Chapter 18
KELSEY
“When can I have my go with her?” That bitter baritone voice asks.
“I already told you, Rocky paid top tier for the first week to break her in.” The woman coos as if consoling an angry toddler.
The old man grumbles under his breath, “I’d better get next week then. I don’t work here for free, Lilith.”
Lilith’s head snaps in his direction, and the expression on her face could freeze Hell over.
I feel numb and paralyzed. Why can’t I run?
Scream? Everything is so hazy and foggy, the unfamiliar room spins around me.
The words that come out of Lilith’s mouth next sting like venom, “I can surely make arrangements for your termination, Graves.”
Something about that doesn’t seem right, and Graves’s features confirm exactly how I understood her, too. He wouldn’t be leaving alive.
An obnoxious sound, no, beeping breaks up their heated glares. “Kels, it’s time to wake up.”
How did he get here? It’s not safe, I have to tell him to run. Words won’t come out. Sweat coats my chained hands and forehead as I try to thrash and buck.
“Baby, it’s okay, just wake up.” He calls again.
My eyes snap open with an ear-piercing scream as Ryder holds a cool washcloth to my forehead. Jolting upright, I notice the beeping is the alarm clock, and I’m safe in the motel room with Ryder. It was just a nightmare.
“That’s it. Deep breaths. I’ve got you, and you’re safe.” He speaks softly, running his hand gently up and down my back. “Here. Drink this. You need the electrolytes.”
I reach up and grab the bottle with shaky hands and gulp it down. I hadn’t realized how thirsty I was. I was so exhausted that all I could think about was sleep. I run the back of my hand over my lips to dry them off. “Thank you,” I say, half dazed from the nightmare.
“Are you okay?” He asks, and I nod while biting my lower lip. I’m not okay, but I will be. The last thing I’ll do is appear weak to anyone and get myself in the same fucked situation.
“Would you like to shower before we hit the road?”
I look down, fully expecting the hospital gown. My brows crease in confusion before I lift my gaze to Ryder. “Did you change me?”
“I figured this was more comfortable than the scratchy shit you had on. I wiped off what dirt and blood I could, but didn’t want to risk waking you to wash your hair.”
Tingly warmth curls low in my stomach. That might be the sweetest thing anyone’s done for me, but that warmth fades as the memory of his words comes crashing back in. I tuck my knees into my chest and wrap my arms tightly around them, suddenly feeling embarrassed.
“Is that a yes or…?” He drawls, waiting for my answer.
“Yes.”
“I had your soaps and stuff delivered early this morning. I didn’t want you to have to use the complimentary shit.” He says as he stands and walks to the armchair.
“How did you…?” I start to ask.
“How did I what?” He interrupted. “Know what you use? You should know by now I’ll find out whatever I want to, whenever I want to.” That devilish smirk appeared.
My eyes narrow on him, “Uh, huh.” I said slowly. I hook my thumb over my shoulder, “I’m gonna go shower now.” Turning to walk towards the bathroom, I look over my shoulder, “And don’t come spying on me, Mr. Inspector Gadget.” That earned me a sexy as fuck wink.
“I make no promises.”
I turn the nob to the shower, and water trickles out from the sprayer.
I guess I shouldn’t have expected a five-star shower from a one-star motel.
After stripping off my shirt and bra, I toe off my sweats, finding myself commando.
Taking in a deep breath, I sigh exaggeratedly through my nose.
“Fuck me.” What even happened to my damn underwear?
Lifting my leg to step into the tub, I don’t miss the twinge of pain that radiates up my side.
The pain causes me to grunt, and I wrap an arm around my waist to help support myself the rest of the way in.
The pain quickly fades once I’m under the hot water, thank God.
That jump really did a number on me. I just hope I will heal relatively quickly.
My head collapses back as I allow my muscles to relax for a moment and indulge in the heat.
I run my hands through my hair, slowly, but surely saturating it under the spray before I lather it with shampoo and conditioner.
My heart gives a little skip as I think about Ryder going the extra mile to ensure I have exactly what I like for my shower.
Maybe he does only want what’s best for me.
No, that doesn’t excuse his treatment toward me, but after what I just went through, I can understand where he was coming from.
The soft latch of a door snags my attention, and my eyes squint open.
This feels like deja vu, and my heart is damn near beating out of my chest. I swallow thickly, but it does no good in relieving the bubble in my throat.
