Chapter 15
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
TORCH
S he wants me in her bed.
She wants me in her bed.
She wants me in her bed.
Holy fuck. Holy fuck. Holy fuck.
I couldn’t stop thinking about being beside her in her bed, surrounded in her scent, warmed by her blankets, and feeling her pressed up to my side.
“Brother?” Chaos called.
“Huh? You haven’t hit the road?”
“You didn’t hear me, then? Just wanted to tell you West was called in as well. He’ll be here soon. Now, I’m outta here.”
“Later,” I said with a flick of my hand. I needed Chaos to leave and take his sickness with him. Did we have some Lysol around to spray for the germs? After he left, I faced Wrenley and stilled.
I’d never seen her face like it was.
As if she tried to bite her lips off and was concentrating hard on it since she was squinting her eyes and bunching her brows.
“You okay?” I asked.
She nodded, humming under her breath. The face scrunching eased, but the lip biting didn’t.
Should I question her some more? She didn’t like when I had outside, but if I hadn’t, then I wouldn’t have discovered she wanted me in her bed.
My gut flip-flopped.
I wanted to reach out and run my finger over her tightened lips so she’d stop in case they were ruined before I got a taste.
If only we were back home now. I’d slip under her covers because she wanted me there.
I wouldn’t have figured that out if I hadn’t been called in to do my job.
Right. My job.
I stepped to her side and tipped my chin to the screens. “I better get to work, but I’ll quickly grab some blankets for you.” I pointed to the couch that sat against the wall.
“I can get them. Where are they?” She went to move toward the door.
I grabbed her wrist. “Hard to explain.” It really wasn’t. I just wanted to get them for her. “Won’t take me long.” Which was true. “Wait here.” I slipped into the hall and to the room next to us that held some fresh bedding. We didn’t often need it but kept them as a “just in case,” and this was one of those moments.
Back in the room, I noticed Wrenley had dropped Harley’s leash and left him near the couch since he’d already curled up for sleep on the floor while she’d moved closer to the screens.
After I placed the items on the couch and patted Harley’s head, who didn’t even stir, I faced Wrenley just as she looked over her shoulder to me. “There are so many places on here.”
I nodded. “Death keeps gettin’ approached from more people interested in feelin’ safe, knowin’ they’re being watched over.”
My heart hammered with how much I was saying.
She nodded. “I can understand that.”
“We did have the live feeds of Polished here, but it made more sense to have the screens in the actual place with a security team there.”
Wrenley stared at me. I didn’t look at her, but I could feel it.
I knew why.
And even though my gut acted up and my mind screamed at me, Shut up, she doesn’t need to hear all that. You’re making a fool out of yourself, I ignored it and used all the words that had been wanting to come out.
Still, there was more.
“I prefer workin’ here than at Polished. It’s quieter. Calmer. But I’d take any job Country, Death, or State gave me. I like keepin’ busy.”
Shut up, shut up, shut up.
I pressed my knuckles into my temple, but I couldn’t stop the bad thoughts.
You fuckin’ fool. She won’t want you. Keep quiet.
I ground my teeth together and pressed harder into my temple.
A warm hand rested on my arm, and I snapped my gaze to her in front of me.
Soft smile.
Warm and kind eyes.
Sweet mouth.
“I like knowing about everything that goes on in your life, Torch.”
Slowly, I lowered my arm, and her hand stayed around my wrist for a beat, until she slid her hand into mine.
Fingers locked between mine. My damn heart filled and pranced under my ribs.
She shrugged. “I always ramble about things in my life. You already know how I like my vegetables steamed until they’re soft and falling apart. Except my potatoes, which must be crunchy. And I’ve told you that I’m bored with my online course and that I’m thinking about a full-time job instead.” Her hand squeezed mine. “No matter what’s on your mind, please feel free to share it. I feel like I can tell you anything, Torch, and I hope you’ll want to be the same way with me one day.”
I did.
I really did.
I wanted to tell her everything that was on my mind, but I still panicked that it’d scare her. That one day I would say something to put a look of disgust on her face, and I wouldn’t be able to stand it.
With another gentle squeeze to my hand, I locked my gaze onto her pretty one.
“There’ll be nothing you say that will make me run from you, Torch.” Lips tipped cutely. “Well, maybe keep quiet about the punishments the club deals out. Is that okay?”
I already knew her soul wasn’t made for any of that type of information.
I had my brothers for that.
But Wrenley… I could have her for everything else.
Anything that was on my mind I could tell her, and no matter how it came out, if it was heaps or a little, I believed she’d take anything as it was coming from me.
Saint was right.
My obsession was into me.
It might not go that far, but she liked me. A lot. Enough to want my attention, to be in her bed next to her, and to hear my words.
“I like that you’re honest.” Using my free hand, I brushed the backs of my fingers over her cheek. “Even when you don’t like saying things and get embarrassed.”
She swayed closer and pressed her cheek into my hand.
My eyes flared and my blood pumped fast knowing she enjoyed my touch. Didn’t care my tainted skin was against hers.
Christ. Realization dawned on me that she wouldn’t want me to just be beside her in her bed.
She wanted me in her.
The heat in her gaze told me that right then as she stared up at me.
Just the thought of having my dick encased in her heat had it fattening.
Fuck.
I couldn’t let her see yet.
“Torch?”
I tipped my chin up slightly.
“Would the thought of kissing me put you off?”
My eyes lasered in on her wet lips, and my gut tingled.
She wanted a kiss.
Why would she think I’d be put off by that?
“No,” I told her.
A frown, drawn brows, and my hand slipped from her cheek when she stepped back and nodded. “Okay then.”
“Huh?”
