Page 14 of Blood Money

“A couple hours. I don’t think it was all from me ‘choking you out.’” He does air quotations. “I think it was more exhaustion. Sex is draining—perfect stress reliever—but the rush you get on your first time from being chased along with the breath play can be exhausting too. It’s new feelings, if that makes sense.” He winks.

I shake my head with a grin because it does make sense. When he finally let me go, it was like peaking at the top of a roller coaster before shooting down. It was exhilarating, and amazing, and fucking terrifying all at once.

“Where do you work? It’s 2:00 a.m.,” I ask, abandoning my thoughts. Sex is the last thing I need to think about right this second. It almost just killed me.

“I’ll be in touch soon,” he remarks, ignoring my question, then leans down and kisses my cheek before walking to the door.

I see it close, and within a few moments, a car starts from somewhere downstairs in the parking lot, but I can’t bring my feet to move or chase him like he chased me. Even with him gone, his presence is still lingering. I can feel it.

Instead of leaving like I should, I open the envelope and see one-hundred-dollar bill after one-hundred-dollar bill along with a business card.

It’s practically blank with no header. Just thick, white, textured card stock. I flip it in my hand and run my fingers along the edge. His number is scrolled on the back with black ink, but nothing else. No name. I smile to myself and stick it in my purse with the cash, then exit the same way he did.

Maybe this could be good. A man who knows how to leave is exactly what I need.

No strings.

I won’t have to tell him about my shitty dad or fucked-up best friend. Strictly sex. Mind-blowing sex.

When I make it to the bottom of the stairs, I turn and head straight for my Bentley.

I stopped by a twenty-four-hour pharmacy on my way home last night, but staring at myself in the mirror, in the daylight, I don’t think Stallion is right. I don’t see how some cream is supposed to help the red marks on my neck. The edges from where each finger was is already getting darker and showing light purple hues. Luckily, the front of my throat isn’t too bad, but the sides definitely show what he did.

When my phone rings, I jump. My nerves are still on high alert, but for different reasons. I made it out of that motel alive, but now I have to try and conceal the evidence of it. What would William say if he saw my neck? He’d probably call my dad and start a manhunt for the one who hurt me, when in reality, I was everything but hurt.

I push the thoughts down as I move back into my room and pick up my phone. When I see it’s only Lydia, I breathe a sigh of relief and answer. “Hey, bitch.”

My voice is level and playful. Normal. The exact way she expects me to act. Only now the thoughts of Malcolm are far away, and the only thing occupying my mind is Stallion and the things he did to my body.

“What are you doing?” She’s lying in her new bed with nothing but a blanket across her chest, and I see the crook of someone’s arm beside her. No doubt it’s Carter. He’s the only man I know who would get a fucking butterfly tattoo on the inside of his bicep for his girl.

“Not a damn thing. What are you doing besides Carter?” The lack of clothes from them both gives her away.

She pulls the blanket up and tucks it under her chin with a laugh. “Sup, Carmen,” Carter calls out before moving his face into frame.

I roll my eyes. “Go away, Carter.”

He scrunches his nose and shakes his head. “Fat chance. I’m here to stay.”

“Oh.” I slap my hand across my chest. “In that case, maybe you can help. My period has been killing me—”

I don’t even get the long-winded response I planned out before he turns the phone back to Lydia and cuts me off. “That’s all you, babe. I’m going to shower.”

Her face is lit up with a smile as she waves him off, then turns her attention back to me. “I was calling to see if you’re busy tonight. I want to have a movie night! Just me, you, and Carter.”

I try to hide my eye roll. Ever since the Malcolm shit, she’s made it a point to have sleepovers like kids. At first, I think it was only to keep an eye on me and make sure I was fine bearing the truth about what happened, but now I think she just genuinely enjoys it.

When she left Bexley Falls after her dad died, we grew apart. Sure, we’ve mended our friendship after that, but it was never really the same. It isn’t now either, but I think the movie nights help her believe it is.

As much as I want to tell her no because hanging with her and Carter, being the third wheel, has never been appealing, I do want to tell her about Stallion. So, I agree. “Fine, but I have to do dinner with William first. I promised him.”

She squeals. “That’s fine. Just be here by six. I’m going to get our normal veg food. Any special requests?”

“Pistachio ice cream, please.”

Her lip curls. “Gross.”

“Fuck off.” I smile. “I’ll see you in a few hours.”

I hang up before she can reply.

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