Chapter 25
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
MILLIE
G od, who knew that everything in my freaking body would hurt so bad? I feel like I got hit by a semi and then was dragged behind it for about seventy miles.
I even discovered some road rash on my elbow that I didn’t know I had because it was covered in mud.
“Burn the clothes,” I say to Holden as he gingerly helps me into the shower. “All of them. The mud won’t come all the way out.”
“I’ll trash them,” he confirms as he steps in with me. “I wish I had a stool for you to sit on and get off of that ankle.”
“I’ll lean on you.” I sigh as I plant a hand on his chest and let the hot water run over me. “Holy shit, that feels good. I don’t even want to know if I have spiders in my hair.”
“Uh, I don’t think you do.” I open my eyes and find him watching me with serious blue eyes. “How are you, baby girl?”
“Meh.” I shrug a shoulder and close my eyes again, but he takes my chin in his fingers and makes me open my eyes, focusing on him. “I’m going to be fine.”
“Let’s set some ground rules for this week, wife.”
I sigh, but he keeps talking.
“Number one, when I ask how you are, you tell me the truth, even if you think it’s not what I want to hear or it’ll hurt my feelings.”
“Fine. I hurt, I’m tired, and I might be a little grouchy.”
He nods and helps me soap up my hair.
“Fair enough. Number two, unless it’s in the shower or standing up from the toilet, you don’t walk. I carry you.”
“Hol—”
“I’m not asking, Rosie. I’m telling.” Those eyes flash again, and the muscle in his jaw twitches.
I bite my lower lip. He’s being unreasonable, but he’s also being protective and so sweet and gentle, and I kind of love it.
“Number three.” He urges me to lean back so he can rinse my hair, then he works in some conditioner, and as that sets, we get to work cleaning the rest of me off. This is not a lingering shower. This is just to get us both clean and rid of that hole. I grab a rag and some soap and start washing him off, too, enjoying the way the suds run down his tattoos. I really should ask him to tell me more about them. I wonder when he got this one of a willow tree. “Are you listening?”
“Hmm.”
“Baby girl.”
My eyes raise to his. “I’m listening, husband.”
He pulls in a breath and lets it out slowly.
“God, baby.” His hand covers my throat, and his thumb drifts down my jawline. “God.”
“I’m fine. ” Circling his wrist, I drag his hand down to my chest and flatten it over my sternum, pressing my palm over his hand. “Feel that? It’s beating strong, and it’s slowed down. I’m right here, in this moment, with my fucking gorgeous husband, who’s pampering me and washing away a really horrible experience. Stay here with me, okay? Don’t go back there.”
He exhales, his eyelids flutter closed, and he shuffles close to me so he can lower his forehead to mine.
“I love you so much, Millie.”
I grin and drag my hands down his sides. “I know. I love you, too. Now, keep going with the rules, and let’s rinse off so we can snuggle in the bed. I’m really looking forward to that part.”
His lips tip up into a soft smile, and then he shuffles back so we can continue washing each other.
“Where was I?”
“Number three.” I drag the cloth down his hard-as-hell belly and down his cock and then smirk when it stirs. “I’m in no shape right now, but give me a few hours to gain my strength, and I could probably take this for a ride.”
“Cute.” He chuckles low in his chest, and it vibrates through me, spreading more heat and tenderness into me. “I’m not going to fuck you tonight.”
“Party pooper. What’s number three? The suspense is killing me.”
“I don’t know yet,” he admits with a soft sigh. “It’ll come to me.”
“I think you’re tired, too. You have to be. I think we’re pretty clean now, so let’s dry off and get you in bed.”
“It came to me.” He grabs the handle of the showerhead and takes it off so he can rinse himself, including his hair, and then hangs it up again. “No worrying about me.”
“Yeah, okay. I’ve already broken that rule, husband.”
His eyes narrow, but I bat my eyelashes at him, and he just shakes his head.
It takes a little longer than usual to get us dried off, me into loose sweats and a T-shirt, and settled into the bed, but we make it.
And I can’t decide if I’m more tired or hungry.
But then Holden wraps his arms around me, pulls me into his side, and my eyes close.
I guess I’m more tired.
“I’ll take the ice pack off of your ankle in about twenty,” he murmurs against my hair.
