Page 52 of Outbreak

“Uh… it’s a fucking mansion.” She opens her door, and I do the same, climbing out and meeting her in front of the truck. “It’s beautiful.”

I kiss the top of her head as she leans into my side. “Let’s go wake up Reaper. He can help me bring our stuff inside.”

She nods under my chin and takes my hand. I take her up the steep path lit with those fancy solar lights. Because I travel so much for work, having the house completely solar powered was the best decision I’ve ever made—especially now. I’ve taken hot showers for granted my entire life. I can’t wait to stand under the huge rainforest shower head with my girl and fuck her against the stone wall.

The motion sensor flood light turns on as we approach the wraparound porch, illuminating the dark stained wood, rocking chairs, and porch swing.

“Wow,” she breathes in awe.

“In the morning, I’ll cook breakfast while you sit out here and soak in the mountain view with a hot cup of coffee and a soft blanket.”

“That sounds like the perfect morning,” she says, her voice still groggy from her long nap.

When we get inside, it's dark and quiet. “He must be sleeping,” I say, turning on the front lights. The kitchen andliving space are one big, open area, with a huge grey sectional that wraps around half of the room and a large glass window wall that leads out to the side deck. The kitchen has a large breakfast island and sleek chrome appliances that complement the black and grey theme that continues throughout the rest of the house.

“This place is gorgeous, Ghost. I’ve never seen anything like this,” Rue says, walking ahead of me to explore, letting her hand gently drift along the surfaces as she moves from space to space, taking everything in with astonishment like a child on Christmas morning.

“Welcome home, baby girl,” I say, walking a few steps behind.

“Home,” she whispers in wonder.

When she walks into the dining room, she stops, and I nearly run into her. “What’s wrong?”

“There’s a note for you,” she says, pointing to the table where a folded piece of paper with ‘Ghost’ written on the front sits propped against the centerpiece.

I recognize the handwriting immediately. Unease churns in my gut as I walk over, slowly picking it up and unfolding it.

I hope you made it. Which if you’re reading this, you did and to be a sappy fuck, you better make it to the end. I’m sorry that I couldn’t save Viper, I tried, but they’re strong, man. You’ve always been the strongest out of us, so I’m counting on you. The cabin is stocked, so you and your girl should be good for a while.

I got bitten. And I wish this wasn’t goodbye, but I refuse to let you see me like this. So Iguess this is it for me. Take care of your girl and remember in your own weird, fucked up ways you love her. Don’t be so hard on her.

Anyways brother, take care.

Reaper

No.

The letter slips between my fingers, fluttering to the floor as I pick up the centerpiece and shattering it against the wall. “Fuck!”

“Hey—What’s wrong? Who’s it from?” Rue asks, leaning down to pick up the discarded paper.

“Re-reaper.” My voice breaks as I hit my knees, and she reads the letter for herself. He was supposed to make it here. I need him. He’s supposed to be here.

“Ghost… I’m so fucking sorry,” she says, standing in front of me and running her fingers through my hair. I wrap my arms around her, pulling her to me and burying my face into her stomach to hide the tears. I don’t cry. Ever. But he was my best fucking friend in the whole world. I wouldn’t have made it without Rue these past few years without him. He saved me when all I wanted to do was drown myself in a sea of faceless women and a vat of whiskey.

Rue holds me while I get my emotions back under control, and when I’m finally able to pull myself away and look up at her, the tears streaming down her face nearly break me again. “I’m sorry.”

“Don’t you dare apologize for grieving the loss of someone you loved, Ghost. I don’t know who he was to you, but I knowhe was important, so whatever you feel, whatever you need, I’m right fucking here. Do you hear me? I’m right here.”

I couldn’t love this girl more if I fucking tried. “I just need you, Rue. Only you.”

“I’m right here.”

I lift her shirt up and press gentle kisses to her soft belly. She lifts her arms for me, allowing me to remove her top. I unlace her boots, helping her step out of them, then my rolled-up sweats she’s still wearing, then finally her bra.

She lets out the sexiest sound that goes straight to my cock when I wrap my arms around her middle and throw her over my shoulder, standing up and carrying her completely naked through the house, all the way upstairs to my bedroom, and through to my bathroom.

“Please tell me this thing has hot water, too,” she sighs when I set her down on the heated stone bench inside the shower.

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