Page 19 of Ice
He stared around the room.
“It’s not really private enough here, but I don’t want to make you go into my private space. That’s not fair on you. I could see if Reacher will let us use his office.” I pictured the weary looking man, who’d just disappeared in that direction, closely followedby his wife. I was pretty sure they wouldn’t want to be disturbed right now.
“I appreciate that, Ice, but if you have a seating area in your room, I’m sure we can make it work.”
Nine
Shewasgoingtobe in my fucking room.The room where I lay in bed on Friday night, unable to sleep after talking to her, and fantasised about fucking her. Did I touch myself? Yeah, of course I fucking did. Was my dick working properly? Not really, but you know what?I tried.
The thought of her in those sexy secretary skirts, and me bending her over her desk? Fucking right, I wanted that. Fucking right, I pictured it relentlessly, until I finally fell asleep. Have I done that every night since? I don’t think I could even stop at this point. If the pain in my fucking shoulder would dissipate enough for me to get a hard on, I’d probably be in a world of hurt right now, because she’d see it, and get offended.
“Yeah… okay… uh… follow me.” I sounded brainless as fuck, as I stumbled over a few simple words. She grabbed her coffee, and got up from the stool, thanking Tommy again. As she walked over to me, I watched him eyeing her ass up in that skirt, and shot him a glare.
He turned and fussed with the coffee machine, but I know he caught my look, and what did that look mean exactly? Show some respect? Don’t treat her like a piece of meat? She’s mine? Jesus… all of the above?
“Just up this flight of stairs.” My words were unnecessary, but I felt like I needed to fill the silence. I led her down the corridor to my room, praying nobody was still here, and about to appear and behave inappropriately. Shit.Was my room even tidy?At the door, I stopped, and glanced at her.
“Just a sec.” I disappeared inside, and checked the place over. It was okay. I sniffed the air, and it didn’t smell musty or of something worse, but I opened both windows just in case. Yeah, it’d do.
I went back and opened the door.
“Sorry. Wasn’t expecting company today. Excuse the mess.” Why do we always say that, even after we’ve made sure we’re tidy? No fucking idea. I pointed at the small dining table by the window. Most of our rooms were laid out the same.
“Maybe over here is best?”
Doc Chase nodded, and headed over, pulling out one of the crappy chairs to sit down. She was looking around the room with interest.
“You live here?”
I nodded. “We don’t have to, many members don’t. It’s just easier for me to be here. I do uh… did… well, I guess I will again… uh… I’m good with technology. You know, finding stuff out, and uh… tracking stuff.”
She held up a hand.
“Don’t worry, you don’t need to say any more. I’m sure your business is private. Do you find it helpful being around your uh… is brothers the right term?”
I nodded. “Yeah, it is, and yeah, mostly it’s good. Some of them are nosy fuckers, who won’t leave me alone for too long, but otherwise, it’s nice. It’s a family.”
“Does it ever feel crowded or overwhelming here? It must be hard to have time to yourself.”
I quirked a brow at her. “You mean, did I start using to escape from a clubhouse full of dickheads?”
She gasped, lifting one of those dainty hands to her face.
“My god no, that’s not what… well, in a roundabout way, but I didn’t mean to insult anyone.”
I grinned, finally slipping into the other seat, opposite her.
“You didn’t. I did. Some of them are dickheads. At least some of the time, but it can be fun, or at least it used to be. I don’t really remember what it was like before, but I know I was happy here. Even while I was using, it was home, but now it just feels jarring. Everything does. Like I’m not in my body anymore, and if only that were fucking true.” Jesus. I’m supposed to be more careful than that.
She stared at me shrewdly.
“You mentioned pain before. Is that what’s going on? Is there some illness or injury you feel you have to hide from your club? You can talk to me, Ice. I’d never tell a soul anything you confide in me.”
I glanced at the door. “What about if Reacher asks?”
She laughed, shaking her head slowly.
“He’s not the boss of me.”