“You put an ice pack on me?” I frown against him. I didn’t even feel it.
“You’re so tired, baby.” He kisses me lightly. “Go to sleep. I’ve got you.”
He said that on the horse, too. I’ve got you.
God, I love that he has me.
“It’s a love language, you know.”
He squeezes me and kisses my forehead. “What is?”
“ I’ve got you. ” My voice is so sleepy, so quiet, I hope he can hear me. “It’s a really great love language. You speak it well.”
He sighs and turns to wrap both arms around me in a hug. “I’ll always have you, little rose.”
“You guys are two of my favorite sisters-in-law.” I pop a french fry into my mouth and grin at Charlie and Dani, who happened to stop by with lunch. I’ve been in this house for two days, and I’m starting to feel better. Not great, definitely not ready to go back to work, but I’m improving.
And, as much as I love Holden, I needed a couple of hours without him. He hovers. And he made me promise that I wouldn’t get up from this couch until he came back from the ranch.
He’s so freaking bossy.
“You say that to all the sisters-in-law,” Charlie replies with a laugh before biting into her burger. “I wonder what The Wolf Den does to these burgers to make them so freaking good. Do they add crack? It’s crack, isn’t it?”
“Or, you know, garlic,” Dani says with a grin.
“Same thing,” Charlie decides. “I know that literally everyone and their dog has asked you this a million times in the past two days, but how are you doing, Millie?”
“Sore. Tired. But never bored because between your huge family and my huge family, I’m never alone. I have a revolving door of visitors, which is honestly nice. It makes Holden a little twitchy because he thinks that I should be left alone, but I’m not a television lover, and I can’t just sit here, twiddling my thumbs all week, you know?”
“You don’t like television?” Charlie asks. “Not even reality TV?”
“Not really,” I confirm. “So, that’s me. What’s going on with you two? Tell me everything. Give me all the dirt. Tell me some gossip.”
“I start working at the elementary school in August,” Dani says with a smile. “It’s not gossip, but it’s exciting. I’ll be teaching kindergarten, and that’s my favorite age, so I’m excited to dig in. In the meantime, I’ll find something in town to get me through the summer.”
“You’re hired.” I point at her, surprising her. “I’ll need more help this summer. If you want a job, I’ll give you one.”
“I’ll take it,” Dani replies in surprise. “Thanks.”
“I’ll also need help with weddings,” Charlie reminds her sister. “So between the two jobs, we have you covered.”
“Well, I don’t know why I was worried.” Dani winks at me and eats a french fry while Charlie starts to tell us all about her biggest bridezilla of the season so far.
But ten minutes in, there’s a knock at my door.
“I’ll get it,” Charlie says, making sure I stay where I am. “Holden’s orders.”
“Bossy man,” I mutter as she walks to the door and opens it.
“Hi,” Birdie says with a bright smile. “I’m here to cheer up Millie.”
“Come on in,” Charlie says with a big wave of her arm.
“I’m sorry, we didn’t know you already have company,” Bridger begins, but then stops talking when he sees Dani. He immediately grins. “We can come back another time.”
“That’s lame.” I roll my eyes, making a mental note to ask him what his deal is later. If he has a thing for my sister-in-law, why don’t I know about it? “Come in here and love me.”
“I made you a card,” Birdie announces as she sits on the couch beside me. “See? I drawed it by myself.”
“You drew this?” She passes me a folded piece of plain paper. On the front are two stick figures, one tall and one short, but both with long hair, and they’re holding hands. The tall one is wearing a cast on her foot.
When I open it, it says, Love, Birdie .
“Daddy helped,” she whispers and smiles over at her dad, who’s hovering by the front door as if he wants to run away as fast as possible.
“Thank you. It’s gorgeous, and I’ll treasure it.” I kiss her cheek, and Birdie wraps her arms around my neck, hugging me.
“Do you want me to kiss your owie?” she asks when she pulls back.
“It’s on my ankle.” I point to where my foot is propped on a pillow on the coffee table. “You can kiss it. I’m sure it’ll feel much better.”
Being very careful, Birdie leans over and presses her sweet, tiny lips on my leg, giving it a kiss.
“There.”
