She nods. “Thank you.”
The words are soft. Earnest.
I turn to go, already bracing myself to put distance between us, but she steps closer instead. Before I can react, she rises onto her tiptoes and presses a quick, shy kiss to my cheek.
It’s barely there.
But it wrecks me.
My body reacts instantly, heat flaring low and dangerous, and I have to clench my jaw to keep my face neutral. She pulls back just as fast, eyes wide like she’s worried she’s crossed some invisible line.
“Good night,” she whispers.
“Night,” I manage. “Get some rest, baby girl.” The words slip out without permission.
Her breath hitches. Mine does too.
Something flickers in her eyes—surprise, warmth, something fragile—and then it’s gone, replaced by a small, uncertain smile. I back out of the room before I can say something… or do something dangerous.
I don’t trust myself for another second.
The moment my bedroom door closes behind me, I head straight for the bathroom. I strip, peeling off every item of my clothing with controlled precision that contradicts the urgency burning inside me. I step under the showerhead and turn it on full blast, closing my eyes with a sigh as the cold water hits my burning skin.
I’m hard as a fucking rock.
Just taking the edge off, I tell myself. Nothing to do with her. It’s a lie, and I know it before my hand even moves.
I close my eyes and run my palm down my length, letting my mind picture her beautiful innocent face…those gorgeous brown eyes and supple lips…
A shaky breath escapes me. I wrap my palm around my cock, imagining her sweet mouth taking me in, wet and hot. Pleasure shoots through me in an electrifying wave. I let out a gruff moan as I start to pump myself hard from root to tip, until my whole body draws taut and my head falls back in ecstasy.
“Fuck,” I groan through my teeth as my pleasure heightens. Images of her inverycompromising positions flashrapidly in my head, urging me faster until it feels like I’m about to explode.
A loud growl tears out of me, my body trembling uncontrollably as my cum spurts all over my hands and paints the white tiles.
When it’s over, I let go of my cock—still fairly stiff—and brace a hand on the wall with a deep sigh. The water is icy cold, but I barely feel the bite.
I promised Johnny just one thing—never lose control. And for the first time in nine years, I’ve broken the promise.
For a girl I barely know.
“Get your fucking shit together, Tate,”I murmur under my breath.
But even as I say that, I know I’m not letting go. I want her like I haven’t wanted anything in a long time.
If she knows what’s good for her though, she’ll run…
Chapter Three
Millie
It’s been ten days since Wilder found me curled up in his storage closet. Ten days since everything changed.
I still wake up some mornings confused by the softness of the mattress beneath me. By the quiet. By the fact that no one is slamming doors or shouting down the hall.
I found a job on my second day here. A diner three blocks away…nothing fancy, but they needed a waitress, and I needed something. My feet ache at the end of every shift, but it’s honest work. My first paycheck hasn’t come in yet, though. I hate that I’m still living here without contributing. Wilder hasn’t mentioned rent again. Not once.
That almost makes it worse.
