Page 48 of Bloody Bones
Tommy
“Tommy.” Briella’s eyes were wide as she turned in a circle, her eyes taking in everything at once. Her cheeks flushed.
I grinned from my place in the doorway, her small bag forgotten in my hand. That was the reaction I had been hoping for.
“This is nothing like I expected. I thought the place would be small and grotty.”
Dropping the bag to my feet, I stalked towards her, gathering her up in my arms. Her enthusiasm was contagious, and I found myself grinning right along with her.
It was strange being back there. I had forgotten the details. But looking around, I was glad I made the calls I had yesterday. The place was a little worn around the edges but the furniture was new. It always amazed me how quickly things could get done if you had money.
“I'm pretty sure I didn't say grotty, Briella.” I chuckled. “I'm not even sure I know what that word means.” I pressed a kiss to her hair. “And it is small.”
“Tommy, it's perfect. And it's not small at all. I could never afford somewhere like this on my salary.” Her face shut down. “If I had a salary, of course.”
“You keep this place clean and tidy and stop people breaking in, and we will call that a job, hey?” I joked.
Briella's face closed down instantly. “No, Tommy. That wasn't the deal. I will get a job, any job and pay you rent.”
I shrugged my shoulders. If that's the way she wanted it, I wouldn't argue with her. But I wasn't going to take cash from her either. Any money she gave me would go straight into an account for her. That way if she ever did want to leave, and I really hoped she wouldn't, she would have money for a fresh start.
The thought of her leaving opened a hollow in my chest. I was playing a dangerous game, having her there. The club didn't know. Leviathan had said take her home and technically I hadn't disobeyed.
This was her home now.
I sure as hell wasn't going to leave her with her drunken emotionally abusive dad.
Here I could keep an eye on her and keep her safe without directly disobeying Levi.
I was a coward.
I couldn't give Briella up and I couldn't tell anyone I was still seeing her.
Never before in my life had I been so torn.
“Tommy?”
Briella's lilting voice brought me back to myself. I lowered my eyes back to hers and nodded. She had been waiting for an answer from me. “If that's how you want it, Briella, then fine. But I have conditions of my own.”
She arched a slender eyebrow. “Which are?” Her voice was serious but there was laughter crinkling the corners of her eyes. I liked it when she was happy. It made her seem younger somehow, more carefree. Like the girl she had been in the picture.
“Would it be pushing my luck if I asked you to be naked anytime you were home?” I studied her, my face deadpan.
“Just a little.” Briella threw back her head and laughed. Revealing the slender line of the throat.
My mouth watered. I wasn't a blood drinker, but God she looked tempting. That pale expanse of flesh was just crying out for me to kiss it, for me to lick my way down it until I got to the place where I would sink my teeth into her and give her the mating mark
“How about you just get naked when I am here then? Starting now.” I half expected her to laugh again. For a second Briella stared at me, and then her fingers scooped up the hem of her tee.
My mouth fell open as she tore it over her head. She stood there in just her bra, her eyes never leaving mine as she unzipped her jeans and pushed them down her hips.
My mouth, which had been flooded with saliva only seconds before, dried at the sight of her. There was a blush on her cheeks, but she looked back at me unashamed as I took her in.
“Like this?” Cocking her head to the side, she grinned at me. Her arms reached behind her to unclasp her bra.
My hands came up to cup her breasts as they fell free. The moan that had lodged at the back of my throat tearing from me.
“Yeah, like this.” I leaned forward, seeking her lips so I could kiss her. “Just like this.”
