25. Silk and Spice
SILK AND SPICE
R owan
She was staring at me, wide-eyed, but she wasn’t bolting for the door while wearing my underwear. So that had to be a good sign, right?
Did I mention she was wearing my underwear? Because…fuck me.
I hadn’t fully planned this out yet. I knew she’d notice it eventually, but I was hoping I’d have more time.
I’d purposely done my best to keep my hand hidden or turned upside down or anything else while I figured out the best way to tell her that “ hey, yeah, so I got your name across my knuckles because I need everyone to know that you’re it for me.
You’re mine.” or something of that sort.
Of course, my girl was smart, and she gave a shit, so she noticed.
“So, I know what you’re probably thinking,” I started.
“There is no way in fucking hell you know what I’m thinking right now,” she interrupted, her eyes still wide.
“Okay, you’re right. I may not know exactly what you’re thinking, but I’m sure I have some slim idea of what it sounds like, and listen, I’m not insane, okay?
I did think about this. The sunflower is one of your favorites too, so it isn’t just your name, and honestly, I feel as if that probably makes this seem more…
creepy,” I started rambling, and it seemed as if the longer I went on, the less I could stop myself from sounding like an idiot.
“Rowan, stop,” she interrupted, and I stared at her, waiting for the guillotine to drop down over my neck. “Is this the appointment you had yesterday after you dropped me off?” she asked, her voice calm and inquisitive.
I nodded. “Yeah. I had it wrapped yesterday while you were working, and obviously, you had other things on your mind by the time you arrived last night.”
She let out a small chuckle. “You can say that again. Can I actually look at it?”
I slowly nodded internally, curious as if she could see just how confused I was right now with how this was playing out.
But either way, I gave her my hand, palm down, so she could see the full thing I’d gotten to honor her and my feelings for her.
Gently taking my hand in her own, she slowly twisted my wrist side to side, looking it over.
The sunflower was a deep yellow and gold color, the petals branched out over the top of my hand, while the green leaves flourished out from the bottom and down towards my palm, fingers, and wrist. Then her name was in a feminine and artistic script that reminded me of her own handwriting.
It had turned out stunning, just like the woman in front of me.
“It’s beautiful,” she whispered without looking up, but I only had eyes for her anymore, not so much my new ink.
“Yes, you are,” I replied.
Her gaze shot up and looked at me, a smile gracing her face now. “That was cheesy as fuck, and you know it.”
I smiled in return. “It was, but worth it to see that smile on your face, little angel.”
The light pink blush that crept into her cheeks made all the cheesy lines worth it to me, though. I stood at the counter, and she sat on the island, her hand in mine, while we finished breakfast together. When we were done, she helped me put away the leftovers and clean the kitchen.
That was when I decided I needed to tackle the most urgent need right now—her clothes.
I figured I’d get her some clothes from Payton for now, drop her off at work, and then go back to her apartment and make sure it was getting cleaned up and see if there were any salvageable clothes left.
I also needed to see this for myself, and I needed to be alone with the anger I very much had.
Aspen walked out of the laundry room as I was drying my hands from the dishes and gave me a small smile. “I threw my clothes in the wash so I could wear them tonight. I hope that’s okay,” she said.
“It’s fine, angel. I was going to get some of my sister's clothes while we figured this all out, but that works too.” I walked over and ran my fingers through her hair, cupping the back of her head in both of my hands.
She looked up at me, her baby blue eyes seemed sad and stressed.
I wanted nothing more than to comfort her and tell her everything would be okay.
I knew it would be, but that was easier said than done in her mind.
“Three this afternoon for work, right?” I asked.
She nodded. “Yes, my number one stalker, three this afternoon,” she smiled.
I scoffed, deciding to move on from that comment. She had no idea how true that statement really was, and I wasn’t going to correct her. It was only getting worse from here, because I was having cameras installed later.
“So, what are we going to do about you in this shirt of mine?” I asked with a smirk.
