Page 114 of Vicious Deception

Over the past couple days, I’ve been texting with Ava more and more. I’ve been trying to figure out how to explain things to her, but it’s difficult over messages. I was waiting until things calmed down here to get together with her, and I think we’re at a good point now.

Wren:Are you free at all this week?

I don’t expect an immediate reply since she’s probably at work, as long as her schedule is the same as it was when I left.

Eventually, I hear a door open and softly shut in the hallway. Oliver slept in Rhett’s room last night. Based on the time, I’m sure he’s still asleep, but I’m not surprised that Rhett is awake.

“Hey,” I whisper, nudging Elliot gently.

He groans. “Time to get up?”

“Mmhmm.”

We both use the bathroom and brush our teeth. While we get dressed, I watch Elliot pull a shirt over his head. The morning sunlight makes him look mouth-wateringly good.

When he catches me staring, Elliot smirks. Heat rushes through my body as I quickly avert my eyes, remembering the way he tied me up and fucked me with Oliver the other day.

“You don’t have to look away,” he tells me, sauntering over to me and pinning me against my dresser. “I like it when you watch me.”

“It doesn’t make you uncomfortable?”

He shakes his head, his lips just barely touching mine. “Never. Watch me however often you want, love.”

I fit my mouth to his, reveling in the softness of his lips. He leans down and cradles my face in his hands. It always makes me feel so cherished when he does that.

“How’s your head?” he asks when we reluctantly pull away.

“Doesn’t hurt unless I touch it.”

At that, he smiles and slides my hand into his. “Good. That’s improvement.”

Downstairs, Rhett is in the kitchen. An array of ingredients litter the counter. He doesn’t notice us at first because he’s running the mixer, but when he shuts it off and turns, he smiles at us.

“Morning. Coffee?”

“I’ve got it.” Rounding the island, Elliot slips his arms around Rhett and kisses his neck. “What’re you making?”

“Cinnamon rolls. Figured we should celebrate somehow.”

Elliot frowns. “If we’re celebrating, we’ve gotta do more than just cinnamon rolls.” But then he leans over, taking a look in the mixer and licking his lips. “Although this is a good start.”

Chuckling, Rhett smacks Elliot’s ass as he moves toward the coffee pot. “You two sleep okay?”

“Yeah,” Elliot says. “You?”

“Really well, actually. I feel good.”

And he looks it, too. Rhett’s steps are lighter, and he seems more well-rested than I’ve ever seen him. It makes me happy to see him like this.

We pitch in to help Rhett finish up the cinnamon rolls. While they’re in the oven, we make more coffee. Oliver will probably be awake soon, and Elliot wants more, too.

“I was downstairs earlier, and I noticed what you left in Ludo’s cell,” Rhett says to Elliot, leaning against the counter. His hands are resting on top of it, but the relaxed position doesn’t cover up the unspoken questions in his eyes. “What made you decide to go with a cattle prod?”

Elliot takes a long, slow sip of his coffee. “I’m not sure it’s my place to say.”

“Oliver doesn’t want to talk about it. Asked me to ask you.”

Grimacing, Elliot sets his mug on the counter. “Sounds like you’ve pieced it together.”

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