Page 32 of Rough Ride

“Kye, you said it yourself. My first time. You don’t get to decide what makes something special to me. I get to decide that. For me,” she said, moving a hand to rest on his chest over his heart, “this was very special. I needed it, and I needed it to be with you. Last night was perfect, even if it took ten years to happen. It happened, and I wouldn’t change it for anything.”

“Are you sure?” He looked so innocent and fragile. If he’d damaged her in any way, he’d never forgive himself. Eliana smiled, feeling almost parental in the way she reassured him with a kiss.

“I’m sure,” she said decidedly. “Now, it’s time to take a shower then make breakfast.” Rising from the bed, she stretched her arms over her head, and Kye lay back enjoying the view of her naked body.

“Are you now?” he asked, grinning from ear to ear. She turned, arms still in the air, eyes playful and mischievous.

“Me?” she asked, looking down at him from the doorway. “I think you mean ‘we’,” she elaborated. Kye flung the covers aside and caught Eliana before she could leave the room. She shrieked out a laugh as he pulled her over his shoulder and carried her into the bathroom.

* * *

Eliana felt deliciously sore. Every move reminded her of the bliss she’d spent the last several hours experiencing. When she stirred the batter, her abdominal muscles hurt. When she knelt to pull the biscuits out of the oven, her thighs prickled, and when Kye walked behind her toward the stove and paused to kiss the back of her neck, the heat in her region contracted like a cramp.

With the dough in the oven, she wrapped her arms around his waist from behind as he whisked the gravy he was making. He looked over his shoulder at her, and she kissed his cheek.

“That smells good,” she said and dipped a serving spoon into the gray liquid before holding it out for her to taste. “Mmm,” she said and blew the hot air out of her mouth. “Where did you learn to cook?” she asked and hopped onto the counter next to him. She grimaced for a moment as the strain hurt briefly.

“Picked it up over the years,” he said, furrowing his brow when he noticed her discomfort. Turning the heat down on the stove, he crossed to her and placed his hands on her thighs. “Are you sure you…”

“Kye Driscoll”— she wrapped her arms around his neck— “if you keep fussing over me like a broken china doll, I’m going to start to get angry.” She pulled him closer, and his hands began massaging her thighs.

“Do you want me to apologize for caring?” he asked as she drew a bare foot up the outside of his leg.

“No,” she said, running her hands down his bare chest and tugged at the elastic band of his sweatpants. His hands moved from the silky skin of her legs that were exposed in her jean shorts and to her cheeks where he cradled her face. “Just don’t mistake me for fragile.”

“You are many things, Eli,”— he kissing her neck— “fragile is not one of them.” They held each other for a long moment, his lips moving from one side of her neck to the other. She closed her eyes savoring the feeling.

“Oh shit!” She laughed when the beep from the stove timer interrupted them. Kye stepped back and opened the glass door and removed the cookie sheet. She watched from her perch as he plated two helpings of the biscuits and gravy, setting them on the counter, and she slid onto the barstool next to him.

A comfortable silence passed as they ate and from under the counter, his foot found her leg and began teasingly brushing her soft calf. They’d spent over forty-five minutes in the shower washing each other, learning the other’s body, and he’d all too quickly discovered several of her ticklish places that he seized every opportunity to tickle.

They were both startled when the front door opened and shut. Kye stood and reached for the gun in his jacket pocket, but stopped when he saw Grier rounding the corner. He stopped and stared at Kye who stood shirtless and without socks or shoes before his green eyes moved over to Eliana. She was slightly more modest in jean shorts and a sleeveless shirt.

“What’s up?” he asked, feeling as though he’d intruded. Eliana felt on guard, but Kye was perfectly at ease as he sat and continued eating.

“Grab some food,” Kye offered and pointed to the two pans on the stovetop. When Grier tossed his cut onto the table next to Kye’s, and Eliana noticed the two holstered guns on his hips, she tensed. Kye grabbed her hand under the counter and gave it a squeeze.

“Thanks!” Grier didn’t bother grabbing a plate, but instead took a biscuit from the tray, dipped it directly into the saucepan, and shoveled it into his mouth.

“Want some beer to wash that down? I can pour it into a trough for you,” Kye asked sarcastically. Grier swallowed the whole mouthful.

“Fuck you, but don’t mind if I do,” he stated as he opened the fridge and pulled out a bottle.

“Did you drive all the way over here to make a mess and drink my beer?” Kye propped his elbows on the counter. Eliana felt nervous, especially after her last encounter with the man. She knew they were old friends, but Eliana didn’t trust anyone from the Demons save for Kye.

“No,” Grier said, opening the bottle and taking a swig. When he didn’t elaborate, Kye made a sound of annoyance. Grier looked from Kye to Eliana and back. “Haven’t been answering your phone,” Grier said, “Max is pissed. Wanted to send Dhal and Brutus, but I convinced him I’d get here faster.”

“Fuck,” Kye said and jumped off the stool. He moved to the table where his phone lay. The charger had come unplugged, and his battery had inadvertently died. He quickly plugged it in and turned it on only to find out he’d missed over a dozen calls. “Battery was dead.”

“I figured, but it wasn’t like you. Good thing the tracking bracelet was still here; otherwise, Max was apt to think she’d killed you and made a run for it.”

“That’s bullshit,” Eliana interjected. “I’ve done nothing but cooperate with everything he’s wanted. There’s no reason for him to suspect I’d do something like that.”

“Max suspects everyone of being capable of anything,” Grier said in an even tone. “That’s why he’s in charge.”

“What does he want?” Kye asked, flicking through his text messages.

“He wanted an update,” Grier said, setting the bottle down. “Now he wants to see you. Just you. She stays here.” Eliana looked from Grier to Kye. His jaw had clenched, but he didn’t say anything.