Chapter 24
Rosalie
The engine rumbled steadily beneath us as we cruised down the highway.
The landscape was a blur of greens, browns, and occasional bursts of vibrant wildflowers.
We had been on the road most of the day, but it was so mesmerizing just looking out the window.
I couldn’t remember the last time I had seen the sun, given how long I was in Silas’s basement.
It was nice, freeing. I felt so alive. I leaned back in my seat, a lazy smile spread across my face while classical music played from the speakers.
I really was happy, and I had Silas to thank for that.
Just like Silas said, everything was going to be okay.
“Vegas, baby!” Silas shouted, his eyes filled with excitement.
I almost couldn’t believe this was real, but Silas had always been a man of his word. “We still have a few hours left… more than a few,” I replied, peering at the GPS on his phone showing five and a half hours until we reached our destination.
We were so close, yet so far.
“True, but every minute I’m driving is another minute closer to our destination, my love.” Silas grinned. His eyes drifted to the billboards we were passing. “How about we stop? Grab a snack, stretch our legs.”
I nodded. “That sounds like a great idea.”
Silas pulled into the gas station. It was old and rundown, but that checked out given we were in the middle of nowhere.
The paint was peeling from the walls, and since the sun was going to go down soon, the flickering fluorescent lights buzzed overhead.
It was almost eerie. I stepped closer to Silas as I got out of the car.
The smell of gas and stale coffee filled my nose.
Yuck.
I stayed close to Silas, holding his hand only to part ways to go to the bathroom while he headed for the snack aisle. I was quick with my business before returning to his side.
The place was filled with an odd assortment of items: dusty souvenirs, an array of energy drinks, all sorts of things.
My brow furrowed, noticing something by the entrance.
A small kitten huddled against the wall.
Its small frame shook as it stared at me with wide, terrified eyes.
It was pathetic—dirty, a bit dusty, and certainly in need of care.
She had big blue eyes, and while I wasn’t a cat expert, she looked like a mix of a Siamese and a tabby, if I had to guess.
“Hi there, little baby,” I cooed softly.
Oh my gosh, I love her. She’s the cutest thing ever, awww!
The kitten blinked at me before inching closer. I couldn’t help myself, scooping her up, I cradled her against my chest. She was warm, and oh so very soft.
“Rosalie,” Silas called out, approaching me with a basket full of food, snacks, and drinks. His smile faded when he saw the kitten in my arms. “What do you have there?”
“It’s a kitten. I found her. Can we keep her, please?”
Please, please, please say yes.
“Are you serious?” He lowered his basket and approached both the kitten and I. “You want to keep it?”
I nodded. “Mhm. I want to name her Socks. Look at her little paws—it looks like she is wearing little socks.”
“How can I say no to you?” Silas replied, kissing my forehead. He then reached for the kitten, giving her a few chin scratches. “Ugh… fine. Let me go look for cat supplies while I’m at it, then we can hit the road. I'm sure they have something here for her.That thing needs a bath, though.”
“THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU.” I giggled. Bouncing as I gave Silas a half hug, following him down the aisles while cradling Socks in my arms.
Not long after, we were back on the road. A few hours passed before we made it to the outskirts of our destination. Silas pulled into a small, rundown motel.
“Looks cozy, doesn’t it?” he quipped sarcastically.
“Charming.” I laughed, rolling my eyes, still holding a sleeping Socks in my arms.
“We are just resting for the night. I have a place for us, but we can’t get the keys until the morning.
Come on, let’s go.” Silas grinned, climbing out of his truck.
We proceeded to check into our room. Once inside with our bags, Silas closed the door behind us.
I released the kitten to explore its new surroundings.
“Socks needs a bath before you even think of letting her sleep with us in the bed,” Silas advised.
I rolled my eyes. “You need a bath if you want to sleep with me.”
He shot me a look. “Hey!”
“Well…” I quipped, giggling as Silas used the motel phone.
“I’m going to order us some wings and fries… sound good? I’m starving. Then we can clean up and get some rest.”
“Sounds good to me.”
I bathed Socks, and once she was clean, Silas and I showered together. By the time we were freshened up and in our pajamas, our food had arrived. We devoured it, far hungrier than either of us realized.
Silas cleaned up our motel room, ridding it of the trash and dirty towels while I lay in bed, reading a book with Socks curled up at my feet. The TV was on, but I wasn’t paying much attention to it.
The atmosphere was relaxed and warm.
I loved it, loved not being in the basement anymore.
I felt a shift in the bed, and before I could comprehend that Silas was lying next to me, the soft warmth of his body radiated against mine. My heart skipped a beat, his fingers brushed my thigh. My breath hitched.
“Rosalie,” he murmured.
“Mhm?” I breathed, my heart pounding as he leaned in, his lips centimeters from my neck.
“You’re perfect,” he whispered.
“Thank you,” I choked out, quite flustered by the way he was touching me. His fingers were getting dangerously close to the space between my legs. “What are you… doing?” I asked, trying to focus on the chapter I was in the middle of.
“Keep reading baby… I’m going to take my time with you tonight…” he whispered. Silas’s lips met my neck, gently kissing and suckling at my flesh. A soft breath left my lips, followed by a smile, trying to keep reading while his hands explored my body.
Fuck, I was so in love. How was he so perfect? He was almost too good to be true.