Page 41 of Provocation
‘Blake?’ I ask and she nods.
My eyes narrow and I make a mental note to buy her something different just from me. I want her to wear my gifts and think of me and only me.
I unbutton her jeans, and she shimmies her hips, so they fall, pooling at her feet and I groan as I find the matching, frilly underwear.
She looks amazing in them, but I want her in what I buy her or nothing at all when she’s with me.
I pull them down with gusto that has her giving me a questioning look, which I ignore in favor of staring at her naked body.
‘Get in the shower,’ I say gruffly and watch as she steps under the spray.
I quickly divest myself of the rest of my clothes, leaving them in a pile on the floor as I get in behind her. She doesn’t seem to notice me, her head bowed under the water as she just stands there, letting it pummel her shoulders and neck.
I put some of the coconut shower cream I know she likes on the pink loofa Shade bought for her and work it into a lather. She steps out from under the shower and turns, rubbing the water from her eyes. She looks surprised to find me behind her, even more so when I begin to wash her slowly. From her hand, up her arm, and across her chest to the other arm, I work my way slowly and methodically over her body, making sure I don’t miss any part of her. She closes her eyes while I work and turns when I ask her to so I can do her back and her ass. My eyes run along the bruises from Joe Banderville, angry all over again when I look at them, but I also see that the arnica that Blake insisted on has worked well and they’re mostly turning yellow already.
I make my fists unclench because my righteous anger and desire for revenge isn’t what she needs right now. Her small sighs and slow breathing suggest she’s very relaxed in here with me, which was the point. I was serious when I said I thought we should sleep and I want her halfway there by the time we slide into bed.
I know that Shade has a plan for her this afternoon, and I want to make sure she’s well rested in time for his games.
I lather myself up and draw her out of the water for a second so I can rinse off. I leave the water on when I get out and dry off, making sure that Daisy’s towel is fresh and clean.
I take her hand and bring her out, wrapping her up quickly with the biggest one and putting a smaller one over her hair. I know she likes to have two, and I think from watching her that it’s because she hates the water dripping down her back.
So I make sure it doesn’t. I pick her up and love the way she snuggles against me as I take her to my room for once. I sit her on my bed and dry her. I put a dry towel on one of my pillows for her and the surprised smile she gives me makes me melt a little more.
She lays down and I slide into my bed beside her and spoon with her, draping my arm over her waist. I close my eyes, content the way I always am with her.
This girl is quickly becoming my everything. Maybe that should scare me when no one else has ever come close.
But it doesn’t. For the first time in forever, I think that things might actually work out, that our dreams–my dreams–aren’t impossible. Maybe I really can have everything in this world that I want, and maybe that starts with Daisy.
Chapter Four
DAISY
Iwake in Mav’s bed, still feeling a little tired, but also comfortable and alert. Now that I’ve made the first batch of Envy, the internalthingthat’s been driving me has eased off. My mind is calm for the first time since I found out about it and decided to follow my crazy plan of becoming a part of the guys’ little group of drug kingpins.
But Shade is upset. He thinks I’ve been less than honest. I mean Ihavebeen less than honest. Maybe I’m just upset that I got caught.
No, it’s not only that, I think, as I mull it over. I’m...sad. I’m sad that he knows the truth because he thinks badly of me, but also because he’s been upset by me. I should make it up to him, make up my deceptions to all of them.
Sex, perhaps.
No, they’ll have that anyway and I enjoy that. It needs to be something else. I let out a small sigh as I try to think of something, and I hear a cough.
I freeze and feel for Mav, only to find that I’m alone in the bed.
‘I think she’s awake.’
Blake.
Relieved, I open my eyes only to find all three of them standing around Mav’s bed like this is some ritual and I’m the blood sacrifice.
‘W-what is this?’ I squeak.
‘This,’ Shade growls, leaning over me, ‘is your punishment for being a lying little sneak.’
He kisses my lips gently, though.
