Chapter 21
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
THE HEATHEN
Knox practically flies down the vacant street with people cheering on either side. The speed is exhilarating, although terrifying when he takes sharp turns.
“You look good in my car, Tesoro,” Knox says over the roar of the engine, causing me to smile.
“How do you feel?” He shouts.
The wind whips through my hair as I laugh with pure joy, like a crazy person.
“Free. I feel free.”
I haven’t been in a car for years, aside from when I was arrested and transported to the asylum. I’ve never been in a race. It’s sad to say, but this might be the most exciting thing I’ve ever done.
Knox glances over at me with a grin that shows off a dimple on his cheeks before he focuses back on the road in front of him.
“What?” I ask.
“Happy looks beautiful on you, Tesoro. Fucking beautiful.”
Every time he says something like that to me I feel my heart squeeze. I’m not used to someone saying sweet things to me. It’s disarming. I could get used to it, and that’s dangerous. I can’t help but wonder if he’s just saying it to get something he wants from me.
Mafia, my overactive brain screams at me.
“Ready, Tesoro?” He beams as he turns the corner and floors the gas, throwing me back into my seat.
“What are you doing?” I giggle loudly.
“Winning the race, gorgeous girl.”
I glance in the rearview mirror and see the red Camaro behind us, struggling to not swerve off the road at this high speed.
The red Camaro comes up beside us, and Knox speeds up as he says, “Not today, motherfucker.”
He gases it past the blonde with the checkered flag and comes to a hard stop.
“Oh my God! We won!” I gasp, adrenaline coursing through me.
He leaps from the car and tries to make his way to my side but is stopped by what I would assume are his fans.
Some men, and at least a dozen women, squeal about how amazing he is as Carter comes up to the car and opens my door.
“Come on, Little Heathen.”
Unlike his brother, he doesn’t give me his hand. In fact, he steps back, as if he is being careful to not unintentionally touch me.
“Carter, can I ask you something?”
He nods before darting his gaze away from me, as if he knows what I’m going to ask.
“Are you afraid of me?”
He chuckles as he returns his gaze to mine.
“No. I’m not afraid of you, I’m afraid for you.”
He runs a hand through his hair, appearing rattled.
“I’ll explain things to you soon, but not here. It’s not something I’ve talked about. I’ll tell you everything, but I don’t want to talk about it here.”
I nod in agreement.
“I understand. I wouldn’t want to talk about what I’ve gone through in front of all these people either.”
He swallows hard as he lowers his gaze to the ground.
“I know you get it. No one ever has before. Only you.”
Placing my hands behind my back, I say, “Carter, please kiss me. I promise I won’t move my hands.”
He glances around and spots his brother.
“Killian.”
I shake my head no. Anyone other than him.
He comes over, and Carter says, “Hold her hands behind her back.”
Killian does as he asks, and Carter steps forward, leans down, and speaks into my ear.
“He won’t hurt you. I’d never allow it, but I promise, his bark is worse than his bite.”
Carter places his hands on either side of my face, and his fingers tremble against my skin as he stares into my eyes.
“Not touching you is torture. I’ve never wanted to be normal more than when I’m with you. I want to tolerate your touch. More than that, I fucking crave it. How can you be terrified of something, yet want it so desperately?”
“Carter,” I gasp, and he moves his head closer to me as Killian strokes his thumb over my palms. I’d like to ask him what the fuck he’s doing, but I don’t because this is Carter’s moment.
He presses his lips to mine in a slow kiss. More aware of his issues, I get scared when he pushes his tongue inside my mouth, unsure if I can kiss him back. Is he really okay with me kissing him? Or does it depend on how he’s feeling at the time? My eyes are closed, but I hear Knox.
“Kiss him back, Tesoro. It’s just touch he can’t tolerate.”
I do, and Carter slides his hands from my face into my hair as he tilts my head and groans into my mouth. I move my tongue against his, and he deepens our kiss almost aggressively. His woodsy scent surrounds me and invades my senses, making me feel like I’m drowning in him.
I attempt to ignore Killian's hard cock against my ass, but a moan slips out as I push back against him.
Why did it have to be Killian?
Carter pulls back, and slides his tongue over his bottom lip.
“Fuuuck,” he growls before he slams his lips to mine again.
He breaks our kiss and says, “You’re riding with me.”
It’s not a question but a statement, nearly an order.
“What about the dead body?” I ask, whispering the last words as if everybody here didn’t see me kill her.
Knox answers instead of Carter.
“Killian will take care of it, since we all know he was responsible for your actions.”
He releases my hands, and I turn to Killian who doesn’t speak but stares at me with a heated expression.
His eyes drop to my throat, and I swallow hard, feeling nervous with the way his gaze alone says all the words he won’t dare to speak.
Desire is written all over his face, while hatred drips from his tongue.
“I’ll clean up your mess, Killer. Just know I’m adding this to the list of reasons I want you gone.”
For a moment, I feel bad. Did he feel something for that disgusting woman?
“Were you in love with her?” I say to his back as he goes to walk away. He turns back to me with a smirk and says, “No, Killer, I didn’t love her. I don’t love. None of us do.”