A/N: Thank you all so much. I can't believe how many people like this lol. I really appreciate all the reviews. As always, you can find me on tumblr at 'asirensrage' for moodboards, if you want to ask questions or get sneak peeks and get a view of my upload schedule. Thanks!
Chapter 9: Tainted Love
Clark didn't show up at the shop the next day.
Darcy wasn't too surprised. He was likely embarrassed about the whole bruise. Guys were weird like that, especially teen ones. It didn't stop her from feeling bad. She had no reason to apologize, she hadn't hurt him, but he also didn't deserve it. Clark was a good kid. One she hoped would keep coming around if only so she could keep an eye on him.
She took a break, closed the shop and headed for the comic store. The adults who owned the place were nowhere in sight. Fucking useless.
"You run into a vampire?"
She turned to see one of the kids who actually ran the place standing there. "What?" She frowned. "Did that asshole show up again? Try to convince you werewolves are real?"
"No."
"We haven't seen him since," the other said, seeming to pop up out of nowhere.
"So why are you asking me about vampires?"
"Because you're…"
"Your neck is all…" the darker-haired one waved a hand at her neck.
It took her a second before she realized that she probably still had hickeys on her neck. She grinned. "Boys, I know you're a bit young, I hope," she added. "But sometimes adults like to leave marks on each other when they're...having fun." It wasn't like she wanted to traumatize the kids with talk of sex. They were still just kids.
One of them made a face, scrunching up his nose in disgust. "Why?"
"Um…" how the hell did she explain that? "You know what, you'll know when you're older. Or not. Different strokes for different folks."
The kids looked at each other in confusion. They seemed to communicate just through expressions. It was a little impressive.
"Why are you here?" the lighter-haired one demanded.
"Alright, first of all, chill out. Aren't you supposed to respect your elders or some shit? Secondly, I'm a customer. I'm here to grab a gift for a friend." She glanced around the store. "What do you recommend?"
That seemed to change their entire demeanour. "What friend?" "What do they like?" "Boy or girl?" "Do they know Superman?" "What comics do they like?"
She held up her hands in surrender. "Woah, hold on. One at a time!"
"Who's the friend and what do they like?" The darker-haired one asked. She really had to learn their names at some point.
"Clark, and I don't know. He's a teenage boy. I figured comics were the safest bet."
"What about action?" The other one asked.
She shrugged. "Who doesn't like action?" The boys looked at her like they didn't believe her.
"You like action?" they asked. It was weird how they were nearly in sync. These kids clearly spent too much time with each other. Made her wonder if they had any other friends.
"Sure."
They glanced at each other again before the lighter-haired one crossed his arms over his chest. She tried not to smile. The kid was trying to be intimidating.
"Name one."
"Really?" she raised an eyebrow. "You're going to gatekeep with me over action movies?" Another shared glance between them told her that they had no idea what she meant. She sighed. "People can like things and not be fanatical about them and you doubting that and making someone prove they're a fan is a dick move. My suggestion, boys, is that you go out and experience life. As great as comics and movies are, you gotta experience the real world too. It can suck but it can also be great, and you'll make more friends that way. Okay?" She glanced between them, hoping they would take her advice. "Friends are a good thing. Now, he's a teenage boy. What do you recommend?"
It didn't take long for her to actually choose something once they started suggesting things. They gave her a bag for the comic but only actually handed it over once she paid.
"Thanks, boys," she said as she started to leave. "You ever need anything, come see me in the thrift shop down the road." She paused as she got to the door. "Oh, and to answer your question, Raiders of the Lost Ark, Star Wars and Mad Max." She held up her fingers as she listed them. "That's three." She gave a wink and walked out. Maybe now they'd actually take her seriously.
Summer kept the boardwalk far busier than she was used to but it helped make good money. Darcy kept the place open late to make up for the fact that she hadn't been there the other day. It wasn't terribly busy, they usually got more locals than tourists as the latter were more interested in souvenirs. She called out a goodbye to a customer and as she considered closing and going home, Marko walked in.
"You assholes really have no fucking concept of me being done, do you?"
He grinned at her. "Thought you'd want this back." He held up the bat she had taken to hit David with. She narrowed her eyes but held out her hand for it. He handed it over without hesitation.
"Alright," she said once her hand wrapped around the bat. "You can go now."
"Can't we talk?" he held out his arms, as if trying to show that he was unarmed. "'Sides, you also left this." He reached into a pocket and pulled out her knife. He slid it across to her over the counter. She grabbed it quickly and put it back under the counter. She had yet to let go of the bat. Just in case.