“Underwear too, don’t forget those,” she replied with a smile.
“Ugh, definitely don’t think I could. How much time do we have on your clothes?”
“About forty minutes, cowboy. Why? You got plans for me?” she knowingly asked.
“I have a few ideas on what we could accomplish in that time. I am, of course, still on my groveling campaign, so I have to keep this train moving along.” I told her. “I’ll give you a thirty-second head start, little angel. Make it count.” I smiled and smacked her ass.
Her eyes widened for a moment before she turned and bolted up the stairs.
Fuck, I’m happy this woman was mine.
After a much-needed afternoon in bed, as well as on the floor, wall, shower wall, and bathroom sink, Aspen got ready for work, and I dropped her off.
While she got ready, I thought ahead to text Wyatt and ask him to meet me over at her apartment.
After some thought, I realized I knew myself better than to walk into this alone.
Some things you just needed your brother for—this was one.
I pulled my truck up against the sidewalk across from her building and hopped out. Wyatt was already there on his bike. We had matching ones, only where mine was black, his was a shiny cobalt blue.
“Ready, bro?” he asked, the concern clear on his face.
I nodded and let us into the building. When we got upstairs, I pulled the crime scene tape off the door and unlocked it.
“Got a key already?” Wyatt jokingly questioned. When I looked over at him, I guess the answer was clear. “Wow. Really? Does she know?”
“Nope, and I’d like it to stay that way, thanks,” I replied and opened the door for us. Walking in, I was suddenly even more grateful Wyatt had been able to come with me.
It was clear that they’d cleaned up the water as best as they could, but it smelled mildewy already. I walked over and opened the two windows on either side of her bed before taking in the rest of the apartment.
There were a few black trash bags beside the door that I’m sure held most of the trash she’d mentioned.
The mattress was still there—a massive hole cut in the middle of it—the stuffing gone, presumably cleaned up in the trash bags.
The corner of the living room where her art normally sat was empty.
The paint cans were gone, and the drop cloth was also gone.
The couch was still there, but it was also covered in paint.
I clenched my fists a few times as I stared around the studio apartment that had been a sanctuary for Aspen.
“Hey, Wyatt,” I said through clenched teeth. “Remember when we were kids and a couple of assholes with rich parents moved here one year in middle school and tried teasing us after Dad died? Said Mom was probably selling herself to take care of all of us…”
He took a step closer to me and nodded solemnly.
“I’m having one of those moments again, ya know?
So…I don’t know. How did you distract me from killing them then?
” I asked as I felt a rage I hadn’t felt since those days of middle school rise in my chest. The sort of rage that would have me forcing my twin to find this fucker and let me strangle him with my bare hands.
The sort of rage that would have me driving to Vegas if that was what it took to keep my little angel safe.
Wyatt chuckled softly. “So, you haven’t asked me how work is going,” he replied, not even a moment later. My gaze met his, and he smirked. “Ask me, Rowan. Come on, you know you want to,” he taunted.
I released a slow breath and arched one brow.
“Let me hear it.” This is what he’d do. He’d ignore my inner demons—my rage that I didn’t let anyone but my twin brother see and talk about, something completely separate from what I was angry about, until I cracked a smile.
What girl he liked that week, the new horse we’d gotten that he was sure would be the one to finally buck me off the saddle, a new computer code he wanted to crack—it changed as we got older.
“So, you know the club I did some website work for in the city? Silk and Spice?”
I nodded, brow still arched as I was so confused where this was going right now, but I could feel my rage slipping slightly to curiosity.
“They want me to help them design a sex app—cool, huh?” He smiled, nodding his head and biting his bottom lip. A look that only spelled out trouble when it came to my brother.
“I’m sorry, they want you to design a sex app? What the hell does that even entail?” I questioned, unable to keep the internal cringe at bay when thinking about my brother teaching people about sex via an app.
“Stop being all grossed out, it’s not like that.
Think of it like a dating app, only instead of a date to meet your new partner, you want someone to hook up with, only without judgment.
