Total pages in book: 108
Estimated words: 104802 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 524(@200wpm)___ 419(@250wpm)___ 349(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 104802 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 524(@200wpm)___ 419(@250wpm)___ 349(@300wpm)
Ollie’s lips are slightly parted in sleep. God, he’s got a fucking mouth on him, his lips plump and kissable. He looks so peaceful, like he’s not always worried about a million things, which I think is true of him when he’s awake. He takes school and his responsibilities so seriously, I can’t help wondering what he does for fun, how he unwinds and relaxes that busy head of his.
I shouldn’t have told him what I did earlier, shouldn’t have let him follow those breadcrumbs of truth. He would have known whether I’d admitted it or not, but that doesn’t mean I shouldn’t have denied it. I’m surprised I’m here, that I’m lying in this bed with him after he asked me if I’m a murderer and I didn’t say no. It makes me an asshole that I’m compromising his beliefs this way, that I know Ollie is firmly on the side of right while I revel in being wrong, but knowing what I’m doing makes me an asshole won’t change anything. I’m still going to stay here, I’m still going to protect him, because I want him.
I want Ollie more than I’ve ever wanted anyone, and that’s incredibly fucking fascinating to me. I’m not the type to deny myself something I desire, and I don’t plan on starting with Ollie.
I watch him for another moment. He’s soft, tender, but still masculine. Every other time I’ve seen him, Ollie kept his face shaved, but he’s getting a bit of splotchy scruff along his jaw.
The bruises on his torso and face pull another low growl out of me. I still plan to kill the men who did this to him, despite telling Ollie I wouldn’t. They’ll die for what they did, and Ollie will never know the truth.
I slip out of bed, trying not to jostle the mattress. Ollie makes a soft moaning sound that goes straight to my dick and makes me smile. I’m going to enjoy this bisexuality thing. I just hope I’ll be able to enjoy it with him.
I walk over to my duffel, make sure Ollie didn’t wake up, then open it to look inside. It’s got my clothes and toiletries, but there’s also a metal box, one that’s just big enough to hold my gun and ammo.
Hefting my bag into my hands, I go into the bathroom, open the case, and slip my gun into my holster, which goes at the small of my back. I put the duffel bag away, get my other one, grab Ollie’s keys off the table, find paper to write him a quick note, lock the door, and leave. I’m not planning on going far, but I need some fucking air. Need to be able to talk without worrying he’ll hear.
The sun is bright and warm against my skin as I step outside the building. I love this time of year, love the weather before it gets too cold and snowy, which is miserable as shit. The Ashford campus is gorgeous, the lush greenery standing out among the white-and-red architecture. I find a quiet spot at a picnic table under a tree, sitting on the top, feet on the bench and watching Ollie’s building as I pull out my phone.
Conan answers on the first ring.
“Hey. You find anything out yet?”
“Impatient little shit, aren’t you?”
I chuckle. “It’s important.”
“Getting closer. I should have some info for you soon. Trying to find out where these bastards are running their business.”
I nod as if he can see me.
“This is personal,” Conan says, not phrasing it like a question.
“Yeah. They hurt a friend, so I need to hurt them.”
“You’re not supposed to get your emotions involved in shit like this.”
I appreciate his concern. It’s not as if my own father ever shows me any, but I’ve also learned to take care of myself a long time ago. I don’t need him or anyone else telling me what’s best. “I know what I’m doing. We have it under control. Did you say this same shit to Tiernan last year when you helped with our problem?” Some fucking loser had slipped drugs in Aislin’s drink. Dean had seen him do it, so the guy didn’t get what he wanted, but that didn’t mean we weren’t going to kill him for it. When Tiernan called, Conan jumped in to get rid of the body for us, no questions asked. Not only that, but he helped when everything went down with Sloan. Besides me, Tiernan, Rory, Dean, and Aislin, the only ones who know the truth of what went down that day are Conan and Fia.
“Just trying to help, kid.”
“I know.” I rub a hand over my face. “Thank you.”
“No problem. This boy, the one you’re helping out, he gonna be an issue for you? We gonna have another Dean on our hands?”