“It feels better already.” I reach for her and pull her next to me, then grin at Bridger. “Sit. You’re making me nervous.”
And his daughter catches sight of the food.
“Can I have some french fries?” she asks.
“Of course, you can.” With a smug smile, I offer her my pile of food, and Bridger rolls his eyes and then sits in the chair across from me.
I glance over at Dani and see that she’s nibbling on her lip, as if she’s suddenly nervous.
Interesting. This is the kind of information I was asking for earlier.
Charlie has started telling Bridger about the wedding she’s planning for one of his guys, and I can tell by the look on his face that he does. Not. Care.
Which makes me smirk.
Birdie’s helping me with my food, chattering away, when suddenly, Dani stands and closes the lid on her food and licks her lips.
“You know, I think I’d better head home. I’m glad you’re feeling better, Millie. Call me if you need anything.”
Her face is flaming when she smiles at Birdie.
“Have a good day, sweetie.”
Birdie waves happily as Dani flees the room, closing the door behind her.
“Well, she’s my ride, so I’m out, too.” Charlie stands with a laugh. “See you guys later.”
The door closes again, and I glare at Bridger, who’s currently staring a hole through the front window as if it personally offended him.
“What the hell is going on? Do you have a… thing for Dani?”
He rubs his hand over his mouth but doesn’t answer me.
“I like her,” Birdie decides as she takes a bite of my burger. “She’s pretty, and she always says nice things to me.”
“I agree.” I kiss the little girl’s head and narrow my eyes at her father. “Dani is very nice. Did you know that she’s Holden’s sister?”
“She is?”
“Yep.”
“Cool.”
I’m still watching Bridger, but he won’t look me in the face.
“Don’t do it,” he mutters.
“Do what? Pump you for information?”
“It doesn’t matter. Obviously. She can’t stand being in the same room with me, so it clearly doesn’t freaking matter. Let’s drop it.”
“Okay.” I look down at Birdie. “Is your daddy grumpy today?”
“No, he wasn’t. We were laughing in the car on the way here.”
Now my eyebrow wings up as I look at him, and he just shakes his head.
What in the hell happened between Bridger and Dani? Is there some gossip about my best friend that I don’t know?
And how do I not know it?
Deciding to leave him alone, I point to the kitchen.
“Hey, grumpy man, would you please fetch me an ice pack out of the freezer? I’m forbidden from walking.”
He doesn’t say anything, just walks to the kitchen, grabs the ice pack, and, despite his bad mood, lightly lowers it onto my ankle.
“Thanks. You okay, buddy?”
“Yeah.” He lets out a long breath, rubs his hands over his face, and then smiles at me. It’s only halfway forced. “Yeah, I’m good. How are you?”
“Not bored.” I take the offered french fry from Birdie and pretend to bite her finger, making her laugh. “I’m sore. Had some nightmares last night. But, all in all, I’m lucky.”
“Very lucky,” he agrees. “Is Holden still beating himself up about it?”
“Yeah. He’s at the ranch now, talking with the guys. They’ve been scouring the property, but I don’t think they’ve found anything else. It’s hard for him to accept that I happened to find the one and only trap left out there.”
“It’s like finding a needle in a haystack,” Bridger agrees. “Highly unlikely. But you always were an overachiever.”
That makes me laugh. “That’s me. Overachiever Millie. If there’s a hole to fall into, I’ll find it.”
“You fell in a hole?” Birdie’s face is stricken as she stares up at me.
“That’s how I hurt my ankle.” I kiss her head. “But I’m okay. I don’t recommend it, though. It wasn’t fun.”
“I don’t want to do that,” Birdie decides.
“Good plan, baby. Good plan.”
It’s the middle of the night, and my husband is very warm and very naked, and I’m curled around him. I can’t sleep, and not in a bad way. My body is healing, and I feel energized for the first time since I fell into the pit of despair, as I’ve come to think of it. I’m feeling so much better, in fact, that I think I’ll bring up the subject of going back to work tomorrow. I know he’ll want me to stay home for the whole week, but I can definitely put in a couple of half days here or there and come home when I get tired.
I look up at Holden and sigh happily. His face is relaxed with sleep, his jaw covered in that gorgeous, dark scruff that I love to feel beneath my hands, or between my thighs. Or anywhere else that he wants to kiss.
