Running back into my room, I see Capone sitting on my bed against the headboard. The sheet covers his lower body while I let my gaze roam over the gorgeous top half. Tattoos cover his skin, his nipples are pierced, and there’s a small trail of hair disappearing under the sheet.
“And here it is,” he says, laughter in his voice.
“Why are you naked? You slept next to me for however long naked?” I ask, my voice high pitched.
“I usually sleep naked. The only time I don’t is when I’ve been here with you. Didn’t want to push you. But, since you’re so much stronger than you were in the beginning, I thought why the hell not. And, it shouldn’t matter how I sleep since we’re just friends, right?” he says, his voice cocky.
“Friends don’t sleep naked next to one another,” I say, walking to my closet to grab clothes.
“They don’t walk around in nothin’ more than a towel after a shower either,” he calls out.
“They do when it’s their own damn house and they need to get dressed for the day,” I say.
Capone doesn’t say a word until I walk back into the room. He’s sitting on the edge of my bed with just his jeans on, but they’re not buttoned all the way. I quickly turn my gaze away because I’m sure I catch a glimpse of his cock. That’s not something I need to have burned into my memory.
“What are you doin’ tonight?” he asks.
“Working. I have to finish the books and I’m going to be working on some other projects,” I answer.
“What projects?” he asks, his voice going all possessive alpha asshole on me.
“Nothing that concerns you.”
“Holls, don’t. Why don’t you come to the clubhouse? We’re havin’ a party for Rock. He’s comin’ home today,” Capone tells me.
“No thanks. I don’t go to the clubhouse if I’m not droppin’ off the books,” I answer. “Besides, I don’t know when I’ll be done with my stuff.”
“And you won’t tell me what you’re doin’?” he asks, sliding his shirt down over his chest.
“Nope. No one knows, and no one has to know,” I answer.
I leave the room and make my way to the kitchen. I’m starting breakfast when Capone leaves the room and makes his way over to me. He kisses me on the top of my head and leaves my house. What the hell is going on?
Capone leaves me more confused than anyone I’ve ever known. I’m not going to get sucked into his trap. And I won’t be going to the clubhouse. There’s no reason for me to be there when I’m not attached to a member. The only tie I have to the Blazing Outlaws is my sister, who is married to the President. Doesn’t mean I have a reason to be there for anything else.
Besides, I start my new job today. I’m going to be working on formatting and designing graphics for authors. It’s something I’ve always been interested in doing, but it didn’t seem stable enough for me to get a degree in. So, I went with my second love for work and I’ll do this on the side. It’s my secret to keep and no one needs to know this.
Chapter Five
Capone
WALKING OUT OF Hollie’s house is the hardest thing I’ve ever done. Especially after our morning. It’s like it was so long ago when Hollie was relaxed around me and didn’t know about the house bunnies. She was open and could joke around with me.
Did I overstep by climbing into her bed naked? Maybe. But, I wanted to see how she’d react to me being in bed with her naked. What I didn’t expect was to see her walk through her room in nothing but a towel. That’s new.
I got to her house in the middle of the night from the run, and I was tired as fuck. I’m not sure why I even went to her house other than I wanted to make sure she was sleeping. Her call rattled me and I’ll always check on her. So, I pulled up and went in. At first, I went into the wrong room, the room she used to sleep in.
Turning on the hall light, I opened the door to Raine’s old room and saw Hollie fast asleep in her bed. The blankets had slipped from her body and she was only wearing a shirt and a pair of panties. I know because her ass cheeks were on full display with the dark lace panties covering the remaining part of her ass.
As I entered the room, I started to strip. Usually, I throw a pair of sweats on or sleep in my boxers when I’m in bed with Hollie. Not last night. Last night, I want to sleep the way I usually do— naked. I’ve never worn clothes to bed unless I was here with Hollie. I’m done holding back from her. She wants to let me know how much stronger she is and how much better she’s doing, then we’ll test her theory.
Walking up to the bed, I took in her long hair fanned out over the pillows next to her. Her lashes rested against her cheeks and her mouth sat slightly open. One hand was resting under her cheek while her other arm was thrown over her head. Her legs were curled up, but the pillow she normally keeps between her knees was missing. I always thought it was because of the cuts and burns she had between her legs and it looks like I’m right.
For a few minutes, I drank in the sight of her. She couldn’t move or squirm under my gaze because she didn’t know I was watching her. Instead, she was peaceful and her face was the most relaxed I’ve seen it since pulling her from the warehouse. This was how I want to see her every day— no stress or worry marring her beautiful fairy-like features.
Finally, I climbed into bed and tried to behave myself. I laid on my back and put my arms under my head. Turning my head, I watched Hollie. Within a minute, she was rolling over, her head going to my chest while her arm reached across my chest. Her fingers tickled my side as she got comfortable. At the same time, she threw her leg over me, almost nailing me in my cock.
I was sporting a semi-hard cock when I walked into the room. Then, I was hard as fuck as her soft skin brushed against mine and the smell of her shampoo and body wash invaded my senses. She smelled like flowers and vanilla mixed together. It’s not some fancy perfume she’s using to make men weak in the knees. It’s something she uses because it reminds her of simpler times. Times her parents and grandma were alive. I’ll buy stock in the shit if it makes her happy.
I laid still awhile and just lived in the moment of having Hollie in my arms, where she belongs. Finally, sleep claimed me and I got the most peaceful sleep I’ve had since not spending as much time with her. Having Hollie in my arms quiets my demons as much as it quiets hers.
This morning is the first time I’ve caught a glimpse of her exposed skin. Even though the towel covered anything of importance, I still got to see more of her than I ever have before. Water is trailing down her exposed skin from her wet hair and I want to lick each and every drop away from her skin.
When she comes back from the closet, Hollie is fully dressed. She’s wearing a short pair of shorts and a tank top. It takes me a second to notice she’s not wearing a bra under her tank top and I can make out the outline of her nipples poking through the shirt. Once again, my mouth waters and I wonder what her nipples look like. Are they coral or brown? Large or small? From what I’m seeing, she’s got large nipples and I want to see and taste them.
“What are you doin’ tonight?” I ask.