Page 24 of Gooey

Chapter 8

Moore

The next morning, I still haven’t taken off my ring. If I hadn’t watched Winter make it, I’d be surprised to find out it’s a homemade craft. It’s incredibly smooth and the pink streaks of blood look like marble throughout the white clay.

We talked all day after cleaning up, learning more about one another while glowing in our post-shower mood. Though I didn’t mind if she wasn’t taking anything, I acted like a semi-responsible man and inquired about birth control. Since I took her raw and filled her to the fucking brim with cum, I had to know. She’d definitely be knocked up if she didn’t have an implant.

Apparently it helps her with her period, stopping it almost entirely. She likes not having cramps and only spotting once a month for a day or two. Even so, she volunteered to have it removed in favor of having my babies. Using those exact words.

I almost bent her over to breed her—implant and all—just hearing the idea come from her mouth. But she’s so young and I should enjoy our love with just the two of us for at least a little while longer. When I suggested waiting a year to have her all to myself, she readily agreed.

She also explained her desire to visit the bookstore in Salem she brought up once before. Apparently, the place specializes in the second chances of books. Aptly named DNF, the place is full of chaotic reads, smutty or otherwise. With the way she speaks about unhinged novels and novellas, I know I’ve got the most adorable, yet feral, bookworm on my hands.

The first thing I’m going to order for her when we get home is her ring and shortly after that, a credit card with her name on it. And following those? A fat stack of books from The DNF Bookstore with the promise to take her there myself once we’re settled in. Probably a new E-reader too, since hers looks ancient. I’m going to need to make a list of all the things I want to give her, because the more I think about it, the more ideas I get.

She’ll need new clothes, of course. While she has a couple outfits in her small box of belongings, they’re old and worn and not very warm. She’ll need warm things to wear for Massachusetts this time of year.

For now, she’s wearing one of my shirts like a dress as it falls to her knees. As sexy as she looks, she can’t tumble around in my wardrobe forever. Winter needs frilly pink dresses and sparkly skirts. She definitely needs pink wool-lined leggings and pretty sweaters for the colder weather. She’s a girly girl to her core and has confessed as much. I’m sure my sister will be more than thrilled to show her all of her favorite boutiques. Even more thrilled to swipe my card, I bet.

“Finally getting the hell out of here?” Rob asks.

He stands next to me while I watch Winter say goodbye to Nancy from several feet away. The older woman looks a little concerned—likely at how intense Winter and I have become so quickly—but mostly happy for us.

“No reason to stay,” I grunt in response.

“No, I imagine not,” he replies with a chuckle. “Already packed up your things?”

There wasn’t much to pack, but yes.

“We’re ready,” I answer firmly. “The chopper is nearly good to go, too.”

“Wasting no time, good man,” Rob comments with a nod. “You know, everyone here is very happy for you, but we’ll miss having you around. You get shit done, Moore.”

I like Rob, a lot more than some of the other men here. But I won’t miss him or this place. I feel like a whole new person, ready to leave the past behind me and move on with my girl.

“Don’t worry, I’ll have a replacement here that reports directly to me. I won’t stick you guys with just anyone.”

He laughs, tipping his head back. “Good. Because as good as you are at running this place, I don’t want to see you back here. You need to be with your woman.”

“Couldn’t agree more, Rob. Couldn’t agree more.”

The two of us shake hands and part ways just in time for Winter to come crashing into my chest. She’s been giddy for hours, giving me hugs and kisses whenever she can. It’s so sweet and infectious.

Wrapping my arms around her too, I bury my nose into her hair, inhaling. She always smells so fresh and feminine. It’s truly intoxicating.

“You ready to go, sugar?”

“So ready,” she exclaims, kissing my chest before ending our embrace. “Do you think we can fool around in the helicopter?”

I have to laugh lightly at that. “As fun as that sounds, considering I’ll be flying us, that’s probably not a good idea.”

“You can fly a helicopter?” she bursts out in surprise. “Is there anything you can’t do?”

“I’m a horrible baker,” I answer honestly. “There’s never been a cookie in my oven that I didn’t somehow destroy.”

She bubbles with laughter. “Don’t worry, handsome. I’ll bake you cookies.”

“Yeah?”

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