He’s breathing deeply with sleep. The past few days have been rough on him, making him a little on edge and a little grouchy, which I can’t fault him for. He’s always gentle and sweet with me, but I’ve seen his brows drawn together with worry more than usual. All I’ve had to do is sit around and heal. Whereas he’s been in constant contact with his guys, worried about what they might find out at the ranch. He also carries me around all day, making good on his promise from that first night that I won’t walk without him, and takes care of me.
He’s taken such good care of me.
It’s been in these few days that I can see glimpses of the young guy he must have been, raising his sisters and caring for them. He’s so tender and loving.
So precious to me.
And in return, life has kicked this poor man in the teeth, over and over again, and when I think about that, it fills me with so much heartache that it steals my breath away. I want to scream and hurt anyone and anything that tried to break this amazing man’s spirit. He didn’t deserve that. Not my man.
There hasn’t been much that I could do to thank him for everything he’s done for me since the accident. But as I lie here in the dark, against him, feeling his warmth, I know exactly what I’d like to do to show my appreciation.
If I caress his skin the way I want to, I’ll wake him up. I’d love nothing more than to touch him and run my fingers over all that warm, smooth skin, but Holden isn’t a super deep sleeper, so running my hands all over his rippling muscles and tattoos won’t do.
At least, not until later.
For now, I simply scoot under the covers, finding it so convenient that Holden likes to sleep on his back with me tucked up to his side, and take his half-hard cock in my hand and into my mouth.
He instantly hardens, and a low groan escapes his throat as his legs shift, and I feel him wake up.
With a satisfied smile, I sink over him until he’s pressed to the back of my throat, tighten my lips around his shaft, and pull up, all the way to the tip.
The covers are ripped off me, and I grin up at my husband, loving the heat in his eyes as one hand grips my hair.
“You shouldn’t be?—”
“Stop.” I lick up the thick vein on his cock, then over the metal that I can’t seem to get enough of. God, it’s so damn sexy. “I’m fine, and my husband needs a blow job.”
He growls as I sink over him once more, and then both hands are in my hair, urging me lower. I relax my throat muscles, taking him even deeper, surprised that my gag reflex hasn’t kicked in.
When my nose is pressed against his stomach, he releases his hold, and I pull back so I can catch my breath and wipe the water from my cheeks, staring up at him.
“Fucking hell, babe. This is one fucking hot way to wake up.”
I lift an eyebrow. “Who’s babe ?”
With his startled laugh, I sink down again, press my hands to his, still in my hair, urging him to pull me down onto him.
“You like that, wife? You like sucking my cock way down into your throat?”
I moan and cup his balls with my free hand, loving it when they tighten under my touch.
“Look at me.”
My eyes meet his as I pull up, circle the crown with my tongue, over the metal, then over the slit.
“You look so fucking beautiful with my cock in your pretty little mouth.”
“I know.” His eyes are proud and glazed with lust as I take him in again, and then he’s pulling me harder, sinking into my throat even further, making me choke.
It’s fucking glorious .
“Take my dick, baby girl.”
I’m moving faster, up and down, both hands working him over, and I can feel by the way his stomach and leg muscles are quaking that he’s about to come.
“You want my cum, Rosie? You want me to come in your throat?”
I nod, not stopping for anything. Hell yes, I want him to come. I love that he’s losing control and that I’m the one that set it into motion.
“Shit, Rosie. Oh, God.”
I moan, and his fists tighten in my hair, and then he’s coming in my mouth, shooting me in the back of the throat, and I’ve never felt more powerful in my life.
I swallow all of him, my mouth working him over as he moans, and his hands tighten in my hair deliciously, tugging my scalp, making my own core tighten as I lick him clean. And when I’m done, I kiss up his stomach, his chest, and plant my lips against his neck, just under his ear as he pants, trying to catch his breath. And to my surprise, he rolls me onto my back, his fingers already deep inside of my pussy, and the heel of his palm against my clit.
“Hey, that was just for you.”
He shakes his head, kisses me deeply, not seeming to care what was just inside of my mouth, and covers me with his big, hard body, nudging his way between my thighs and effectively setting me on fire.
