I’d never come back from that, no matter how well I treated her son. Silas had made it damn clear to warn me.
Since my dating life was abysmal and non-existent before this, I had no experience impressing parents regardless ofwhether or not their preconceived opinions of me were positive or not. My own were an odd sort who played by their own set of traditions and values, not caring to follow the norm in anything they did.
I’d always appreciate that about them. Growing up in a ‘free’ household gave me plenty to be thankful for.
Rolling out of bed, I held back a wince as I stood, checking over my shoulder to make sure Marlow was still fast asleep. My body was sore from the sex, way more than I thought it would be, in the best way. It wouldn’t surprise me if I tore something, but honestly, I didn’t really care. That was hands down the best orgasm I’d ever had in my entire life.
Slowly hobbling to Marlow’s bathroom, I slipped his robe off the back of his door and wrapped it around my body, covering up the marks imprinted into my skin by his hands. Feeling them with every movement of my body sent a twinge of delight tickling under my skin. They made me feel owned, belonged to.
Asking me to stay was the last thing I expected, yet somehow made so much sense even if it slapped me hard in the face with surprise.
Marlow was right. We’d figure out the logistics once he was all better and able to move on his own again. Until that time came, I simply wanted to stay in whatever this moment was.
“Marlow,” someone called toward the front of the house. A man’s voice.
Not his mother.
Silas, maybe?
Heading down the hall, I stopped short at seeing not the doctor toeing off his shoes, but Marlow’s other friend I’d spotted waiting for him at the hospital. The taller one who’d spent the majority of his time there comforting Marlow’s mother.
Avery.
Fuck me.
His eyes narrowed on me immediately. “You.”
His dark blond hair was tied back in a half knot, the rest of the wavy lengths brushing his shoulders. While his clothes were casual, they were made with impeccable tailoring, displaying his wealth rather prominently without having to say a damn word.
In his hands was some kind of dish, the top of which was wrapped in tinfoil.
Nodding to it, I said, “You want me to take that?”
His shoulders stiffened. “Why are you wearing his things?”
Ugh, I really didn’t want to get into this.
Especially, since my skin was still slightly crusted with our mixed fluids. I had no idea what the fuck I had going on between my legs, and at this point, I was far too sore to bend down to look.
Avery advanced toward me, his scowl deep as I remained quiet. “Does he know you’re stealing his things?”
“I... don’t think he would care?” Stealing was a rather harsh word. This was more like borrowing.
Though, to a protective friend, I doubted that mattered.
“I was going to put it back.”
Avery shook his head. “Where is he?”
“Napping.”
“So, you take advantage of a man who’s too drugged up on meds to notice?” He leaned forward suddenly, forcing me to take a step back. “What’s wrong with you? Wasn’t it enough he got hurt underyourwatch? Now you think it’s fair to steal from him, too?”
Oh god.
How the hell did I turn this around?
At least Silas gave me a little benefit of the doubt to prove I wasn’t a total scumbag. Then again, the jury was still out on his formal opinion of me, though if I had to take a guess, it was probably mirroring this one.
