Page 45 of Property of Raider
Her head snaps up, a look of shock on her face.
“Umm, you're welcome,” she tilts her head just like Mercy does when he is trying to decide if you're being an asshole or not.
Smiling, I assure her, “Thank you for saying that.I can’t explain why, but I needed to hear you say that.”
“She’s not wrong,” Anastasia mumbles into the side of my neck.
Looking down at her, I scowl.“I thought you were asleep, woman.”
She shifts on my lap, so she has room to stretch before answering me.“I was.I need to use the bathroom and see Rusher.”
“Oh, I hope you don’t mind, but he is staying at his friend’s house tonight,” Ainsley says quickly.
Anastasia stiffens, but I cut her off before she can say anything.“Ainsley, this is Anastasia, Rusher’s Ma.Anastasia, this is Ainsley, Mercy’s Ol’ Lady.She and Charlie have been helping me look after Rusher.She checked with me before saying he could go, and I said yes.”
Anastasia relaxes slightly then turns her full face to Ainsley.“Thank you so much for helping Raider with Rusher.It really means a lot.”
Ainsley smiles widely.“Oh, it was nothing.He truly is a great kid and a ton of help around here with all the guys being so busy.”
Anastasia smiles back at her before looking back at me.“Can you help me to my room?I really have to use the restroom.”
“You got it.”I pat her leg for her to stand.
She does slowly, and when she’s fully up, I stand behind her before sweeping her off her feet.Anastasia gasps, wrapping her arms around my neck.
“I can walk, you know,” she deadpans, rolling her eyes.
“You can.This way though it’ll be quicker.”I grin down at her before kissing her on the forehead.
“Aww, it’s going to be so much fun having another couple around.”Ainsley claps standing.“It was so good to meet you, Anastasia.I hope we can catch up later.”
Anastasia looks back and forth between us.“We’re not a couple.”
Ainsley gives her a knowing smile as she pats her on the arm.“Just go with it.I’m not saying don’t make him work for it, but in the end just let it happen.”
Chapter Fifteen
Anastasia
I watch as this tiny woman with long dark hair bounces away while I’m at a complete loss for words.My mind is trying to wrap around the fact that she is Mercy’s Ol’ Lady.I look back at Raider, who is watching me with a look that I am not even close to trying to figure out.So, like a mature adult, I stick my tongue out at him.To my utter shock, he leans down, sucking my tongue into his mouth gently.
I pull back, eyes wide, with my hand over my mouth.He smirks down at me and then winks as he walks towards the hallway that leads to my room.I’m so lost in the way my body responded to what he did I don’t even notice when he walks past the door to the room Rusher and I were in.We get to the very end of the hall, and Raider reaches over, placing his index finger on a finger scanner, allowing the door to pop open.Stepping into the room, I’m surprised to see that it’s neat and clean.Though I don’t know why because he was always like that.
“I see nothing has changed.You're still as OCD as ever,” I say.
Shockingly, he looks away almost as if embarrassed.“Gotta have some order in a world of pure chaos.”
He walks me over to the door on our left, using his booted foot to push it open.The bathroom is just as clean as his room.I’m taken aback at how beautiful the bathroom is.Just like the kitchen at Auntie Lynn’s, it’s my dream come to life.My heart clenches at the thought of Auntie Lynn and the fact I’ll never see her again.He gently sets me on my feet in front of the toilet, holding onto my hips to make sure I don’t fall on my ass.
“It kills me to see that look on your face,” his tone full of concern.
I give him a sad, watery smile.“I’m okay.A thought just reminded me that Auntie Lynn is gone.”
“She was a good woman,” is all he says to me.
I just nod before stepping back from him.“Now leave so I can use the restroom.”
He lets me go, turning his back to me but not leaving.My bladder screams with need, so, shrugging, I push my pants down and pee.My eyes catch on the jeans I was given and see the pant leg is cut.
