“I think she likes me,” he says. I shake my head and turn away from the window and walk toward the bar. “She’s most definitely got a thing for me.
“She called you a demon.”
“Yeah,” her smiles happily as he joins me near the bar. “She's a little confused. I may have to show her who I really am.”
“Please don’t,” I chuckle. If she was scared before, I can only imagine what that would do to her. I’ve seen Ryder lose his shit, I’ve seen him get territorial and it's not pretty. He would scare her shitless, sending her running back to the city.
“What’s wrong Merick?” I notice the mischievous gleam in Ryder’s eyes. “Are you afraid I’ll make her fall in love and then Taryn will realize that you’re not the big man on campus.”
“I have no worries with Taryn and how she feels about me.” If there is anything in my life that is completely clear it is her love for me. Afterall she’s given up her life, the way she’s always known things to be, to become mine. Willingly, she stepped into my world and faced fear head on. She is mine, she will always be mine.
The two of us share a drink, both deep in thought. I’m not sure I want to know the things rolling around in his mind. I can certainly imagine not wanting to see the things he’s into. Especially if they involve Taryn’s best friend.
“So,” he breaks the silence and I brace myself for what’s to come. “What happens next?” I’m surprised to find him out of Lily Lust Land and back to reality. Our reality.
“We continue to prepare,” it's all we have, because none of us truly know what’s to come. One day at a time, or one minute at a time in our world, because that's exactly how quickly things can shift. How fast everything can change from good to great destruction.
Taryn
I hang up Lily’s clothes in her closet, she’s decided to stay until I give birth. We tried to talk her out of it for her safety, but my best friend is stubborn and very determined. I invited her to stay with us, but she didn’t want to listen to us having sex, apparently, I’m very loud.
She asked about the cabin so we got it cleaned up and Merick said she’ll be protected. We’ve got a good rhythm going and while she puts clothes on hangers I hang them on the rack in the closet. Merick and Ryder are in the living room, doing what I do not know. I find it very strange that Ryder has been around a lot more consistently since Lily got here, but I like it.
He’s got this air of danger around him that is kind of sexy, but I’d never tell Merick that. Lily’s a bit of a wild thing and I don’t know if there is a man alive...or dead, that can handle her.
Once everything’s put away, she sticks her suitcase in the bottom of the closet. “Are you sure you don’t want to stay with us? I’ll promise to be quiet.” I’d much rather have her under the same roof.
She places her hands on my belly. “I love you, but no. You and Merick need your space. I mean come on, the guy had a security system put in the moment I asked to stay here.” Lily leans in. “I’m still having a hard time wrapping my head around all of this.”
I nod because I get it, I really do.” I still have a hard time myself, but I’m so happy Lil, happier than I have ever been in my whole life.” My eyes burn with unshed tears, but that seems to be the normal thing lately. The hormones are out of control and my body sometimes has a hard time adjusting to the quick increase in them.
“Hey don’t cry. If your man knows you’re crying he’s going to come in here, huffing and puffing.” Lily pulls me into a hug.
My daughter gives a kick and Lily smiles at me. “I think someone loves her aunt Lily.” I lower my voice to a whisper, “I’m glad you’re here, that you’ll be here when my baby is born.”
We head out into the living room and the men are sitting in front of the fireplace. They each stand up when we walk in and I go right to my man. “I’m hungry.”
“Let’s get my girls fed. Do you guys want to grab dinner with us?” He looks to Ryder and Lily.
My bestie just shakes her head. “No, thanks for asking. I'm going to heat up some of the soup I bought at the market today.”
“I drink my dinner,” Ryder says and the look on Lily’s face as she looks at him is priceless. Oh, these two are going to be fun to watch.
I get up from the table, rinsing my plate off in the sink. Today I felt like baking, so I made a two layered vanilla cake, with vanilla bean frosting. The big slice I ate was delicious. In all honesty I could probably eat another but I knew I’d feel shitty afterward.
I look out the window and find my man with no shirt on, chopping wood. My nether regions take notice immediately. Ten years from now will we still feel that fire between us? I mean things are intense between us, but won’t they eventually fizzle out?
The sky suddenly turns dark, but Merick doesn’t seem to notice. I lean forward and look over at the horizon, and it appears like a dark blanket was thrown over our place. I knock on the window to get his attention, but it doesn’t work.
The trees to the left start rustling and that’s when I see a cloaked black figure come out
