Chapter 14 Bash
BASH
The street bike vibrates beneath me, the engine idling low and restless between my legs as the night settles over the empty industrial block.
We’re on a job Caiden texted us about an hour ago.
I’m annoyed that I can’t spend time with my girl right now.
I haven’t seen her all day, and after that kiss last night, I’m practically feral to be near her again.
I fucking came in my pants just from kissing her, and that just proves how much I want her.
I want to do it again, though. I want to kiss her when she’s not exhausted from not sleeping.
I want to pull her on my lap and let her feel just what she does to me.
But unfortunately we’ve gotta roll three deep to drop some papers off to a shady motherfucker Caiden is doing business with. Riven is on duty back at school watching over Juniper and Livy…and I guess Jeremy’s imaginary wife.
Jeremy sits to my left, one boot planted on the asphalt while the neon-green glow of his mask cuts through the darkness like something out of a nightmare.
Kalen has his mask pulled up so it rests on the top of his head.
He doesn’t give a fuck, and the only reason I still have mine on is because Caiden probably has birds taking pictures of us and reporting back to him on his little mountain.
Kalen leans casually against his bike on my right with his arms folded, looking completely relaxed even though we’re here to meet some of the most dangerous people in the country.
From shit I’ve put together over my time here, Kalen is cousins with the Moretti triplets.
They’re not only members of the notorious Saints of the Black Crown Society, but they’re also Italian mafia heirs.
I guess he’s a little more used to this shit than I am.
Jeremy is in his own little world, dancing with his upper body to whatever music he’s got playing in his headphones.
I’m just glad he’s not yapping, because tonight my mind refuses to stay where my body is.
My mind is still stuck in the bathroom filled with steam last night.
I’d like to say I’ve been productive today, trying to find out who attacked that girl and if it’s connected to Livy, but I’ve had such a hard time concentrating.
My girl looked stunning sitting in that bathtub with her hair damp and her eyes wide.
She was so trusting, and she let me take care of her without a fight, and I know both of those things are hard for her.
My dick twitches in my jeans when I think about the way her lips felt against mine.
Her skin is softer than I imagined, and I could have literally spent the entire night kissing her and feeling every inch of her body.
Her breasts fit perfectly into my hands.
I wanted more of her. I needed all of her, and if I’m honest, I don’t know how long I can deprive myself.
I tighten my grip on the handlebars and tilt my head slightly, like staring out into the dark empty space might somehow clear the memory from my head.
It doesn’t.
I nearly lost my mind the second her arms wrapped around my neck and she leaned into me like she belonged to me. I know she doesn’t respond to anyone else the way she does to me. I just need to figure out when to tell her who I am, and that’s going to be the hardest thing I have to do.
My jaw tightens as the memory hits of her opening her mouth and letting my tongue slide inside. I think it was the feel of her and the soft sound she made when our mouths met that made me cum in my pants. And I hope I get the opportunity to make her feel just as good as she makes me feel.
My dick is rock hard in anticipation of seeing her tonight.
I didn’t tell her that I want to see her because I knew I had to do this stupid drop off and it’s already late.
I’ve been texting her throughout the day, trying to play it cool.
And by play it cool, I mean that I’ve asked her no less than ten times if she’s eating and drinking like she should be.
She’s resigned herself to sending me pictures of her half-empty water bottle and food with bites taken out of them.
I suppose that will suffice, but I wish I could have been with her the whole day.
I don’t like this feeling of being away from her.
Now that I know what she feels like with her arms wrapped around me and her whole body pressed against my chest, nothing else will do.
Jeremy nudges my shoulder with his elbow. “You planning on being Mr. Moody Broody all night?” he asks behind the glowing mask.
His voice drags me halfway back to reality.
“I’m not brooding, I’m…thinking,” I tell him, though the words come out rougher than I intended.
Jeremy snorts quietly.
“Sure you are…about getting Livy naked.” The words are barely out of this bastard’s mouth and I'm whacking him on the side of the head with my fist.
