Chapter 18
EMRIS
I run a hand down my face as Brielle storms out of the kitchen, only stopping to grab the coffee cup. This girl is proving to be a fucking handful.
“What’s your plan with her?” Carson asks, sitting back down with a sigh, calmer now than when Brielle first came down.
“I’m trying to hold off on giving her too much info.
The less she knows, the better.” I glance at him and see he isn’t buying it.
He knows that if I give her the truth, she’ll more than likely find a way to leave.
She could if she really wanted to, but where is she going to go?
She has no one, and as much as I feel for her, I want to be her person. The one she leans on.
And I will be.
“Ray, Troy, and Ash are coming to chill tomorrow. Fire in the front?” Carson changes the subject, downing the rest of his coffee.
“Yeah, I’ll grab some beer when I’m in town later.” I drink the rest of my lukewarm coffee and set my cup in the sink. “I need to get some shit for Brielle.”
“I’d ask if you need help, but I don’t think I need to be there while you buy bras and whatever other shit she’ll need.” He lets out a laugh before stepping out the backdoor and into the yard.
She needs to come with me, but part of me isn’t ready to be around her.
I need to take a step back and figure things out in my head, because right now, what’s right from wrong is all mixed up.
It seems like she’s not the type of girl who gives up when she wants something.
She’ll ask questions I’m not ready to answer, but on the other hand, I want to spend as much time with her as possible.
I rap my knuckles against the door, gaining her attention. She jumps, and her head swings at me. “Let’s go.”
“Where are we going?” she asks but stands anyway. She has one of my shirts on and a pair of shorts, and as much as I love seeing her in my clothes, she needs ones that fit her.
“Town.”
The bell on the door goes off when we enter the shop.
Brielle keeps her distance, but I don’t think I need to worry about her trying to take off anymore.
After the words I said to her this morning, I owe her an apology—but she won’t get it, because I wasn’t lying.
Yes, my words were harsh, but there was truth to them.
She has no one and nowhere to go. Being with me is her only option, and I think she knows that. It’s now my job to keep her safe.
“Welcome in! What can I help you find today?” The woman directs her question to me, completely ignoring Brielle, which kinda pisses me off.
“We are here to buy a whole new wardrobe.” I smile at her and she blushes before looking over at Brielle, her smile dropping slightly.
I look down at the employee, bringing her attention back to me when I snap my fingers in front of her. She blinks rapidly, her face heating as a flirty smile appears once again.
“What’s your name?” I ask.
“Emma,” she says confidently, her smile widening now that my attention is back on her.
“Well, Emma, please show us your best selections. My girl can get whatever she wants.” I hold my hand out, and Brielle looks at it for half a second before sliding her palm against mine, her grip firm and almost possessive.
Hmm. Weird switch up, but okay.
Emma’s gaze drops to our joined hands. She scoffs and turns away toward the racks of clothing.
When I look down at Brielle, she’s watching Emma’s retreating figure, lips pressed into a thin line, before she pulls her hand free from mine.
“What’s wrong?” I turn to face her fully, bringing my hand up and pushing a strand of hair behind her ear. She pulls back slightly, chin lifting like she’s bracing for something.
Oh, I see—is she’s jealous?
“That look,” I say, “I know that look.” I can’t keep the teasing out of my voice.
She finally meets my gaze and replies. “You don’t know anything, Emris.”
I grin. “You gonna tell me you aren’t jealous?”
“I’m not,” she snaps, crossing her arms. “I’m just annoyed that I have to do this. I hate shopping.”
God, she’s so fucking cute when she’s mad.
I lean in, voice low enough so only she can hear. “Funny because you’re standing a lot closer and were gripping my hand a tad too tight for someone who isn’t jealous.”
“You’re imagining things,” she scoffs.
“Maybe I am.” I smile. “Or maybe you don’t like anyone thinking they have a shot with me.”
“She doesn’t.” Her eyes flash with anger.
I chuckle softly, pleased with her reactions. “Correct. She doesn’t.” I wrap an arm around her waist casually for everyone to see, and her body stiffens but she doesn’t try to move away this time.
“Relax, Brielle. If I wanted her attention, I wouldn’t have my arms wrapped around you, and I definitely wouldn’t be taking you shopping.”
“I said I hate shopping.” She exhales through her nose, annoyed with me even more, but the tension in her shoulders eases slightly.
She’s softening.
“You’ll love it with me, I promise.”
She breaks out of my hold and shoves at my chest. “You’re fucking insufferable.”
“And you’re adorable when you’re jealous—”
”I’m not jealous!”
A throat clears behind us.
Emma forces a smile. “I found some options. They are in the dressing room,” she tells Brielle.
My girl, however, doesn’t say anything—only glares—but proceeds to follow.
“Perfect.” Brielle gives Emma and me a fake-ass smile before stalking off.
Emma shows her to the dressing room and leaves us to it, and reluctantly, I let her go in the stall alone.
“I want to see every outfit,” I tell her, but she ignores me, closing the door behind her.
It doesn’t take long before she steps out after having the first outfit on.
It’s simple, but she makes it look fucking extravagant—black jeans that hug her hips perfectly, paired with a simple deep red V-neck.
