And somewhere under that fear is a wound I can’t ignore.Joey is missing.She might be dead.She might be part of whatever is stalking us.And I’m here wanting him so badly it burns.Wanting him to choose me first.Wanting to forget she ever existed.
The guilt tastes thick.
The rooftop glistens with mist as Louisville neon bleeds red into fog.We run again, back to the truck.
Soon we collapse into the motel room like we broke in.We did.Well, Royal took out some tiny tools out of his backpack, and did the deed.The place smells like bleach, cigarettes, and despair.Water stains drip like veins down the wall.A couple next door screams in Spanish.
Royal has not touched me since the church.He has not spoken either.He seethes quietly like a storm choosing what to destroy first.
I shower immediately.On auto pilot, I scrub while sounds from the church haunt me.
Afterwards, I sit on the bed in the towel, legs trembling, and study my wrist.The cuff rubbed it raw.Skin torn and swollen.It throbs.
Royal appears with his first-aid kit.
“For Joey?If she’s hurt?”
“For your back.”He explains why he brought it.“Let me,” he says.
No softness.
Just command.
I offer my wrist.His rough fingers turn gentle in a way that steals breath.He dabs antiseptic.It burns.I grit my teeth.
Royal looks up.Right at me.Into me.
“Why are you fussin’ over me,” I whisper.
His jaw shifts.“Because you’re mine to deal with.”
“And if I don’t want to be dealt with?”
His fingers tighten around my wrist just enough to make my pulse jump.
He leans closer.“Then run.”
A breath against my mouth.
“But next time, I will not chase you.”
His eyes go dark.
“I will hunt you.”
The air clots.Heat, fear, hunger.And jealousy.Ugly and sharp.I don’t know if he is thinking of Joey.I don’t know if he is touching me because of her or in spite of her.I don’t know why I care so much that he is here running with me instead with his brothers.
I lean in.
He doesn’t move.
Our lips brush.Just barely.The spark is violent.A wildfire lighting dry earth.
He shoves the kit aside and drags me against him.His mouth crashes into mine.Teeth catching, anger and need tangling into something untamed.I claw at his shirt.He tears it over his head.His muscles rigid.His breath ragged.
He lifts me and slams me back onto the bed without breaking the kiss.My towel falls away.His weight pins me.Danger, dominance, desire wrapped into one impossible man.
His hands skim my belly.Fingers hot.Claiming.I arch without shame.Without thought.Wanting all of it.His hard cock.Finally.Wanting him to forget her name entirely.Wanting him to stay mine instead.
