Page 50 of Saving Shepperd

No words were available, but I held his stare in the dark room.

Law cupped my cheek in his large palm and finally spoke. “Thank you, beautiful girl, for trusting me with your body. Thank you for staying present with me here in this room, and most of all”—he smirked in a boyish way—“thank you for agreeing to stay here with me. I hope this is the first of many, many, hot, dirty nights in this very bed.”

So, it wasn’t exactly what I was expecting, but not too far off either. I was definitely caught off guard when he admitted he was glad I moved in. His words helped ease the anxiety mounting over being a charity case.

I decided to reuse his words and replied, “It’s my absolute pleasure too.”

ChapterFourteen

Law

Later that night, we sat in the living room, sprawled out in front of the television. Shepperd lay in front of me on the sofa, and I had a heavy arm draped over her hip. I couldn’t tell you what we watched because I was lost in thought and distracted by her warm body.

My dick wouldn’t settle down for more than five minutes, even though we fucked in the shower after the first time in my bed and again when we took up this entwined spot on the sofa. I still wanted more.

“You’re like a drug, I swear,” I breathed into her hair.

“Law,” she whimpered, her voice sexy and raspy from all the activity. “I don’t think I can go again. I’m not sure I can even walk at this point.”

“Sshh, baby, I know. My body is running on its own agenda right now. I don’t think I could either.” It only took a second to reassess that dumb comment, and I laughed aloud. “Okay, that’s not true, but I understand what you’re saying. I’m obsessed, not cruel.”

“Obsessed? Really?”

“Oh…one hundred percent.”

“Does that concern you?” she asked but continued staring at the television screen where two girls took turns gossiping about each other.

I answered honestly. “No, not really. Feels damn good, actually.” But then I realized maybe the words made her uncomfortable, so I asked, “Does it worry you?” Oxygen was in short supply while I waited for her to reply.

Her body didn’t tense, though, and she only took a few seconds to reply. “Nah, I’m not worried either. This has been one of the best days I can remember.”

I wanted to turn her to face me but thought it might be easier for her to talk openly without the scrutiny of my direct stare.

“Hey, listen, while I’m thinking of it,” I began, and she looked at me over her shoulder. “It’s nothing bad, I just keep forgetting to ask you.”

“Okaaaay,” she dragged out skeptically. “What’s up?”

“My niece’s birthday is this weekend, and my brother and his woman are throwing a party for her. I was hoping you’d be my date.” Why the hell did I feel so nervous asking her to go with me? Probably because she’d meet a lot of my family members there and damn straight I’d be introducing her to everyone as my girlfriend.

“Sure, I guess. What day? Saturday or Sunday?”

“Pretty sure it’s Saturday. Do you have to work?” I asked, hoping she didn’t have a readymade excuse not to go.

“Nope. That’s the best thing about an office job. Monday through Friday,” she said and sat up so we could chat. “Have you gotten a gift already?”

“Shit, no. Well, looks like I’ll need to do that before the party. I swear I’m the worst gift giver on the planet.”

But the little angel sitting in front of me lit up like a Christmas tree. “You’re in luck! I love picking out presents for other people. Maybe more than receiving gifts myself.”

“Would you mind going with me to pick something up?”

“I was hoping you’d ask. I’d be happy to go with you.” She looked at the dainty watch on her wrist and wrinkled her nose. “Probably too late to go now, so we’ll have to go tomorrow. How old is she?”

I thought for a second and remembered Jacob telling me that his daughter Vela and our niece Stella were in the same class at school. “She’s the same age as my niece, so…nine. In fact, I’m sure Stella will be at the party too, so you’ll get to meet some of my family.”

“Oh, wait a second,” she said, and her entire demeanor shifted—from excited and enthusiastic to trepidatious in the blink of an eye.

“What’s wrong?” I asked and took her hands in mine, ready to reassure her.

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