“Red is definitely your color,” I muse, my tongue moving across my bottom lip as I take her in, wanting to strip her out of every inch of fabric and fuck her without any care of who’s around.
Fuck, she’s hot.
Yeah, fuck staying out here and waiting.
“I guess,” she mumbles before turning back around and entering the dressing room, but before she can close the door, I stand from the chair and push it back open with my hand.
“What are you—” She stops when I step in behind her and close the door, flicking the lock.
“Emris, now isn’t the time,” she tries to reason, but I’m beyond that.
I need her, and I need her now.
Her lips part as I crowd her against the mirror, her eyes widening.
“Emris,” she tries again, pushing her hands against my chest, but I don’t budge.
Not wasting any more time, I bring my mouth down on hers.
Fuck, her lips are so soft.
I pull back, already missing her lips on mine.
Watching for any sign that she doesn’t want this, I grip the hem of the shirt, pulling the fabric over the top of her head and then dropping to my knees in front of her.
My fingers thread through the belt loops of her jeans, yanking them down her thighs until she’s in nothing but her bra and panties.
“Emris!” she whispers. “We can’t do this here!” She might say those words, but she doesn’t try to stop me when I lower her panties to the ground.
“Fuck. You’re already dripping.” I stand up, towering over her and grabbing her hips before turning her so she’s facing the mirror.
“Look at how beautiful you are,” I tell her, pressing my lips to the crook of her neck. Her eyes fall closed, and I know she’s enjoying this as much as I am, even if she doesn’t want to admit it.
I trail my fingers along her skin until I reach between her thighs. The wetness coating her skin makes me want to devour her until she’s a crying mess on the damn floor.
When I move my fingers through her pussy, she gasps as I circle her clit.
“Look at yourself, Brielle. Look at what a mess you are.” Her hooded eyes open, and she watches my fingers disappear inside of her. She moans too loud, and I bring my other hand up to cover her mouth.
“Do you want to come, baby?” She nods frantically.
“Then you better be quiet. Your moans are for me only. No one else is allowed to hear them, do you understand?” I move my hand, and she sucks in air the second I add another finger inside of her, while also making sure my palm is pressing against her clit with each thrust.
‘Fuck. Don’t stop,” she whines, her eyes rolling back right before an orgasm crashes over her.
“Fuck, fuck, fuck,” she whimpers.
“That’s it, baby. Come all over my fingers.” Her body convulses slightly against mine moments before she sags against me.
I press kisses to the side of her head until she gets ahold of herself.
“I’m not returning the favor,” Brielle states between deep breaths. She bends down to grab her underwear, but I get to them first. Snatching them up from the floor, I bring them to my nose and inhale. A look of disgust crosses her face along with a pink tint.
“Fuck,” I whisper, pocketing her panties for later.
“I can’t believe you.” Brielle rolls her eyes, going for her shorts this time, but I stop her. “Put the clothes back on, I’ll go pay. Meet me by the register when you’re dressed.” I turn, leaving the dressing room.
I needed to get away from her before I bent her over and fucked her perfect pussy raw. Just that image alone makes me hard as fuck.
As I close the door, I readjust my cock that seems to be constantly hard whenever I’m around her.
Emma is standing behind the counter, and she gives me a smile that isn’t as friendly anymore. I keep words to a minimum as I pay for all the clothing while Brielle brings everything out for Emma to bag it all up.
As we get to the car, I find myself wanting to ask more about her—more than what Carson was able to dig up, anyway. I want to know everything, but I have a funny feeling she won’t tell me much.
I pull onto the highway and glance over to find Brielle looking out the window at the passing scenery, seemingly deep in thought.
“What’re you thinking about?” I ask, looking over my shoulder to make sure it’s safe to merge.
She looks at me hesitantly before she replies, “My mom.”
“That’s whose grave you were at,” I state, already knowing the answer.
“Yeah. She passed away a few months ago from cancer.” She smiles sadly, picking at her nails. I reach over and stop her, squeezing her hand in mine.
“My mom passed a long time ago, so I understand how much it hurts.”
“What happened?” Brielle asks.
I shake my head slightly, trying to find the right thing to say—it’s a touchy subject for me. But it does make me question why she even cares.
I don’t say anything as I exit the highway and turn into a parking lot, putting the car in park but not getting out.
I squeeze the steering wheel with a sigh. “My father killed her,” I manage to get out. If Brielle can talk about her mom, then I can, too—even if it’s to help her feel better.
Brielle gasps in shock and looks taken aback, but now that I’ve started, I don’t think I can stop.
“He let his friends rape her repeatedly. Until one day, I couldn’t stand to hear her screams any longer, so I killed them all. But before I was able to kill him, he got to my mom first.”
There’s pure terror on her face as I tell my story. The memory of finding my mom on the ground under some fucking man sends a wave of anger through me. My skin itches, and I crave to feel them die at my hands all over again. I squeeze my eyes closed, only to open them when fingers touch my skin.
“I’m sorry,” Brielle whispers.
I grab her hand, bringing it to my lips and automatically feel better, even when she quickly pulls it away. She can fight this as much as she wants, but I can see her softening toward me. All I have to do is keep breaking through her hard shell, and she’ll be all mine.