Page 23 of Good Girl

How far away is the place they are taking me?

Just as I work up the nerve to ask some questions, Derek turns into the mall that I was at yesterday. I almost sag with relief. I need out of this car, ASAP.

As soon as Derek pulls into a space, Hudson places his hand on my bare thigh and gives it a squeeze. I whip my head around to look at him, but he is already getting out of the car. Fingers lace between my own, and I turn to look at Darcy, who is smiling at me.

“Come on, princess. We have some spoiling to do.”

I take a deep breath and let it out before sliding across the seat. Darcy doesn’t let go of my hand as he steps back to make room for me. As we walk away from the car, I remember that I have belongings now and turn back to the car with a little bit of panic. “My bag.”

Derek holds it up. “I’ve got it.”

I have no idea how he is the one in possession of it, but I nod my head.

Feeling like I’m two steps behind everyone around me is not something I’m used to, but I need to find a way to catch up.

The sun is warm enough to heat the bare skin of my shoulders, and I tip my face toward the sky, basking in the rays of warmth as they rejuvenate the dark corners of my soul. I’m not sure why, exactly, but ever since I can remember, whenever I’ve needed a minute to myself, I’ve turned to the sun.

Derek and Hudson walk ahead of us, their voices not loud enough for me to hear what they’re saying. Darcy distracts me, anyway.

“So, do you know what you want your other rewards to be?”

I frown as the glass sliding doorswhooshopen and we walk through, the sounds of people talking and music playing surrounding us. “I get to pick?”

He squeezes my hand. “Some of them. I know that I have a reward in mind for you, but if your heart is set on something you see today, then I can probably be persuaded to change my mind. I believe Derek has something in mind as well.”

I turn to look at Xavier, who is walking on my right, but just behind. “Do you have something in mind?”

He nods, then replies in a deep but quiet voice. “I already have something coming. It should be ready tomorrow.”

Xavier makes eye contact with me, examining me as he speaks, and I have to suppress a little shiver. Trepidation tries to rattle up my spine, but the persistent heat in my core that I have around these men ratchets up a few levels, and I have to wonder if I prefer psycho-type men.

“So, that leaves you with two rewards of your own choosing,” Darcy summarizes, unaware that I’m silently questioning my sanity.

Two rewards that I get to pick for myself. Brand-new things that no one has ever used before.

“Anything?” I ask, trying to think of even one thing that I want.

“Within reason, yes.”

I can think of things that I need, like textbooks, sheets and blankets, sneakers, a toothbrush, just off the top of my head. But things I want?

Though buying lingerie for the guys yesterday was hard, knowing it was for someone else made it easier. But buying for myself? The closest I’ve come to doing that was the teddy bear, crayons, and coloring book yesterday. Even then, they were for the scene in the hotel room. Sure, I’m going to get some added benefit from them after this weekend, but they weren’t primarilyfor me.

Maybe I could get one of those battery bank things, so my phone doesn’t go dead all the time?

Derek and Hudson are standing together outside of an electronics store, waiting for us. Derek holds out his free hand to me, and Darcy lets me go so I can go to him. I’m pulled into a hug and given a kiss on the top of my head. Iabsolutelydo not hold on for even a second longer than I should.

When Derek talks, his voice is low and quiet, for only me to hear. “Last night, when you were in the shower with Darcy, you know that we saw your backpack.”

I stiffen in his arms, and he holds me tighter. Swallowing, I nod as the icy feeling of embarrassment tries to force my feet to flee from this situation.

“Well, we also saw your phone and how the screen is severely cracked.” Thankfully, he doesn’t mention that the phone is easily several generations old. “I would like to replace it for you as my reward to you. If you’re uncomfortable with that, I’m going to replace the screen and buy you a protective case and screen protector.”

I… what?

A whole ass new phone. Like, brand, brand new. It’ll still have packaging.

The thought of having something that new and shiny makes every muscle in my body pull tight, and I’m not sure I’m even breathing. Besides the fact that I’ve never had my own cash to buy myself things, there was no point in getting anything brand new, since it would have just been stolen from me.

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