Page 48 of Dare You to Run
“No fucking way.”
“Hendrix! I’m naked,” I screech.
“I know. It’s why I’m holding you and not letting you walk barefoot through these woods. Hang on and I’ll carry you back.”
“But I’m naked,” I say again, this time whispering in his ear.
While he tries to balance everything in his arms, including me, I help tuck him back into his pants and zip them up. It’s quite difficult, but we manage it.
He hands me one helmet and then the other as he gathers my shoes, then carries me out of the dark and into the comfort of his home. More specifically to the comfort of his bed and his arms.
I’m working on some assignments I received today out by Hendrix’s pool, soaking up the warm sun and nursing my wounds. My back is a mess of angry red scratches after last night’s little hunt through the woods. Hendrix carried me all the way back to his house and straight into his shower where he tenderly cleaned my cuts and rubbed ointment on them after.
He was very apologetic seeing the aftermath of his handiwork, but despite the pain, I reminded him that I wanted it just as much as he did.
So far Hendrix seems to be quite an enigma. He’s cranky and rude and really doesn’t like people. He told me he’d rather stay locked up in his home than have to interact with anyone other than his brothers and Miss Shirley. And according to Malik, he’s not much of a smiler. I guess that has earned him the title of Cattywump Bay’s most unfriendly resident.
But then there’s the other side to his coin. With me –once we got past the initial asshole phase– he’s somewhat sweet and thoughtful. The way he watches me with a look of yearning and a touch of darkness sets a fire in my belly. His touches are soft and supple, but in the next moment he’s punishing and imperious. It’s like the two sides of him are at war and sometimes they meet in the middle.
“What in the literal fuck happened to your back?” I jolt at the screeching voice and find Kinsley standing at the edge of the patio staring straight at me.
I was so lost in thoughts of Hendrix that I failed to hear the back door open and close.
“I-it’s nothing. Don’t worry.” I quickly move to roll over but hiss when my tender skin makes contact with the hard surface.
“Sure sister. That’s nothing. It doesn’t look at all like a cat in heat used your back for a scratching post.” She props her hands on her hips and cocks her brow at me.
With a sigh I give her the details of my night. Well…notallthe details. I left out a majority of it and summarized by saying we had a little fun in the woods and got carried away.
“I’d say. I knew Henny was kinky as shit, but I wouldn’t have guessed you were.”
“How do you know that?” I ask, jumping to my feet.
“Not personally, so don’t get your girdle in a bunch. The women in this little town like to compare stories trying to one up the other about who’s done what with which brother. Sorry. Just a fact.”
I shrug and act like it doesn’t phase me. “It’s whatever. I assumed that was his story. Besides, I’m sure I’ll never hear from him again once I go back to Texas.”
“Well you sure as hell are going to hear from me. You’re my new best gal and I will need daily updates on your life. Don’t think you’re going to be able to get away from me. I’m like a skidmark on your underwear. You can try to wash it away, but it’s there. It’s always there, just lingering around making your ass itch.”
I snort with a burst of laughter. I really need to start writing these down and write a book. They’re genius really.
“Don’t worry, Kins. I’ll never wash you away. You’re my favorite skidmark.”
She pops up on her toes and throws her arm over my shoulder. “Aww. Thank you, honey. That makes me feel so special. Now. Let’s go get some better medicine for your back,because I’m damn near positive Henny only has a small tube of expired ointment and a few bottles of KY Jelly. And that ain’t gonna do shit to heal your back.”
We link arms and smile our way through the rest of the day. I really am going to miss her when I go back home. It gives me a small ache in my heart.
I won’t let myself believe that it’s because one day, Hendrix’s face will start to fade from my memory and he’ll be nothing more than the boy who could’ve had all of me.
TWENTY
My phone ringsand I’m startled to see Danté’s name on the caller id. He’s not the kind of guy to pick up a phone to have an actual conversation. We barely get incomplete sentences via text. So I worry that it could be something bad and answer it.
“Hey D. Is everything okay?”
He clears his throat and grumbles, “Yeah. Nothing’s wrong. I, uh, am just calling to say sorry for being a prick.”
A small cocky grin pops up on my face. I knew eventually he’d quit nursing his wounds and come around. I didn’t really expect him to apologize, because that’s not his style. He usually just pops back up like there was never any conflict to speak of.
