13. Zombie
THIRTEEN
ZOMBIE
Did I really say that out loud?
Lennie seemed stunned, and Kade looked at me skeptically. I stood there silently, embarrassed that I had suggested the woman of my dreams stay at my house. Where my playroom was. My cock, however, seemed to love the idea because it was already starting to harden at the thought.
“Are you sure?” Kade finally asked, breaking the silence.
“Yeah, it would also mean that I can keep an eye on her wounds to make sure everything is healing properly.” I prayed that Kade wouldn’t see past the bullshit I was spewing.
Kade nodded in agreement. “Good point. Len, what do you think?”
She looked at me, analyzing every movement. Finally, after a pause that felt like it went on forever, she nodded her head yes. “I’m fine with that.”
My heart skipped a beat and elation filled my lungs as I thought about having Lennie in my proximity. In the sanctuary of my home. I moved my briefcase in front of my crotch so she couldn’t see just how excited I was.
“Well then, it’s settled. Len, I will talk with you later. I need to check on Evan to make sure he is good,” Kade said as he went to grab his coat.
Lennie nodded before walking over and embracing him. They exchanged a few more whispered words before Kade came over to me, a stern expression on his face.
“I’m trusting you, Zombie. Don’t fuck it up.”
I gave him a quick nod of understanding before he clapped a hand on my shoulder and walked out the door, leaving Lennie and me by ourselves.
I stood there awkwardly as Lennie picked up a blanket off the floor in front of the couch and began to fold it.
“I’ll wait in the car for you. I already sent Toby to the lab to start processing everything. Take all the time you need.”
Lennie gave me a soft smile. “Thank you, Dante.”
I suppressed a shiver at the sound of my name on her lips, then left her alone.
It didn’t take long for Lennie to pack a couple of bags and come down to my Subaru. She looked adorable holding a soft stuffed corgi under her arm as I took the luggage from her.
I got her stuff in the back of the vehicle and we were on the road in no time. It only took a few minutes to get to my place. Her face lit up when I pulled into my driveway.
“This is where you live?” she asked incredulously.
I let out a chuckle. “Yes.”
“Shit, Dante, it's beautiful.”
Pride swarmed through me. I knew my house was above average in the real estate market due to its size and modern style, but hearing her compliment made me feel like I was on top of the world.
I’d bought the two-story colonial when I arrived from Texas after saving for my entire life for the purchase.
Living near the city with its unholy prices was no easy feat, but I managed with determination and patience.
I parked in the three-car garage and helped unload her luggage. Her efforts to take the bags from me were futile as I insisted on hauling them inside for her.
We walked through the mud room and into the open-concept living space on the first floor. She looked around, in awe of what she was seeing. Minimalistic paintings and mirrors hung on the walls while dark furniture filled the living area giving it a modern yet gothic feel.
“Holy crap, Dante. This place is incredible,” Lennie said as she touched one of the upholstered chairs that lined the granite-covered island.
“Thank you,” I said as I placed the bags at the base of the stairs, not far from the kitchen. “I’ll give you the tour once you get settled. Follow me; I’ll bring you to your room.”
We climbed the stairs to the second floor, and I decided that of the four guest rooms, she would need to be in the one closest to the primary bedroom. For safety reasons, of course. Not because of my own selfish desires.
“This is going to be your room,” I said as I stepped through the doorway.
Inside was dark wood furniture with a queen-size bed and a headboard to match the rest of the décor.
A light-sage- green comforter with plush pillows sat atop the mattress, making the room feel warm and welcoming.
Lennie followed me inside, her eyes widening as she took in her temporary new digs.
“Are the rest of the bedrooms for guests?” she asked innocently as she continued to look around.
I knew this was a normal question, but I wasn’t sure how to answer it. “The, erm, primary suite is mine, and the next bedroom was Arrow’s, and the furthest room is a makeshift lab.”
I couldn’t tell her that the furthest bedroom was actually an adult playroom designed for chaos and pleasure.
She nodded in understanding, now looking at me. “Have you been able to start going through his things?” she asked, her expression solemn.
I shook my head. Arrow’s area was something I couldn’t bring myself to tackle. It wasn’t hurting anything being there, and I couldn’t find the courage to go through his stuff quite yet.
She placed a hand on my arm. “I’m sorry. I can’t even imagine what it must be like losing a best friend.”
I gulped, my throat suddenly feeling like something was stuck in it. I coughed. “Yeah, it’s been tough.”
I placed her bags down at the foot of the bed and walked to the threshold. “The bathroom is right next door. If you need anything, I will be downstairs in my office.”
Lennie gave me a grateful smile. “Thank you again, Dante.”
I nodded and went downstairs, now second-guessing my idea of having her here.
She looked even more desirable in my home.
In my space. This was going to be interesting; I knew I couldn’t have her.
Keeping her safe was the top priority. The irony was not lost on me as I had been the one to put her in ‘danger’ in this instance.
But now I had a bigger problem that I had to face.
Now that she was here in my space, I would need to be extra careful when leaving my home to deal with Sarah.
To ensure everyone’s safety, including Lennie’s, I needed to make sure she didn’t get close to me or my secret. No one could know. Especially not her.