Page 104 of Dirty Mechanic
“It’s the rain,” she lies, breathless.
I stroke her slowly, deliberately, watching her unravel in my arms in the middle of a jail cell. Her head tilts, lips parting on a silent gasp as I drag my fingers through her folds, circling the slick heat of her until she bites down on my shoulder to keep quiet. I slide two fingers inside her, coaxing her to the edge with my thumb.
“Derek,” she gasps. “I’m gonna?—”
She shudders in my arms, curling tight, mouth pressed to my neck.
I hold her until she steadies, then press a kiss to her drying lips.
She exhales a shaky laugh. “So this is how we spend week one of being married?”
“In a jail cell. Sneaking orgasms between thunderclaps. Honestly, I expected worse.”
“You would,” she mutters, tugging her dress back down.
I grin. “Hey, I could’ve waited for proper sheets. Maybe even a shower.”
“You touching me like that?” she says softly. “Took my mind off everything that’s fucked up.”
The smile fades from her face. Her voice drops. “Derek… I’m scared. When the government finds out I married Mike to avoid a murder conviction… And so he could get a green card… And the forged divorce papers… They’re going to come after me. He’s going to come after me.”
I tighten my arms around her. “Let them try.”
“I’m serious. He’s not done. I can feel it.”
We lie back together on the narrow cot, bodies curved, her back tucked to my chest. I spoon her beneath the blanket, still half-hard, still aching, but content. And that’s when the door creaks open.
Caroline steps in, clipboard tucked under one arm, rain dripping off the hem of her coat.
She eyes us both. “Do I even want to know?”
“Probably not,” I mutter. “But if you give us five more minutes, we can finish what we started.”
She sighs, already mid–eye roll. “Okay. I’m going to need therapy. Possibly holy water.”
“We’re honeymooners on a budget. What do you expect?”
“Save your snuggling for home, Romeo,” she says. “I’m here because your bail just got approved.”
Annabelle lifts her head. “Wait—what? That was fast.”
Caroline nods, eyes softer than usual. “Emma pulled strings. Blake threatened to sue someone. You’re free. Simon’s buried in paperwork from three counties. So keep your pants on. Or don’t. I’m not checking. Are you coming or what?”
Simon shows up and unlocks the cell with a smile.
We shoot up like two springs.
Caroline turns, then pauses at the door. Her voice shifts—quieter now.
“One more thing. You’re not going to like it.”
Annabelle stiffens. “What?”
Caroline glances between us. “Mike’s not backing down, and Rick seems like a viable alibi. Emma did a background check. They’re dirty, and Mike’s stirred up a legal mess that’s going to take time to unravel. And... The truth is, none of us can guarantee your safety right now.”
“What are you saying?” I ask.
“I’m saying don’t go home. He knows where you live.”