"Thanks." She stared at him for a moment before she nodded. "Alright, talk."
He hopped up to sit on the counter in front of her. "I think you're scared."
"Excuse me?" She was ready to shove him off the counter and beat his head in if he didn't leave her store.
He sat crossed legged and turned to face her. "I think you're scared," he said again, leaning slightly forward.
"I'm not scared of you."
"I didn't say us." He grinned and bit at his thumb. It seemed like a bad habit with him. "You're scared to want us back."
She scowled at him. "That's not it."
"Then what?"
"Why must you all be so insistent?" She nearly snarled. "I don't know you! Any of you, and right now I'm not sure I want to. None of you make sense!"
He tilted his head and looked at her. "Because we want you?"
"Yes!" She regretted it as soon as she said it.
Marko shifted himself forward and she tried not to succumb to the urge of stepping back. It set her teeth on edge to be his focus. It was easy to get blinded by her anger, ignoring the instincts that told her to run from them. Of course, it was hard to listen to those instincts when she was kissed or even praised the way she had been.
"Darcy," he sounded unusually serious. "You gotta know that we don't want to hurt you. No one's gonna fucking hurt you again."
She frowned, confused by the promise she heard in those words. "You can't promise that. How would you know?"
"We're going to make it true. Everything's going to be better with us."
"Why?" she couldn't stop herself from asking.
"Because we're better with you." He said it as if he knew that for certain. If she didn't know better, she would have thought he was the one from the future. "You're what we're missing."
"This is what I'm talking about! What the fuck does that mean?"
"You're the missing piece, babe." He hopped off the counter to stand in front of her. "You're gonna balance us."
"And you need balance?" she asked dryly. "You all seem fine to me."
"Doesn't mean it can't be better." He reached out slowly, tugging at a strand of her hair.
"Oh yeah?" She crossed her arms over her chest, just for some kind of barricade. "What's in it for me?"
He grinned again. "Whatever you want, babe. Safety. Shelter….orgasms," he said, eyes glancing down at her lips. "Us at your side."
"For how long?" her voice was softer than she meant and she hated it.
"Forever," he said simply. Then his lips were on hers.
He moved slow, kissing her softly until her arms fell from where they protected her and she found herself digging one hand into his curls. Marko pushed forward until her back hit the wall behind her. His body pressed against hers and she felt one of his hands touch her face, tilting it slightly for a better angle. He deepened the kiss. She threw her other arm over his shoulders, anything to fucking keep him there, kissing her like he was trying to map out every single part. He kissed her as though he had done it a thousand times before. She lost herself in it. It was hard not to. He seemed to know exactly what she liked. Her head fell back as he pulled away, scraping his teeth over her neck and seeming intent to add to the faded marks that were already there. His hand trailed across her thigh, pulling it up to wrap around his waist so that he could press closer to her. How the fuck did they all know how to kiss so well? Was it a requirement to join?
It took her a second to realize that Marko had pulled back and was simply staring at her, seemingly content to remain where he was against her. He said something that she didn't catch and she blinked up at him.
"Hmm?"
He grinned, but for once it made him look younger. There wasn't a hint of viciousness in it. "You're perfect for us," he said softly. "Just the way you are. Let us in, Darcy,"
Her breath caught in her throat. When had anyone ever said something like that to her? She knew that answer. It was never. "Marko…"
He kissed her again, slightly harder this time before he pulled back. "Think about it." He let go slowly before hopping back onto her counter to get to the other side. He grinned at her again, biting his thumb as his gaze darted down. "Come meet us at the Boardwalk when you close. There's something you're gonna need to see."
"Jesus fucking christ," she muttered, moving to collapse on the chair she kept there. "What the fuck!" It was official. She was overwhelmed and if they kept kissing her like that, she wasn't going to be able to hold them off. She didn't really want to, if she was honest with herself.
She shouldn't go to the Boardwalk. The last time she had gone anywhere with one of them because they had something to show her, well, that resulted in sex and a subsequent field trip out of town. She shouldn't go...but curiosity won out. Once she closed the store down, she found herself walking to a place she disliked.
It wasn't hard to find the men.
They were standing near the carousel, watching it spin. She rolled her eyes but couldn't stop the amused smirk at the idea that they were there with no sign of their motorcycles. Either they hadn't gotten them fixed yet or they wanted to make sure she didn't cause more damages.
