Probably because he is constantly here, watching you,dipshit,the voice in my head says.
I ignore the thought and send my response.
Me
Thank you, Zayn.
Unknown
You’re welcome, Doc. Little thank you for the way you swallowed my cock so well.
A surge of liquid heat mixed with a shot of embarrassment courses through me.Jesus. What had come over me? It was so unlike me. I didn’t trust so quickly, so easily. But with Zayn, I simply… did.
I take a deep breath before a shame spiral can take over. Switching the coffee maker on, I decide to completely ignore the reminder of our elicit little tryst right here in this very kitchen and promptly change the subject.Like a lady.
Me
Soooo what are you up to today? Patrolling the neighborhood to rescue more errant pets who’ve gone astray?
Unknown
Ha! Something like that.
Actually, I’m kind of busy with a work thing today. Can I text you later tonight?
It suddenly dawns on me that I have no idea what it is that Zayn does for work. He maintains both the Pearson and Bronwin homes, but did he hold down a regular day job as well? An image of Zayn’s massive frame squashed in behind a desk in a teeny cubicle somewhere passes through my mind. A smile stretches across my face. I text him back.
Me
Of course. Talk later. Thank you again.
Unknown
My pleasure, baby. Literally—my pleasure. Get it?
And he sends a water gushing emoji.
Jesus.
I roll my eyes and pocket my phone. I head back to the bedroom to get ready for the day with a cup of hot coffee in hand.
15
TEN OF SWORDS
ZAYN
Iwaited. For nearly a full day. I waited with patience and a sense of cool detachment. Thinking of Kat only every other minute or so. Of the feel of her mouth on mine. And I continue to wait. Surreptitiously, I lower myself deeper into my seat as a few passersby walk past my rented sedan on the sidewalk. Turning my head to the side, I glance down at my burner phone to check the time. It’s almost eleven o’clock at night.
This fucker hasn’t been home all day.Where the hell is he?He wouldn’t have gone to the hospital. They would have had too many questions about his injuries. Questions that he wouldn’t have been able to answer, without questions about assault and battery, and therefore involving law enforcement.
I pull out my lighter and twirl it over my knuckles and in between my fingers. I am getting antsy. And things don’t go well for my enemies when I’m antsy.
I, of course, am routinely checking the security feed on Pearson House, but being away from Kat, knowing that I am not close by her… it makes me restless as fuck. I want this douchebagto finally come home, so I can deal with him and be done with it.I want my attention back where it belongs: on Kat.
Finally, I spot the fucker. Josh disembarks a city bus a block away and walks quickly along the sidewalk. He glances left and right over his shoulders. His strides are short, and I notice his body moves in a jerky and unnatural kind of way. It’s unsettling as all hell.
After exiting the car, I light a cigarette and slide my free hand into my pocket to grip the silver lighter. I walk toward him, staying on the opposite side of the street for now. I take care to keep my head bowed down low under my black baseball cap. Josh moves closer to me, and I can see dark purple-blue bruises that wreck his chin and nose, as well as the double black eyes.
