Page 67 of Wolf

I watch her closely as I reach for the hem of her shirt. She doesn’t make a peep though and I exhale slowly as I pull it over her head.

I’ve dreamt about this fucking skin. Pure. Porcelain. Perfect.

She’s soft in all the right places, I know because I’m a greedy bastard who takes the time to brush my fingers over as much of her skin as possible.

As soon as the shirt is over her head, though, I pause. She wobbles like a top while I fight to contain my rage before saying, “Who did this?”

Her stomach is covered in a kaleidoscope of colors, courtesy of that bitch’s rage no doubt, but Lilli merely shrugs and steps past me while I resist the urge to slam my fist into the nearest wall.

I work my mouth to keep from making demands she’s not up to complying with when I spy her back, which is no better. The bruising has faded to browns and yellows but it’s extensive enough to send my stomach to my knees.

I can't imagine how this delicate girl withstood such violence and pulling her into my arms, I rasp, “Who?”

She drops her head and says, “Mama.”

“Your mother did this?” I say, gently touching her skin.

Shivering under the caress, she covers her tits and says, “I’m afraid.”

“What?” I ask, still reeling over the depths of her mother’s insanity. I mean, I know I saw some of it with Miriam, but fuck me, who would do this to their own damn children?

“The sheriff,” she says, choking on a sob.

My whole body stiffens, and I pull her around. What happened?

Someone is a dead fucking fucker but when she sags, her pretty features drawn down, I silently sigh. She needs rest. She needs to heal. Fuck, she needs a new fucking life.

Instead, I help her out of her pants, pick her up as gently as possible and set her in the tub. She stands beneath the spray, wrapping her arms around her waist and bowing her head.

The sight burns my fucking chest, and I rip off my shoes, jeans, and shirt before stepping inside. I need to soothe her. I need… fuck, I need to make this better.

When I pull her into my arms, she shivers. Running my hands down her chilled skin, I close my eyes. I’d give anything for her to turn and beg me to take the ache away, but she needs more and she’s fucking trembling from the trauma of god knows what that I failed to protect her from.

I knew what was happening and I didn’t get to her parents in time. I left her vulnerable, and the notion burns my already aching chest.

Grabbing the bar of soap on the shelf beside her head, I lather it up before smoothing it across her skin.

She leans her head against my chest with a whimper and something unfurls within, my heart beating double time. Carefully, gently, I wash away her tears and cleanse her body of the memories before grabbing the shampoo.

When tears build behind her eyes, I push her into the spray, humming, “Shh.”

The long silky strands of her hair slide through my fingers as I rinse it clean, and although I’d like to stand here and hold her forever, I know she needs rest. Forcing my limbs from the shower and away from her warm skin, I turn off the water before wrapping her up in a fluffy towel.

I studiously avoid her pretty tits, begging for my mouth. It’s not a reach to say that my dick aches like a motherfucker. With brisk strokes, I towel her off before leading her into my bedroom.

Since I don’t sleep here often, the bed remains tucked up and I silently thank the powers that be that the sheets are clean as she collapses beneath the covers and rolls to her side.

Eyeing her still form, my heart lodges in my throat and I slide in beside her before pulling her back to my chest. She feels perfect against my skin and forcing my eyes closed, I count backward from a hundred until my dick doesn’t ache.

All the while, she sleeps soundly in my arms.

Chapter 19

Lilli

“Wolf?”

Squinting, I turn over in bed and glance around. I’m alone and sitting up with a groan, I assess my aches and pains. Now that I’m not dead on my feet, they come rushing in and I bite back a moan.

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