Page 155 of Vile Bastards
We’re both panting and sweaty in the tepid, winter sunlight, my bare ass pressed tight to him, his breathing a companionable rhythm to the sound of my thundering heart.
“That almost hurt,” I whisper, and he goes still all over, as if he’s worried he’s done something wrong. “Not like that. I mean … I needed that so bad it almost hurt. Like, when you take a drink of hot tea with a sore throat. Or when you eat after a long fast, and your stomach aches. Something akin to that.”
“I’m a sore throat and a stomachache?” Ash whispers, but he doesn’t move. He stays inside of me, holding me to him, catching his breath. “I wish I could say we’ll never be parted for so long again, but that’d be a lie.”
“What are you up to, Ash Kelly?” I ask, hoping that he’ll be more forthright with his dick between my thighs. Instead, he pulls away and adjusts his pants as I struggle to figure out a solution to my current problem. Not sure that I have any tampons on me.
“Come. There’s a bathroom inside that you can use.” Ash offers out a hand and helps me up, watching as I yank my pants most of the way in place and follow him. He guides me inside and holds open the bathroom door.
I spot the basket of tampons on the counter right away. Score.
“I’ll only be a minute,” I tell him, and he nods, allowing the door to swing closed so that I can lock it. I do my thing, inserting the tampon, washing my hands, smoothing my mussed hair as best that I’m able.
When I step back into the hallway however, Ash is gone.
The Shelby is missing from out back as well.
I try not to be annoyed (or hurt, as the case may be), but I am.
Because I know that by leaving, Ash is trying to help me.
I also know that he’s got something to tell me tomorrow that I’m not going to like, and I can’t help but wonder if this is the last time we’ll ever have sex. It very well could be, depending on what it is that he has to say to me.
With a sigh, I straighten my clothes out and leave the matter alone for the time being.
Whatever horrible thing it is that Ash wants to tell me, I’ll know soon enough.
Scarlett
Widow is waiting for me when Ash and I finally part ways. He offers me up a skeptical look, leaned up against the side of the Pantera with his arms crossed. He’s obviously still furious with me, but can I really blame him?
“Thank you for waiting for me,” I offer because, like, I’m all about honesty here. Widow blinks those strange amber eyes of his at me. “You’re always the voice of reason; I should listen to you more often.”
“Are you fucking shitting me?” he growls out, and then he’s sweeping an anxious hand through his jewel-toned hair. “I can’t even believe you roped me into falling for you. This is stupid as hell, Scarlett. Sometimes, you are stupid as hell.”
He isn’t wrong.
The insult stings a bit, but I let it slide.
“Where’s Bohnes?” I ask, looking around. It’s not generally a good thing when he disappears into thin air like this. Nah, it usually means he’s up to no good. “I thought he’d want to see me race.”
“Scarlett,” Widow starts, pausing at the sound of engines on the track. We exchange a look. Shit. I didn’t realize I was that short on time. I untuck the rolled-up registration form from my back pocket, unrolling it and looking down at the pair of forged signatures. Widow takes it from me, lifting a brow at the same time that he moves his gaze from the paper to my face.
“If anyone asks, Alexei came and signed it before Chet Jr. fell down the stairs.” I snatch the page back, gesture at the Pantera with my chin, and offer up a sex-sloppy grin. “Let’s get down there, shall we?”
“You’re lucky that you’re so goddamn attractive.” Widow shakes his head, rubbing at his forehead with his spiderweb inked hand. “That, and I love a good challenge.” He stares me down as I study the form and then—and please don’t tell anyone else this—I step forward, rise up on my toes, and press a gentle kiss to his cheek.
“I appreciate you having my back; it means a lot.” I drop back down, and my eye twitches as a smug smile stretches over Widow’s lips.
“In the end, it’ll be me and you, Mrs. Lawless.” He reaches down and takes my chin in his hand, leaning in so close that I can feel his breath against my lips. “Provided you and the Kelly idiot don’t get yourselves killed first.” Widow licks my lower lip, but when I try to kiss him, he draws back, and I curl my lip in irritation. “Don’t even. After this display, you’ll be lucky if I fuck you with any semblance of nice.”
