Chapter 6

CHAPTER 6

Myrah

T he moment we enter Jared’s house, I spot him. But I have to say, Zig lacks the luster he once had. I used to think he was the hottest guy around, but now, Knox has definitely taken that spot. Zig turns his head from the conversation he’s wrapped up in, as if sensing my presence, and once his eyes are locked on me, I can feel his intent. He wants exactly what I thought I needed walking in here tonight. But for some reason, I don’t think I can follow through with it.

My phone dings with a text and I pull it out, grateful to be unlocked from Zig’s heated stare.

Knox: Will work on tracing the plate. In the meantime, thought this would help for when you’re missing me.

A picture loads, and as soon as it comes in, I have to swallow the drool down my throat. It’s an image of Knox with his shirt off. And everything from his sinfully hot face to his rippled chest covered in ink makes me wet between my legs. The tattoos don’t stop at his waistband either, which is riding low on his hips. Makes me wonder just how far down his tattoos go.

My eyes travel lower and I swear it looks like he’s erect. There’s a bulge hanging midway down his thigh. I’m surprised the magnums even fit him if that’s how big he is. Holy crap.

Another text chimes in and I read the message at the top of the screen before it disappears.

Knox: Did you notice the tat on the left?

I trail my eyes back up, and there sitting right over his heart is my name with the outline of a rainbow crossing over it. My heart starts to beat faster. A warmth soaking into my soul. And when I type my response back, it feels like there’s an entirely different meaning this time behind my words.

Me: I love you, Knox. Always. And thanks for the pic. Btw, how far down do your tattoos go?

“Are you going to stare at that phone all night, or greet your man?” Zig’s voice shudders through my shoulders. Your man? Wow is he full of himself. He’s not my man. Hasn’t been since the day he disappeared without a trace.

“You’re mistaken, Zig.” I turn to face him. “The day you left without a peep, we were over. What was it this time, by the way?”

He grips my waist and pulls me closer. My body is heated up but not from his presence. I’m still thinking of that picture on my phone. Still lusting over the giant cock that was pressing against Knox’s prison jumpsuit, looking very much like it was needing some attention.

“Got pulled over for speeding and was caught with weed. Only reason I was held for three months was because it was a second offense.”

Again, it was a minor infraction. Pot is legal in most states now, but unfortunately, not in ours. Sucks that Zig wasn’t let off for it. But this is the problem. Once you have a mark on your record, everything is amped up and your punishments just get harsher. If Zig gets caught again for something stupid, he’s liable to go away for fifteen years. I hope he understands that.

“And you didn’t think of making a call?” I cross my arms. Not that it matters now. I’m honestly over him. My heart is officially healed and has no interest whatsoever.

“Wanted to call, babe, but all my phone time was used up on attorneys. Plus, I was worried you’d write me off for good and I didn’t want to face the broken heart while I was locked behind bars.”

I call bullshit. I get that he only had three hundred minutes of phone time a month like Knox, but I’m not buying the broken heart crap. If Zig was that worried he’d lose me, I would’ve received countless letters of him apologizing and professing his love, begging me to forgive him and to please wait for him. I received diddly squat. Nothing. Zilch.

On the other hand, even though I talk to Knox twice a week, I get letters from him just as often. Knox pours his heart out between the lines of the paper. Confessing his dreams for when he gets out of prison, sharing his regrets from the choices he made while trying to please his father. Showing me the wound that is still open from his dad’s rejection. Sharing how grateful he is that I’ve stuck by him and believed his innocence. Making me feel important and cherished. Loved. Zig has never made me feel that way. Not even when we were actually dating and I was seeing him daily.

“Well, I’m sorry, Zig. But I’m done. While you were worried about facing a broken heart”—I keep my eyes from rolling at his stupid excuse—“mine healed. And I’m over you.”

His jaw clenches, grip tightening around my waist, tugging me even closer to his body. “Are you seeing someone else?” His question comes out harsh, his jealousy making me want to laugh. He did nothing to keep me, yet, he’s going to be mad about me moving on. The only thing I moved onto is my self-respect.

I shake my head. “No. I’m done with guys right now.”

His head dips to my ear, lips brushing across the sensitive part of my lobe. “You know that’s a lie, babe. That horny little cunt of yours can’t last without a good fucking.”