“No, it’s okay. I, um, shouldn’t have mentioned it.” Her other hand released mine.
Cold.
A shiver raked over me while confusion slapped me in the face.
Where had I gone wrong?
All I said was no.
Jesus.
“Wrenley.” She looked up. But my gut still burned at the touch of sadness I’d seen there. I’d put there. I wanted to reach up and smash my fist into my face over and over until I fell unconscious. But… I could make that look go away. At least I hoped. If I was right, which wasn’t always the case.
However, I was sure about this.
Her.
Which was why I unglued my lips and told her gently, “The ‘no’ sounded wrong. It meant I wouldn’t be put off.” I scrubbed a hand over my face.
She doesn’t really want you. She’s just pitying you. You’ll never have what your brothers do.
Shaking my head, I grazed a hand over my buzz cut and then touched the scar at my eyebrow. I slid my fingers to the ones on my right cheek before I dropped my arm.
“You want me to kiss you?”
I needed to hear it from her. I wouldn’t fuck this up. Not for her. Not for my Wrenley.
My obsession.
My addiction.
Mine.
She drew in a sharp breath as her gaze bounced to me, and she nodded slowly.
Fuck.
I hadn’t kissed the women who’d given me their hole to use.
This would be my first.
And I liked the thought of my first kiss being with my pretty Wrenley. So much so, my body vibrated from the anticipation of it.
Taking a step forward, I cupped the back of her neck and drew her into me. “If I do anythin’ you don’t like, stop me.”
A soft smile greeted me. “It’s just a kiss, Torch.”
I shook my head. “Not just a kiss. It’s ours. My first. And somethin’ fuckin’ special.” With that, I leaned in, and since her lips were already parted in shock from my words, I swiped the tip of my tongue slowly over her top one before doing the same to the bottom. A deep grumble rolled from my chest at how sweet her lips tasted. I pulled away to suck and roll my tongue around in my mouth, savoring her flavor.
“Torch,” she whimpered, eyes shining for me .
Unable to resist, I closed my mouth over hers quickly but moved my lips against hers softly and slowly. Until she parted once more. I dove in to twist, lick, and play with her tongue. She made a noise, and for a beat, fear slapped at me, urging me to stop, until her hands clawed at my tee under my cut. She pulled me in before wrapping her arms around my neck.
If I wasn’t busy tasting, teasing, and memorizing every part of her mouth and lips, I would have roared in damn gratification knowing she enjoyed this as much as I did.
Harley growled.
A throat cleared.
Quickly, I broke the kiss, planted Wrenley behind me with one arm, and used the other to point my knife toward the door.
Adrick, the ex-mafia Russian, raised a brow. “We did not want to interrupt, but my West is here to do a job.”
West stepped to Adrick’s side and waved. “Hey. Sorry to stop that smoking-hot kiss.”
The Russian snorted.
“Heel,” I ordered Harley, who was still rumbling low. He cut off to go back to sleep.
I only relaxed when I heard Wrenley’s laughter and felt her forehead press between my shoulder blades. Pocketing my knife, I nodded and noted Adrick released his hold on West’s waist behind him. He must have wanted to keep his husband covered until I wasn’t armed.
He was very protective of West, like I was of Wrenley. I’d even go as far as he did and snap anyone’s neck who harmed her. Adrick had done it to West’s father for abusing him.
Though, I’d want to torture them first. A quick death wouldn’t be enough for the person who thought to touch her.
Wrenley’s hands wrapped around my upper arm, calming me as she moved to my side.
She grinned over at West and Adrick. “I probably shouldn’t be distracting Torch from his job anyway.”
Fuck, she was beautiful.
I couldn’t stop staring at her.
West replied something, but I wasn’t listening.
My Wrenley had allowed me to kiss her.
No. She’d wanted it. Asked for it.
I could still feel the warmth of her lips on mine. I could taste her. If we were alone, I’d kiss her again.
“—Adrick can rest on the couch with you.”
“No,” I stated and turned to the men. “Wrenley needs to sleep. I’ll get another chair for Adrick.”
The thought of another man being close to her soured my gut.
“But there’s plenty of room?—”
“Nyet, moya lyubov.” Adrick nodded at me. He probably understood and wouldn’t want anyone sitting close to West either. No matter who they were. My skin would have felt just as prickly if it were Country or State. I wanted Wrenley to be able to lie down and sleep if she could.
Reaching up, I patted her hands, and she dropped them with a soft smile up to me. I exited the room and went to the one I knew had a good-sized armchair that looked semi comfortable. I picked it up and carried it in. The whispered voices cut off when I stomped closer. They’d cleared some room near where West sat in his chair at his side of the screens. I dropped it there with a grunt and went over to Wrenley as she straightened out the blankets.
I brushed my fingers to her lower back, and she stood, turning to me. “I’ll get to work now.”
She nodded, smiling. “Okay. I’ll be here resting, and if you guys need anything to eat or drink, I’m sure Adrick and I can find the kitchen to grab it.”
That she wanted to take care of me while I worked heated me from the inside.
“Da,” Adrick added as he scrolled on his phone. “Though, I do know where it is already.”
Wrenley brightened. “See, we’ve got you covered for pick-me-ups if needed.”
I’d kissed her.
She was mine now.
I’d tasted her, held her, and she’d accepted me.
Therefore, I grazed my fingers along her cheek and jaw. “Try and get some sleep?”
Her body relaxed, and she pressed her cheek to my hand before she nodded. Her smile slipped into a sweet one.
For me.
Mine.
All mine.
“I’ll try.”
I grinned, tipped my chin up at her, and went to work.
I wouldn’t tell the brothers that it was the first night I’d been distracted at work.