“Ry?” I croak. There’s no response, but the shuffle of clothing hitting the floor has those tiny breaths of air coming in quicker till I feel like I may hyperventilate.
“Ry?” I try again.
The curtain slowly draws back, “Shh.” Big forest green eyes and that devilish smirk say as they meet my gaze.
I gasp. “Ryder!” I bristle at his audacity to invade my shower. “Get out!” I snap, my voice barely above a whisper, and it sounds more like a question than a demand.
“You don’t sound too sure about that.” He says coyly.
Tongue in my cheek, I think of a response, but nothing comes to mind, so I stare at him, dumbfounded.
His eyes widen, and he laughs, like really laughs, and the sound hits my soul in a place I didn’t know existed.
I want him to leave, but why? My own stubbornness?
I like Ryder, but I’m mad at him, and he did hurt me, not physically, but doesn’t it all hurt the same?
His face goes serious again, and my eyes follow his hand as he slowly raises it to my cheek, swiping his thumb over my bottom lip, drawing it down before releasing it.
“I’m sorry. I don’t think I can say that enough.
” I slowly drag my gaze back up to his, which is still pinned on my mouth.
He looks genuinely apologetic, but I don’t know how to respond.
Is it okay? “If you really want me to go, I will.” He says as his eyes meet mine once again.
I shake my head, finding I do like his presence.
I take a step back, allowing him room to step in.
A small, sad smile curves his plump lips, and I want to suck them between my teeth more than I’d like to admit.
I trail my eyes over the hard muscle of his shoulders and arms down to his mouth-watering, sculpted abs.
Going lower till I see the V that leads to…
“You know, staring isn’t nice.”
My mouth drops open, “I-I wasn’t…”
He coughs a laugh, “You were.”
My mouth snaps shut as I glare up at him. He hooks his finger under my chin and brings his face down to mine, until I can feel the puffs of breath from his mouth on my own, “I’m just messing with you, baby girl. I’m all yours.”
My breath freezes in my lungs. “I didn’t ask you to be.” I don’t know why I said it, but I kind of regretted it when the hurt flashed across his beautiful face. It was gone as quickly as it came, his voice hardening when he said, “But you got me.”
He steps closer, nudging me back into the hot water.
The feel of his chest against the sensitive peaks of my breast sends a wave of goosebumps down my body, and I squeeze my eyes shut, trying not to think about the hard appendage between his legs brushing against my lower belly—failing miserably.
I draw my lower lip between my teeth, biting until I taste the coppery tang of blood.
I chance a look at him and regret it when I do.
He’s leaning over me, both hands pressed against the shower wall behind me.
His head tilted back, letting the water cascade down his neck and chest. The droplets hitting his Adam’s apple drew my attention directly to the curve there.
I’m going to blame the nerve currently pulsing between my own legs for what I do next. I stand on my tippy toes and extend my tongue out, slowly lapping up the droplets of water. I feel his body tense beneath my hand, resting on his chest. He inhales sharply and wraps a hand in the hair at my neck.
“Kelsey.” He rasps, and God, I could listen to him say my name like that for the rest of my miserable life.
I shush him with my lips barely touching the skin at his neck, eliciting goosebumps. I smile, biting my lip. “I know this might be a mistake, but…” But what?
“I’ll never say anything is a mistake if it’s with you.” He surmises. I swallow and inhale, thinking that over.
The back of his fingers gently brush over my shoulder, down my arm.
His hand wraps around my hip, pulling me impossibly close.
My eyes remain fixed on his throat as his head tilts down, looking down at me.
Water flows from his black locks of hair.
“Are you wet for me, baby?” He smirks knowingly. “I bet you are.”
His hand moves low, causing my breath to hitch. His hand prys my thighs apart as he runs two fingers through my slit, groaning. He brings his glistening fingers to his mouth, sucking them and pulling them out with a pop. “Fucking delicious.”
He drops down to one knee, both hands gripping my hips. My eyes widen, “What are you doing?”
“Shh,” He says, looking up at me with those mesmerizing eyes.
Keeping his eyes locked on mine, his mouth opens over my pussy.
I groan as his tongue darts out, and he massages my clit perfectly.
My legs tremble, and he must notice, because he runs his hand over my thigh to the back of my knee and hikes it up over his shoulder.
He works my clit till I’m panting and can feel the muscles in my belly tightening.
“That’s it, baby.” He coos.