Chapter 25
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
Fang
I’m miserable. Life sucks donkey balls and there’s no end in sight. Every day I leave Winter a voicemail, hoping she’ll call me back. Let me know how she’s doing, even if she doesn’t want me like I want her.
There’s a knock on my bedroom door. “Go away, Sinner, I’m not hungry.” I swear that man is worse than any mom portrayed on TV.
A key is inserted and the knob twists. I’m about to start swearing at my uncle when a lean blonde walks in carrying a greasy bag from Mick’s. “Sandra, what are you doing here?” The words come out harsher than I mean. Seems my foul mood knows no bounds.
“Well, aren’t you full of unicorn farts and zombie bubblegum.” She closes the door behind her and tosses the brown paper bag my way.
I barely catch it in time. When I open it, I see Mick’s famous bacon and avocado double cheeseburger with an extra side of fries. Even though I’m not hungry, my stomach sounds off like I haven’t eaten in years.
Tossing a fry in my mouth, I glare at my friend. “Unicorn farts and zombie bubblegum?” I shake my head because that is the stupidest thing I have ever heard. Well, that’s not entirely true. Sandra is known for her weird sense of humor.
“Listen, I heard about Winter.” Sandra folds her hands in front of her, shifting weight from foot-to-foot. I wish she would stop, its grating my nerves.
“Yeah.” Tossing the bag on the bedside table, I stand, making my way to the door. “I really don’t feel like talking about it.”
Opening the door, I motion for her to leave. Instead, she traipses over to my bed and sits. Slamming the door, I cross my arms over my chest. “What do you want, Sandra. I’m not in the mood for company.”
“I don’t care if you’re in the mood or not. I’m here.” She pats the spot next to her. “You may as well come over here and talk.”
If it hadn’t been for the fact that Sandra was my rock when my brother died, I most likely wouldn’t allow her to talk to me this way. Because I know she understands how I feel, and this comes from a good place, I’ll take it.
Snagging the bag, I sit on what is now, and always will be, Winter’s side. Leaning against the headboard, I pull the contents out of the bag. Flattening the paper bag, I dump the fries on top and start chowing down. The salty potatoes are just what I needed.
“Fang, Sinner is worried about you.” She places her hand on my shoulder. “All of them are.”
I roll my eyes.
“Look, I’m sure facing off with Ghost was terrible. That man is responsible for taking Vile away from us, but he’s dead. All the Hollow Bones are dead.”
“Just stop.” I’m so tired of thinking about Ghost and how he was Winter’s uncle. A man that she apparently looked up to as a kid. Now I’m just the monster that put him in an early grave. Well, technically it was Ramon who put a bullet in Ghost.
“Fang, dad told me about Ghost being Winter’s uncle. How he tortured her just to get back at you.”
“Sandra, thank you for the food, but you need to get the hell out of here. Now.” Why does everyone find it necessary to keep bringing up Ghost and Winter? My brain just needs a little rest.
“No.” She stands from the bed. “I’m not going anywhere. You’re hurting and you need a friend to set you straight.”
“Oh, you’re gonna set me straight, are ya?” I shove several fries into my mouth to keep from saying things I shouldn’t.
“Yeah, I am.” She stomps over to the side I’m currently sitting on, knocking fries out of my hand. “You’re being a grade A jerk.”
“Yeah, well I didn’t ask you.”
Sandra grips my face in both hands. “Fang.” She forces my gaze to hers. “Fight for her.”
“I am not going to force my way into Winter’s life.”
“I’m not suggesting you force her to take you back.” Sandra’s tone softens. “You love her. For the first time in your life, you found true love.”
“That’s absurd.” I shove her hands away. “We barely know each other.”
“Barely knowing each other does not make it any less true.” She snags a fry. “You love her, now go fight for her.”
Standing, I jab a finger at her. “You’re a real pain in the ass, you know that?”
Sandra laughs. “So, I’ve been told.” She starts picking up my discarded food. “Now go get your girl, I’ll clean up.” Wrinkling her nose, she adds, “Maybe I’ll change your sheets and light a candle, it stinks to high heaven in here.”
“Whatever.” I wad the napkin in my hand and toss it at her. She’s not wrong though. I have not opened a window or freshened up my room since the day Winter walked out claiming she couldn’t deal with this life.
Jogging down the stairs, all talking stops when they see who it is. I don’t even care that they were talking about me. Let them. Not saying a word, I walk out the front door and hop on my bike.
The roar is a soothing balm.
I have never been to Winter’s house before, but I do have the address memorized. As I exit the compound gate, I get a good look at the house across the street. The house Ghost sent us to so they could ambush us.
Now it’s just a pile of ashes. After we rescued Winter and killed all the Hollow Bones, Sinner and Ramon carried Ghost and Rat across the road. Dumped their bodies amongst their friends and lit the place on fire.
Turning left, I ride the streets. Wind blowing in my hair. It feels good to be back on my bike. I didn’t realize how much I missed her. Missed the roar and wind. The vibration makes my bones come alive. Blood flows smoothly when I’m riding her.
