Total pages in book: 77
Estimated words: 72421 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 362(@200wpm)___ 290(@250wpm)___ 241(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 72421 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 362(@200wpm)___ 290(@250wpm)___ 241(@300wpm)
“I’ll work on that.”
She raises her brows. “You say odd shit.” Blair shakes her head, but I can see she’s fighting a smirk.
“Are you hungry?” I ask. If I want to earn her trust, I need to show her that I can take care of her.
All the food here at the moment is canned and there are a few things in the freezer. I make a trip out here once a month to switch things out and check the place over.
“I don’t know what I am. This is all so strange.” She walks around, dropping down onto the couch. “Part of me wants to go back home, and another is kind of scared to. I can’t explain it.”
“Is there anything I can do?” I rub the top of my skull. I’m not used to being so out of my element. I’m usually not the nurturing type.
Once my cousins figure out that I’ve taken Blair, they’re all going to get a damn kick out of it. They’ll know instantly that I got bit by the Marino love bug. Otherwise, there would be no way Blair got out of that hole. I bet my mom is already starting to plan my wedding.
“I just want a shower, food, and sleep.” She starts to pull at the laces on her boots. “My cat and a phone would be nice too. Doom scroll.” Doom scroll? Not sure what that is, but that’s the second time she’s mentioned the cat. “Grr!” A growl scream leaves her when she can’t get the lace.
“Let me.”
“I have nails and smaller fingers. If I can’t get the knot, then you can't." She turns her hand to inspect her nails. “And I fucking chipped my nail polish at some point.” Blair closes her eyes tightly. Fuck, she is going to cry.
I cross the small living room over to her, dropping down to my knees. Her eyes fly open when I lift one foot and get the knot out and then do the other. When I grip her heel, my other hand wraps around her calf. I pull the boot off but let my hand linger, my fingers stroking her soft skin.
“Are you petting me?”
“Maybe.” Not sure I’d call it that, but okay. I take the other boot off as well.
“Is this what my cat feels when I pet him?” I tighten my hold on her calf. “What, I’m not complaining. It's nice. Maybe a little firmer. Working the fingers into the muscle.” That smirk of hers comes back out.
I start to rub. “Oh God, you’re really massaging me.” Her head drops back, her eyes falling closed. When she lets out a moan, my already hard dick starts to ache, shooting down to my balls.
This female has me in over my head with all the strange and new shit I’m experiencing inside my own body. I grab her other foot and keep going. I’ll take the torture. It’s the least I can do after making her face her own nightmare.
Her fear of the dark. The hole is that way on purpose. You can't hear or see anything. The isolation and unknowing add to the fear and panic. It gets people talking a whole lot quicker.
Not sure how long I rub her, but Blair's breathing evens out. I put her foot down and stand, scooping her up into my arms. Her eyes lazily open.
“You’re real.”
“To many people’s displeasure.”
“Not mine. Your hands work wonders.” I lay her down on the bed. Blair's eyes are already falling closed again. “Is that from torturing people? That you have the stamina to rub for so long?”
“Sleep, Hellcat.” I pull the blanket over her. It’s been a long, stressful day for her, and she needs rest.
“Don’t—”
“I won’t turn off the lamp,” I tell her, flicking it on and then turning off the overhead one. She smiles but doesn't respond. I don’t move. I stand there watching her until her breathing evens out again and I know she’s asleep.
If I had the time, I’d watch her longer, but time is of the essence. I secure every entryway possible. Then I leave a note on the kitchen counter. Hopefully I’ll be back before she wakes.
I tell her not to try and escape. We’re out in the middle of nowhere. At least for walking. She’d have to run a few miles to get to a road or another house. I don’t think she will. It’s still night out, and the moon can’t break through the overhanging trees.
I wanted to be secluded but also close enough to get back into the city if need be.
It’s not until I’m back on the main road that I pull my phone out of the bag and power it on. The second I do, it starts to go off. I almost clear it, thinking it’s Damon, but I see Mac’s name. I answer the call because I could use her help.