"Well," she put her hands on her waist. They all turned as soon as they heard her. "What did you want to show me?" Darcy was well aware of how all of their eyes scanned her and that some of the others around them had turned to watch. Maybe they were surprised that she was still standing after the night before.
Marko grinned widely at her as if he never had a doubt that she'd show up. It made her want to leave out of spite. She hated being predictable.
Paul moved forward. "Babe! Come on," he wrapped an arm around her shoulders and planted a kiss against her cheek. She shoved him off. He just laughed. "This is going to be great," he pretended to whisper. He looked up at the others. "Ready?"
David didn't exactly frown, but he turned and walked away. Paul and Marko motioned for her to follow. The crowd parted around them.
She ignored the stares and the whispers that accompanied their presence. It grated on her nerves and the smell of fried food was beginning to make her sick. As much as she loved funnel cake, there were such things as limits. The flash of the rides and screams of the people on them reminded her of a time she didn't want to remember. Her teeth were already on edge by the time they finally stopped. Paul motioned for her to move forward and as she did her eyes narrowed. The fuckers had found Clark.
The kid had a couple of friends with him and they all looked terrified at the presence of David and the others.
David cast a glance at her before moving forward. The kids all stepped back.
Clark seemed to swallow before seeing her. "You, uh, you found her. So just...cool out." He held his hands up in surrender. The bruise on his face looked slightly darker than the last time she saw him.
"We're not here about that, Clark."
Darcy rolled her eyes. Of course, David had to make it sound like they were here to kill the kid. If they were, Darcy was going to keep the promise she made before. No kiss on earth would stop her from hunting them down.
"Then," Clark glanced at his friends. "Then what?"
"Your injury was not...intended."
There was a beat of silence between all of them.
"Um, okay?" Clark said.
"You accept my apology, don't you Clark?" David leaned forward slightly and she saw Clark's mouth open slightly, his expression just slightly dazed.
"Yeah."
David nodded before he turned to her. He stared at her expectantly and she saw Clark's friends grab him and drag him off. What the fuck was that? "Satisfied, Darcy?"
She turned and walked away. She didn't know what that bullshit was but it hadn't been worth dragging her down to this place.
"Where you going, Darcy?" She heard David call out from behind her. She gave him the finger and kept going. It wasn't until she finally got off of the boardwalk that she realized he was following her. He stepped into place next to her.
"Fuck off, David!"
"Where are you going?" he demanded, his tone slightly darker than before.
"Away from you assholes, obviously." She turned onto one of the side streets and felt him grab her arm, yanking her back. She turned and shoved him instantly. He didn't budge.
"Darcy."
"I said fuck off!" she glared up at him. "I don't want to be near you and you ever fucking touch me again, I'll castrate you." She pulled her arm from his grasp and continued walking.
"What's the problem, Darcy?"
She clenched her jaw, trying to ignore him. She didn't know if he was actively trying to provoke her but she was trying not to get arrested in this place. Darcy also noticed that Paul and Marko did not follow. For that, they'd be left out of any castration plans. For now. She was almost at her motel. Hopefully he'd leave once she got inside.
"I apologized, didn't I?"
She spun to face him. "Excuse me? You call that an apology?" She pointed the way they had come. "That was the most bullshit apology I've ever seen. Clark is still fucking terrified of you for what you did and you think that's an apology? Fuck off, David. I don't even want to see you near me." Darcy turned back and walked away. Again.
She thought she heard a growl behind her. He grabbed her arm and stopped her, moving to stand in front.
"You want me to lie?" He glowered down at her. "I'm not fucking sorry."
This fucking asshole. She shoved him again, this time as hard as she could, and he let her go. "That's the fucking problem! I don't have the time or energy to deal with your bullshit, David." She should have brought the knife with her.
Darcy tried to step around him only to have him match her move. It didn't get them anywhere except a step closer to the motel. "You were gone, Darcy."
"So what!"
"We were looking for you."
"I don't give a shit. I have a life, David. I don't need to advertise my every move to some assholes who think they have a right to me!" She glared up at him. "Now fucking leave."
"We didn't know what happened," he said, stepping forward. His chest was nearly touching hers. "And yeah, maybe I fucking hurt the kid but we figured he'd know where the fuck you were, Darcy."
"That's not an excuse!" she snarled back. "He's a kid!"
"I didn't fucking mean to," he snapped back. "I didn't believe him and it got out of hand."
