pleasure in that fact as well."

"Oh, I know you do." And there's that smile again.

"So what did you mean?"

Mare lays her head on the floor and begins combing her fingers through her hair. A sign she's greeting ready to leave. I wish more than anything she could stay longer.

"You're healthy."

Her fingers slow. At first, confused, but then her smile falters as she begins to understand my meaning.

I remember, and so does she, what she was like before. I always made sure she had a healthy but modest-sized meal when she was here. But her time as my prisoner took its toll.

She had lost a lot of weight, despite the meals. Granted, she threw most of them against the wall. But her body is much more toned now.

Before, her skin was a sickly, pale yellow; not like the glowing tan it is now.

Her nails have grown back. Meaning she hasn't had the need to bite them. Evidence of that are the weeks' worth of scratch marks on my back.

Though not all stress has disappeared from her life. I still see her pick at her cuticles from time to time.

"Is that why you agreed to this plan?" Mare asks. "Its one of the reasons," I say. The prime reason, I say to myself.

"But I want to end this headache as much you. And as for us… we'll figure it out day by day."

Mare nods and moves to get up.

"Do you have to leave so soon," I say. And I realize I sound like a child.

"Yes, it's already been forty minutes."

I move my hand to her smooth waist.

"I'll make it worth your while."

"Mmm."

"Please."

I know my hair's a mess but I think it adds to the sad puppy face. And it works. She leans down and kisses me. It's the most glorious feeling in the world.

"Well, since you said please. But we'll have to make it quick."

And then sheets come over us again.

ANALYSIS

Summary: so in case you haven't figured it out by now, Mare and Maven are now having casual sex. They are hormonal teenagers after all. They've been hooking up for the past three weeks and with each visit, Maven gives Mare bag of diamond glass.

As for time, it is exactly one week until Evangeline and Cal's wedding. And Mare will visit Maven one more time before then.

As for the true reason why Maven agreed to work with Mare instead of just making her his prisoner again is this: Maven's obsession needs Mare to be near him. But seeing her healthy, not like when she was a prisoner.

I'll go into it more next chapter though.

Also, while they were "in the moment" Maven tells Mare she can have anything she wants. They also fall off of Maven's small bed, he injures his ankle and Mare her shoulder.

Like I said the wedding will take place in the next week. But the next six chapters are all crammed into that week. You'll see later.

SWEEPSTAKES!

Let me start off by saying, I loved all your comments. But I needed to be able to PM you.

I will be doing this again, so don't get discouraged.

Ok.

Third Place…

Goes…

To...

Outspoken17 !

Second Place…

Goes...

To…

RedInTheHead !

And now...

For First Place…

The winner…

Of my first SWEEPSTAKES…

Goes…

To…

FinnieOdesta4ever !

So I'll message you all with your prizes and why you won! I would say why now, but I really wanted to post this since it's 10pm ct.