“We’re postponing a fight. The longer we keep her from Stefan, the more curious he’ll get. We need to … What’s the saying ..”
“Rip off the band-aid.” Chase agrees. “If all three of us take her out to a club, an exclusive one with a rule against paparazzi …”
“Stefan will come as soon as he hears,” I warn. “She won’t pull a punch and her punches are …” I rub my shoulder. “Sure.”
Chase chuckles. “Because you’ve been training her. I’m pretty sure she’s still holding a grudge for him punching Hunter. If she pulls all that out, I think we have two outcomes – he’ll be utterly infatuated, or he’ll hate her.”
“Could start war.”
“Could end his curiosity.”
“She could get a read on him and the truce options. Especially if we dress her differently. Perhaps a wig.”
“All options. But I think we’re in agreement then. We’re not holding her at the safe house after the end of the week.”
“We can all live there, but she deserves freedom. I’ll give her a taser … pepper spray too.” I sigh. “She won’t abuse pepper spray and hurt other people.”
“She’d love to abuse a taser.”
We agree and head to take care of our chores. I work on training the new guy. He’s clumsy and has a long way to go, but he’s determined. And he’s loyal. But when I get back to the house and see Hunter completely passed out and Valerie curled against his back, their hands locked over his belly, I smile.
Pulling out my phone, I take a picture for them. She looks so innocent in sleep.
I kick off my shoes and Valerie sits up, looking around wildly. She sees me and slides out of bed. Walking to me, she wraps her arms around my waist. “I thought you and Chase were going to join the celebration.”
“Had to listen to all the reason to end things.”
“Which were clearly convincing,” She says sadly. “Because you’re not here right now.”
I take my shirt off. “Ran off so I can ghost you.”
“I’m distraught.” She traces my abs with her fingers. “But determined to convince you to stay. I’ll even tie you up,” She says.
I chuckle. “You think I’ll stay in one place?”
She takes Hunter’s shirt off, dropping it to the floor to reveal every beautiful inch of her naked body. “I know how to keep you in at least one position.”
Hunter left a hickey on her neck and that little claim makes me want one too. I pick her up and drop her into bed. Hunter groans but doesn’t wake up. I undo my pants and climb between Valerie’s legs. “To be quiet or wake him up?”
“I don’t care, I just want to make you come.”
I kiss her hungrily, licking and teasing her as I slip my fingers over her clit and tease her entrance. She moans and drags her nails down my back. “You’re not damaged today, Viking.”
“I did all the damaging,” I hum.
“Good.”
I pick her up as I slide my cock deep inside her. She moans against my throat and grunts with each bounce of the stairs. “Fuck, you feel so good inside me, Lief.”
I lay her down on the kitchen table and lock her legs together against my chest. I roll my hips and she pants. “Fuck, so deep.”
“I can’t leave you, Valerie.”
“I know,” She pants. “I’d come get you.”
I chuckle and thrust into her over and over. I’d be happy to come home to her, to this, every single day. Valerie feels more like home than any place I’ve lived. I groan and lean further towards her, keeping her right where I want her as I pound her hard and deep.
The front door opens, but I don’t stop, I just keep fucking her, even as she comes. Chase looks between us and grins, dropping his pants and pulling his shirt off. Valerie reaches out to him. “You didn’t leave me.”