Page 54 of Bait Wolf
Ember moaned softly but didn’t wake up, and I reached down, gripping my shaft. The skin was a bit tender from spending so many hours inside Ember, but it was worth it for the fulfillment and satisfaction that I felt at that.
I could have spent the rest of time in this bed, parting only for more lovemaking sessions, but Ember needed breakfast. Especially since he was obviously self-conscious of his light frame. I still thought he was beautiful, but I wanted him to be healthy and confident in his own skin.
My own stomach was rumbling. Stress had muted my appetite for the last few days and now my stomach had evidently had enough of that.
I pressed a quick kiss to Ember’s forehead and carefully extracted myself from his warm embrace.
I pulled my PJs on, and my gaze settled on his slight form under the covers. All the love in the universe bundled up in my bed.
I couldn’t wait to get to know Ember better, his habits and tics, his likes and dislikes. I wanted to know him better than I knew myself.
It was so true what people said. Once a bond was made, one mate couldn’t be without the other. It was huge, this feeling that I really couldn’t live without him.
In the hallway, I paused, hand on the knob, my world sinking again as reality reared its ugly head.
I had to deal with Abram. If Monday came and I didn’t have the cash—if they somehow took Ember back into the fight league’s underbelly…Couldthey do that? Was I at risk of losing him?
Sighing, I pressed my forehead to the closed door. I had to fix this now, before I got wrapped up in being with my mate again. Before Alvy contacted me with Asha’s whereabouts and my plan of action to deal with Lambert and Harvey and the gangsters came into play.
I couldn’t allow myself to be so distracted that I lost my mate before we really got to become a family.
I pulled out my phone, hit Abram’s name, still unsure what to say. If I gave him the money for Ember but I didn’t find Asha on time and had to pay for her too, what would I do? I would be screwed. I was already short on funds by a long shot.
The line clicked. It took Abram’s rough voice answering, the reminder of our usual relationship, and I suddenly knew what I had to do.
“Set up a fight,” I found myself saying.
“What?”
“Do the promotions, pick anyone you want.”
“Do you not recall that you’re on my shit list at the moment?” he demanded. “You ran off with my property.”
I had to grit my teeth at Ember being addressed anyone’s belonging. How the fuck had I been okay with this before? How had I always turned the other cheek?
“I don’t want a payout.”
“What?”
“I’ll do a fight and you keep everything. That covers Ember, right?”
Alvy hesitated.
“Anyone I want?” he asked.
“Yes. Make it a big show. Draw out the crowds. They’ll come to see me.”
He laughed darkly.
“Especially after your last fight. You sure know how to make a show.”
“So, it’s a deal?” I asked.
He huffed, clearly thinking it over.
“You’re still in my shit book,” he informed me.
I remained silent and finally, he let out a heavy sigh.
