Keegan’s hands tightened around my wrists once more as she leaned back in. She bypassed my mouth for my ear. “I bite back.” She nipped lightly against my neck. I rocked up against her, but it wasn’t enough.
“Harder.”
Keegan pulled back, a devilish smile on her face. I broke her hold on my wrists with ease and flipped us around. I held her wrists in one hand and wrapped the other around her throat. Keegan’s eyes widened a fraction as her pulse thrummed against my fingertips.
“This is more fun, isn’t it?” I brought my face close and ran my tongue over her bottom lip, tempted to bite it again. Her breath hitched as her mouth opened for me.
I fell prey to the trap and kissed Keegan. Luxious hadn’t said she was off limits. She did belong to us, even if he was waiting for her to come crawling to him. I didn’t think Keegan would. She was stubborn. She was more of a queen than a pawn.
Her soft lips against mine pulled a groan from deep within my soul. I deepened it, our tongues twisting together in an addictive dance I could easily continue without taking a breath.
“Ah.” I pulled back, my tongue throbbing with pain. The taste of blood filled my mouth, mixing with the taste of Keegan. It was an intoxicating mixture I wanted more of. I let her wrist go and touched my tongue, and came away with a few drops of crimson liquid on my fingertips.
“Corpse,” I moaned.
I dragged my eyes away from my fingers, and my heart fluttered at the sight under me. Keegan had a few drops of my blood on her lip and slowly dragged her tongue, lapping up all evidence.
“Get off, Hawke.”
“Or what?”
Keegan smirked at me. “I won’t bite you again.” I was up and next to her in a flash.
She laughed, but I wanted her teeth in me again, marking me.As hers.
A breakfrom the madness would be nice. Cheri’s Diner came into view, and I glanced at the bag of money on the passenger seat. It was at least twenty thousand. Now that I wasn’t surviving on my own, I could give most of what I made on a job to Wakeman. My debt would be paid off sooner, and I’d be basking in freedom far before I knew it.
I pulled into a parking spot and killed the engine. My stomach twisted with nerves. I reminded myself it wouldn’t be Wakeman himself but one of his goons.
Blowing out a breath, I shut everything down and locked away every emotion. I grabbed the bag and headed for the diner. My focus was solely on what I needed to do. The moment I stepped through the doors, I saw who I was meeting.
I could never forget the man who’d snatched up my mother and me. He’d taken me kicking and screaming. His head was the same shiny bald as it had been all those years ago. His pasty skin hung loosely on his face, his age showing.
I was no longer twelve, and I’d learned a thing or two when it came to fighting. I could handle my own but knowing that did nothing to push back the fear that made my muscles stiffen.
“Find an open booth unless you’re here to meet someone. A server will be right over, hun,” an older woman said.
I nodded, not taking my eyes off the man. Why in the fuck did Wakeman send him? In the end, it didn’t matter, and I made my way over to the back booth.
“Don’t sit down,” the man said. His voice was gruff from all the smoking he’d done. The stench of cigarettes was heavy on him. “Put it down and walk to the bathroom.”
Wouldn’t it be less suspicious if I sat down?
He sipped his coffee. of course, he drank it black I bet there wasn’t any sugar.That’s some serial killer shit.I didn’t argue. I’d rather not have to look at him. I was liable to puke. Dropping the bag on the seat, I headed for the bathroom.
I didn’t have anything to do, so I pulled my phone out and leaned against the stall. After a few minutes, I declared it was enough time spent in the bathroom and walked out. My bag was left on the seat twenty thousand dollars lighter. I snatched it up, ready to leave.
My stomach growled, reminding me that I hadn’t eaten that morning. John, or was it Joseph? Whatever his name was said they had some really good food here. It was probably nowhere as good as Eleanor’s, but without me there, she didn’t have to cook nearly as much. She deserved a break. I slid into a booth and got settled.
“First time here?” the older woman from when I walked in asked. She smiled brightly at me and handed over the menu.
“How can you tell?”
“Aridole is big, but I never forget a face, and I’ve never seen yours before.”
I nodded and looked over the menu. Everything sounded good. Who was I kidding? If she brought me a sandwich with a single slice of turkey, I’d devour it like a starving man.
“Can I have the Granpappy breakfast eggs sunny side up with an English muffin? I’ll also have a side of bacon and pancakes.” I set the menu down and smiled. “Coffee, cream and sugar.” I remembered the guy said something about pie, and I had plenty of room for good pie. “Also, I heard there was pie. Is it too early?”