I’m not going to admit the fact that he’s right. It’s true, I can’t go long without sex. But I’ve been managing just fine with my toy. “My dildo works just fine, Zig.” The words feel like a lie as they roll off my tongue. Up until today, until seeing Knox, my dildo was doing the trick. But now…now, I want more. Just not more of the guy standing in front of me, pinning me against the wall.

“I bet you’ve been going to town on that thing,” he groans, as if the image turns him on. “But it doesn’t have a mouth attached to it.” He sucks my ear between his lips, showing me what I’m missing out on.

“It doesn’t have a tongue that can lick over that clit like a lollipop.” He swipes his tongue across my skin and I hate that my body responds. Although, not to his credit—I was already turned on before he came over. But Zig knows that oral sex is my weakness. “We both know how much your pussy likes to be eaten, babe. Let me remind her how much she loves it.”

His hands start pulling up the base of my dress as his lips start kissing and sucking their way down my neck. He’s going to do it right here, right now. In front of everyone in this room. The thrill of that is enticing, but as he drops to his knees and looks up, my stomach twists into a knot. This feels wrong. His eyes are not the ones I’m longing to see. As much as I need the release, I know undoubtedly that I’m going to regret this. Not because I’m worried that my heart is at risk of becoming attached to him again, but because I’d be breaking a promise I made to Knox.

“No, Zig. I can’t do this.” I shake my head, and his eyes go from half-mast to fully open.

“Don’t be like that, Myrah. Let me kiss you and make it up to this sweet cunt.” He nuzzles his mouth over my panties and a zap of tingles race through my clit. Shit. I have to stay strong. This is wrong. I need to stop this. Now. Before it’s too late and I’m too far gone to the feelings pulsing throughout my body. The need is stronger than it’s ever been. But that’s due to a sexy as hell prisoner twisting up my thoughts.

I grip my hands into his hair as his mouth sucks me in through the satin material. “Stop,” I breathe out, trying to get control of my body, trying to pull him away before I no longer have the strength.

“Fuck. She tastes good. Panties are soaked, babe. She needs it bad.”

She does. But they aren’t soaked because of him. They’re soaked because of the one I don’t want to let down. I don’t want Knox to be disappointed in me. But…I also need a cure for the lust that’s invading every part of my soul. Maybe I should give in.

The feel of Zig’s tongue trying to slip under the side of my panties starts to break me down. His hand yanks the material out of his way and then I feel his hot words cast over my sensitive skin.

“You still have the prettiest pussy I’ve ever seen.” His comment strikes me the wrong way. It almost seems as if he’s been with someone else since me. But if he was locked away for three months, then he couldn’t have been with anyone else. I grab onto the top of his hair and jerk his head back so I can see his face. A thought niggling in my head.

“When did you get out, Zig?”

“Last week, why?” Last week . Interesting. That means he’s had a week to come knocking and groveling. If he missed me so much, I would’ve been the first stop on his way home from County. The first call as he walked out the doors. But he didn’t come to see me. And the only reason he’s seeing me now is because Jared invited me to this party. Not because Zig did.

I take a step back, shrugging my skirt back down my thighs, removing his hands from my body. “We’re done, Zig. Don’t ever touch me again.”

I turn in search of Rowan, but Zig’s words stop me.

“Don’t be like that, Myrah. Had shit to do before I saw you again.”

Right . “Shit. ” No. He had girls to do before he came knocking again. He can’t tell me sex wasn’t on his brain the moment he got out of that cell. My sex drive may be strong, but Zig didn’t just keep up, he demanded more.

“I mean it, Zig. Don’t contact me again. EVER.”

I turn and stomp my way over to Rowan, who was snagged by Jared the moment we walked through the door. “Who’d he sleep with, Jare? And don’t you dare lie to me.”

Jared’s eyes get big and he nervously glances over my shoulder. “Don’t know what you’re talking about, Myrah.”

Fucking liars. All of them. They’d lie under oath before they break their stupid bro code. God, men are so infuriating. All of them except for Knox. Knox would never lie to me. Ever.

Rowan steps up to Jared, running her fingers down the front of his pants, giving his dick a squeeze through the material. “If you tell her who Zig fucked, I’ll fuck this cock so good, Jared.”

