Chapter 3 #2
“Josie’s not home, and I don’t give a fuck if we wake Caden.”
“She got home a couple of hours ago.” How he knew that, I wasn’t sure.
“I just meant so we can sleep,” I laughed quietly.
“I don’t do that shit.”
“No? Then why did you break into my house and crawl into my bed, just to tell me to go back to sleep?” I teased, and he sighed as if I was the one in denial, before he sat up and pulled his shirt over his head, kicking his pants off in the process.
“The things I do for you,” he finally said as he laid back down and wrapped his arms around me, huffing out a breath as I smacked his abs lightly with the back of my hand.
“Hey, I killed a guy for you, you know?”
“I killed someone for you,” he threw back, my eyes flying open to meet his in the dark.
“What? When?”
“The fighter at the Shed that talked to you.”
“He was alive when I went outside.”
“He wasn’t by the time I did,” he chuckled, tugging my nipple ring through my shirt and making me hiss at the sting. “If you’re going to talk about murder, you might as well take your clothes off. You know it gets me going.”
“Can we just cuddle? I won’t tell anyone,” I said dryly, a little surprised when he nipped my neck but agreed.
“Fine, but only because I don’t want Josie coming in here yelling at me for railing you.”
“You’re scared of Josie?”
“I’m not scared of anything. She just seems too nice to get caught up with an asshole like me.
I’d have to be mean to her,” he answered as he forced me to roll over and be the little spoon, his hand sliding up to wrap around my throat.
His grip was loose, and I relaxed into him more as his thumb brushed my pulse point lazily.
“Go to sleep, I mean it. If you’re awake enough to talk, then you’re awake enough to blow me.”
I huffed but closed my eyes and forced myself to go back to sleep, nightmares evading me now that the biggest nightmare of all was watching over me.
Skeeter
It took me a second to get my bearings when I woke up. The sheets on my skin were way too soft, and the mattress was like a fucking cloud. I flexed my fingers and found the familiar touch of Rory’s skin under my fingertips, a groan leaving me as I buried my face in her neck.
My dick hardened against her ass and she squirmed, her voice sleepy. “We’ll wake everyone up.”
“I’m happy to risk it.”
“Skeet,” she chuckled, rolling onto her back to hold my gaze, my fingers not leaving her throat. “Josie will freak if she walks in to find you in here, let alone slicing me up and railing me to death.”
“Better find something else for me to do then,” I grinned, leaning over to drop a kiss on her lips. “We can start with coffee. I have a tendency to murder people if I don’t get that into me.”
“How many years has it been since you had coffee then?” she deadpanned, laughing as I applied pressure to her throat.
“Don’t be a brat. You got a fancy chef? I feel like a gourmet breakfast.”
I couldn’t care less about fancy shit, but I might as well use the opportunities provided. I wasn’t even sure why I came here last night, but I just had to check on her.
Slash was acting cagey, so I’d convinced myself that he was up to something. Staying here meant he couldn’t touch her.
That was what I told myself, anyway. Deep down, I just wanted to see her.
“I don’t use the staff,” she answered, making me frown.
“Why not?”
“Because I don’t like people waiting on me. I can make my own damn breakfast and keep my bedroom tidy. I let them wash my clothes and vacuum once a week in here when they change the bedding, but the other stuff? It makes me uncomfortable.”
“They’re paid to do it, Aurora.”
“I know. It just doesn’t feel right,” she mumbled, studying my face. “Can we hang out today?”
“I have Psychos business to handle. Don’t you have school? It’s Friday.” She’d barely gone lately, not that I could blame her. Between being kidnapped, raped, and managing to commit murder, I was pretty sure she was entitled to some time at home.
“I do some online when I miss classes, Josie won’t let me get kicked out.”
I studied her right back, hating the look in her eyes. She was drowning in her emotions and needed an outlet, one that my dick unfortunately couldn't give her.
“Want to spar at the Shed? Pretty sure the bitch that uses her legs to fight will be there. You guys can train a little while I handle my shit,” I offered, her eyes lighting up instantly.
For some reason, that made me feel good.
“You’d let me go to the Shed?”