"And what? I'm supposed to accept that?" She scoffed. "That's a bullshit excuse. I told you to leave him alone!" She shoved him again, trying to get him to step back. "I'm so fucking sick of all of you!"
His eyes seemed to darken then. "Even Dwayne?"
Her eyes widened before her lips curled up in a snarl. "You motherfucker!" She punched him hard in the chest. "I didn't fucking ask for any of this! Any of you!" She tried to move around him again. The motel was in sight. She just had to get there.
"Yet you have us," he snapped back. "And we were fucking worried. That what you want to hear?"
"I want you to leave me the fuck alone!"
"No."
Fury welled up in her. "Fuck you!" It echoed slightly down the street. He grabbed the back of her neck, pulled her against him and kissed her hard. Fucking hell. His mouth moved against hers, demanding and seemingly desperate all at once. She kissed back, determined to win even in this. Kissing David wasn't like the others. He kissed her like he wanted to drown in her. Her back hit a wall and she broke the kiss, confused at how they had even reached the motel. David's mouth went to her neck, scraping his teeth against her skin. She shuddered before biting down on his jaw out of spite. She felt his grip around her tighten.
"Open the door, Darcy."
"Fuck you."
"If you insist."
She was tempted to kick him to the curb, but his mouth hit a spot behind her ear and she felt her legs nearly give out. Fuck.
"Invite me in, Darcy," he murmured against her skin.
"Fuck you," she repeated.
"Unless you want to put on a show, right here," he pulled down the neckline of her top. He sucked at the bare skin revealed. His other hand was on her ass, squeezing slightly while holding her against him.
"Fuck," she breathed. "Come in."
She didn't know how the door actually opened. David kicked it closed, dropping his coat on the floor while she peeled off her own shirt. His eyes seemed to linger, as if drinking her in. She scowled. Before she could even open her mouth to say whatever retort she was thinking of, he pounced.
He kissed her hard, pushing her back on the bed. He moved and settled in between her thighs as though he belonged there. She opened her mouth, pulling at his lip with her teeth. He groaned, shifting his hips against hers. His mouth moved down, across her jaw and to her neck. She was going to be covered in bruises at this rate. It was worth it.
She hooked a leg around him, trying to keep his body against hers. She dug her fingers into his back. "Why the fuck are you still dressed?"
He pulled back just enough for him to pull off the rest of the layers he wore. How the man didn't die in this heat, she didn't know. She took the opportunity to undo her bra. David moved back, mouth on her skin and hand cupping her breast. His fingers dug into her skin as she dragged her nails down his back. God, she just wanted more. She wanted him to bleed.
She reached down, trying to unbutton the jeans he wore. Fucking hell. He nipped at the side of her breast before moving down and unbuttoning hers. He pulled them down and she lifted her hips to help remove them. She sat up, moving up to her knees as he finally kicked his pants off. He kissed her again and she dug her hands into his stupid mullet. She twisted, shoving him down on the bed. He fell back against it, looking up at her with a smirk.
She ignored him, throwing a leg over his waist so that she was straddling him. She could feel him so much better this way. She rocked against him, enjoying the feeling of him hardening against her.
"It's better inside," he drawled. She felt like covering his mouth. He twisted his hand slightly and Darcy paused in surprise to find him offering her a condom. She grabbed it and tore it open before shifting back slightly. His eyes seemed to bore into her as she rolled it down over his cock. "Feel better?" he asked snidely.
She shifted back, placed her hands on his chest and shoved him back, holding him down. His hands went to her hips and she half expected him to move her, to demand to be on top instead. He didn't, just held on as she tried to get herself off. One of his hands cupped her breast, kneading it softly before twisting her nipple hard. The pain shot straight down to her core. She cried out at the feeling.
This wasn't enough. She needed more. She reached down, angling him before she sunk down slowly. He hissed, fingers tightening their grip. Her head fell back. She just needed a minute, a moment to fucking get used to it.
"Move," he said. "Come on, Darcy."
She leaned forward, holding herself up on his chest before she started rocking her hips. She shuddered at the feeling. It was so fucking good.
"Harder. Faster, Darcy."
"Jesus Christ, shut up!" She moved a hand to his throat, squeezing the sides slightly, just enough to get him to stop fucking talking so she could actually enjoy this. His eyes closed. Of course, he'd enjoy that.
She moved faster, the pressure was building and she was so close. So fucking close but it wasn't enough. She moved her other hand to touch her clit, as she lessened her grip slightly to let him breathe. She felt her orgasm building and she tried to move faster. David sat up and she moved her hand from his throat to around his neck as his mouth went to her breast. He bit down. and she came hard, legs shaking as David's arms wrapped around her back keeping her pressed tightly against him.
