Obligingly, I twirl in a quick circle, and he smiles before pulling me close. He runs his hands up and down my sides, and instantly, I’m wet and ready for him. When I’m in his arms, I’m not thinking about what I’m running from or where I’m going. I’m not thinking about how scared I’ve been lately or how worried I am about Tad. No, when I’m in Maddox’s arms, all I’m thinking about is him, and I love that.
I love how safe he makes me feel.
I love how perfect he is.
“Kiss me, Piper,” he whispers, and I kiss him. I kiss him like my whole damn life depends on it. I kiss him and kiss him and kiss him, and then I kiss Maddox Blake just a little bit more.
“Okay,” he chuckles, pulling away. “I need to get some pants on, and then we’ll head downstairs.”
“Odessa,” I murmur.
“She’s cleaning up your kitchen,” he says, and I shoot a glance at him.
“The kitchen?”
The letters.
“We’ve already seen them, love.”
“I…”
“Piper, it’s going to be okay,” Maddox comes closer and he wraps his arms around me again. “We’re both going to be with you. He’s not going to hurt you, sugar. Not ever again.”
And you know what the crazy thing is?
I believe him.
Chapter 8
Maddox
“You should have told us about these,” Odessa holds the letters up. They’re all in plastic baggies now, courtesy of the dark-haired beauty. She shakes her head and drops them on the table. Then she hurries over to Piper and gives her a hug. “I didn’t know, honey. You should have trusted us. We could have helped you.”
“I know,” Piper admits, hugging her friend. Any embarrassment about the nightie I chose for her is completely forgotten. “And I’m sorry. I should have told you, but I didn’t. I…I was scared.”
I wrap my arms around Piper from behind, and she leans against me. She feels so tiny, so angelic, and for a brief moment, I think about forgetting that Odessa is here and just ravaging Piper. Surely Odessa would understand. She’s seen dirtier things before. Hell, she’s done dirtier things before.
Odessa just shakes her head.
“Piper, I didn’t know it was this bad.”
“I guess I just don’t know what to do,” she admits. “I didn’t want to talk to the police because he hasn’t actually done anything to hurt me, so they can’t really do anything to stop him.”
Odessa glances at me, and I nod in confirmation.
“You’re right, Piper, but there are other options besides the police now. You have us now.”
“And friends stick together,” Odessa points out. “Even when things get hard.”
“I know,” Piper sniffles, and I realize she’s tearing up. “Thanks for taking care of me, you guys.”
Odessa comes forward and pries Piper from my arms in order to offer her own hug.
“All right, girl. I made you food. Eat it. Kiss the man. Do all the dirty things he says. I’m going to go home, okay?”
“Okay,” Piper whispers. Then she turns back to me. “Will you...”
Stay with her?