“Never,” he growls against my lips as his fingers start to move, curling to hit that spot that makes me come unglued. “It’s never about me, baby girl. Haven’t you figured that out? If you’re horny enough to give me a gift like that, I’m going to pay it back tenfold. I’m going to?—”
He breaks off when I pull his lips back down to my own. God, the things he says to me. I fucking love his dirty mouth.
His hand, oh, God, his hand is playing me like an instrument, and my legs have started to shake.
“Give it to me,” he growls against my lips. “Come all over my hand, wife.”
Jesus, I can’t believe what he can do to me with just a few words. My body explodes, my pussy clenching around his fingers, and I see stars erupt around me.
“Husband.” I don’t know if it’s a plea or a curse as my body rides out the orgasm, and then he’s gently kissing me, petting me, making me feel so damn treasured that my heart feels like it’ll burst. “Holy shit.”
“You’re perfect,” he whispers against my skin as he tugs me back to his side. “Fucking perfect.”
Holden was still sleeping when I woke, so I quietly got up, dressed, and decided to head into town to check on my shop and get us a couple of coffees. I hardly have a limp at all. The bruising has started to fade on my ankle, and after that round of incredible sex in the middle of the night, I’m feeling damn good.
I want to let my man get some more sleep and then spoil him with his favorite coffee and maybe a sweet treat. Of course, I wanted to walk the few blocks, but I don’t want to get into trouble for being foolish, so I’m driving in with all the windows rolled down. While I am feeling much more like myself, I don’t want to push the ankle too far.
After parking right out front, I saunter inside and grin. Everything here looks fantastic. The place is clean and well-stocked, and I can see that my staff is entirely capable of taking care of things while I’m gone. And the smell. Goodness, I love the smell of coffee.
“Millie ! ” Candy practically screeches the greeting and runs around the counter to yank me into a strong hug. “Oh, my God, I’ve been so worried. Are you okay?”
“Much better,” I assure her and smile over at Andrea, who’s making an espresso. “Everything looks great here.”
“We’re just fine,” Candy assures me. “I don’t want you to worry about a thing. I hope you’re not here to work because I’ll kick your perfect behind right back out of here.”
“No. I’m just going to grab some coffee and muffins to go for Holden and me.”
“Your usuals?” Candy asks.
“Yes, please. Make it one chocolate and one huck-lemon muffin.”
“You got it.”
I lean against the counter and chat with the girls as they fill my order. It’s such a different experience to be in here as a customer, and I must admit, I kind of love it.
My café is welcoming and bright, with white walls and black countertops. The artwork is local and pretty, and it just makes me happy to be here.
I wave at Brooks, who’s just walked through the door. “Good morning.”
He doesn’t say anything; he just pulls me in for a big hug. “Scared us all, Mill.”
“Yeah, me, too.” I hug him in return, patting his back. Brooks is the eldest of the Blackwell brothers, and he’s just so… good. A kind, gentle, good man, about the same age as Remington and Holden. “Thank you for helping to find me. I just love all you guys, and I appreciate you.”
“I’m just glad you were found in one piece,” he says, tapping my nose with a grin. “Because we all love you, too. Please tell me Holden knows that you’re out on your own because he might get crazy if he knows you’re on your feet without him.”
I bite my lip and scrunch up my nose. “I decided to surprise him with coffee. I’m a grown-ass woman, Brooks. I can go to the coffee shop if I want to.”
Brooks shakes his head and mumbles something about stubborn women as he shuffles up to order his own coffee.
I move to pull my phone out of my pocket and then realize that I left it at home. Ah well, I’m headed right back there anyway, so I can check my social media in a bit.
“Thanks, guys,” I say when my order is ready. “Just call me if you need me.”
“We won’t need you,” Candy says, waving me off. “Go heal up.”
I grin at her and then return to my car. The drive home takes all of two minutes, and then I gather the coffee and muffins in my arms, climb out of the car, and nudge the door closed with my hip. The movement makes my ankle smart just a bit, but then it feels fine. I’ll put it up with some ice while I drink my coffee with my husband.
I’ve just reached the top step of the porch when the door bursts open, and Holden’s standing there, breathing hard, his eyes hot and fierce. His jaw is clenched. He’s… pissed.
“Where the fuck did you go?”