Page 85 of Red Marked

I went from zero to hero in less than a second.

I hope I covered up in time, or she would have had an eyeful. It would be best if she didn’t know I’m attracted to her. It’s something that’s crept up on me. I’ve tried to ignore it. But it’s not going away. I’ll have to try harder.

“That,” she says, “was the best burger I have ever eaten in my entire life.”

“I can’t imagine going without fast food for years.” I shake my head.

“That first bite was a religious experience.” She picks up her soda, closes her lips around the straw, and sucks. When it runs dry, she groans, long and low, with her eyes half shut. “I missed sugar too. All of life’s simple pleasures.”

I wish she wouldn’t groan like that.

“We should get moving.” I push my plate aside, looking at the bag on the chair next to her. “You now have toiletries and makeup. Now you need clothes.”

She looks down at Rift’s tank top and shorts. “I guess so.”

I put some cash in the bill folder, and we start walking.

The store is two blocks down. We stop outside, and Star looks in through the window. Her eyes are wide. She’s taking everything in as if she’s seeing it for the first time.

“Let’s go inside,” I tell her.

We do, and Star touches everything, holding various items up. When she has an armful, she disappears into the fitting rooms at the back, and I sit on the low bench outside them, elbows on my knees, and stare at a poster of a male in a sweater.

I check my phone to see if Magma has any news, and there’s nothing. I sent him Star’s photograph, along with an outline of my plan. He said he would help where he could and cautioned me. I know it’s a risk, but I have to help those females. I can’t just turn my back and walk away. I also told the team, including Rift, about the plan. Brian was super excited. I threatened to fire his ass. Atlas got that stupid fucking grin again.

I sigh.

The curtain slides open.

Star emerges in a white T-shirt and a pair of jeans. She’s barefoot, and so fucking gorgeous I think my mouth might have fallen open. The T-shirt clings to her, leaving nothing to the imagination.

She looks fucking incredible. I’m pretty sure she could wear a garbage bag and make it look like high-end fashion.

“What do you think?” She turns to face me, tucking her hair behind her ear.

I keep my eyes on her face. It takes work.

“You look great. Once we’ve picked out a few more things, you should probably get some underwear.” I try hard to sound casual.

She looks down. It takes a second for her to realize, and then her cheeks go pink.

“Oh yes…of course.” She ducks back behind the curtain.

I put my head in my hands and breathe.

She comes out a few minutes later in Rift’s clothes with a small pile over her arm. Three shirts. Two pairs of jeans.

“That’s it?”

“It’s plenty.”

“It’s not.” I stand. “You have to get by for a while, Star. You’re going to be living around the same group of people day in and day out. If you show up in the same three things on rotation, people will notice. You need a few dresses, some shorts. You need to pass as a regular person. You need a closet of clothes.”

“I don’t want to spend all your money.”

“You won’t.”

“It’s too much,” she squeaks.