Page 27 of Zombie

“Where did you learn to cook?” Lennie asked, scooping up another spoonful of soup.

The question brought me out of my jarring thoughts. “Um, my mom.”

She hummed with approval. “Well, she must be an amazing cook.”

“She’s dead,” I replied. I wished in that moment that I could talk to my mother about everything that was going on. That I could ask why and how she ever got entangled in Ricci’s web. I wanted to know how I had gotten here.

Lennie’s eyes looked like they were going to bug out of her head, and pink began to bloom on her round cheeks. “Oh my, I am so sorry.”

I could see her chest rise and fall more quickly with anxiety. I needed to say something to help calm her nerves. But I remained silent for several more seconds, stretching the awkward moment.

“It’s okay, it was a long time ago,” I finally said as I took another bite of my soup.

Her shoulders relaxed a smidge, which made me feel warm inside. The last thing I wanted to do was cause her discomfort.

We both quickly finished our meals and brought the bowls to the sink. Lennie stood next to me, fidgeting with her bright-pink nails. She watched me intently as I rinsed the bowls out and placed them in the dishwasher.

“Is there something on your mind, kitten?” I said with a smirk. The nickname slipped out naturally.

Lennie’s crystal-blue eyes met mine, sparkling in the overhead lighting. She bit her lower lip. My attention snagged on the movement.

“Will you bring me to your playroom?” she asked in a voice so quiet I almost thought I misheard her.

EIGHTEEN

ZOMBIE

I looked at Lennie with a stern but curious expression and couldn’t believe she was asking me this. No other woman I had been with was this bold enough to ask for what they wanted. It only fueled the fire of my desire. After I turned the sink off and dried my hands, I walked up to her and tipped her chin up, forcing her to meet my gaze.

“Tell me what you want.” My voice came out more husky than I’d anticipated, but by the look on her face, she was loving the hint of demand in it.

She gulped. Her pupils were blown out with lust, and I could see her breathing speed up.

“I want you to take me upstairs to your playroom. Tie me up in your ropes and have your way with me,” she said, not breaking eye contact.

I let out a growl of approval before pressing a soft kiss to her cheek. I wanted so badly to feed into her desires, but I couldn’t. I had to leave in two hours to meet up with Sarah. There was no way I would be done with Lennie in time. Plus, it had only been a couple of days since she’d hooked up with Bohdi, and I wasn’t sure where they stood. Were they dating? Were they seeing where things would go? Was it a one-time thing? I had so many questions and not enough answers.

I leaned down and whispered into her ear, “As much as I want to do all of that with you, I can’t tonight. But just know I want nothing more than to rip all of your clothes off and take my time wringing out every shred of pleasure from your body.” I gripped her hips, relishing the way she felt under my palms. Her breath hitched before a shiver ran through her.

Her piercing blue eyes met mine, and once more I wanted so badly to see what those eyes looked like when she was lost in pleasure. I gave her one last squeeze on her hips before going upstairs.

After checking several times that Lennie was in her room for the night, and locking the security system up tight, I crept downstairs and into my car that sat in the driveway. I needed to get to the warehouse stat, to try to negotiate with Sarah for Cassie and Ryann’s sake.

It was eerily quiet when I arrived at the dilapidated warehouse. I took in my surroundings and allowed indifference to take over my features. I wouldn’t let anyone know that this place gave me the creeps. Especially with all of the horrors that happened inside.

Two large figures stepped out of the shadows and gave me a once-over.

“Gentlemen,” I said coolly as I continued forward. They both gave me a nod of approval as they allowed me to go inside.

Sarah sat in a chair with an IV coming from her arm. The bag of fluids looked fresh, and I felt strangely comforted knowing that she was being taken care of. Not that I wanted anything positive to happen to this woman. She was the epitome of evil. However, my doctor brain couldn’t help but want my patient to be okay.

“Dante,” Sarah said with a cruel smile, “so glad you could join us.” She stood up and walked, wheeling the IV pole with her. “I have another job for you tonight.”

Fucking perfect.

“And I have a deal for you,” I countered.

Her eyebrows raised in surprise before amusement took over her expression. “What kind of deal?”