CHAPTER 11
The Princess
Why is it that as soon as you’re caught in something, all the fucking feelings come rushing up like vomit to just spew from your body without control?
This is fucking gross. And embarrassing.
I feel like a naked bird. It’s the same as having that rush of relief when you get something off your chest. That overwhelming freedom to be vulnerable as soon as the chains come off.
A blessing and a curse…because now what the fuck do we do?
My twat is fucked raw, and I swear I still want him right now just as bad as I did five minutes ago.
I want him just as bad as I wanna strangle him with his gorgeous wet hair.
I know he’ll wear a shit-eating grin while he scrubs that shower down.
He knows damn well I won’t be doing it, but… it’s gonna be different now.
Everything is about to change.
I have a leg on each side of the fence about the way I feel after all this.
The way I feel, period. I don’t like feeling.
It’s so uncertain. Know what isn’t, though?
The way he used his tongue as a sponge while my thighs were on each of his shoulders in that shower.
How the muscles in his back ripple the ink and animate every tattoo while he fucks me like he’s making an offering to a goddess.
The way every syllable of my name rolled out of his throat while I swallowed his cum.
It’s how I feel now…tasting his mouth while my hips roll in circles with his thick cock stretching me out.
Here’s the kicker…
I can’t remember a time that I’ve kissed him while we had sex. I can’t remember my chest aching while I’ve rode him until he’s milked dry. Maybe love isn’t so bad after all?
…Oh, puuuke…why is this happening?
I felt everything leaking from me as he tried to remember how to breathe. Every muscle in my body feels like lit gasoline. I rolled off of him, onto my back and we laid there a minute, staring at the ceiling. I wonder which one of us is gonna crack and break the silence first.
“Fifteen grand.”
Well…I guess I should be glad it wasn’t me.
My head rolled to the side. “Whaa?”
“It was fifteen grand. That’s how much it cost us in explosives to blow the O’Dells to the moon. A bit more expensive than hiring Lucy and her football.”
My eyebrows are obstructing my vision. “Who in the fuck is Lucy?”
Dec finally turned his face towards me and he’s got that look. The one that lets me know he’s about to explain, in great detail, everything I could possibly know about something stupid.
“Lucy. You know…Peanuts? Charlie Brown tries to kick the football and she—you know what? Nevermind.” I fear that I have fallen in love…
with an idiot. “My point is…you haven’t even told me everything and fifteen grand doesn’t seem like enough for even just knowing you’re tied to that sack of shite.
I wish I’d had the chance to drag his death out…
or let you do it. You seem to have an appetite for sadism. ”
“Says the guy who just fucked me next to a flayed Russian executioner.”
He held up a finger. “Who was really bad at his job.”
“Also true,” I winked. I started picking at my ruined manicure.
All I can see now is the way they cracked while they were dug into the dirt…
while I got railed in the fucking woods.
“You said ‘we’ took his fingers. Since we’re pleadin’ the fifth, you wanna tell me who’s been helping you scope me out? ”
And cue the hard sigh and the retreat behind his curtain of curls. “Malek knows.”
“Dammit, Declan.”
“I’m sorry, but you know it’s half your fucking fault. He’s on edge with Sev and his sister was almost blown away in a parking lot. He’s goin’ though—”
“I know. I know about the baby.”
When he raised his head, it seemed like all the pieces scattered between our perspectives of what we thought we knew…started to come together. There was understanding there. “She talked to you.”
I nodded and rolled onto my side to face him. “They’re not pregnant yet. I think that’s what worries him. Not trying to protect what is…but what could be. And Sev is still trying to figure out if they’re on the same page as far as being ready.”
“I get it. Our situations aren’t that different though, Bridge. Why would you go to someone like Simon and leave me out? You can’t tell me you trust that Gremlin more than you trust me.”
“I do trust you.” My fingertips grazed the stubble of his hard jaw, and I brushed the hair back from his face. “It was never about that, and you know it.”
“Do I?”
I guess I can see why he feels like this.
God knows I’ve had this exact conversation in my head for the past few weeks.
“I couldn’t tell you about Jonas. I couldn’t face you and tell you.
And not telling you about it meant that I couldn’t let you in and let you do your wizard thing, even though I should have fucking known you do little else.
” I shoved him in the shoulder and watched the gloat slide over his face.
The fucker. “Simon’s a murderer. He’s also got a big brain for someone that doesn’t know how to speak in full sentences.
