Page 174 of Crucible
Parting my lips, I stick out my tongue, and Seth uses the same fingers he had stuffed inside my cunt to carefully place a tiny pink pill on my tongue. He draws his hand back at the same time I hear someone heading this way, so I swallow it immediately.
“Thank you. Best boyfriend ever.”
Seth’s eyes sparkle like I knew they would. “Don’t mention it.”
This has been our secret routine since the day we returned to the cabin a week ago. My mountain men agreed to no more punishments, but I should have known they’d have a workaround. They wouldn’t punish me for being bad, but they were dead set on making me work for the rewards.
When Seth dangled my birth control in front of me under the guise of curiosity, I couldn’t believe it. I also had the feeling Thorin and Khalil weren’t aware that he had it since he waited until they went to meet with the sheriff about the drifters.
I told Seth I would do anything for the pills, so he made me put my money where my mouth is—literally.
The first pill was in exchange for a blow job that ended with a money shot. I traded letting him massage my feet for the second pill, which I hadn’t minded at all. I have no idea if the pills will be effective after missing so many days, but for my peace of mind, I have to believe they will.
“I’m going to go shower,” he says before kissing my cheek and giving my ass, which he just had his face between, a squeeze.
He passes Khalil on the way out of the kitchen, and I brace myself for more demands. My mountain men aren’t just feral. They’re insatiable.
Khalil notices me through sleepy eyes and prowls over to cradle my face in both hands before giving me a kiss. “Morning, Goldilocks.”
God, his voice, still rough and heavy from sleep—not to mention his unbound and unkempt hair hanging around his broad shoulders—pools liquid heat inside my belly.
“Morning.”
“What are you doing up so early?”
“Making bread. Being a good housewife.”
Still holding my face, his arresting brown eyes peer over my shoulder at the messy counter. “You know you don’t have to do this stuff anymore. No more indentured servitude, remember?”
“I know. I wanted to.”
And because I realized just how easy it is to get bored out here without Wi-Fi, phones, or even a television. Ineedsomething to do, or I might break my promise and run for the nearest exit. Besides, I don’t mind as much now that they’re not making me.
The idea of taking care of my men when it’smychoice doesn’t feel icky or make me murderous.
I…like it.
I’m still really fucking bad at it, but I haven’t forgotten they kidnapped me, so…oh well.
Khalil’s face suddenly splits into a grin, revealing the most dazzling smile. “You’re bored, aren’t you?”
“Sobored.”
Khalil laughs, and I decide the sound is even better than his morning voice. “Well, you have the right idea. It helps to pick a project to pass the time. The more time-consuming, the better.”
“Like what?”
Khalil frowns at my question, and I’m sure it’s because I look as lost as I feel. “Is there something you’ve wanted to try in your spare time?”
“I didn’t have spare time,” I answer simply.
His frown deepens even more. “Never?”
I shake my head and intend to leave it at that, but somehow end up spilling my guts. “When there weren’t songwriting or recording sessions, there were rehearsals, tours, performances, photoshoots, business meetings, interviews, and appearances. To tell you the embarrassing truth, those three days in the wilds were the closest I’ve ever come to a vacation. So no, I’ve never thought about what I might want to do for myself if I had the time because I haven’t had a single moment that was just for me in a very long time. My uncle was immovably rigid in how I spent my days, and he had no qualms reminding me that if I didn’t stay on top, the world would forget about me. I wasn’t irreplaceable to anyone. And you know what?”
“What?” Khalil inquires quietly. “Tell me. I got you.”
His thumb stroking my cheek does something impossible to the turmoil inside me, something I never expected to ever happen. It chases it away, if only for this moment. I know that everything will be okay if I finally break my silence and that what’s left of my world won’t disappear from under my feet or that my uncle can’t get to me because Khalil won’t let him.
