Claiming His Virgin

“Hi, Hannah. I’m Saffron. I apologize for this jerk. Apparently, he doesn’t have any manners.” she pokes me in the stomach

“That’s not all he lacks,” Diesel mutters.

“What was that? You have something you want to say to me?” I stand in front of his face. He has been avoiding me and not returning my calls since the day I left his house and now he wants to act like the issue is me. Fuck that shit.

“Fellas. Follow me.” The Colonel steps between us and motions for us to follow him. I watch as my brother pulls Hannah to the side and says something to her, making her blush. I have to admit that he seems happy. I just don’t trust her.

“I will be right back, baby.”

“Okay.” She kisses me and walks over to Kimbella. I linger for a minute, hating being apart from her for even a few minutes, but I know the Colonel won't wait. Diesel is pacing the room when I walk in. Typical.

“So, how long are you ladies going to bicker?” He chuckles and moves to the wall. Neither of us speaks, but we do the whole staring thing. “So, this is how it is going to be?” The Colonel continues.

“We would be fine if he knew how to mind his own fucking business.”

“Screw you. I was worried about you. You know, something brothers do. I’m sorry, something, normal brothers do. I am not the problem. You are the one who has changed. The old Diesel would never have compromised a mission and then gone black. So, the issue is you, big brother.” Walking out of the room, I just want to grab my girl and leave.

“So, how are things with you and Mister brooding?” I move back around the corner, eavesdropping on her and Kim’s convo.

“Things are… good. I guess,” Saf answers. What the hell does she mean, she guesses.

“What’s wrong? I figured we would be planning your wedding next, girlie.” My body reacts to her words. My heart speeds up and the chanting in my mind intensifies. Mine. Mine. Mine.

“I don’t know, Kim. I mean he tells me he loves me all the time, but...I don’t know. There is something missing, you know?”

“Missing like what?” Yeah. Like what? I have no clue what the hell she is talking about.

“I just...I don’t know anything about him. He never talks about himself and his family… anything. Plus, I’m pretty sure he still thinks I am a dumb heiress. Like everyone else.” What the fuck? Is that what she thinks? How the hell is this so screwed up?

“Saf, I’m sure you are just reading too much into it. There is no way he thinks that. The man told you he loves you.” Damn right. “Plus, given what they do for a living, they have to be secretive. They live under the radar, simplistic lives. I wouldn’t take it personally.” I nod to myself, glad her friend gets it.

“That’s the other thing. I am not sure I could live such a simple life. I am used to being out in the open. I host charity events. Attend state banquets. Hosts auctions. I am a public figure, Kim. I don’t know if this… below-the-radar existence is possible.”

“I don’t have all the answers, Saf. All I know is that love makes anything possible.” I have heard enough. I walk out of the door, my mind abuzz. I love her more than myself at this point, but, when she figures out the rest of my puzzle, will it be enough?

Chapter Eleven

SAFFRON

Kim told me they caught enough of the cartel that we could be free so why hasn’t he freed me? Do I even want him to free me at this point? No. No, I don’t. Is this his way of asking me to stay? I am going to lose my mind in this apartment. He’s been gone more this week than he has been before and I can’t help but wonder why.

“Where are you baby girl?” he calls from the living room just after I hear the alarm beep as he enters the disarming code.

“I’m back here,” I say, I haven’t gotten out of bed yet today. I’m too depressed.

“You’re still in bed. You sick?” he asks, coming to sit down beside me.

“No, just tired,” I say, sitting up.

“Well, get up. I’m taking you home. Our flight leaves in an hour.”

“What?” He’s taking me home, without so much as talking to me about it.

“The cartel is basically done. It’s being taken down piece by piece,” he says.

“And you want me to go home?”

“It’s what you wanted,” he says simply before getting up and going into the closet.

“Thank you,” I whisper, getting up and going into the bathroom. I won’t let him see me cry over him.

A few minutes later, I come out of the bathroom, wrapped in a towel. He’s set a bag down on the bed from the Under Armor store. I smile when I look into it. A pair of black yoga pants, a hot pink sports bra, and a leopard printed tank top as well as a brand new pair of my favorite running shoes. He absolutely spoke to Kim about the kind of clothes I like to travel in. The only thing missing is panties, but I’ll be damned if I ask for them. He’s still puttering around in the closet and I decide to take matters into my own hands. I don’t want this to end and I certainly don’t want it to end like this. I drop my towel on the floor and walk into the closet.