Page 56 of Debts and Desires
“Before what?”
“‘Fore everyone knows about you bein’ here.”
“And that’s bad?”
“Yeah? I didn’t wanna share you.” He let out a huff continuing before I could say anything. “Gonna get busy now. Texts, calls, visits. Be prepared for twenty questions since everyone’s gonna know you’re here now.” He seemed especially upset about that last part.
“Well, what should I tell them? About us, I mean?” I felt my cheeks flare.
“Whatever you want, I s’pose.”
An idea sparked that made me grin.
“I’ll tell them this is the first time in weeks you let me out of the basement after keeping me chained to a bed for twenty-four seven free-use.” He glared while I gave a big grin. Carter was on me in an instant, his hands gripping my waist as his mouth met my ear.
“S’that what you want, Buttercup? You want me to chain you to a bed and use you twenty-four seven? ‘Cause I can do that,” he growled. “Matter o’fact, we didn’t finish what we started ‘fore we were interrupted. I’m pretty sure I promised to eat that pussy of yours?” My eyes fluttered closed. “I kinda liked hearin’ you call me Mr. Black, too,” he said, twirling a lock of my hair. “Well, more so the title. Might have to have you call meSirall the time instead of just at home. Would you like that?”
“Yes, Sir,” I whispered. Carter bit his lip and groaned, palming himself under the still tied jumpsuit.
“How is it you’re so damn perfect?” he asked, his hand grasping the back of my neck and pulling me close. So close that I was sure we werefinallygoing to kiss.
Okay,yes, I wanted to kiss Carter.Bad.
I could feel his breath on my lips when the desk phone rang.
“Told you,” he said to me. He let out a deep sigh, pulling away from me to pick it up. “Black’s,” he answered.
As he listened, he pinched the bridge of his nose and walked behind the desk.
23. RUMORS LIKE WILDFIRE
September 30
Day Thirty-Four
140 Hours to Go
“Heard you got yourself a new girlfriend.” Tyler asked as I walked behind my desk.
“She’snotmy girlfriend,” I grumbled. From the corner of my eye, I saw Emmy flush and quickly look away. Did she…wantto be?
“Ha. Miss Etta said she was your secretary, too.”
Damn, that old bitty moves quick.
When we were talking in the garage, she told me to spill about the girl in my office. I denied everything.
“You know I was born in the night, but—” Miss Etta started.
“But not last night.” I finished for her. “I know, I know.”
“Exactly. I know what young love looks like.”Love?No. I didn’t love Emmy. I was going to correct her, but she continued. “This one time, Walter and I were neckin’ in the front seat of his car. We were gonna jump in the back when my daddy showed up, swinging his shotgun. All the color drained from poor Walter’s face.” She continued to tell me what had happened after. How poor Mister Walter had to endure Miss Etta’s dad’sspeech. I laughed. Miss Etta was always like that, one of the few that made me smile.
That smile disappeared, though, when she pointed her little frail finger in my chest and made me swear I was gonna treat “that girl” right. Nothing got past her, and even though Emmy and I didn’t have a title, Miss Etta knew Emmy was mine for the time being.
“Somethin’ like that,” I finally answered Ty.
“And I heard she’s a hottie.” I wanted to tell him that Emmy was fucking gorgeous—like sunshine on a rainy day. I let out an exasperated sigh.
