Through all my work today, all I could think about was getting back to my apartment for another line of questioning with Ash Booker. Last night was just the tip of the iceberg, and as long as I can get away with keeping her in my private residence, I’m going to take advantage of it.
Stepping through my front door, I nod toward Bryan, indicating he can take off, and he doesn’t waste any time. Setting my things down on the coffee table, I head to my bedroom to slip into something a little more comfortable. I decide on a pair of grey joggers and a plain white t-shirt. Then slipping on a pair of old tennis shoes I got last year from a trader, I slip out my bedroom door.
Back in the main room, I decide I could use a quick drink before dealing with my next torture session, so I make my way over to the kitchenette. I never understood why the familial apartments have kitchenettes. We don’t prepare food in them, hell, they don’t even have cooking appliances. Just a small line of three cabinets above and below a beige counter with a sink in the middle.
I drop to my knees in front of the corner cabinet, opening the door and reaching into the far back. When my hand lands on the glass jar, I pull it out before standing and grabbing a glass from the top cabinet above it. Setting the glass on the counter, I remove the lid from the bottle and take a whiff of the moonshine I bought last month in Bonham. Dang, this stuff is stout. Pouring three, make that four fingers, and setting the bottle down, I take my first swig. Shit, this stuff is nuclear.
Hiding the bottle back where it goes, I turn toward my guest room taking the rest of my drink with me. Maybe I’ll let Ash have a good swig. Perhaps a good buzz will make her a little more pliable.
As I grasp the knob ready to enter, a knock sounds quietly on my front door. Son of a bitch. I have zero desire to deal with anyone else today. I make my way to the front door with the intention of telling whoever it is to go the hell away, but when I open the door, Tara stands on the other side. I can’t help the smirk that spreads across my face or the raise of my brow.
“Tara, is everything okay?” I ask, trying to remain professional. She isn’t my wife yet, although nothing will change that. While I’m pretty sure this girl has a sneaky streak, I need to play it safe for now.
“Can I come in, husband?” She asks with a coy smile.
Now she and I both know this couldn’t be more against the rules, even if we are intended, but that doesn’t stop me from stepping aside and allowing her to enter. Once she’s inside, I peek my head out the door, scanning the hall for anyone who might’ve seen before stepping back inside and shutting the door.
Turning to face her, I see she has seated herself on my counter, hands braced on the top beside her, knees parted just slightly. Damn, she’s hot. Her ebony skin is mesmerizing, with deep brown almost black eyes, plump kissable lips, and her black hair secured in pigtails framing either side of her face. Yes, I’m going to enjoy her being my wife very much.
Setting my glass down on the table, I ask, “Would you like something to drink?”
When she nods and says, “Thank you,” I get the bottle of moonshine back out, pouring her two fingers before placing it back where it goes and picking up my own glass for a swig. I don’t worry about her telling the elders I’ve got contraband, she’d have to explain why she was in my room, and I know she won’t do that.
She takes a small sip, her big doe eyes connecting with mine over the rim, and then she asks, “Did you like your gift?”
My gift? What gift? I ask her just that and she giggles before revealing what it is. “Ash, silly.”
I’m positive my eyes nearly bug out of my head with her words. Out of all the people in the compound who could have possibly left Ash bound and gagged in my room, Tara would have been the last one I would have thought of. On top of that, even if she knows now that she’s about to be assigned as my wife, she wouldn’t have known then. I didn’t alter our medical files until yesterday afternoon. Also, how does she know she will be assigned as my wife?
Taking another big swig and raising a brow, I ask her to elaborate. “I’m intrigued, Tara.”
With a shrug of her shoulders and another giggle she says, “I followed them out of the north wall. They didn’t stay together, which was stupid. I hit Chase over the head, then Ash, and drug her back to the compound. And then I brought her here, for you.” She takes another sip of her drink, not even coughing. This woman was definitely meant for me.
But I have to know why. “And why exactly did you give her to me? Because I’m running the security department right now?” I set my glass down, and slowly approach where she sits.
“You’re going to be appointed as the new elder, and I want to be an elder-wife.” She shrugs, eyeing me as I approach.
Ambitious, I’ll give her that.
When I stand directly in front of her, I pause, gaging her response. She seems receptive, so I step another inch closer, my middle brushing her knees
