Page 45 of Bloody Bones
Briella
Nothing had changed. One glance around my family home and I could tell. My father was asleep, drunk in his favourite threadbare chair. The curtains were pulled tightly across the window so not a peak of sunshine could be seen.
It was like he hadn't even noticed I had been gone. Which was a very real possibility.
I hesitated, leaning against the door to the den and just stared at him.
I needed to get out of that house. Out from under his thumb. If I was really going to start my life fresh, then I needed a clean break. My own apartment, a new job. Friends…
Tommy's warm hand curled around my hip, drawing me backwards against him. He didn't say a word as he gazed over my shoulder at my sperm donor.
“I can take you somewhere else,” he whispered, his lips grazing my ear.
I wanted that more than anything. But things like finding somewhere to live would take time. I couldn't do any of it until I had another job. I had some savings, money I had hidden away, but it would barely cover a deposit. It sure as hell wouldn't be enough for me to live on.
“This is my home.” I tilted my head back, letting it rest against his chest. “I have nowhere else to go right now.”
“A hotel.”
My laughter was loud and short, and my father stirred in his sleep but didn't wake up. I took a hasty step backwards, pushing Tommy with me as I went.
“I can't afford a hotel, Tommy.”
“I can. Let me do this for you. Or I can find you an apartment. The club owns so many businesses, there's bound to be something available. All I have to do is make some calls.”
I shook my head. “You've done enough already…” I faltered. This was the moment we were meant to say goodbye, the moment where I watched him ride off into the sunset never to reappear in my life again. It didn't matter how many times he told me he was sticking around. I couldn't bring myself to believe him. I watched TV; I knew what bikers were like.
I had no business hoping I could change him or hold him down into some sort of relationship.
“I guess this is…”
He cut me off. “Where's your room?” Turning his head he gazed up the narrow staircase. “Up there?” There was something behind the intensity of his gaze. A need I couldn't put my finger on. Sure, lust was there as well, smouldering behind his dark eyes, but this was more than that.
“You do have a bedroom in this dump don't you?”
Any normal person would have taken offence, but not me. I knew my house was a dump. I had no illusions on that matter.
“Of course I have a bedroom.”
“Show me.”
It was definitely lust that was making his voice rougher than usual. Warmth spread through my stomach at the sound of it. Spiralling downwards, it made my core ache.
I wanted him to take me, make love to me the way he had the night he had rescued me and then again this morning before we had left. But I didn't want him to see my room.
I couldn't think of anything worse. It was the room of a child. Untouched since I was a teenager. I hadn't gotten around to changing it because I only used it to sleep in. I was always so exhausted after work and volunteering that I barely saw the tattered posters on the wall, and the childish bedspread anymore,
But now with the possibility of Tommy seeing it, my palms were suddenly sweaty, embarrassment tinged my cheeks pink.
Catching my sudden blush, he grinned. “I don't care what it looks like, Briella, believe me, I won't be looking at the decor. I will have all my attention on you.” One giant hand slid upwards from my waist, only stopping when his fingers brushed the underside of my breast.
I quivered under his touch, my whole body reacting to him. Needily I pressed myself against him.
His head dipped. “I really need you naked again.”
“You saw me naked less than three hours ago.” Playfully, I swatted at his chest.
“Not my fault you are irresistible. Now, where is your room?”
