“Well, now, Miss Fiona, are you asking to move in with me?” he asked in a happy voice, his eyes crinkling as his smile grew bigger.
“I believe I am,” I replied, my answering smile growing by the second. Without giving me a formal response, Bash flopped off of me and sat up on his side of the bed. He had his phone next to his ear in a second. I sat up, my back against the headboard, and watched him.
“Match? Get some of the Brothers together. We gotta move Fiona’s shit into my place. Doesn’t have to be today, but I want it done by the end of the week.” My eyes widened, and I almost started to protest, but stopped. That was what I wanted, what he wanted. There was no reason to wait.
“Yeah. Just find out who’s free this week, and I’ll get back to you with the actual day. Mhm. Yeah, thanks, kid,” Bash clipped out before dropping the phone onto the side table and crawling over to where I was sitting in bed.
“So I should have my stuff packed by the end of the week?” I asked, unable to wipe the silly smile off my face.
“Why, you think you can get it done today? Can we head over now?” he asked, his expression like an eager schoolboy’s.
“Bash! Come on, give me the week to sort through everything. As it is, I’m gonna be late for work if you don’t let me get into the shower soon,” I replied, eyeing the alarm clock nervously.
After the weekend, going to work was the last thing I wanted to do, but I had already missed several days when I was attacked, and I had always prided myself on being a reliable worker. Bash frowned before kissing my forehead and rolling off the bed.
“Get in the shower, baby. I’ll get coffee and breakfast ready for you,” he said, and I couldn’t help the sigh that escaped my mouth as I eyed his nearly naked body.
Sometimes, it felt like a dream, or someone else’s life, waking up next to him. I knew every single line on his body now, had traced them with my fingers and tongue. I had memorized every swirl of ink and sharp black line that decorated his skin, twisting around his strong arms and impressive abs. Bash was an intimidating sight. My mouth watered, and a shiver went down my spine.
“Baby, gotta stop looking at me like that, or I’m gonna join you in that shower, and you’ll definitely be late for work,” he said, his voice rough with need. I glanced quickly at the time once more, weighing my options before hopping out of bed and grabbing his hand, leading him into the bathroom with me.
After a shower where Bash made sure every inch of my body was thoroughly cleaned, I was gulping down coffee from my thermos in between bites of a protein bar as I drove into the office.
The morning went by slowly, my mind wandering to Bash and the idea of living together. Then, around lunchtime, my phone rang, and I saw that it was Roxie. I picked it up, alarmed, since we usually texted.
“Roxie! Hey, are you okay?”
“Am I okay? Really, bitch? Are YOU okay? No one will tell us what happened, but Dolly’s gone, and all the guys have been walking around like angry bears.” I laughed at the description, and could only imagine how a glowering Bull and Reaper could dampen the mood.
“I’m alright. Better, now that I know Dolly’s gone,” I said honestly. Looking around, I saw some coworkers eavesdropping on my conversation. “Now’s not the best time. Do you and Star want to come by my apartment one day after work this week? We can catch up while I pack?” I asked, trying to keep my voice low.
“PACK? Where are you going? Tell me what Bash did. I swear, I will gut the fucker!” she shrieked, and I had to pull the phone from my ear.
“Aw, Roxie, you like me! You really like me!” I couldn’t help but gush.
“How much I like you is dropping the longer this conversation goes on,” she said drolly, and I laughed.
“I’m packing so I can move in with Bash,” I answered happily.
“BITCHHHHH. Okay, we could do Wednesday. I know Star doesn’t have work that night, and I could get someone to take over my shift. Make sure you have wine. And tequila. Never mind. I’ll bring the alcohol. You have to tell us everything!” She hung up after that, and I couldn’t help the giggle that escaped me.
A few heads were turned my way, but I couldn’t find it in me to care. For once in my life, there was something more important than work. I was happy—genuinely and truly happy. My life was fuller than it had ever been.
After work, Bash met me at my place, where he insisted I call my landlord to discuss the terms of breaking the lease I still had almost six months left in. If I couldn’t find someone to take over the lease, my landlord was asking for a hefty fee to leave early. Bash offered to pay it, but that wasn’t sitting right with me.
By midweek, I had made good process on the packing. With Bash’s help, most of my books and knickknacks were sealed away in boxes, and half of my kitchen was packed up as well. I was mulling over my options when Roxie, Star, and Charliearrived. It was nice to see the girls, and I was happy they had reached out to Charlie to invite her.
My circle of friends was growing, and it still felt surreal at times. There were lots of hellos and hugs while Charlie made herself at home as usual. Before we had even sat down, she was coming back from the kitchen with glasses and snacks in hand. I took a sip of my wine and looked up to see three sets of eyes staring at me.
“Okay, how do you wanna do this? Do you want me to just tell you what happened, or do you wanna ask your questions first?” I asked the group. Even though Charlie knew what had happened, she was sitting with Star and Roxie as if hearing it for the first time.
“Tell us what happened, and then we’ll ask questions,” Star decided for the group, shooting Charlie and Roxie a look that screamed to keep their mouths zipped. In an effort to protect Bash’s privacy, I mulled over the best way to explain what had happened.
“Dolly has been working with Trish to try to break me and Bash up. She waited until she saw my car pull into the clubhouse, then snuck into Bash’s room when he was asleep. She assumed that, when I walked in on them together, I would just run away without asking any questions.
“Apparently, I’ve been… uhh, killing the vibe at the clubhouse. Trish told Dolly that
I got her banned from the club and was coming for her next. Long story short, I didn’t run, we got the truth out of Dolly, and now she’s gone.” They looked at me with varying looks of surprise and anger on their faces before everyone started talking at once.
