I don’t bother denying my thoughts. “You haven’t killed Adriano.”
“Yet. And that motherfucker failed on all accounts. I’m giving you more credit.”
“Thanks.” I jerk my head at the car. “Let’s find a motel.”
Doc tosses his second cigarette and crushes the end under his sneaker. “Take her from me—”
“I heard you the first time. Let’s just fucking go.”
I hoped January had fallen asleep but she’s still sitting bolt upright and stiff as a board. I wrap my arms around her again. “We’re gonna get you some food and somewhere to stay, okay?”
She makes a noncommittal noise.
“There’s a motel twenty miles away,” Doc says, looking at his phone. “We should be able to get some drive-thru first.”
I force my shoulders to relax. There’s no bigger jackass than Doc, but he gets shit done. “Sounds good.”
Fifteen minutes later, we’re pulling into a Wendy’s.
“What do you want, baby?” I ask January. “Is there something you usually get?”
She looks blankly back at me. “I’m not allowed fast food.”
“Then this is your lucky day. Want me to order for you?”
She says something that could be a yes or a no so I get her a cheeseburger combo and a strawberry shake and a veggie stack combo for myself. Doc orders two Baconators and tears into the bag as soon as it’s passed through the window. Neither of us have eaten all day and I’m starving, but I hold off on my order and hand-feed January fries instead. She chews methodically, her pretty green eyes unfocused.
“Do you like your food?” I ask.
She swallows. “Yes, but I can, you know, feed myself.”
“And will you?”
She gives a small smile and lets me keep feeding her. When we get to the motel, Doc gets out and deals with the manager. Since he and I won’t be sleeping, we get a single room. It’s cramped and musty, but the bed is big, and the sheets look clean enough.
“This place is nice,” January says quietly, putting her combo down on the small Formica table.
“I wouldn’t go that far,” I say, plunking my Wendy’s bag beside hers. “Sit down and eat.”
January rubs a thumb over her lower lip. “Can I have a shower?”
I look her up and down and somewhere in trying to assess how dirty she is I wind up staring at her breasts. God she’s fucking stunning. I’ve tried to avoid thinking about it, but now, looking at her pouty lips and long legs, I’m all too aware we’re in a motel room with a bed. Just the three of us. And this time there’s no Betty to walk in.
“Eat first,” Doc says, possibly oblivious and possibly intervening on my behalf. “You need the energy and your food will go cold otherwise.”
January tilts her head at me, asking if she should obey and all I can think about is how her pussy tasted when she ground herself against my face, having the first partnered orgasm of her life. Doc was there too, kissing her as I gave her head…
“Basher,” Doc snarls. “Quit daydreaming about her cunt and sit down.”
I feel my face burn, but I take a seat at the table. January hesitates and then follows suit. I chew without tasting as January nibbles her burger and drinks her shake in tiny sips. She’s barely halfway done when she gets up again.
“You’re not finished,” Doc barks.
January’s hands jump to her throat but she doesn’t sit. “Please… I need to shower, I feel disgusting. I’ll be back soon.”
I expect Doc to say something about her taking her clothes off, but he glares at her then returns his attention to his burger. By the time we’re done eating, January emerges from the shower, a thin towel wrapped around herself. “I, um, do you guys have any clothes I can change into?”
I almost choke on my own spit. She looks perfect, tousled and fresh-faced and I’m about to take off my shirt and chinos and give them to her when Doc points at the motel mattress. “No. Get into bed.”