They sent over some ideas on what they’re looking for, and I think it’ll be really cool.
You’ll be able to set up kinks, limits, looks, safe words, if you want it to be anonymous or not, all that,” he explained.
“Anonymous? Sounds like you’re signing up to contract an STD, Wy,” I said, suddenly worried about my brother.
I knew he had an eclectic taste when it came to sex.
It was that quiet, adventurous side of him, but I didn’t like the idea of him getting hurt by some nutball on an app who thought he was good-looking.
He chuckled. “Aw, big bro—you’re worried about me?
Adorable. But no, you can only get on the app if you’re a part of the club, and they require STD screenings and all that at sign-up and once a month.
It’s a big thing for them, and why they’re the best. I wouldn’t be working with anyone sleazy or back-alley bullshit. You know that.”
I did know that. Silk and Spice was where I’d gone to for help with the bondage ideas for Aspen and the toys.
They didn’t play. I was lucky because I’d been able to do an online membership where you could order toys, rope, lube, and online classes that went over things like bondage.
I didn’t think I could actually go to said sex club…
unless my angel wanted to—that was different though.
“Well, that worked. You’re calmer. Anyway, I’m about halfway done with the app, been working on it behind the scenes for the last couple of months. Beta testing is starting in a couple of weeks for select members while we work out the kinks, pun intended, of course,” he said with a smirk.
I shook my head because he was right, I did feel better.
I let out a breath and walked toward Aspen’s closet to see if there was anything worth bringing with me.
Every single piece of clothing she had hanging up was gone.
Part of me was happy I hadn’t been here to see them destroyed the way they must’ve been to trash everything.
“What would possibly possess someone to act like that?” Wyatt questioned from behind me.
“My guess is he doesn’t enjoy not feeling in control of her anymore—from where she lives to what she wears on a daily basis,” I replied as I rummaged through the drawers she had in the small dresser.
“Hm. I’m guessing you’d like me to find out where he is.”
“If you could, that would be lovely,” I said. “Also, I want to get some cameras set up around the house. Something that won’t be able to be hacked into if possible.” He nodded and gave me a thumbs up.
I pulled out my phone and opened the tracker app to ensure she was still at work and safe.
“Have you used it yet? On her?” he asked.
He didn’t need to elaborate; I knew what he meant.
He’d given me the tracker the night I’d asked for it.
The night shit hit the fan, and I had to reevaluate everything.
I woke up in the middle of the night in a panic that she was gone again, only to find her there in my arms. I slipped out of bed, grabbed the package from Wyatt’s friend , and followed the instructions to a T.
It said to shoot her somewhere that was mostly fat tissue—for Aspen, that meant in her luscious backside.
“I did, yes.”
“Good. I don’t want you to lose her, because we both know he’s only going to escalate after this,” Wyatt said as his arm did a quick sweep over the disaster that was Aspen’s apartment.
“I know. That’s why I’m glad she’s finally staying with me, where she belongs,” I muttered.
“Love the new ink by the way,” Wyatt said a moment later, a knowing smile on his face. “What did she say when she saw it?”
I chuckled. “She said it was beautiful.”
“Damn. Maybe she’s just as obsessed as you are after all.”
I shook my head and ran my fingers through my hair. “I almost texted you about changing out her birth control, dude. That’s how fucked up this woman has me in the head.”
Wyatt’s eyes widened for a moment. “Well damn, bro, glad you didn’t. That’s more of a Theo level of nuts, ya know?”
I laughed. “You’re not wrong.”
My brother and I rummaged through Aspen’s apartment for a little bit longer before calling it quits and shooting Ivy a text for help getting her some clothes for the next couple of days.
I’d been able to save her favorite combat boots that she basically lived in—they’d been kicked under the bed, so they fucker must’ve missed them.
The rest of her clothes? No such luck.
Art supplies? Not even close.
I felt defeated, but at the same time, I knew she’d be okay because I would be here to pick her up if she stumbled.