“Only because I’m there,” I said sternly, not wanting her to get any ideas about being able to just show up there whenever she felt like it. “It’s not safe for you when I’m not, okay? I mean it. Slash is pissed, and I don’t trust him with you.”
“Sounds like you care about me,” she teased, and I rolled my eyes and released my hold on her to sit up. I’d already told her that I did when I’d railed her outside the Shed.
“You’re growing on me like fungus, so don’t make me regret it.
Can we go and make use of the fancy food here then?
I’m fucking starving.” I stood and stretched, sensing her eyes raking over me as my muscles bunched.
“Last chance, baby girl. Get out of bed or I’m going to rail you so hard that Josie calls the cops thinking you’re being murdered. ”
“Jesus, I’m up,” she huffed, swinging her legs out of bed. “Get dressed.”
“No,” I replied as I walked towards her bedroom door and opened it, making her groan.
“Why not? You’ll only piss off Caden and make Josie uncomfortable.”
“Exactly.”
“Now who’s a brat?” she grumbled, following me downstairs to the kitchen to make sure I behaved myself.
The chef eyed me suspiciously as Rory asked them to make us breakfast, and she scolded me when I continued to stare right back.
“Stop being a creep and sit down, I’ll make you coffee.”
“How about you lie back on the table and let me eat you for breakfast instead? Might save the chef some time,” I said while still looking at the chef, his eyes finally averting from me.
I hoped I made him uncomfortable. What if somehow Max had gotten to him before leaving? The guy might try to poison her.
It was best if everyone who worked here was scared of me.
I sat at the table, leaning back in the chair to get comfortable, and my eyes tracked everyone that entered the room. I’d never been here when the staff were, it was usually only when there were parties or when the house was quiet.
My gaze flicked to Rory as she started carrying two coffees towards me, and I carefully slid an arm around her back and eased her onto my lap once she’d put my coffee down.
“What are you doing?” she asked with amusement, happily getting comfortable on my lap without argument.
“You don’t want to sit on my lap?” I raised an eyebrow, teasing the nape of her neck with my fingertips.
“I didn’t say that,” she smiled, leaning in to give me a quick kiss before reaching for her coffee. I grabbed mine, keeping an arm around her to make sure she stayed put, and I couldn’t help the smirk that tugged at my lips when Caden walked in in his uniform and halted when he saw me.
“Morning, Holloway.”
“What the fuck are you doing here?” he demanded, glaring at the chef as he started bringing plates of food out from a concealed second kitchen behind a door. It was way too much. Pastries, fruit platters, eggs and bacon, even a variety of juices. “Taking advantage of my money, I suppose?”
“Normal people offer breakfast to their guests.”
“You’re not my guest. When did you get here? Lukas crawled out of her bed at midnight. Did you guys switch shifts or something?” he huffed, and Rory flipped him off.
“He’s my guest, asshole.”
“Aren’t you coming to school?” he bit out, snatching a pastry as the chef hurried to make his coffee. It was hilarious to see people scampering around for him, it wasn’t like he was scary.
He was just a spoiled brat.
“No. I’m hanging out with Skeet today.”
“Of course you are,” he muttered, his gaze flicking towards the hallway door as Josie entered. She did a double take at seeing me, and I didn’t miss the worry that flashed in her eyes.
I couldn’t blame her, I wasn’t exactly the type of guy you brought home and everyone welcomed.
“Good morning, Josie,” I said politely, ignoring the dirty look from her son as she blew out a breath.
“Good morning. Skeeter, is it? Could you put a shirt on?” she asked, the chef instantly bringing her a coffee that he must have made with Caden’s.
At least she thanked the staff and smiled at them in appreciation, unlike Caden, who was in such a piss-poor mood, thanks to me, that he barely acknowledged them.
“I’ll just finish my coffee, then we’ll get dressed,” I answered, and Rory wriggled on my lap as she leaned forward to snatch some fruit.
“Hey, Josie? I’m going to spend today with Skeet. Can you email the academy and get them to send me the work I’ve missed?”
“If you’re not at school, you’re staying home,” Josie said firmly, but Rory snorted.
