Page 40 of Wretched Soul
He says it loud enough to draw attention from Hunter. “If that’s from a woman, I hope whatever you were doing was fucking consensual,” he warns.
I don’t like what he’s suggesting. Neither does Ash. “Hunter, I think we know our brother better than that.”
“Yes, Hunter, thefuckingwas consensual. I told her she could bite me,” I say. “Sorry, if you’ve never made a woman come so hard that she needed to stifle her scream.”
Reid snorts a laugh. Ash rolls his eyes.
Hunter and I continue to glare at each other. He blinks first. “Yeah, well, I don’t think I’m the only one who’s noticed how weird you’ve been acting lately.” When no one’s willing to back him up, he blows out a breath. “OK, I apologize. Maybe I’m just curious about who the lucky woman is.”
“You’ll know her when you see her,” I say, determined to have the last word. “She’ll be the one who can’t wipe the grin off her face.”
“I need a shower,” he grumbles, heading up to the bedrooms on the upper floor of our suite.
Talk of Lily has me reaching for the bottle of Cointreau. I pour it over ice.
Reid and I clink glasses. I can tell he has questions of his own, so I cut him off. “Change the subject.”
“OK, then. I have a favor to ask.”
“Oh, yeah?”
“There’s a tattoo artist I want to visit before we get too drunk. The griffin tattoo is looking lonely, and I want to start filling some of the gaps on my chest. Would you come with me so I don’t get carried away?”
The Cointreau hits the back of my throat, and I think of how the drink tasted on Lily’s lips. “Sure. I might get something too.”
Chapter 13
Lily
Istrip out of my shift dress with its easily accessible zipper, slide my sexy black panties over my newly waxed legs, and step into the shower. It’s Thursday and I still haven’t seen or heard from Shade. I’ve taken the usual route home every day this week, and tonight I’d gone to the grocery store. I don’t know how much easier I can make it for him.
Is that my problem? Am I too easy?
I scrub off the carefully applied makeup that had given Connor the idea that I was making all this effort to win him back. He was like a shadow at my back all day, and not the shade I was looking for.
Once I’m showered, I slip on my oversized t-shirt and sleep shorts, opting for comfort rather than sex appeal. After heating up a microwave meal, I sink onto the couch and turn on the TV. I’m scrolling through my third streaming service before I give up the search for a distraction. Hollywood actors aren’t going to do it for me tonight. There’s only one man on my mind. But am I on his?
I know it’s been less than a week, and he did say he had a flight to catch, but what if he’s never coming back?
“Goddamn it, Shade!” I yell as I toss the TV remote away. “Am I so repulsive that even my stalker doesn’t want a second date?”
It’s at times like this that I miss my dog. Rubin always knows when I need a cuddle. Dogs are so much more dependable than people. With a huff, I heave myself up and throw my empty lasagna container in the trash before pouring myself a glass of wine.
I don’t return to the couch. I can’t settle, so I wander around my apartment, lifting cushions and moving books on shelves as I sip my drink.
“What if I never see you again?” I complain out loud. “How long would I have to live in this purgatory before accepting I’d been dumped? I don’t want to go back on dating sites, even if I could get them to work.” I look behind the narrow dresser in the hallway, and then I pout. “And fuck it, I don’t want to start over.” Back in the living room, I swallow a groan. “Where the hell did that chocolate bar go?”
I’d been eating a chocolate bar the day I came home to find Shade waiting for me. I’d set down my bag of groceries to unlock the door, but I’d kept the candy in my hand. Unsurprisingly, I have no recollection of what happened to it after that because I was too busy dealing with the longest, most erotic kiss of my entire life. Shade had brought my groceries inside my apartment when he’d left, but the half-eaten bar has remained a mystery ever since.
And despite consuming my weekly allowance yesterday, Ineedmore chocolate.
“I’m sick of being used!” I say. It’s not just chocolate I’m craving. “If Shade doesn’t appear this weekend, that’s it, I’m officially withdrawing from this stupid fucking game. I’d rather be alone and have zero expectations than–”
My cell phone pings with a notification.
Refilling my wine glass, I drop back onto the couch.
Unknown: Are you missing me?