Her back hit the bed as David moved on top of her. She didn't even feel him move her. He pushed in again and her legs wrapped around his waist automatically. He grabbed her hands, pinning them above her head and held them there with one of his.
"My turn," he grinned. He pulled out before thrusting hard. Darcy's head fell back. David's pace increased, grip tight as he held her in place. He leaned down, kissing her again. "You're ours, Darcy." He reached down, touching her clit and building her up again.
She cried out, begging for release. Of fucking course he'd be an asshole here too but god damn it if he didn't actually finish what he started. Her legs clenched as she felt herself reach that brink once more. David's pace seemed to increase before his hips finally stuttered against her. He leaned over her, staring down. Darcy met his eyes, trying to catch her breath. There was something in his gaze that she couldn't place but she was suddenly reminded of Marko's comment about being their missing piece.
"Fucking hell," she muttered.
He moved, pulling out and tossing the condom. He grabbed something off of the floor before collapsing next to her on the bed. She glanced over to see him smoking. She motioned for him to share. He raised an eyebrow but handed it over. She inhaled, feeling the nicotine slightly calm the little nerves leftover from that experience. She handed it back and caught a glimpse of his hands. They were covered in scars.
"What happened there?" she asked, nodding towards him.
There was a pause before he answered. "My father."
She snorted, turning slightly to get comfortable. "Fucking fathers." He seemed amused at that and offered her the cigarette again. She's never been one to look a gift horse in the mouth. "Ah shit."
He looked over at her. She took a longer inhale. She was going to need it. She slept with him. Darcy had been so pissed off. Dwayne she understood, hell it was a bit romantic but with David half the time she felt like murdering him. She shouldn't have done this. It was another in a long line of bad decisions. God fucking damn it. Her family was right. She was so fucking stupid.
"Stop that."
She blinked, torn out of her thoughts and glanced at David. "Stop what?"
He took the cigarette from her. "You're thinking shit about yourself. I can tell. Next time-"
"Next time?" She propped herself up on her elbow. "You think there's going to be a next time?"
"I know so," he grinned sharply.
"Always so fucking confident. I should kick you out."
"Then who would you steal your smokes from?"
She propped herself up on an elbow and glowered at him. "I don't steal shit from you. You gave me them. Every time." She reached out for the cigarette and gazed at him triumphantly as he handed it over. "See?"
He leaned forward, kissing her deeply and stealing the smoke from her lungs. She watched him blow it slowly. It was damn hotter than it should have been.
She took another drag of the cigarette before passing it back to him. "Alright, asshole. Get out of my bed."
"No. We have to talk."
"Ugh," she groaned, turning around and lying on her stomach, burying her face in her pillow. Maybe if she ignored him, he'd leave.
"You eaten yet?" There was silence for a moment as she didn't answer him. "Darcy."
She finally had to move to be able to breathe. She glared over at him. "When the hell would I have time to eat? I came to see you all after I closed the place like Marko asked."
"Come on." He moved, throwing his feet over the edge and standing up. Darcy was tired. She didn't want to get up and have to deal with David longer than she already had. "Or did I wear you out?" he smirked at her as though he won.
"The fuck you did," she moved faster than she thought she could. "Let's get cleaned up first."
"Together?"
"Fuck no," she went to the washroom. "Stay there." She slammed the door.
They walked together. David was at her side, practically strutting and seemed very pleased with himself. It made her want to push him off a cliff. Unfortunately, they were nowhere near any.
"What do you want?"
"Take out so I can go home," she drawled. He gave her an unimpressed look. "Whatever we find first." It turned out to be a stand that sold tacos. "Fuck yeah," she muttered as she quickened her pace to get there faster.
She ordered quickly and motioned for David to go. He moved her out of the way while he ordered and forced her back so he could pay. "You're not going to claim I'm stealing this now too, are you?"
"Did I complain?" He pulled out another cigarette and lit it. He was going to be bad for her addiction if he kept this up. They all were. "You have whatever you want when you're with us," he said as he held it between his teeth. She watched him light it.
"For what? Payment for dealing with your cocky bullshit?"
He leaned down slightly. "You don't need payment, do you? I heard you screaming."
She grinned back, baring her teeth. "Yeah, because I did most of the work."
