Page 71 of Bad For A Weekend

After shooting a text to Hudson, I open the gate and stalk to the front door, swinging it wide. Shoes in hand, Baylor looks no worse for wear as she and Ziggy giggle their way down the drive. They sober when they see me standing on the porch, arms folded and lips pursed tight.

“Hey, Cujo,” Ziggy quips as he passes me to enter the house. At least he’s talking to me. Baylor walks in without a glance my way.

“What the fuck is wrong with you two?” I snip as though I have a leg to stand on. I was out of line tonight, and they both know it.

“I’m not dealing with this.” Baylor gives Ziggy a kiss on the cheek. “Thanks for tonight.”

“You gonna be okay?” he asks, eyeing the rage he must see on my face.

“Yep. Just going to go to bed.”

“Okay. Let me know if you need me.”

“Love ya.” She waves as she strides down the hall.

I move to follow, but Ziggy stops me with a hand to my chest. “Hold up.”

“You’re a kid, so I’m going to kindly ask that you remove your hand.”

It drops. “I know you’re bigger and stronger than me but make no mistake, I will murder your ass if you do anything else to hurt her. She’s been through enough.”

I’m not offended by his words in the least. I appreciate that Baylor has people in her court that will fight for her. Knowing she has him will make it easier when I leave.

“I agree. But she and I have shit to work through.”

“She’s in love with you, man. And what you did tonight?” He shakes his head. “That was fucked up.”

That knowledge should surprise me but doesn’t. I knew Baylor’s feelings for me were growing more intense. It would take an idiot not to notice that. But hearing them messes me up even more. I want her love and devotion; I want her everything. Knowing it’s right there for the picking but I can’t grab it pains me to the core.

“I understand, but I can’t fix it if I don’t talk to her.”

He sits on the sofa, lifting Sara’s feet up on his lap and powering up his phone. “Fine, but if I hear anything I don’t like coming from that room, I’m stepping in.”

“Fair,” I say and move down the hall.

Baylor’s door is locked, but after digging a two-peso coin from my pocket, I’m able to pop the lock. I walk inside an empty room. I’m almost worried she’s disappeared again until I remember the outdoor shower. I shouldn’t go out there. I should wait right here until she comes back. But with everything running through my head, I don’t have the best judgment.

“What the fuck are you doing?? Baylor screeches when I step outside. She attempts to cover herself up, but the towels are on a hook to my left.

“We need to talk.” I take a towel and thrust it her way while I drink up the sight of her naked body, still wearing my marks. This is the last time I’ll ever see her like this, so I might as well take advantage.

“Can I finish my shower?”

“Looks like you’re done to me.” There are suds at her feet but not on her body or hair.

“Yeah, well, I’m not,” she says but turns off the water and takes the towel, unfortunately covering herself up.

I make my way back to the bedroom, and she follows. We face each other, and suddenly, I don’t know where to start or what to say. It’s a jumbled mess in my head, with every emotion I can think of fighting to come out. I decide to start from the beginning.

“I’m sorry. What I said, the way I embarrassed you, was wrong, and I’ll never forgive myself. I don’t expect you to either.”

“Why would you do that to me?” Her brows pinch together in an obvious show of pain.

I collapse onto the corner of her bed. “You know why.”

“I want to hear you say it.” Despite the towel, she looks bare. Raw. Her guard is dropping like the drops of water pooling at her feet.

“I don’t want another man touching you like that.”

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