Total pages in book: 171
Estimated words: 159500 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 798(@200wpm)___ 638(@250wpm)___ 532(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 159500 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 798(@200wpm)___ 638(@250wpm)___ 532(@300wpm)
“Could we… go pick up some stuff from my house tomorrow? My uncle might have raided it, but things like my spice cabinet or cosmetics should be there.”
I reach down and pull on his knee, so it rests across my hips and over my cock, which stirs in response to his closeness. “Of course. I’ll get the guys to escort us, and we can even take a van. Or a truck. Maybe there’s some furniture you’d want too? Your couch is way comfier than mine.”
Clyde gives me a tender kiss, but then pulls a comforter over us. “Thank you. For everything.” And with his head settled on my shoulder, he closes his eyes.
Chapter 39
Road
My bladder’s on the verge of bursting, but I can’t bring myself to get up. I woke up some time ago with Clyde molded to my back, and it’s been a struggle ever since. The bedroom smells of us both, and as I remain in the sheets, with Clyde’s arms circling me, this doesn’t feel new at all. His embrace is as familiar as breathing, and for a moment, I imagine he’s been here a long time, and this is just another morning together.
Soft breath keeps caressing my scalp, like when we rested together at the lake, with the sun heating our skin while we breathed in the fresh air. I can almost hear his heartbeat, when I ignore everything else, even my own, and its rhythm feels like yet another layer to this hug.
I could have chosen someone easier. Someone who wasn’t an enemy, and who didn’t need protection, but when his chest presses against me, expanding each time he fills his lungs, I’m reminded why it can’t be anyone else.
We are a good fit, yes, both in bed and out of it, but the conflict between our clubs is a part of our story, and it ended up bringing us closer together. Thanks to what’s happened, I know I can depend on him with my life, that this relationship is serious for both of us, and that it means something.
My bladder wins, but I still try not to wake him up as I slide out of his embrace, inch by inch, like a chick emerging out of its egg. He looks so serene under my comforter when I stand up. After all he’s been through, he deserves as much sleep as he wants.
When I’m relieved, I look around my house with a critical eye. It’s… pretty bare. Not something I ever minded much, but I want it to feel like a home to Clyde, so I need to step up. And if he wants a kitchen, I’ll build him one myself, but for now, I don’t even have breakfast for him.
I leave a note on my side of the bed saying I went out to get food, then get myself in order, because I know I’ll be stared at. I remember his comment from yesterday and add shampoo to the list of things I need to bring back. But before I leave him in the bedroom, I end up glancing toward the bed and stalling. He’s so damn handsome with bright light seeping through the curtains and covering his skin with a dense weave of sunshine. It’s almost as if he were sleeping under a translucent veil.
Maybe I am transforming into a mushfest, but nobody needs to know that I worship the ground under Clyde’s feet. Tempted to stroke the long blond locks spread over the white pillow, I take one step closer, but if I touch him now, he will wake up, and we’ll start making out, and he won’t get anything for breakfast, since the serving hours at the canteen are soon coming to an end.
With that on my mind, I step outside, immediately accosted by a crowd of furballs. Once they receive their food, I leap from my porch, straight onto the mossy ground, right past the steps.
I’m about to walk off but look back to assess my cabin. I have enough land around it for an extension if the place is a little too cozy for—
“Creep?” I yell, because I swear I spotted a figure in black scrambling away on my roof.
That’s right. On my roof.
The sun’s peeking through the leafy canopy above, its light blinding, but I know what I saw and dash alongside the cabin with blood thumping in my ears. How long was he here? Had he been… creeping on us?
It would have been funny if this was any other home than mine.
He attempts to crawl out of my sight, but I grab a green pinecone that somehow ended up falling from the tree, and toss it at him.
Bullseye. Right in the back of his head.
He turns around with a growl. “What? Prophet told me to keep an eye out! If the Butchers are after him, who knows if they don’t come here. Brigid’s cards have spoken of a threat.”