When I pull into Winter’s driveway, I notice Jelly’s car. Good, that means my girl hasn’t been alone. She’s had her friend here checking up on her. Dismounting my bike, I startle when the front door swings open.
Winter is standing in the doorway, keys in hand. “Fang, what are you doing here?”
Maybe I should have called. She’s clearly on her way out with her friend. I hang my helmet on the handlebars. “I came to see you, but if you’re busy—”
“No.” She tosses her keys in her purse and sets the black bag on a table nearby. “Don’t leave, I was actually on my way to see you.”
This gives me pause. I thought she didn’t want anything to do with me because of the dangers of the club. “You were on your way to see me?” I ask dumbly.
“Yes.” She takes a tentative step toward me.
“To return my pillow?” Why I said that I don’t know. Now that it’s left my mouth I feel like an idiot.
“No.” She bites her bottom lip and glances over my shoulder like she’s shy. “I mean, I can run up and grab your pillow, I’m sure you want it back.” Winter turns like she’s about to escape. Jelly steps up behind her and grips her shoulders, turning her back around.
“Truthfully,” I say as I make my way toward her. “I would much rather have you back. The pillow can be replaced.”
Her hazel eyes lock with mine. “Really?”
“Yes, really.” I take her my hands. “Winter Mynt Green, you stole my heart the minute you planted your lips on mine at the Halloween Carnival. One night full of haunts and treats, turned out to be the night I found my forever.”
“I love you.” Winter jumps in my arms, locking her legs around my waist, and kisses me like she hasn’t tasted me in centuries.
“Well, my work here is done.” Jelly steps around us. “Y’all go inside and tarnish those fresh sheets. I’ll lock up.”
Neither of us come up for air to say bye to Jelly. As I carry Winter up to her room, I hear the door close and a car drive away.
It’s not hard to find Winter’s room. Once I reach the top of the stairs, I see a bedroom with bookshelves lining the farthest wall.
Stepping over the threshold, I see it. My pillow.
It sticks out like a sore thumb with a black pillowcase.
The rest of her bedding is a lavender color with butterfly print.
“Is this what you want?” There is no way in hell I’m assuming sex is on the table. If she wants it, she’ll get it. Otherwise, I will wait.
“These last couple weeks I thought I might die without you.” Winter kisses my neck. Licks behind my ear. “I want you, Ezra Armstrong.” It’s been a long time since I’ve been called by my birth name, and it sounds damn good coming from her mouth.
Untangling her legs from my waist, Winter eases out of my hold. Her hands slip under my cut, dragging it over my shoulders. Once she has it off, she tosses it on her bedside table. I love the fact she didn’t just haphazardly toss it to the floor.
With achingly slow speed, she lifts my shirt over my head, leaving wet kisses in its wake. “Shouldn’t I be the one teasing you?”
“No.” Tossing my shirt to the floor, she licks one nipple then the other. “See, you left me wanting that day you rode off.”
Gripping a handful of hair, I force her to look at me.
“I didn’t leave you that way on purpose.
” Smashing my lips to hers, I kiss her with all the passion left in me.
She tastes of mint. “I simply didn’t want our first time to be because I might die.
” I pull a little tighter on her strands.
“I wanted to worship you the way you deserve. Take my time with you.”
Her back arches and her breathing grows heavy. “Please.”
I grin because I know I have her right where I want her. “Please what, Winter?”
“Please.” This time it’s a whisper.
With one hand, I unzip her jeans and work them down her legs.
My other hand keeps a tight grip on her hair, holding her in place.
Lazily, my gaze travels up her thighs. They have a slight tremble to them.
I wonder how long it’s been since she’s been loved the right way.
The way her body so easily responds to my touch tells me that her past lovers were very insufficient.
Releasing her hair, I lift her into my arms only to lay her on the bed. Before she can move, I grip her lace panties and rip them down the side. She gasps but doesn’t say a word, just lifts her hips when I tug the remaining fabric down her leg.
“Don’t move.” I bend over to untie my boots. Placing them under the bed, I take my time removing the denim from my body. Winter’s eyes watch my every move. Wetness glistens between her legs. “You ready for me, baby?”
Biting that bottom lip, she nods. If I wasn’t so desperate to sink balls deep into her, I would make her use her words.
Truth be told, I don’t think I can wait another second.
Crawling onto the bed, I press my lips to hers.
She immediately opens for me. We kiss wildly, our bodies pressing impossibly closer. I need to be in her.
Grabbing hold of her leg, I lift it over my hip then align myself with her core. She’s so tight sweat is dotting my forehead. I may need to switch our positions. Put her on top so she can open up better.
Just as I prepare to flip her, she lifts her other leg and flexes her hips. The new angle allows me to slide in. It’s still a tight fit, but damn does she feel amazing. “God, baby, you feel so good.”
Lifting her head, she bites my shoulder, groaning in ecstasy. If she keeps that up, I won’t last long. Hell, I may not last long anyway. It’s been forever since I’ve been with a woman. Reaching between us, I find her clit and gently rub circles.
Throwing her head back, she cries out. Body thrashing. Hot damn, this woman is stunning when she comes. Not to mention she came so easily for me. Which brings me back to my original thought. Her previous lovers were shit in bed.