Page 73 of Pretty Threats

When I’m finished with the shower, I dry off and lean against the wall, watching her. This is my best fucking life. Making enough money doing shit I don’t hate. And having her.

Raine’s eyes are closed as her toe plays with the lever that opens the drain.

After a while, she drains the water and refills the tub part way. While she’s lathering up her skin, I hear noise that signals War and Jamie are back. Her lids rise, and she glances in that direction.

“I’m glad they didn’t come home earlier,” she whispers. “I’m sure they would’ve heard us.”

“They would’ve heard one of us, that’s for sure.”

With a defiant smirk, she throws the washcloth at me. I catch it but don’t throw it back. One of us did the ass-fucking, and one of us took it… screaming. I move closer and set the washcloth on her knee.

Jamie’s advice fills my head, so I say, “Do you need anything?”

“Maybe a nose full of cocaine since my body feels as though it’s been fucked by ten guys, not one.”

My brows rise. “If you want pharmaceuticals, I’ll get them for you.”

A low chuckle emerges from her throat. “No. I was just kidding. About the cocaine part, at least.” Her gaze moves down my chest and stomach and stops at my groin. “I love your body, truly. It feels really good when you’re inside me. But a few hours to recover is probably a good idea.”

I nod. “I waited a long time to do the things I want to do to you.”

“Flood gates. I get it.” She smiles and then rinses her hair and body and stands.

I wrap a towel around her and hold her hand as she steps out of the tub.

“We’ll do whatever you want for the rest of the night.”

“Stream movies?”

“Sure, of course.”

She smiles as she pushes her hair behind her ears. Opening the door, she cocks her head to listen. “I think they went upstairs.” With quick steps, she returns to the bedroom.

I follow and watch as she puts on underwear and an oversized sleep shirt. When she’s back in bed, I get in with her, bringing my laptop. She’s lying half on her side, half on her stomach, watching me.

“If there are film festivals you want to go to, Raine, tell me. We can afford to travel. It won’t matter if the event’s sold out. I’ll get entry passes.”

Her fingertip plays with a damp strand of my hair. “That would be amazing. You wouldn’t have to sit through the screenings. I know you’d be bored. But it would be cool to travel together, at least for me.” Lowering her hand to her pillow, she curls deeper into the covers. “I know you prefer when we stay inside. Alone. We can have that to, if we plan things.” She yawns and rubs her eyes. “I think I’m too tired to watch anything.”

“Okay.” I set the laptop on the nightstand, trying to decide if it’s the right moment to continue talking or if I should shut the hell up and let her go to sleep. Putting an arm behind my head, I look up at the ceiling. “Things have changed. On my end.”

“Oh?” she murmurs.

I slide lower in the bed, so her face is only a few inches away from mine. Out of the corner of my eye, I confirm she hasn’t closed her eyes to go to sleep. When I don’t speak, she raises an eyebrow.

“How so?” Her voice is soft, like the rest of her.

I could crush her so easily. Could tear her apart during sex. At least my body could if I let it. I never would now.

“It’s more than it was,” I finally say, not sure why I’m fucking around when I should just tell her. It’s not like me to evade questions when Raine’s the one asking them.

After a few moments, she props her head on her hand and studies me. “What are you trying to say?”

I turn my head and stare her in the eye. “Yeah, that.”

“You love me?”

I nod, wondering if she can see the pulse jumping in my neck. This is like a hard workout and more.

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