Page 44 of Claimed
I kneel in front of her, taking her hands in mine. “I’ll get you a new one then.”
“I don’t want a new one!” She twists her hands out of mine and jumps to her feet, pacing the room. I sit on the edge of the bed, not knowing what to do. I watch her until she turns to me with tears in her eyes. “He took it, didn’t he?”
“You don’t know that. We’ll find it or I’ll buy you another one.”
“What happened with the Snakes?” she asks as if she didn’t hear me.
“Nothing.”
“Nothing?”
“I thought they had some information,” I answer. “They don’t.”
As I stare into her eyes, I see the change. I see the regression. All the progress she’s made the last couple of days disintegrates. I watch her close in on herself once more, her eyes going dead. My helplessness is amplified. Not only can I not find the man who hurt her, but there’s nothing I can do to help her heal.What’s the point? What’s my purpose in her life? She’s wrong. I’m nothing to be thankful for. I’m just…nothing.
She turns and walks out of the room, leaving me without another word. I drop my head into my hands, the urge to throw in the towel threatening to overtake me. Maybe I should let someone else take the lead. Maybe I’m too close to the situation. But how can I look her in the eyes and tell her that not only can I not find the culprit but I’m also having someone else take over? I can’t. I’m a man who keeps his promises and I intend to keep the one I made to her.
I pull myself together and set out to find her. She’s on the couch with Ron and Chrissy and they’re all sharing a joint. Our eyes meet and she takes a long drag, her stare daring me to do something. I look away and head to the bar. Britney places a beer in front of me and gives me the smile that used to start a chain of events ending with her riding my dick. I pick up the beer and turn my back to her. E joins me, then Ace and Frog. They talk amongst themselves while I return my attention to Raven. Her head is on Ron’s shoulder and she’s trailing her fingers along his cut. I can’t even be pissed. She needs comfort, and I can’t provide that for her right now.
Ron leaves the girls and they move closer to each other. I narrow my eyes as I watch them. Something’s off. It’s like they can’t keep their hands to themselves.
“What are they smoking?” I ask Ron.
“Just weed.”
“No, not ‘just weed’. Look at them.”
Chrissy’s trailing her fingers down Raven’s cheek while Raven’s doing the same to Chrissy’s leg. They’re staring at each other as if discovering a new wonder.
“If it’s one of ours, it’s probably laced with X.”
I go from zero to a hundred in half a second, getting into Frog’s face. I have to give him credit. He doesn’t even flinch. “You gave my woman X?”
“I didn’t give your woman anything but by the looks of what’s going on, you should be thanking me.” He motions in the girls’ direction.
I turn around and my dick about does a somersault in my boxers. They’re kissing. Slow, gentle kisses, tongues touching, fingers exploring. Hot as fuck. That should be me, not Chrissy. I intend to rectify it, too. Raven looks up at me, eyes glazed over, when I stand over them.
“I hate you,” she tells me.
“No, you don’t.”
“Okay. I don’t like you.”
“Right now. You’ll get over it.”I hope.
She takes my extended hand and I lead her back to the bedroom. We climb into bed and she straddles my hips, sliding her finger across my lips.
“You’re pretty.”
“Men aren’t pretty, baby doll.” I chuckle.
“You are…but I still hate you.” She leans forward and rubs her cheek against mine. “Your beard is prickly. It feels good.”
She starts skimming my arms with her fingers. I take a calming breath but it does nothing.
“Take off your shirt. I want to feel your skin.” She sits up and tugs on my shirt, pulling it up. I oblige, tossing it to the floor. She explores my chest, tracing my tattoos with light touches. I close my eyes, relishing in her gentle caresses. Then, I feel her skin on mine. Jesus. She’s removed her top and her naked breasts are pressed to my chest.
“Touch me, Gage,” she begs on a moan.
