Total pages in book: 114
Estimated words: 106003 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 530(@200wpm)___ 424(@250wpm)___ 353(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 106003 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 530(@200wpm)___ 424(@250wpm)___ 353(@300wpm)
He kisses my neck with a reverence that has me fighting for breath as I lift my arm to bury my fingers in his hair. And that’s when I smell it.
My sweat.
“Ewww, why didn't you tell me that I stink?“ I whine, spinning in his arms. I love how the leather fringe moves with me, tapping my legs and ass, and when I think back to the property vests I’ve seen so far, I know this element is special. He must have picked it for me.
Creed chuckles. “You know I’m a pervert. Maybe I like it.”
“Maybe, but now that I know, it will be the only thing I can think about. I need to shower. Let’s go home.”
I grab his hand and we leave the canteen as my heart sings. I can’t wait to be alone at home with him even if a part of me wishes for everyone to see the back of my vest.
Chapter 28
Creed
When did this cabin become a safe space? Angel has only been in Vulture Hollow two weeks, but as I watch him light scented candles arranged in every single room, it dawns on me that I don’t feel out of place anymore. He wants me here, and as I follow him, contemplating each new flame while he whispers to them, I know we’re both equal parts of this ritual. I can’t say I understand the intention behind it, because I don’t really believe in curses or charms, but where Angel goes—I will follow, and by the time the bathroom comes to life with the trembling glow of candlelight, I’m able to think clearly again.
I hate Domino with the strength of a thousand suns when I think my Angel was so frightened of the bastard he wouldn’t even tell me about him, but I see the merit of Angel’s request. Disappearing a prominent member of the Hell’s Butchers would be a difficult job to carry out without leaving a trace, even for me. The other Butchers would be looking for a culprit. If Angel thinks Domino will now back off, I have to trust his judgement.
I hope the patches on Angel’s back will deter him altogether. My heart rattles every time I see them. I’ve never felt more accepted in my life. Angel has plucked out all of my secrets, and they didn’t make him recoil. He took my kinks on-board and found pleasure in them. If I could bring him a star from the sky, I would.
I try to accept that he wants me, but I will forever strive to be worthy of him.
Angel inhales the herby aroma floating through the air and leans down to pull off both his socks. The rug under his feet is fresh, soft, and I can’t help but pause, watching my boy wiggle his toes against the threads. So fucking cute.
“Join me?” he asks and opens the button at the waistband of his jeans.
I nod, already pulling off my vest. “You know… I’ve had those issues with the shower for years, and you helped me get over them so quickly, because now when I think about being here, hearing the banging of water against tiles, and feeling the steam in the air, all I imagine is your naked body. It’s where I first let you touch me, see me.” Talking like this to someone, so openly and with no walls, is a revelation.
He smiles, and so does my heart.
Even now, I have doubts. Even now, I worry that maybe one day he’ll realize I’m a waste of his time, but when he places his hands on my chest, I want to give my soul into his care and believe each word from his mouth.
If he thinks I’m worthy, then it must be so.
“Does that mean you no longer worry about me dragging you under the water?” he quips, grinning at me as he takes off the vest, then hangs it on the towel rack. Because he’s thoughtful like that, aware it would hurt my feelings if he just threw it on the floor.
I take off my T-shirt even though I’m still self-conscious about the scars on my back. He’s seen them, touched them, and even kissed them a few times in the shower. “You can take me under and I’ll just ask how long to hold my breath for. If you say ‘forever’, so be it.”
He pauses, blue eyes wide, pink lips open as he reaches for me and gets to his toes so our mouths can meet. He’s still wearing most of his clothes, so there’s way too much fabric separating our skin, but there’s something new about this kiss. In the past, he gave me ones that were playful, innocent, or even lusty. This one? It’s pure sweetness. Care and affection distilled into a syrup nothing could compare to.