• thirty-three •

“He’s got some feral shit in his eyes.”

King

“If you want to go back to your place, she can move into the house,” Sebastian said from the sofa in the lounge room in the stables.

He’d been back from Vegas for two hours, and he was already pissing me off.

“Yeah, King. You want to go home? I’m sure Rumor would love the guest room across from Sebastian’s,” Thatcher added as he poured himself another drink.

“Rumor and I will be staying upstairs,” I bit out.

Thatcher was trying to be an ass, but I knew Sebastian was serious. He meant well, but it still made me livid. She wasn’t available.

“So, you’re doing it then?” Sebastian asked me.

I glared at him, wondering why I had come down here. Oh yeah, because I’d told Rumor to take a bubble bath, and if I’d stayed up there, I’d have ended up fucking her again. It was starting to become harder and harder to keep my hands and dick off her. Fucking her raw earlier had been the most phenomenal mistake I had ever made in my life. I was going to want that. A lot. More than she could handle. Seeing my cum dripping out of her had fucked me up.

“Look at him, brother. Yes, he’s doing it,” Thatcher said, pointing his glass at me. “He’s got some feral shit in his eyes.”

“Stop,” I warned him. “This is off-limits.”

Sebastian frowned. “Are you…are you feeling things for her?”

Why was off-limits such a hard concept for these two? I didn’t know what I was feeling. I wanted to sink my dick in her over and over. I wanted to see her pussy full of my cum. I wanted to hear her make those noises she did when she was getting off. I cared about her. I didn’t want her hurt. But feelings like Sebastian was talking about? No. I didn’t feel that kind of thing. That kind of thing wasn’t something that was long-term. Sure, I believed people fell in love, but I also knew that time always stole that away. It never lasted.

I cared about Rumor enough not to ever put her through that. One day, she would find out I’d lied to her from the beginning, and she’d never forgive me. Anything more than fucking her would only lead her down a road of heartbreak. She’d had enough of that. I wanted her happy.

“I want her safe. That’s it. There are no feelings beyond that,” I told him.

“Except a hard dick,” Thatcher said.

The door swung open, and for a moment, my chest tightened as fear gripped me that it was Rumor. That she had heard me. Heard us. The sight of Storm and Wells had never been the massive relief that it was now. I let out a breath as they walked into the room with guests. Ruby, Fall, Moira, and Sedona. Fuck. I didn’t need this shit right now.

“I brought friends,” Wells announced, holding out his arms as if he were the freaking Lord and Savior come to save our souls.

“Not the time to be bringing people here,” I snapped angrily.

He held up his hands. “What? You’re the only one who gets to fuck? Don’t think so.”

Ruby made her way over to Thatcher. She was one of his favorites, if he even had those. She seemed to thrive from his cruelty. It was twisted. Fall had fucked us all, but she went straight to Sebastian, cooing over him being back. I ignored the others. Thatcher’s gaze locked on mine, and he raised one of his eyebrows. I knew that look. There was more going on here than just fucking.

I needed another drink. Turning, I went back to the bar and found the bottle of Maker’s Mark and poured two shots into my glass. I’d give Rumor another thirty minutes, and then I was going back up there.

“If you want to share, I’m game,” Storm said. “I like watching you chain them up and whip them.”

I turned to glare at him, lifting my drink to my mouth, only for my eyes to lock on Rumor standing in the doorway. Fucking hell. Her eyes flashed with shit I didn’t want to put a name to. It would mess this up.

“Hey, sweets,” I called out to her. “You done with your bath already?” I started toward her, not sure what I was going to need to do to make her stop looking…hurt. I didn’t want her hurt.

“I, uh…” she stammered, her eyes scanning the room nervously. “I should have stayed up there.”

“And deprive me of that pretty face?” I said as I reached her and took her hand, pulling her inside. I didn’t want her down here, but I also didn’t want her thinking she was a prisoner in my room.

“Hey, Rumor,” Sebastian called out to her.

She smiled shyly and lifted her hand in a small wave.

“I still owe you a visit to the library up at the house. I’m home for a few weeks. Just tell me when you want to go, and I’m here.”

Like fuck he was. He needed to back up. I’d take her to the damn library.

“Thanks,” she said, looking anywhere but at me.

“Same girl twice in a week,” Moira said tartly. “So unlike you, King.”

“Easy, don’t wake the bear,” Storm told her, placing a hand on her back.

“I like the bear,” Moira replied.

Ignoring her, I slid my hand over Rumor’s hip and pulled her closer to me. “You want a drink?” I asked her. “Hungry?”

She was tense. I didn’t like it. I had gotten used to her leaning into me. Cuddling close. Not this reaction. When she tilted her head back to look up at me, I saw the accusations in her eyes. That wasn’t fair. Yes, we had fucked three times in less than twenty-four hours, and I’d taken her without protection, but there were no promises between us. No commitment. So, what if she had heard what Storm said about Moira? She didn’t have to get uptight about it.

“I think I’ll take a water and go back upstairs,” she said softly.

Dammit. I didn’t want her going up there alone.

“Okay. If that’s what you want,” I replied, finding myself annoyed, but not sure who at. Me or her. Or this entire situation.

I wanted to see what it was that Storm planned on doing with the four women they’d brought here. I had a feeling I already knew the answer though.

I left her to go get a bottle of water from the fridge, then took it back to her, still debating what my next move was. Did I go with her? Did I stay down here? If I went up there, I was almost positive I’d fuck her. If I stayed down here, I would be worrying about her.

“Thanks,” she said, giving me a tight smile, then turned and headed for the door.

“Don’t leave,” Sebastian called out.

She gave him a real smile when she glanced back. “Long day,” she replied, then continued to the exit.

I stood there, watching her until the door closed behind her.

“You really gonna let her go? What if she runs?” Storm asked.

“Security is everywhere,” I replied.

“She’s had a lot to deal with today. If you don’t go after her, I will,” Sebastian told me, moving Fall off his lap as he stood up.

“Sit,” I snarled.

His brows drew together. “You’re not my fucking boss.”

No. I wasn’t. But right now, he needed to step down.

“We both know I will have you on your ass in seconds.”

“I would have done this right,” he snapped and started for the door.

I moved then. Fast. My decision was made, thanks to Sebastian and his fucking annoying ways. “If you walk out that door, I’m going to break your goddamn face.”

He stopped and turned, glowering at me. “Are you going?” he asked.

“Yes!” I shouted, stalking past him and jerking the door open, ready to get the fuck away from all of them.

The last thing I heard before I slammed the door was Thatcher’s cackle of laughter.