Page 77 of Bound By Fate
Beep… Beep… Beep…
The damn alarm I'd set so I wouldn’t be late for work. Dry pulled away from me and said, “Work?”
My head nodded, disappointment clearly written on my face. “Yeah. I can’t be late. It’s my first day back after the break.”
“As much as I’d rather stay in this bed with you just like this, let’s go.” He rolled off of me and pulled me to my feet. “Do whatever it is you do that covers up all your beauty.”
“What?” I asked, turning toward the bathroom.
“You don’t need all that shit on your face, but if you like it, go for it. For me, though, I prefer you just like this.”
A tear welled in my eye. “Knock it off. You’re gonna make me cry.”
I didn’t wait for him to blow my world apart and headed into the bathroom, closing the door. I could hear him chuckling on the other side of it.
When I opened the makeup case, stuff flew everywhere. War paint took a lot of work to look right and not cakey.
I looked in the mirror at myself. I wasn’t bad looking. My eyes were pretty well proportioned to my head, and my nose was thin. My lips had a bit of a puff to them, but nothing overly crazy.
Did I need the war paint anymore?
It took me long moments before I decided to take baby steps. I put nowhere near the amount I’d put on normally, but my complexion was smooth. Compromise. Maybe one day I could move to a more natural look. That day wasn’t today.
Too many things going on. This would have to do.
I tossed on my black spandex jeans that had a few tears on the knees, white shirt, and headed out the door. “I’ve just gotta grab a few things,” I told Dry as I went to look for my purse and apron.
I turned abruptly and ran right into Dryerson. “What the…”
“You are the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen in my life. Thank you for letting me call you mine.”
Tears. Rolling down my face. But I griped, “You’re gonna ruin my mascara!”
He chuckled. I loved that sound. “Nah, that stuff won’t budge.”
I elbowed him playfully. “Come on, I can’t be late.”
Dryerson was taking me to work on the back of his bike, and I had to admit I was excited. Twice before he had taken me on rides, and I loved every second of it. The way the engine rumbled and vibrated was a euphoria all its own. Add in the wind blowing in your face, my arms wrapped tight around Dryerson, and there was nothing that came close to the feeling.
We walked through the corridor and out to the large grassy area. There were a few Ravage around, and each one of them did a chin jerk to Dry and a smile to me. Even the women.
Was I really part of this now? It sure felt like it.
Dryerson handed me my helmet, and I snapped it in place. He swung his leg over and steadied the bike for me as I climbed on behind him. My arms went around him tight as he started the engine, and we rode.
I closed my eyes, taking it all in.
Me. Little Sybil who was born into a family that became many. Who cooked, cleaned, and became a mother at the age of eight. Left that life. Was violated in the worst possible way only to come out on the other side, sitting on the back of Dryerson’s bike with him calling me his. And gaining a family I never thought I’d have, let alone imagine. He was right. Blood meant nothing when it came to family.
And I was choosing mine.
This was my life now, and I wouldn’t change a thing.
The ride was way too short. Dryerson stopped the bike and I climbed off, really not wanting to. “Another ride before work?” I asked him, joking. Okay, maybe not joking.
“Tonight. I’ll pick you up after shift, and we’ll go out.”
My eyes lit up. “Really?”
