Page 57 of Deadly Sweet

The ride to their housewasn’t too long. I’d say give or take seven songs.Would have been five if it wasn’t for traffic.

“Are we there yet?” I sigh, wiggling in my seat. “I really gotta pee.”

This is what I get for not going before we left. I knew better after downing those three cups of coffee. I was just too eager to get my things together and go over to their house. I want to see the rest of my pack, to see where they live. Duchess stopped me before I left and told me to give the other two some time, that their lives are complicated, and it might not be as easy to accept such a big change right now.

When I asked what she was talking about, she told me it wasn’t her place to say.

I didn’t like that answer, but I know better than to argue with her.

“We’re here,” Caleb confirms, pulling up to a gate.

Leaning over, I peek out the window, and my eyes light up when I see the house down the path. “Wow. This is your place?”

“Yup,” Jake says. “Nothing too crazy, but with all of our combined incomes, we were able to get a nice, safe place to live.”

“So what do you all do again?” I ask as we pull through the gate.

“I’m a cop.” Caleb grins in the rearview mirror. “Jake is an elementary school teacher.”

“You work with kids?” My heart clenches. I love kids. Adore them. Any time I see one when I’m out, I just want to snatch them up and hug them. Duchess says that's a no-no, so I keep my distance. But it’s not fair, they’re so cute and silly.

Kids I can do, it’s seeing babies that makes me want to break down. I can’t. I won’t. So I avoid them. Not that I hate babies, but, well, you know.

“Leroy used to be in the military, then he worked as a Beta bodyguard at a school not too far from here called Calling Wood. Now he’s retired.”

“Ahh, that explains the strong, silent type.” I nod my head. “And let me guess, Walker is a stripper.”

Jake makes a choking sound as Caleb bursts into laughter, pulling the car to a stop in front of the house.

“What?” Jake asks in confusion, swinging his gaze over to me. “No, he’s not. What makes you think that?”

I shrug. “Have you seen the man? I know I’d love to see him strip.” I bite my lip. “You think he’d at least do it for me? Strip, I mean.”

“You want a lap dance?” Caleb gives me a smouldering look. “I’ll dance for you?”

“Really?” I ask, perking up. I’d very much like to see him strip for me, too. I’ve been to a strip club before, and the men were very nice to look at. I was there to kill their boss, but I made time to enjoy their entertainment.

“Fuck, I’d do anything for you, baby. Wanna wear a strap-on and fuck me, I’d be down for that too.”

The car fills with mine and Caleb’s thick arousal as images pop into my head, making Jake groan. He gets out of the car and takes in deep breaths of fresh air. I get out after him and do the same.

“It’s amazing, isn’t it?” I sigh happily, loving the crisp, fresh air.

“What is?” Jake asks and I can hear Caleb getting out of the car, closing the door behind him.

“Fresh air.” I smile. “When I first arrived at Salvation, I spent weeks up on the roof, sleeping in the fresh air, under the night sky. I love the outdoors. I’d be a wild one, free in the forest if I could. No cages, no walls, nothing confining me again.” I close my eyes and let my head fall back, the warm sun soaking into my face.

When no one says anything, I open my eyes to find them watching me. “What?” I narrow my eyes. “Why are you looking at me like that?”

Jake clears his throat, but I see the emotion in his eyes.What did I say wrong?

“Didn’t you say you had to pee?”

“Right.” My eyes widen, the feeling even stronger now.

We head to the front door and Caleb opens it. “Bathroom is up the stairs, third door on the right. The one down here is getting renovated. When you're done, just meet us through there.” He points to a door to the left. “That's the kitchen. The others will be there and we can talk.”

“Okay,” I say, rushing inside and up the stairs, not taking the time to take in my surroundings. I really am about to piss myself if I don’t get to a bathroom.

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