Total pages in book: 79
Estimated words: 72756 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 364(@200wpm)___ 291(@250wpm)___ 243(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 72756 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 364(@200wpm)___ 291(@250wpm)___ 243(@300wpm)
Preacher collapses on top of me, breathing hard as he rests his forehead against mine. “Holy shit.”
“Mmm,” I agree.
He chuckles and kisses me softly before rolling off and disposing of the condom.
Crash moves to lie down next to me, and I snuggle into his side. Devil lies down on the other side of me, putting his arm over both of us. I'm surrounded by warmth and safety in the kind of place that I’d been taught my whole life was basically Hell, and I never want to leave.
23
SUMMER
I wake up alone with Crash when someone knocks on the door. Crash doesn’t seem to notice, softly breathing and looking almost innocent. Hah.
Rolled over onto his back, he's kicked the sheets far enough off that it would take only an itty bitty tug to reveal his business end. But as tempting as that is, I'm stark naked and there's someone at the door.
I really need some fresh clothes, but there's a towel hanging on a hook on the door to his bathroom. I take that and wrap it around me. It smells like him.
There's another knock, a little harder, so I hurry before Crash wakes up. It's Preacher. He smiles down at my near nudity. “No need to get dressed for me, beautiful.”
“You don't sleep in?” I've been getting up early all my life, so I’m a little surprised I wasn’t already awake, but I guess they did kinda wear me out last night.
He shakes his head. “As long as I get some fucking sleep, I'm good. Anyway, as you're proving right, now, you're short on clothes, and while I certainly got to eat last night, I don't think you ever did.”
It takes me a moment to catch his meaning, and I literally gasp. “Preacher!”
But at the same time, crude joke or not, how is it that a rough, probably criminal biker is more considerate of me than my family's ever been? It wouldn’t even occur to Dad, but Preacher actually came looking for me to take care of me.
As if in response, my stomach rumbles, and I nod. “I could do with some breakfast.”
“If you want to wear that around the place, nobody’s going to complain, but here.” He hands me a little bundle of clothes.
“What’s this? If they're yours, I don't think they'll fit.” He's got to be like twice my size, at least. Maybe I can borrow a T-shirt and belt it like a dress. It wouldn't even be a short dress.
“As nice as that fucking sounds, no. Jewel was there when you came in, so she had some idea of your size, and then Badass told Natalie and she’s got a ton of shit that doesn’t fit. Basically the girls had a little clothing drive. Probably won’t be perfect, but—”
I throw myself at him and hug him tight, eyes stinging. “Thank you. I don't know what to—”
“Just put'em on, and I'll be out here waiting.” He sounds as uncomfortable with me getting all mushy and thankful as I do, so I just nod and run for the bathroom.
I suppose I should've realized it wouldn't be quite the kind of clothes I'm used to, but beggars can’t be choosers, right? I grab a black t-shirt thinking it would be the most basic, but, well… Dad would call it scandalous. It fits tight to my body and shows off plenty of belly. There’s a pair of leggings, and they’re nice, stretchy and comfortable, but people will be able to see everything. Am I supposed to go out in public like this? With my midriff bared and in clothes that hug my body tighter than the guys did last night? I feel almost more naked now than I did then. But if I’m going to embrace the new me, I can’t do it looking like an extra from Little House on the Prairie, which is how Dad tends to want me dressed. At least when he’s not selling me off.
“Fuck. Now I wish I hadn’t offered food because I’d rather push you back into that bed and see what comes up.”
I hold up my hands, cutting him off before he can convince me. “You promised breakfast. And I just built up the courage to wear this where people can see me. I'm not sure I'll manage that again.”
“I know, and I’ll keep my word. I've got an appointment, so we'll grab food on the way.” He shuts Crash's door behind me, then guides me towards the common room.
“Wait, we're leaving the compound?” I've got my purse, mostly for somewhere to keep my phone, but I didn't expect us to actually go anywhere. “With me looking like this?”
“You're fine. Trust me. More than fucking fine. No one's going to give you a second look, and if they do, it's because they're going to be jealous you're riding with me and not them.” He gives me another nudge. “Now, come on.”