“I won’t lie to you. If you make me stay home, I’ll only sneak out later. I’m grateful that you give a shit about me, but please don’t start locking me up here out of fear. No one will hurt me when I’m with Skeeter.”
“I’ll look after her,” I promised with a dark chuckle, popping a grape into my mouth. “If anyone even looks at her funny, I’ll shoot them. Happy?”
“Definitely not,” she muttered, turning to Caden. “Hurry up and get to school, you’re going to be late.”
“You’re just going to let—” Caden started, but Josie cut him off.
“You have no reason to stay home. Unless you want to end up in the gang life with Skeeter, you need to make something of yourself. No offense, Skeeter,” she quickly added, and I couldn’t help but laugh.
“The only offense I feel is that you think I’d let your son in my crew. His privileged, entitled ass wouldn’t make the cut. We don’t take in rich boys who throw tantrums.” I tilted my head at Caden, his eyes narrowing at me. “You heard your mom. Go to school. I’ve got my girl.”
Anger flashed across his face just like I’d hoped, and I swore the little shit was going to actually take a swing at me.
The more he wanted Rory, the more I’d make it obvious that he couldn’t fucking have her.
Rory gave me a knowing glance, giving me a quick kiss.
“Stop picking fights. We need to go and get dressed so we can leave.”
“I’ll be up in a second,” I replied as she stood and I swatted her ass, earning a look of disapproval from her as she rinsed her empty coffee cup in the sink.
Once she’d walked up the stairs to her bedroom, Caden scowled at me. “What game are you playing with her? You’re obsessed with her one day, then making her cry the next. Now she’s yours? Over my dead body, asshole.”
I finished my coffee and thanked the staff that quickly took my empty cup, then I gave Caden a flat look. “That can be arranged, Holloway. You think she’d choose you over me? Let’s stand side by side and see who she runs to.”
“Boys, stop it,” Josie scolded, pointing at Caden. “Go, I mean it. And you.” She faced me, her voice tight as if it took a lot to say. “If anything happens to Rory while she’s with you, you’ll be sorry.”
“Damn, Josie. No wonder you’re single. You’re way too much woman for a man to boss around.
You’d threaten their manhood,” I joked, getting to my feet.
“Aurora’s safe with me. She needs to purge some of her emotions, so I’m taking her to workout with some of the girls that she’s become friends with.
I won’t take her to a shoot-out or anything. ”
She relaxed her shoulders, seeming curious. “She’s made some friends?”
“I know she’s a little prickly, but it’s not impossible.”
“I’m not surprised that she’s making friends, I’m relieved,” she said dryly, giving Caden an impatient look. “Are you leaving?”
He scowled but stomped off like a good boy, and I rolled my eyes as his car sounded outside before he sped off. No wonder Rory preferred me, I wasn’t a fucking child.
Josie’s phone rang and she excused herself to take it, leaving me to wander back upstairs to get dressed.
Rory was in the bathroom tying her hair up into a ponytail, and my fingers itched to wrap it around my fist. She might not be as tough as she made out to be, but I got a kick out of how she let me do what I wanted to her.
She craved my violence, and I craved her pain.
“What?” she asked when she noticed me staring at her, her eyes dropping to my bare chest. “I’m not complaining, but you really need to get dressed. I’ll be swatting bitches away from you all day.”
“You’re going to mark me like I’m your territory or something, baby girl?” I asked in a low voice, and she gave me a dark grin in return.
“They’ll know when they get too close, don’t worry.”
I should’ve told her she didn’t own me, that I could fuck anyone else if I pleased, but the words wouldn’t come out of my mouth. Her possessive side gave me a thrill, and I stepped closer to grab the back of her shorts, yanking them down.
“Bend over,” I ordered, wrapping my fist around her hair when she didn’t do as she was told. “Aurora—”
“We can’t. Josie’s home and—”
“Better hurry up then so we can be finished and on our way,” I said as I pushed her forward, her hands scrambling to grab hold of the sink to stop her face from hitting it.
As much as I loved hearing her screams, I really didn’t want Josie ruining this, so I shoved a hand over Rory’s mouth as I kicked my boxers off.
“Good. Now don’t move. This will be hard and fast.”