Fuck. If you’re smart . . . you’ll be gone.
I STARE UP AT THE night sky while taking a bite of my Snickers bar and replaying tonight’s dinner in my head. I’m still so heated over our conversation and the way he handled me.
The thought of me ever seeing something in Colton makes me angry with myself. It’s embarrassing that I dealt with him for as long as I did and makes me feel like an idiot.
He was full of himself and always did well at making me feel as if I wasn’t good enough. I just looked past it for too long.
Well I’m done now . . .
I look down at my phone when it buzzes in my hand. Yes, I’ve been holding it, waiting for a response from Royal. My heart does a little happy dance, but then drops to my stomach when I see that it’s Madison and not Royal like I was hoping it’d be.
Holding the candy bar with my mouth to free both hands, I open her text and read it.
Madison: Please tell me you didn’t change your mind and you’re still with that douche face. Please!
Avalon: Colton is long gone . . . I’m sitting outside of Royal’s house, waiting for him to get home. If he’s not back soon, then I’m coming home. You there?
Madison: Oh damn! If you’re outside of Royal’s house . . . I better not see your ass for a long time. That man is . . . I don’t even need to say it. You’re not blind. Not anymore at least. If you leave before he gets home I will dropkick you.
Avalon: Ha! Ha! Funny . . . I would love to see you try, short ass. BUT you’re right. I had to have been blind to deal with Colton’s shit for as long as I did.
Madison: Fuck yes! And STUPID . . . so tell me . . . Did he pee his pants or at least cry this time? *crosses fingers*
Avalon: Unfortunately . . . no. But yours truly did knee him in the balls. So . . . you’re WELCOME!
Madison: YES! My life is complete now.
Smiling from Madison’s last message, I look up from my phone when I hear a truck coming down the long driveway. My heart begins racing.
“Please be Royal. Please be Royal,” I chant softly, while standing up to get a better look.
My heart about leaps out of my chest with excitement when I see that it’s Royal’s black truck, but then quickly sinks at the realization that he may not even want me here.
I sent him a message over an hour ago and he never responded. He may not even be expecting me to be here.
Grabbing my candy bar from my mouth, I wrap it back up the best I can and watch as he exits his truck, slamming the door behind him.
He stands on the other side of the truck for a few minutes, before his feet start moving.
The first thing that I notice as he steps around his truck is that he’s wearing a black hoodie and his hands are stained in what looks like dried blood. The second thing I notice as the blue lighting hits his face is that the area underneath both of his eyes is bruised and slightly swollen.
I toss my Snickers aside and rush down the porch in a panic, my whole body screaming to take care of him and pull him into my arms in comfort.
Instead, I stop in front of him and gently run my fingers over his beautiful face as he stands there breathing heavily.
“Holy shit, Royal. What happened to you? Are you okay?”
He looks at me, his eyes tearing into my soul, paralyzing me. All I feel in this moment is his pain and suffering, and it feels like my heart is being ripped from my chest. Only Royal has the power to make me feel so damn much from one single look.
“My hell is what happened. Nothing that you should be concerned with.”
Swallowing, I pull my hands away from his face and drop them to my sides. I’m afraid to know this next part, but ask it anyways. “Did you hurt someone?”
My heart beats wildly against my ribcage, waiting for an answer. “Not as much as he deserved.”
Seeing the pain in his eyes is enough for me to understand, and I find my words coming out without me thinking. “You shouldn’t have stopped then.”
His eyes widen a bit as if he wasn’t expecting my response, and he slowly starts walking at me. Unable to pull my eyes away from his, I walk backwards, stepping back every time he steps forward, until I’m pressed against the door.
He brings his bloodied hands up to press against the door, pinning me in. Then he leans in until his lips are hovering above mine, only a small breath away. His voice is thick with emotion as he stares into my eyes and speaks. “You think I should have kept going?”
I nod my head and grab both of his arms, squeezing them through the thick fabric. “If he hurt you, then yes.”
He breathes against my lips, causing me to tilt my head and brush my lips against his, wanting to taste him.
“What did you need me for? Did someone hurt you?” He questions in a tensed voice.
I shake my head. “I just had dinner with Colton and broke it off for good. The only thing I could think of as I was rushing out of there was coming here.”
He moves his body closer to mine, bringing his arms against the side of my head. His smell is so damn hypnotic, bringing me to close my eyes. “Yeah . . . and how did he take it?”
Doesn’t he realize how hard it is to talk with him this close? He looks and smells too good to be true.
“He wasn’t happy,” I admit. “He wanted me to stay with him, but when I refused he grabbed my wrists and kept trying to force me against him.”
Royal’s jaw tenses and his gray eyes darken as he scans my face. “So he did fucking hurt you?”
I smile small to show him that I’m okay. “When he wouldn’t let go I kneed him in the balls. The fucker got my message loud and clear. He was holding his junk and whining when I left.”
Royal’s lips turn up into a half smile, making my insides melt from the beauty. “Good.”
He finally backs away from me and digs in his pocket, pulling out a set of keys. After he unlocks the door, he turns to me. “You ready for that other tattoo?” He motions for me to walk inside first. “I could use the distraction.”
“Me too. I’m more than ready.” I walk inside first, stopping and waiting for him to shut the door behind him and lead the way.
“Go downstairs. Wait for me in my room.” He yanks his hoodie over his head, pulling it off, and looks down at his dirty hands. “I need to shower first and wash this shit away.”
I look at his firm chest, pressing against his black tee, and swallow. It fits him so damn well, and looks extremely sexy, showing off his sculpted, inked arms. “Take your time,” I breathe softly.
Pulling his eyes away, he turns and walks away, pulling his shirt over his head, before jogging up the stairs to the top floor.
I wait until he disappears before walking down the hall and into the kitchen in search of some water or something to drink. My mouth suddenly feels extremely dry.
“Whoa!” I cover my face with my hand and back into the wall when I see Jax’s firm ass, flexing as he fucks some leggy chick on the kitchen table. “Shit! I’m sorry.”
Jax laughs and keeps going about his business as if he could care less. “What you looking for, babe?”