Page 86 of Protecting Her Secrets

Skylar grins as she bites into her dinner, thoroughly enjoying the conversation. She has been mostly quiet, and I can’t wait to be alone so she can yell at me. I can apologize, and then I can make it up to her with my tongue between her legs. We haven’t had sex since her injury, despite how many times she tells me she’s okay. I’ve been too worried I’ll hurt her. I don’t see how a little oral could do any harm, though.

“I won’t apologize for patronizing that fine establishment.” He lifts his chin. “It’s actually pretty bitchin’. They have all these themed rooms. There’s even a pedicure spa for dudes with foot fetishes.”

I laugh. “Is that your kink? Feet?”

“Don’t kink-shame him,” Skylar scolds.

“It’s not my—” He pinches his brow. “I was just giving you an example.”

“What other kinds of rooms do they have?” Sky takes a drink of water.

“There’s a kitchen, a classroom, and a nature room where one whole wall is glass so people can watch, but my favorite is the galaxy room. They have these things that can implant eggs and alien sleeves that fit over your dong. It’s awesome.”

“So you have an alien fetish?” Sky asks, and we all crack up, even Ridge.

Once we’ve settled, I address his initial question. “Let’s see if they show again. If they do, then maybe we can hire them for some extra security.”

Wilder’s already clenched jaw tightens further. I swear, if that guy doesn’t lighten up, he’s gonna crack a molar. Maybe I should get him a gift card for the Honey Pot.

“I’ll give the guy I’ve gotten friendly with a call.”

Not long after that, the guys leave, and I’m left with a pissed-off woman. I leave her to work on dishes while I get the animals in for the night. Once that’s done, I come back inside to find the lower level of the house quiet.

“Am I in for a butt chewing?” I ask Sprocket, who’s currently burying the remote under his bed. I’ll have to remember that tomorrow when I can’t find it.

Upstairs, I find Skylar already in bed, the lights out, her back to me. Shit, I really did it this time. There’s no way I’m going to let her go to sleep angry, so I strip down and climb in after her. Risking a punch to the junk, I pull her into me, and she hiccups as though?—

“Are you crying, sweetheart?” I roll her onto her back only because she told me her cut doesn’t hurt when she puts pressure on it anymore. She sniffles, and my heart splinters into a million pieces. I can’t stand it when she cries.

“I’m scared. He knows where we live, Walker.”

I want to focus on her calling this house where she lives, but I’ll save that for later. “We knew he would eventually, but it doesn’t change a damn thing. He can’t get onto this property without us knowing.”

“They must be driving cages; otherwise, someone would’ve called to let us know about motorcycles driving through town.”

“Cages, huh? Sometimes I forget you’re the Broken Rebel princess.”

“Don’t call me that.”

“Sorry. It was a poor attempt at humor,” I say, swiping at her damp cheeks.

“They could be out there right now.”

“They could be, but no matter what, even if they cut the power or manage to hack into my system, Rowan has so many fail-safes in place, we will know.”

“I don’t like it.”

“I can take you away from here for a while if you want. We can take a babymoon.”

I don’t see her smile, but I hear it. “How do you know what a babymoon is?” When I don’t answer, she shoves me. “You’ve been reading again!”

“That’s what happens when you’re literate, babe. You read.”

“You know that’s not what I meant, but no. I don’t think we should take a babymoon. I just want it to be over. It’s gotten to the point where I don’t even care if I’m the one who dies at the end, as long as it ends.”

“Don’t say that.” I pinch her chin. “Don’t you ever fucking say that.”

“I’m exhausted, Walker.”

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