Page 76 of Hale's Pawn
I pass a confused looking Jagger but he stops me with a hand over my shoulder. “I’m sorry about your father, any news yet?”
Not looking at him is helping me right now. I shake my head. “No, nothing yet. Thank you for asking.” I clear my throat but it doesn’t seem to be working because it’s like I’ve stepped into the emotions pile today. I shouldn’t have come in, I should’ve looked at Oran through the feed and left.
Trying to walk away is futile because Jagger turns me around to face him. “What’s wrong? Ainslee?” The softness in his voice makes me break down. I cover my face, trying to block him or anyone else from seeing the tears. “Don’t cry. Damn it, Ains.” Jagger pulls me into his arms and his hug is comforting.
“I’m scared…” are the only words I let escape from my lips when it comes to my dad. I slip out of Jagger’s hold and he lets me go. I wipe at my tears and he helps me.
“Hey, you know that we’re all here for you, right? You don’t have to be alone while whatever the fuck this all is, is happening. We’re all your friends, even the guy that’s out there fuming because he’s worried about his wife even though she basically told him to not come home,” Jagger slides that in.
I chuckle and shove him a little. “You just needed to sneak that in, didn’t you?”
Jagger shrugs. “I mean, yeah, you hurt his feelings, even if he doesn’t say it. He was home last night.”
My eyes widen. “He was?”
“Yeah, look, he doesn’t know anything about the Bishops’ life, Ains. You need to explain it to him. He’s worried about you most of all. He didn’t tell me why, but he is. So talk to him.”
I take into consideration what Jagger is saying. “Yeah, I’ll talk to him. I promise.”
Jagger smiles. “Good, because you don’t want me to snatch my best friend back from you since you’re not treating him like the King that he should be treated as.”
“King?” I repeat and laugh.
“Yeah,” he answers. “Also, next time we need to be in the ring because that was a pretty good fight even though you both were holding back.”
I smirk. “Jagger, you don’t want me to get in there with you, I’ll annihilate you for shits and giggles.”
There’s that dangerous glint in Jagger’s eyes. “Another bet?” he asks.
“Always.” Jagger turns to walk out of the private area. “Jagger?”
“Yeah?”
“If I’ve never said it before, thank you for everything.”
Jagger smirks and it makes me realize that we could’ve been really good friends, this whole time, we, or rather I, wasted time not gaining a good friend. “Thank me by sucking my best friend’s dick.” He winks at me and walks away.
A smile spreads across my face as I enter the showering area. I remove my clothes and secure my hair up so that it doesn’t get wet. I shower away my worry, my sadness, and the anxiety that’s building over being a Don. My mind snaps back to reality when I feel someone else’s presence. I pivot on my heel and it’s a miracle that I don’t bust my ass. It’s a very naked Oran who steps into the shower. “Jesus, Oran! Don’t sneak up on me like that.”
He gives me a half smirk. “You were taking forever so I’m saving both of us time.”
“I…” I want to say something but there’s nothing that comes out. This is the opportunity to say something, anything really. Like the fact that I’m sorry or that there is more than one shower in here, but nothing. I just stare at him as he sidesteps me and gets under the water.
We could be talking right now but it’s Oran and he’s naked. “If you’re done, you can go since you’re busy. Your clothes have been left for you in the changing area,” Oran practically dismisses me.
I shut my eyes. Instead of moving towards getting out of the shower, I move closer to Oran and wrap my arms around his midsection. Oran doesn’t push me away so I lift, balancing on the tips of my toes as my hand reaches for his dick. I wrap my hand around him and caress him like a lover should. Oran doesn’t say anything but I pick up on his hardening flesh that he’s into this just as much as I’m into it. Oran places his hand over mine and my heart beats so fast, but he doesn’t do what I think he’ll do. Instead, he closes his hand over mine. I plant kisses on his back, letting him know how much I miss him. I plant another kiss on his working bicep and Oran groans. He takes my hand away from his dick and turns to face me. He lifts me up and I wrap my legs around his waist. “Don’t ever feel like you can’t come to me, understand?” he says, but I don’t get a chance to answer as he slips inside of me. I shudder as I throw my head back forgetting that I didn’t want to wet my hair. Nothing matters right now, just my husband and I. Only us.
When I get home,I don’t search for Oran. I’ve gotten updates from Mikonos through the day but right now, I just… I can’t do it. I feel so alone. So empty. After seeing my dad and Markos, I’m drained for the day.
I get ready for bed, Showering and doing my nightly routine. I slip into bed with nothing but my panties on. I dial Oran again but the phone goes to voicemail. He had a lot of catching up to do at work so I get it, but I miss him. I grab Oran’s pillow and hold it to me. It smells like him. I drift off to sleep but then I wake up when I feel Oran’s arm wrap around my waist as he pulls me close.
“I missed you today and I’m sorry that we haven’t had time for me to explain everything.”
Oran doesn’t say anything and I shut my eyes, happy that he’s at least holding me.
“I missed you too. I had a lot of shit to catch up with, but let me say this. Don’t shut me out, baby. I don’t like the look in your eyes or rather what it does to you. I know you’ve come a long way, love. But you’re keeping things from me, letting me know last, and even avoiding facing your feelings. That’s bullshit, babe. I’m not having that kind of marriage, Bug. I don’t like it. I don’t want what either of our parents had as a marriage example. Do you get what I’m saying?”
I nod. “Yeah,” my voice cracks and I clear my throat. “I don’t want what they had either. I don’t just want to try, I want to do better. I will, okay? I just need to figure things out.”
