“What’s on the agenda for today?” I pick up his hand and kiss his palm.
He kisses the top of my head. “I’ve got to work for a little bit and you can do whatever you want.”
“I’d like to look around town for a little bit. I should probably look for a job. I want to be able to contribute.” I sit up glancing at him. I’ve worked since I was old enough to babysit. Yes, my parents paid for a lot of things I’ve had but I’ve always made my own money.
“Baby, take your time and find something you want to do, or don’t work at all. Do whatever you want. I only want you to be happy here with me.”
I kiss him softly on the lips. “Thank you.”
I jump off of his lap and bolt for the stairs. I’m so excited to go back to town and explore a bit. I change out of the red long johns, opting for grey leggings and my black with grey faux fur Sorels. My hair needs to be washed, but I’ll worry about that later, for now I’ll brush it out and put it in one of those fishtail braids, hanging over my shoulder.
Downstairs I find the living room empty. I walk down the little hall and find Merick sitting behind a desk with two large computer screens in front of him. I knock on the frame and he smiles when he looks up and sees me. “Am I interrupting?”
“Not at all, come here.” I move into the room and take the hand he’s holding out toward me. “You look beautiful.”
My cheeks warm and I lean down to kiss him. “Thank you. I’ll only be gone for a little bit. Do you need me to grab anything?”
“No, I’m good. Maybe when I’m done here, I’ll get cleaned up and take you to this great little steakhouse that’s about a thirty-minute drive from here.”
“Yummy. Be back soon.” I grab my long black puffer jacket, slipping it on as I head outside. Thankfully my car wound up here along with my belongings. I don’t question any of it or bring attention to something I am actually thankful for. I feel like this is where I should be, here with him. Anyway, I’m not sure protesting his need to move me without asking first would solve anything. The man was difficult when he didn’t get his way.
I hop in my car and happily drive toward town, ready to explore a bit.
Merick
What Taryn doesn’t know yet, but will find out soon enough is that my people, our people, are intertwined throughout town and many more will come. When word gets out our union has happened, they will join us. When they realize that our world is coming to life once more, that we’ll need them here to protect the legacy.
Not everyone knows our true nature. There are so many here that aren’t aware of Stone Ridges powers and importance. Keeping ourselves acclimated, remaining as normal as possible to any outsiders looking in, is the key.
I sit at my desk trying to concentrate on the files filling my screen. One after another of documents and contracts that need to be finalized. The problem is I’ve put off work, I’ve been distracted. In a good way, but still very distracted.
Even now as I attempt to catch up on my ever-expanding workload all I keep thinking about is Taryn. Closing my eyes, I get lost in the images the last couple days have left me with. Exploring, memorizing every single inch of her. It's almost as though I can still feel her, smell her and even taste her on my tongue. Everything is still so fresh, so explicit.
She’s been gone for an hour, but it feels more like days and I am trying my hardest not to be overbearing and possessive. But the truth is, I want her here with me. I want her safe within the walls of my home, wrapped securely in my arms. I want her hair fanned out over my pillow, I want her delectable body soaking in the oversized tub in my master suite. I need her here, because having her away is torture, even if she is only in a town less than fifteen miles from my home.
“Are you stewing?” I look up from the computer screen that has become nothing more than a blur at this point to find Rowan observing me with a smile. “You are like a lost puppy.” Obviously enjoying my tormented state as she chuckles.
“You left here once already, why are you back?” I ignore the fact that her smile widens even more.
“Because earlier we didn't get to finish talking about Jonathan being here,” I immediately notice the flare of her nostrils and realize it is now my turn to feel joy from her distress. “He is still the same annoying bastard he has always been. And so smug.” Ro moves around the chair on the opposite side of my desk and flops down into it.
“Did you talk to him?” I ask.
“I don’t have to talk to him to know he is still an ass. Always has been, always will be.”
I wait in silence and simply watch my lifelong friend battle herself and her inner thoughts.
“The way he acts as though there is nothing he can’t fix. All his theories,” she huffs crossing her arms. I could have corrected her by stating that his so-called theories have been proven effective time and time again, but I didn’t. It is my job to be on her side even when she is being ridiculous. It is what best friends do.
I know and I think she knows that I know, she is only bothered by him so much because she
