17. Zombie
SEVENTEEN
ZOMBIE
I cursed myself for the umpteenth time that day thinking about what I had done last night. I prided myself on my control and my ability to stay calm and collected. But for some reason, like the other night with the rock, I lost my control around this girl.
I stirred the soup I was making with more vigor than necessary. I wanted to touch Lennie. I wanted to see the look on her face when she came. The previous night, I’d gotten off twice thinking about the sounds I’d heard coming from her room.
Why did she have such a hold over me? I’d worked with plenty of beautiful women during my time, and no one had the effect on me that Lennie did.
My phone vibrated in my pocket. As I took it out, my stomach sank.
UNKNOWN:
Tonight, same location as before. 10 PM. Don’t be late.
Another message followed, this one a picture of baby Ryann laying on a dirty mattress, crying. Rage surged through me as I took in the picture. Sarah was taunting me. Tonight I would figure out a way to get Ryann and Cassie to safety while I continued to help Sarah run the operation.
I really didn’t like the idea of sneaking out of my own house when I had a guest. Especially if I came home covered in blood again. I’d just sent a message confirming that I would be there when I heard footsteps coming down the stairs. I pocketed the phone and looked toward the noise.
“Mm, something smells good,” Lennie said as she walked into the kitchen.
Arousal shot to my groin as I took in the purple lace romper she was wearing. A sense of yearning washed over me as I watched her. I wanted to wrap her in my arms and smell the floral notes of her hair products and perfume. I wanted to devour her.
A whistle from the far corner of the room caught my attention. Arrow stood there with his arms crossed over his chest and a surprised look on his face.
“Dude, she looks smoking hot right now,” he said with his tongue in his cheek.
A growl slipped out of me before I had another second to think about it. Lennie jumped and looked startled.
I closed my eyes and took a breath. She thought I was growling at her. Great. Just fucking great. Now she was really going to think I was an asshole.
Cause you are, my inner monologue screamed at me.
I murmured an apology and began stirring the soup once more.
Dinner was as awkward as one could imagine. Despite Lennie’s best efforts, it was full of awkward pauses. Why was I like this? Why couldn’t I just talk to her like I would the rest of the people in my life?
Because she’s not just anyone, I thought to myself.
“Where did you learn to cook?” Lennie asked, scooping up another spoonful of soup.
The question brought me out of my jarring thoughts. “Um, my mom.”
She hummed with approval. “Well, she must be an amazing cook.”
“She’s dead,” I replied. I wished in that moment that I could talk to my mother about everything that was going on. That I could ask why and how she ever got entangled in Ricci’s web. I wanted to know how I had gotten here.
Lennie’s eyes looked like they were going to bug out of her head, and pink began to bloom on her round cheeks. “Oh my, I am so sorry.”
I could see her chest rise and fall more quickly with anxiety. I needed to say something to help calm her nerves. But I remained silent for several more seconds, stretching the awkward moment.
“It’s okay, it was a long time ago,” I finally said as I took another bite of my soup.
Her shoulders relaxed a smidge, which made me feel warm inside. The last thing I wanted to do was cause her discomfort.
We both quickly finished our meals and brought the bowls to the sink. Lennie stood next to me, fidgeting with her bright-pink nails. She watched me intently as I rinsed the bowls out and placed them in the dishwasher.
“Is there something on your mind, kitten?” I said with a smirk. The nickname slipped out naturally.
Lennie’s crystal-blue eyes met mine, sparkling in the overhead lighting. She bit her lower lip. My attention snagged on the movement.
“Will you bring me to your playroom?” she asked in a voice so quiet I almost thought I misheard her.