Page 26 of Bitten By Zombie

Virus nodded absently as if in agreement, but Zombie knew better.

“Virus, her place clear?”

A few clicks of the keyboard and he nodded.

“Good. Hook, Squatch, head over and empty her safe and pack some clothes, not enough to be noticed if anyone goes back. No trace. Santa, Iron, lookout, keep anyone who even looks like they go to church once a year away. We do not want to tip our hand.” As long as Stan thinks Heidi is dead, he’ll be relaxed. “Outlaw.”

There was nothing he needed to say to his vice. He’d play any legal games only if and when they needed to but he was ready at the drop of the hat. He was a fucking Boy Scout in that aspect, always prepared.

“Everyone else, you know what to do. We’ll be in my room, only if we’re needed.”

As he led Heidi away, she protested, stalling at his door. “I’m staying in there, remember?” Her voice was gentle, but the words were a slap to the face. She didn’t even want his comfort? No, that was wrong, it felt like a lie.

Everything about her distance and his reasoning for it felt like a lie. She was forcing herself from him, he felt it in his soul. She wanted him, he was sure.

He crowded her. Invading her personal space and she didn’t stop him. “Do you really want to go one more minute with that man’s touch burned onto your skin, or do you want me to erase it forever?”

Zombie trailed his finger gently down her arm, starting above where the sleeve was rolled, trailing down past the cuff to her trembling hand. Her skin pebbled in its wake and her breathing changed.

“Let me take that from you, Rabbit. Once it’s safe, you can go back to your life and find a man, a whole man, if that’s what you really want, but until then, you’re mine.”

Zombie’s lips hovered over hers, waiting for capitulation or refusal. When none came, he started to retreat, almost relieved. Because he knew he would never be the same once he’d had her if she left, but he’d take what crumb she offered and cherish it.

“Yes.” One syllable that was barely a whisper, but he heard it loud and clear.

Reaching behind her, he opened the door and moved inside with her. His body guiding her through it and toward the bed.

CHAPTEREIGHT

HEIDI

Was she really going to do this?

She craved it. Wanted it with a need that she’d never experienced before. She didn’t even realize how much Stan’s touch bothered her until Zombie offered to take it away.

It had been a whirlwind of activity, so she’d been able to block it out, ignore it, but once she spoke it aloud, it was right there. In her mind and on her skin.

It made her sick to think about it, so she didn’t, but Zombie had it right. If she didn’t face it, it would never ever go away.

Plus, it was Zombie. She wanted him to touch her. A small protest bubbled up in her very soul. A tiny, insecure voice, one that was barely eighteen that was telling her she was fat and a man like him wouldn’t really want her. He was doing her a favor. A pity fuck.

Zombie felt sorry for her. That had to be it. He’d even told her it would mean nothing beyond her safety.

Maybe it was his words or the situation, but old insecurities bubbled to the surface. Insecurities she’d long ago put to bed.

But fuck it, she tamped down that old voice of hers. That was not who she was anymore. However, old insecurities never really went away. One just learned to rise above them. Self-doubt was Heidi’s proverbial pack of Reds. Whenever the conditions were right, she’d reach for it. Before she remembered she didn’t smoke anymore. She refused to let old intrusive thoughts steal this from her.

Zombie removed his cut and stepped to the skull to hang it up. She’d noticed he always did so, never just tossing it wherever.

His tee shirt was a different story, he chucked that aside with vigor and it landed in the vicinity of the couch.

Damn, the man was well built. The more she got to see of Zombie shirtless, the more she realized inked bad boys with hearts of gold were totally her thing. Or at least one was.

When he stepped up to her again, she kissed the tattoo in the center of his chest, unable to keep her lips to herself. They ghosted along the ink until she found his flattish nipple and lathed it with her tongue.

When he froze, doubt began to creep back into her consciousness. Just as she was pulling her lips away, he let loose with a throaty groan.

He grabbed a handful of her hair, stinging her scalp. “Fuck, Rabbit.” Holding her to him, he growled, “Bite.”

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