“Just not smart enough to avoid that plunge into Moccasin Lake,” Cherry laughs lightly, as if they’re not discussing a real human fucking being.
Which makes sense, because I’mnotan actual human being to these people.
I’m inmate #MF95489. A subspecies. An animal with a label that will damn me for the rest of my life.
But at least I deserve it.My mind flashes with the image of the man I shoved off the bluff, thudding down the dark waters below.
And I don’t feel a single pang of guilt for it. I’m just living up to my label.
“Do you think they’ll find the body, Rob?”Cherry’s voice interrupts my thoughts, dragging me back to the present.
“Maybe. If it’s there to be found.”
Rue lets out an incoherent noise, and I glance over at her. She’s got the same distant look on her face as earlier, but there’s a tick in her jaw.
“It’s all just speculation,”Cherry laughs, her voice grating in my ear.“But I do think they should expand the search beyond the banks of the lake. If not solely for the sake of thecommunity’s peace of mind. A man who has killed once will kill again.”
Rue stabs a finger into the radio, silencing the conversation and muttering something I miss under her breath.
“Conflict of conscience?” I tilt my head at her. “Or was Cherry as insufferable to you as she was to me?”
Rue whips her head in my direction. “They just don’t know what they’re talking about.”
I chuckle, closing my eyes once more. “No one ever does.”
“Well, they think they do.” Her voice is tense, just as the car dings with a notification. “Low fuel,” she breathes out, glancing over to me. “I think it would be best if you got in the backseat while I do this. Your face is going to be all over the news right now.”
“I know.” I give her a nod, and then sit the seat upright again.So much for that nap.I unbuckle and toss the black duffle from my lap to the backseat on the opposite side of Bullet.
The dog gives me a look as I climb over the console, my body stiff and too fucking large to fit through the small space. My fingers brush some of Rue’s hair by accident, the soft strands against my palm, and the scent of her causes me to catch my breath.
I want nothing more than to pull over and drag her back here with me.
But I ignore the urge and plop down on the seat, reaching for the bag. I pull out a pair of jeans and a black T-shirt, catching Rue watching me in the rearview.
And my dick gets hard at those tantalizing eyes, despite the pure exhaustion I feel.
Still, I shift my focus to peeling off the still-damp layers of clothes. I had hoped to find some sort of shower before I did this, but it is what it is. Carefully, I pull my shirt over my head, the air feeling nice against my chest.
Rue glances back again, just as I run my fingers along my pecs, rubbing the sore muscles there. Her cheeks flush crimson.
And that’s when I go for my jeans.
Her eyes bounce between the mirror and the road as I push the damp, sticky denim from my hips. My cock bounces free, and she clears her throat, quickly looking away.
I wish she’d do something about this.
But I guess it’s better she doesn’t. Her body could easily become an addiction.
I peel off my socks and toss the soiled clothes into the back cargo space. I have no choice but to go commando, and so I pull on the new jeans, relieved they’re a little large, not too tight. I dig through the bag, find a pair of socks, slide them on, and then finish with the T-shirt.
“Feel better?” Her voice falters as she meets my gaze.
“Yep.” I mean, my cock is still throbbing, but the dry clothes make up for the blue balls. I guess. “You probably need to change, too.” I gesture to her mud-stained sweater.
“It’s dry,” she answers me, her fingers curling around the material. “I think it’ll be okay.”
“It’s more noticeable,” I reason, amused at the annoyance on her face.