I figured he’d be a smart second choice. ”
“Fair enough.” He pulled us flush against each other and I melted in it…which is weird. I don’t hate it, though. “So, I guess our next order of business is to gather the masses and combine all the information…preferably before someone else tries to blow your brains out.”
“Or Malek’s palms start to twitch. Jesus, this is bad.”
My phone started ringing…‘Buttons’ replaying a scene in Witherle that it just dawned on me…
was my own fucking idiot lover. Dec’s hips started moving to the music, reminding me of that fact, and my pussy throbbed with the other body part making itself known against my inner thigh. I whacked him in the shoulder.
“Don’t get pissy. You loved it. Should I get the mask?”
“Shut your mouth.” I rolled my eyes, turning over to grab the phone and we both laid on our bellies while I threw it on speaker. “If he’s gone through another box of tissues, I don’t wanna know. He’s your problem now.”
“Worse. He’s ruining my favorite kink.”
Declan scoffed, making himself known. “Mal’s only good at two things: Sex and blood. If he fucks up one, he should expect the other.”
“Hm…valid. I’ll keep that in mind while I practice Emmy’s gymnastics against my bedroom wall. For the record…this is far from sexy.” I could hear my brother in the background and I palmed my face. “Matter of opinion…I didn’t know you were so flexible, Viper. Stay still, I’mma make another deposit.”
“Oh, dear Lord,” I snickered. “Dare I ask why we’re privy to this special moment?”
“Because if I have to suffer like this for five minutes, then so do you. Malek, I swear to God…get that thing away from me.”
“Fair. You off today? It’s almost lunchtime.”
Malek inserted his usual idiocy and the phone scuffled before I heard her again. “No. Had an appointment this morning and I’m heading over to Leviticus in a bit. Thus, the reason for my call. I need a favor and no…this is not me asking.”
“I’m waiting with bated breath,” I snorted.
“Mom and Dad want us all over for dinner tonight. That means you too, Declan. Greg and the girls will be there and even Mags isn’t exempt from the torture. You know how she is about punctuality…Malek had to scrape dishes and vacuum the dining room floor last time. If you’re late, I’m not helping.”
“Tell me she’s makin’ the potatoes. The weird tiny ones with the green shit on ‘em.” I’ve dreamt about those things ever since Sev brought leftovers to that apartment.
“Well, if she sticks to the god-blessed menu, then…yes, actually. But it sounds like her and Dad have something important they wanna talk to us about. I’m trying not to shit my non-existent drawers that they somehow figured me out.”
I bit down on my lip. “Would it be so horrible if they did?”
“That depends. Do you know a good way to tell your family that you’re producing literal leprechaun spawn that’ll probly be addicted to the tit for more reasons than the fucking obvious?”
Declan and I both erupted.
“I’m sorry…I’m sorry, I shouldn’t laugh.”
“Glad I amuse you. You’re both supposed to be the best friends I never wanted. In case you were wondering…the golden rule is you take my side. No exceptions. You had one job.”
“Sevvv,” I whined, fighting back more giggles.
“Five-thirty. Tight lips.”
“Oh, I’ve never had that problem. Ask Dec—”
“Gross. Bye.”
Call ended.
“Okay, chick…let’s review.”
I’m sitting across from Em at the coffee table in Seven’s parents’ living room with three incredibly well-dressed Barbies between us.
I could have had these growing up. Likely did, only I’m absolutely positive that I probably squealed that they weren’t good enough or forgot they even existed after the first five minutes of getting them out of their respective boxes.
I exposed the tits on the brunette one and held the doll up between us. Emmy covered her mouth and snickered.
“Fake. Not even in the wheelhouse of being real…or realistic.” I then tucked a hand under my left boob and jiggled it a bit.
“Real. All ‘naturale’.” I held the blonde that looked strangely like ‘Stab-a boob Natalie’, and repeated the process.
“Also fake. Even worse…she looks like she bought her hair at a dollar store. We don’t carry ourselves this way.
Exhibit A,” I said, tossing my hair from shoulder to shoulder. “Virgin…healthy. See?”
“What’s a virgin?”
“Not your Auntie Bridget. That’s for sure,” Malek jabbed, Greg snorting behind him as they passed through the living room with grocery bags. I turned sharp and the Barbie flew behind me, hitting him in the thigh.
“Shut your damn mouth!”
“Two bucks in the swear jar, Auntie Bridge.” Em threw two fingers up.