Page 35 of House of Soot

She rolls her eyes as she puts on her robe. “You don’t like talking about anything about yourself.”

She’s not wrong. At least in my current situation. If I told her about myself, she’d likely turn me in to Ronan. Perhaps he’d notice her then. Take her to his bed. The idea of it makes me want to walk over and put a bullet into his head now.

I finish dressing and walk over to her. “There’s nothing in my past that is important. I like to live in the now. And right now, I have to sneak out of your room before you mom knows I stayed and gave you multiple orgasms last night.”

The blush to her cheeks is adorable and at the same time makes me feel like the biggest asshole in the world.

“You had at least two,” she quips.

“I did. They were fucking fantastic. I love your pussy, Jenna.”

Her cheeks go a shade pinker. “I love your…”

“Say cock,” I prompt her.

She bites her lower lip. “Cock.”

My dick twitches, and I wish I could have one more fuck before I had to leave. “I’m going to be hard all damn day.”

“Because I said cock?”

“Fuck, you’re doing it again.” I give her a quick kiss and then quietly creep from her room and out of the cottage.

The estate looms before me, the large mansion surrounded by manicured lawns and perfect gardens. For ten years, it’s stood as a symbol of what the Keans stole from my family. But now, looking at the gardens, I don't see the Keans’ betrayal. Instead, I see Jenna on her knees in the dirt, carefully tending each plant with those gentle hands that traced my tattoos last night.

Fuck. This wasn't supposed to happen. She’s supposed to pay for her betrayal. Instead, she's becoming my weakness. I can’t stop replaying the night in my mind. The way she touched me. The soft sounds she made as I claimed her body again and again. How she curled into me afterward, completely trusting. None of it was fake. None of it was calculated. And that terrifies me more than anything else.

The question is, what the hell am I going to do about it?

15

JENNA

My morning is normal. Well, except for the waking up next to Blaise part. I could definitely get used to that.

I prepared my mother’s tea and helped her get ready for the day.

“I half expected Mr. Tine to be here this morning,” she says, watching me over the brim of her cup. Did she hear us last night? I’m mortified by the thought.

I rein in my embarrassment. “Would that be a problem?”

“Awkward, maybe. I know you’re a grown woman and need to live your life, but you’re still my baby. It’s hard to think of your being sexually active.”

It’s hard to have my mother think of my being sexually active. But at least now I know she’s okay with Blaise staying over. Maybe he could move in. No. I can’t get ahead of myself. Yes, I love him. Yes, I’d love for this relationship to stand the test of time. But I also recognize there is a lot I don’t know, a lot he doesn’t seem to want to share, and that requires that I put the brakes on a little bit and not rush this thing.

When I finish with breakfast, I head toward the main house. When I arrive, I see Keira and little Brigit, the Keans’ god-daughter, having breakfast. I wonder if the Keans will send them away for their safety. I get the sense Keira wouldn’t mind leaving. I don’t sense a closeness between her and her parents. But she is fond of the girl.

Before I can say my good mornings, I’m called to a house staff meeting. I join my colleagues in the grand hall, my shoulder brushing against Debbie's.

“What’s going on?” I whisper to her. She spends more time inside the house and is privy to more gossip than I am working in the garden.

“I think it has to do with the attack the other day.”

Mrs. Kean takes her place at the front of the room and we all quiet down.

"Recent events have made it clear that we need to implement stricter security measures,” Mrs. Kean states. "Everyone will receive new ID badges by the end of the week. These must be worn at all times."

I remember Blaise saying he thought the attack was more to cause trouble than harm, but the Keans are treating it more seriously. I’m glad. It seems to me that things have been escalating. I don’t want to live in danger, but I don’t have other prospects for work that will help me take care of my mom.

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