Raze’s eyebrows shoot up. “The women talked you into cooking?”
“Something like that.”
Ten minutes later, we’re all sitting around the kitchen table. Good food and great company. Hiding out here won’t be so bad.
24
Marley
This house we’re staying in is huge and absolutely breathtaking. Not to mention the view out back. The leaves are still changing colors. Green, yellow, red, orange. It’s beautiful and so peaceful out here. A girl could get used to this.
Rascal cooked dinner for all of us, thanks to Minx and I. He’s surprisingly a great cook. Now, Minx and I are chilling on the back porch with a fire going in the pit. It’s a bit colder than it is back in Texas, but nothing like Colorado. Even so, I brought a blanket to wrap up in. I wouldn’t mind wrapping up in Rascal to stay warm, but I’m not going there.
“What are you thinking about over there,” Minx asks.
“Why are guys such idiots?”
Minx giggles.
“He didn’t even ask if I wanted the room to myself, just assumed I did,” I tell her.
“He’s never had feelings for someone the way he does for you. I think he’s still trying to navigate his way through that,” she says. “Also, he could be giving you your space so you don’t feel like he’s trying to pressure you into a relationship.”
I nod. “Both are valid thoughts.”
We’re both quiet for a beat. After a few minutes, Raze and Rascal walk out to join us.
“Anyone want some s’mores?” Rascal holds up a bag of marshmallows.
“Oh, I do!” Minx gestures for Rascal to pass her the bag. “Mar, you want one?”
“No, thanks. I’m going to head inside for some tea and a bath. I’ll see y’all in the morning.” I stand and head inside. Once in the kitchen, I search the cabinets for a tea pot, finding one out of my reach. “Of course it would be on the top shelf.”
“Need some help, Princess?”
“Oh, shit!” I jump, turning around to face Rascal. “I didn’t even hear you come in.”
He chuckles. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you.”
He’s by my side before I can respond, reaching for the tea pot. My nose is assaulted by his cologne and it goes straight to my head. I’m a sucker for men that smell good and Rascal smells better than any man I’ve ever met. I inhale a deep breath before I let out an audible sigh.
“You okay?” He hands me the tea pot with a devilish smirk, as if he can read my thoughts.
“Huh? Yeah, I’m good.” I move to the sink to fill it up. Setting it on the stove, I turn the burner on medium.
“Are you still mad at me?” He sits at the bar, watching me.
“I wasn’t mad at you. More so irritated from you assuming you knew what I wanted. You didn’t even ask.”
He rubs a hand over his face. “I’m sorry, Mar. I should have asked. I’m still new to all this having feelings for someone thing.”
“For future reference, if you don’t know how I feel about something, ask.”
“You got it.”
The water starts to boil, so I grab a mug and place a tea bag in it before pouring water into it.
“We’re going to be staying in this house for the foreseeable future. We might as well make the best of it.” I walk out of the kitchen, straight to my room. I take a bath with one of my calming bath bombs then slip into pajamas and climb into bed.
I lay there for what seems like forever with thoughts going through my head at a hundred miles an hour. From wondering what Rascal is currently doing to are we truly safe from the Cartel here. Eventually, I fall asleep.
I’m back in the cold, empty room I was held prisoner in. The only piece of furniture in here is a dingy twin size mattress that has seen better days. I’m in nothing but my bra and panties. My skin is black, blue and purple with a little green and yellow in a few spots.
Three men wearing masks walk into the room. My body shakes uncontrollably as they get closer. One of them grabs my arms, yanking them above my head and causing me to lay down, while another grabs my feet to stop me from kicking at them. The third one is holding a huge knife. He stops at the edge of the mattress, lifts his mask and stares at me with a maniac smile painted across his face. I start screaming and thrashing around as much as I can as the man kneels down, bringing the knife to my skin.
“Marley, it’s okay! You’re safe.” I wake up to Rascal’s voice, trying to calm me down. Tears are streaming down my face. He pulls me into his arms and a sob escapes my throat. “I got you, Princess.”
He holds me, without saying a word, until my crying stops.
“Nightmare?”
I nod my head against his chest.
“Do you want to talk about it?”
I shake my head and sniffle.
“If and when you want to, I’m always here.” He lays down next to me, never letting me go. Snuggling into him, I drift back to sleep.
The next morning, I wake up to Rascal gone. The smell of bacon wafts through the air. I go to the bathroom, brush my teeth and toss my hair into a ponytail. I walk out to the kitchen and Rascal is the only one around. He looks up from his task and smiles when his eyes find mine.
“Good mornin’, beautiful,” he says.
“Good morning indeed. I didn’t think you would be cooking again so soon,” I tease.
He shrugs his shoulder while a sexy grin plays on his lips. “I felt like doing something special for this chick I know.”
“She must be pretty special if you’re cooking her breakfast.”
“She most definitely is.” The corner of his mouth tips into his sexy half smile.
“So where are Minx and Raze?”
“Still in bed.” He turns around to tend to the bacon. “They were up pretty late, so I wouldn’t expect them for another couple of hours.”
“More food for us then.” I giggle. I move around the island toward the coffee maker. “Do you want some coffee?”
“Sure,” he replies. I set out making the coffee while he finishes breakfast. When they’re both ready, we each make a plate and a cup and sit at the island to eat. We eat in silence, but it’s an oddly comforting silence.
25
Rascal
After breakfast, Marley grabbed a hoodie and took her coffee and kindle to the back porch. Staying out here in the middle of nowhere should do her some good. This place is by far one of the most peaceful places I’ve ever been. It makes me want to build a house out on the club’s property, away from everyone. Bull owns enough land we could all build a house and still have plenty of distance between each one. I get the kitchen cleaned and sit back at the island to finish my coffee.
Marley is sitting in one of the oversize chairs with her legs tucked under her, coffee in one hand, kindle in the other. Her hair is pulled back in a messy bun and her face free of any makeup. I love seeing her this way. Even at the clubhouse she always had her makeup done.
“Nice view out there, huh?” Raze walks around the island, wearing a smug grin.