Whatever he was going to say in return was cut off as their order got called out. She smiled smugly as she retrieved it and led the way to one of the tables nearby. He sat down next to her, straddling the bench seat to face her. She pushed his order towards him and started eating. There was nothing like a good street taco. She eyed him carefully before she swallowed the first bite.
"You want to talk, so talk." She took another bite. He stared at her for a few moments, simply smoking before he finally decided to say something.
"You leave again, you tell us."
"You're not my keeper," she said. "We've been through this."
"Then leave a fucking note," he snarled. "Price to pay for leaving the kid alone."
Darcy's eyes narrowed. "Excuse me? Price? There shouldn't have to be a fucking price for you not to hurt a kid!"
He exhaled sharply, smoke coming out of her nose. He looked like a bull. If she wasn't starting to get more pissed off, she would have laughed. "We don't fucking hurt kids," he snapped. "It was an accident."
"Well the next time you get overzealous, take your anger out on the fucking Surf Nazis."
His gaze seemed to sharpen. "They hurt you?"
"Fuck no, but anyone walking around with Nazi in their name deserves a beat down." She grabbed the other taco she had and took a bite.
"You granting permission?"
"Like you've ever needed permission. I've known you for two fucking days and I know that." He grinned at her and for a second she could almost imagine his teeth sharpening. "Just don't fucking go near kids."
"Then leave a note."
"Asshole," she muttered before shoving the last of her taco in her mouth.
She got up and went to throw out the remains. David grabbed her wrist and she stopped looking down at him. "What?"
"I'm not done. Sit with me."
Her eyes narrowed automatically. He hadn't touched the tacos he had ordered yet. Still, regardless of the bad blood between them, he had paid and she was sated. She sat down. "Well? Eat."
He stared at her for a moment before he ground out the butt of the cigarette into the table. His thumb stroked her skin softly. He was wearing gloves again. She didn't even realize that he had put them back on. The worn leather was surprisingly smooth where he touched her. It was a stark contrast to the callused hands that gripped her tight, holding her in place as he fucked her.
"Took weeks for them to heal," he said. She glanced up at him, unaware that she had been noticeably staring at his hands.
"Sorry," she muttered. Darcy had no intention of making someone feel shitty for something they weren't responsible for. Still, curiosity won out. At this rate it was going to be the death of her. "What happened?"
"Punishment," he let go for a moment to light another cigarette before he reached out to touch her again. His hand touched her thigh this time, just resting on it. He took a drag before he continued talking. "Disobeyed orders."
"Who? You?" she asked sardonically. It slipped out automatically but he didn't seem offended by it.
"Yeah. Ate before I was allowed so he burned them."
Fury wells up in her. "What?!" As fucking terrible as her family is, they've never resorted to that sort of physical abuse. "He burned your fucking hands because you were hungry?" Christ, if that was the sort of parenting this asshole had it was no wonder he turned out the way he did. "Tell me he's dead because if that asshole is still alive and well, then fuck karma, I'll deal with him for you."
David kissed her hard. Another reward for her threats of murder and mayhem. She grabbed the front of his jacket, pulling him closer so she could deepen the kiss. An arm wrapped around her waist, tugging her towards him. She was moved into the space between his legs, up against his chest and she threw her legs over his leg on the outside of the bench, trying to get a better angle.
Darcy pulled back slowly, trying to catch her breath. Holy shit. She looked up, meeting David's eyes. "I was serious."
"I know."
"Well?" she prompted. "What's his status?"
"Alive," he said, taking a drag of the cigarette. "For now."
She considered the implications of that. It sounded like he had plans of his own. "Fine, but if you need help, come find me. I'm excellent at brake lines."
"So I heard."
She considered him for a moment and he seemed content to watch her back, still holding her against him. "That doesn't bother you?"
"Does what bother me?"
"Dwayne."
"No." He took another inhale of the cigarette. "You're ours. If there was anyone else though, I'd rip their head off."
"How romantic," she said dryly.
"You have no idea," he leaned forward to kiss her neck. She arched it slightly, giving him more room to access. He nipped at the skin before soothing it with his tongue.
"Okay," she pulled away, absently noting how he had slightly followed before he reluctantly pulled back. "I should go home. I'm tired."
"Come on," he offered her hand to stand up. He followed after her, his hand at her back as he motioned her back the way they had come. "I'll walk you." All of these men seemed to expect her to get jumped out on her lonesome.
"You know I can handle myself, right?"
He glanced down at her. "That I'm certain of." They were halfway back when she realized she never actually saw him eat.
[tbc]