Tales of Darkness & Sin - Pepper Winters Page 0,65

the bed in an obscene way beside her. “Deal with his body.”

Roscoe grunts that he will. While he leaves to, presumably, get something to wrap Bo up in, so he doesn’t drag blood through my house, I sit on the edge of the bed and fish the spare key from my pocket. After I unlock Melody from the chain keeping her imprisoned on the bed, I study her messy face.

Something’s different.

“Don’t mistake what just happened for heroism,” I say, smearing blood along her icy cold lip with my thumb. “He disobeyed me and you know how much I hate disobedience.”

She nods, leaning into my touch. “He said you’d never know.”

“I know everything,” I drawl out. “Don’t ever forget it.”

“I told him so,” she whispers. “But he didn’t listen.”

Fuck if I don’t feel the overwhelming urge to praise her. Of course, I don’t. But, it does make me rethink my intentions. The girl clearly craves affection and touch like it’s her next breath, gasping desperately for it. An ass whipping, while often an effective means of getting what you want, doesn’t seem as though it’ll yield the result I desire. This changes my original game plan but one I’m willing to try, even if it goes against everting I know.

“You need a bath,” I state, keeping my voice cold.

She flinches but then nods. “Okay…”

“Saint.”

“Saint,” she murmurs. “Thank you.”

I almost laugh at the strangeness. She’s wearing blood and bits of brain, stinks from sitting in her own piss, and is damn near hypothermic. Yet, she thanks me.

Rather than acknowledging her, I unhook her collar from her neck and scoop her frail body into my arms, before carrying her down the hallway to the master bathroom. She clings to my suit jacket, her face nuzzling my neck. I make my way into the walk-in shower and turn on the water. A whine escapes her as chilly water splatters her naked flesh.

“Do you want hot water?” I ask, setting her to her feet.

Her green eyes search mine as if she can find the answer there. “Y-Yes.”

“What if I want something in exchange for it?”

“I’ll give it.” Her words are spoken with such conviction. She’d let me fuck her, I’m certain, if I just give her a hot shower.

“You better,” I rumble, as I set her to her feet. “Clean yourself and when you’re done, wrap up in that towel. I’ll be in the bedroom waiting.”

Her brows furrow together as though she doesn’t believe me. I step out of the shower and close the door. Our eyes remain locked as I back out of the bathroom.

“Roscoe,” I call out, as I enter my bedroom. “I’m going to get answers from the girl. Make yourself scarce.”

“I’ll meet up with Thad. See what I can find out.” He peeks his head in my doorway. “I’ll clean up what I can first, so the blood doesn’t ruin the floors.”

After he pulls the door closed, I strip out of my wet suit that’s smeared with blood. I set my gun on the dresser, deposit the clothes into the hamper, and then throw on a pair of sweats.

And then I wait.

She takes a long shower. Thirty minutes pass before she finally turns off the water. I take a seat in my armchair beside the bed. Soon, she shakily makes her way into the bedroom, her green eyes wide and full of questions. Her blonde hair is darker as it drips with water. The blue hue I’d been accustomed to seeing on her lips has disappeared, and they’re back to being a juicy cherry red.

“Drop the towel.”

She lets it fall to the floor, revealing her nakedness to me. My dick stirs, appreciating her nice tits and pink nipples staring back at me.

“Are you cold?” I pat my thigh. “Come sit, Tesoro.”

I thought maybe she’d hesitate, but she rounds the bed, her eyes burning into mine. When she reaches me, her brow dips as she, no doubt, wonders how to seat herself.

“Straddle me,” I command, daring her to argue.

She tentatively reaches for my shoulder to steady herself. Then, like a good girl, she spreads her legs, settling on my lap. Sliding my palm to her ass, I grab a handful, drawing her closer. My dick thickens, eager to have this young thing’s pussy rubbing against it. Crimson floods her cheeks, and she chews on her bottom lip.

“I’m going to ask you some questions. Depending on your answers, I’ll reward you. Silence or stating you don’t know will be seen as refusal to