Total pages in book: 74
Estimated words: 69242 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 346(@200wpm)___ 277(@250wpm)___ 231(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 69242 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 346(@200wpm)___ 277(@250wpm)___ 231(@300wpm)
And the fucking Crusaders.
“Good. You smell like bleach and blood. Leave your clothes where Thomas can take them for disposal.”
She stood and stamped out the joint, which was my cue to leave. “See you in the morning, son.” She paused in the doorway and turned to me. “Tomorrow we have another problem to solve. Savannah Rhymer.”
Oh, fuck me, I’d forgotten about her.
“In the morning,” I reassured her. “Good night, Ma.”
When she was gone, I got to my feet and up the stairs to Maisie’s room for the night. Bonnie was still with her so I went straight to the bathroom and turned the shower on as hot as I could stand it before stepping inside. I let the whole shit storm of a day wash off me, ignoring the putrid scent of burnt flesh and dying screams, replacing them with images of Maisie giving herself over to me. And to pleasure.
I thought of the little gasping noises she made when her pleasure surprised her and the way she bit down on her bottom lip just before her orgasm hit. Thoughts of Maisie filled my head until I was stiff and throbbing under the shower spray, gripping my cock for a quick and quiet release that zapped the last of my energy. I dried myself off and slipped on boxers in case Bonnie woke when I opened the door to the bedroom.
My legs were spaghetti by the time I made it back to the bed, feeling my way in the dark before I slid in behind Maisie. I didn’t know if it was me specifically or my heat that she was responding to, but she gravitated toward me until her back was pressed up against my chest. Her ass nestled in the cradle of my hips and she moaned.
“Virgil?” She smiled over her shoulder at me. “You’re back. Is it morning?”
“In a few more hours,” I whispered and pressed a kiss to her shoulder that had her purring like a kitten and rubbing up against me. “Go back to sleep.”
“Bossy,” she moaned but her eyes were already sliding shut again and her breathing slowed and evened out. “Night.”
“Good night, sweetheart.” A smile curled my lips and I wrapped an arm around her waist, holding her tight.
Bonnie stirred from her side of the bed. Her eyes went wide with surprise when she saw us together.
“I’ll, uh, just give you guys some space.” She moved to get up, but I shook my head and pointed to Maisie’s other hand, the one that clasped Bonnie’s.
“It’s fine Bonnie. We’re just sleeping.”
“I need to make sure she’s safe as well,” she said.
I mouthed, “I get it.”
Her lips curled into a knowing smile and she nodded. “You’re a good man Virgil Ashby,” she whispered, and, with an angelic smile on her face, she squeezed Maisie’s hand tighter and drifted back to sleep.
I must have been out of my fucking mind for this girl because I could honestly say I’d never had two women in my bed and the only thing we did was sleep.
What was it about Maisie that made her different? What was it about Maisie that made me different?
Was it just timing or was it something else?
By the time I fell asleep, I had no answers. But I had Maisie in my arms and for now, that would have to be enough.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
Maisie
“Yeah Jana, I’m sure. I’m fine.”
It was at least the twentieth time I’d uttered those two words. I’m fine. Eventually, it would be true but until then I needed to reassure everyone.
I switched my phone to my other hand and took a long swig of my juice. “A little shaken up,” I said when I swallowed, “but I’m fine. For real.”
I’d told Peaches and Gunnar the same thing not twenty-five minutes ago and it took them too damn long to believe me.
“If you’re sure,” Jana went on, her voice filled with worry. “I told Max you should come home. I’m worried about you.”
I listened to Jana with half an ear while I watched the buzz of activity that was Ashby Manor. Housekeepers shuffled around the property in matching gray and white uniforms, like they’d been handed out by an agency. Cooks made plenty of noise on the other side of the swinging door that shielded the kitchen from view, and men in black suits with white shirts walked around with stoic expressions, carrying items sometimes or rushing off to do…something.
It was all very upscale and fancy. Nothing like the life of cutoff jeans, beer, and Harley’s that I was used to, but this was how Virgil lived. He grew up like this.
“No need to worry, Aunt Jana. I’m a big girl and I’m fine. Gunnar said there’s no reason to borrow trouble if I don’t need to.”
And his message had come through loud and clear.