Page 16 of Deep in Her Marrow

“What do you mean? What are we going to do?”

His lips twitch. “How do you wanna get in the truck?”

“Do you have a ladder?” I ask seriously because that’s the only way I see myself actually being able to get on the seat. Even if I took a running start, I still couldn’t jump that high.

He shakes his head slowly with a large smirk. “Nope. No ladder, Sprite, but I can easily lift you up if you’re okay with it.”

My whole body shivers at the thought of his hands on my body, lifting me up into his truck and, I vehemently wish it was from fear. I now feel like I’m over-heating again….dammit.

He must mistake my shiver as one from fear because his eyes go wide and, he starts back tracking comically fast. Well, it would be comical if I was actually a normal person. “I mean, I don’t have to touch you. I can just lower my hands to give you a boost.”

He looks so worried that I might freak out and, it makes me want to cry. He would never have to say that to another woman and, I know it. It makes me so angry that one piece of crap has turned me into this pathetic mess.

I take a deep breath and decide to use that anger for once. I shake my head slowly and give me a small smile. “No, it’s okay. You can lift me into the truck. I trust you not to drop me.”

He blinks a few times, obviously trying to gauge my reaction, before he slowly moves towards me with his hands towards me. And I mean slowly. Freaking turtles move faster than he does.

“I promise I won’t drop you, Cadie.” His voice is so gentle, making something deep inside me crack, although I have no intentions of exploring that feeling.

“I know, Jake.” I give him a smile because I know deep down inside that he would never do anything to harm me.

He places his hands under my armpits and lifts me into his truck like he would a damn child. I don’t know whether to laugh or be offended that he didn’t even seem to exert himself at all.

I decide it’s better to just laugh and start cackling to myself, causing him to give me a weird look.

“You okay over there?” He asks as he steps back from my personal space.

I giggle a few more times before I can answer him. “You lifted me up like I was a small child. It’s kind of insulting that you aren’t even short of breath.”

His lips twitch, making his beard swish again. “Sprite, I’ve picked up club members’ kids who weigh more than you.” He leans closer, his serious eyes on mine, making breathing difficult. “But I can guarantee you one thing Cadence, there is nothing child-like about you.” His voice is rough and velvety all at the same time.

My brain has decided to leave with my ability to breathe. I’m not sure how to take what he just said or what to reply, so my brainless dumbass goes with, “Oooo, okay.” I am really going to move away to that cave so I can never embarrass myself ever again. I wonder if I could find one on Zillow or something.

The smirk he’s now giving me is nothing short of feral. “Glad we cleared up that.” He taps my thigh lightly with three fingers, making ever single one of my nerve endings stand on edge. “Now buckle up.” He says before shutting my door and walking around the behemoth of a truck to the driver’s side.

I buckle my seat belt on autopilot because my brain refuses to process anything right now. He couldn’t have meant that the way I thought. No, he’s just really sweet and trying to make me feel better. That’s all. Now if my hormones would suddenly calm down and go back to being dormant once again, that would be great.

An Hour Later:

My equilibrium still hasn’t gone back to normal from whatever that was in the truck. It also didn’t help watching him walk around the grocery store with me, while giving me very useful comments about ingredients. Who knew grocery shopping could be so appealing?

The only sore spot of the trip was watching how many people gave him such dirty looks or how they would move to a different isle as if they were afraid he was going to just randomly attack them. I get it; he’s a big man, like probably six foot and a half inches and covered in tattoos. I more than anyone recognize how scary that can be. But dammit, I am so angry at those people. He is one of the sweetest, most caring and genuine people I have ever met and, all those people acted as if he was just some common thug.

I’ve been so irrationally angry that I didn’t even realize we weren’t pulling up to my apartment until we pull into the driveway of a very nice looking ranch style house.

I sit forward as Marrow puts the truck in park. I look around at the neighborhood before turning to give him a questioning look.

A few weeks ago even, this would’ve sent me into a spiral thinking he was bringing me somewhere to harm me. Logically, I know he would never do that, especially with what happened to his sister. But that doesn’t seem to stop the adrenaline from coursing through my body at rapid speeds. “Where are we?” I croak out making me want to smack myself.

He’s drumming his fingers on the steering wheel, not helping calm my adrenaline at all. He looks very guilty and, it’s taking everything in me to not freak.

He would never hurt me. He has tried to make me stronger by training with me. He would never hurt me.I keep repeating this to myself trying to calm down, but it’s so hard. I’m beginning to question whether I’m such a shitty judge of character that he’s been able to completely fool me. It’s not like it would be the first time I’ve fallen for a man’s lies.

He looks over at me with a sheepish look that makes me feel a smidgen better. “So, just hear me out.” He scratches his beard like small kids pull their ears when they’re about to get yelled at by their moms. “Last night you mentioned how small your kitchen was and that you might have a problem getting everything done with such limited space.” He blurts out rapidly, calming my nerves more and more with how nervous he looks. I stay quiet, not yet trusting my voice and just nod my head. “Well, I have a large kitchen that I barely use since I can’t cook for shit.” I raise my eyebrow before he holds up a hand. “Don’t get me wrong, I’m not Kealy level of bad, but if it isn’t eggs or steak, I’m useless.”

I give him a small smile. “I don’t think anyone is as bad as Kealy.” I giggle and cover my mouth because I shouldn’t say something so mean about someone who has done nothing but help me.

“Don’t worry, Sprite. You didn’t say anything she doesn’t already know.” He chuckles. “Hell, most of the guys at the club house still bring out a fire extinguish anytime she stops by just in case she even walks past the kitchen. Lord knows she could somehow manage to create an inferno without even stepping foot inside.”

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