“I’m kidding, geez!” he swats at me halfheartedly, and we end up smacking the tops of each other’s hands like two rival house cats.
How is this my life right now? Livy is probably getting ready for bed right now, laying in her bed wishing I was there to hold her.
It brings me comfort knowing that Riven is nearby to help my girl if she’s in danger.
I’ve been checking on her via the cameras because there’s no fucking way I’m handing access to those over to anyone.
Kalen glances over at me from where he’s leaning against his bike, his eyes narrowing slightly behind, but he doesn’t say anything.
He doesn’t need to. Kalen has this annoying ability to read people without asking questions.
I reach into the inside pocket of my jacket before either of them can push the conversation further and pull out my phone.
The screen lights up instantly, and my camera feed opens.
My girl is in her room putting her laundry away, flitting around like she feels so much better than last night.
I wonder if she’s going to stay in for the night because she thinks I’m out for a ride with these two assholes.
It’s technically true, I just left the Irish mafia drop off out when I told her my plans.
She already thinks I’m too intense, so she doesn’t need to know the lengths I’ll go to keep her safe.
It’s amazing how just seeing her instantly eases the tight pressure in my chest. I have been checking the cameras more often than I should admit.
Texting her throughout the day like some obsessive asshole who can’t help himself.
She doesn’t seem to be put off by it since I’ve been watching her reactions through surveillance.
She gets this cute little smirk every time I text her, and it makes me want to do it even more.
I tap out a message quickly. It’s risky, flirtier than I’ve been all day, but she’s walking around in her underwear and a t-shirt, and I fucking miss her.
Did you miss me today?
Her response comes a few minutes later, but I’m watching the smile spread across her pretty face as soon as she reads the text.
She taps out a reply and then deletes it, and I’m pissed that I didn’t zoom in quick enough to catch what she wrote.
My Songbird
I think the question of the day is…did you miss me, number eight?
That simple message does something stupid to my chest. I feel giddy.
I have no right to. Everything is a shitstorm.
She doesn’t know who I am. Someone is trying to find personal information about her.
I want to kill everyone who even remotely glances at her.
But right now? I want to pretend none of that exists.
I want to flirt with my girlfriend until she agrees, willingly that is, to be my girlfriend.
I send another one.
Are you drinking water tonight? I’m not opposed to coming over there and making good on my promise.
Her face flushes when she reads my words.
She knows exactly what I’m talking about.
The way she slowly sits on her bed, tucking her knees under her perfect ass tells me she wouldn’t mind the idea of a late night visit.
I have to decide if I’m ready to risk everything, because I know if I go over there tonight, I’m not going to be able to control myself.
I would never hurt her, but if she wants me, I won’t be able to stop from taking everything she’s willing to offer.
You’re very bossy, Sebastian Vale. But yes, I’m drinking enough water and I feel much better.
Jeremy shifts slightly on his bike beside me.
“You’re grinding your teeth,” he says. “What are you even looking at?”
I hadn’t even realized. I force my jaw to loosen while keeping my eyes locked on the phone screen. I resist the urge to throw it at Jeremy’s head for pulling me out of my happy place.
“I’m taking out an ad to find you a wife so you’ll have less free time and get the fuck out of my business.” Jeremy cackles, and Kalen even lets out a small laugh.
I type out a new message to my songbird.
What are you doing tonight?
On the camera feed, Livy seems to be setting up her desk with a cup of what I think is hot tea.
She should really be going to bed soon, but I know she struggles to sleep, so I don’t bring that up.
I can see her laptop is set up, and it’s bookmarked at the library archives page.
She desperately wants to know who killed her parents, and I’m going to make it my mission to help her do that.
When she reads my message, her lips curve into a small smile.
The sight hits me straight in the chest in a way I’m not prepared for.
I’ve been in lots of fights and even had broken bones. I’ve taken hits that would drop most men, and none of that has ever felt as intense as this conversation with Livingston.
My phone buzzes again.
I have a really wild night of sorting through the library archives and sipping sleepy time tea. I might throw in some tall fuzzy socks for a little razzle dazzle.