I bite back my smile. My wing-girl’s got my back.

“Aw, shit,” Jared groans, closing his eyes as he enjoys my friend’s touch. He opens them and looks back over my shoulder, then back down at Rowan. “Fuck. I’ve wanted you for so long, girl.”

“Then give up the names, Jare, and I’m all yours,” Rowan purrs, giving him a solid stroking, licking her lips like she’s dying for a taste. I know she’s bluffing, but the girl puts on a damn good front and Jared is believing every word. “Fuck, man, I’m sorry. He slept with Anna and Emily.”

Anna Wilks and Emily Banner? My brother’s Anna and her best friend? What in the ever-loving fuck? Anna claimed she couldn’t be with a criminal. That being with a guy with a record would ruin her reputation. But it looks like she has a craving for bad boys after all. Man, she’s truly a bitch. And Zig is a lying asshole.

“Put your hands where I can see them!”

The roar comes from behind us and both Rowan and I turn toward the front door. There’s a police officer standing in the doorway, looking pissed as hell. Oh my God. It’s him. The guy from the other night. The one Rowan waited on. Holy shit. She didn’t tell me her mom is dating a cop.

I glance toward Rowan who’s looking like a deer caught in headlights.

“What’s the problem, Officer?” Jared steps around us.

The cop clenches his teeth, looking as though he’s about to blow a gasket. “We got a noise complaint. But I’m not too concerned about that. What I’m more concerned with is the fact that you’re serving alcohol to minors.”

Jared shakes his head. “Everyone drinking is legal.”

“Really?” the officer narrows his eyes further. “Because I know for a fact that girl behind you is eighteen.”

Rowan steps around Jared. Her shoulders as stiff as her chin. “I haven’t been drinking. You can test me if you want. But I haven’t had a single sip of alcohol.” I’m almost shocked my friend is talking back to a cop, especially when she knows what can happen. Not only does she know what happened to Knox, but she’s been dealing with the creeper cop who’s stalking her.

Her mom’s boyfriend steps forward, looking like he wants to drag her out of here by her ear and ground her to her room for a year. Rowan was right. He’s already trying to act like her stepfather. Could he really be that serious over her mom? She’s such a wretch.

When he reaches out, gripping onto Rowan’s red hair and tugging her closer, I almost rush to my friend’s defense. I won’t let him hurt her. But when his mouth goes crashing down on hers, I’m frozen in place. And as the kiss turns from an angry torrent to a heated frenzy, my shock shoots through the roof.

I expect Rowan to snap out of her stunned shock and push him away, but she doesn’t. She grips onto his shirt and kisses him back, practically trying to climb his body. When a moan slips from her mouth, he pulls back. “I’m taking you home,” he states, and all of a sudden Rowan’s shoulders stiffen.

“I’m not leaving my friend. We came together.” She turns and looks at me, her eyes dark and wild. I think she’s just now processing what happened.

Ryker follows her stare, meeting my eyes, then something behind me catches his attention. The seething look now burning in his glare has me curious as to who he’s looking at. Once he speaks, I have my answer.

“Thought you were locked up for selling drugs to young kids, Zigmond. Didn’t realize you’d been let out already.”

Selling drugs to kids? That’s what he was in for? Oh my God. I can’t believe I fell for the lie again. Knox has always said I’m too trusting, and clearly he’s right. Now, I’m even more thankful I didn’t get into bed with Zig.

“Got out on good behavior,” Zig answers, sounding way too cocky. He’s not even denying the charge. Even more horrific to that truth is the fact that he was guilty of the crime and got out, and my brother who is innocent and has been on the best behavior has had to do six years of hard time and has another nine to go.

Three months? He sells drugs to kids and only gets three months. What the hell is wrong with the system?

“Yeah, well, don’t get too comfortable, Zigmond. I’ve got no tolerance for dealers. Let alone ones who try to harm kids. And I promise that your time will come. I’m watching you.”

His threat has the hairs on my arms raising. For once, I actually think I’m standing before a good cop. One who actually believes in the law and justice.

He turns his attention back to Rowan. “Party is over so you and your friend are coming with me.” He looks over at Jared. “Better clear this place out or I’m going to have to make an arrest.”

Rowan ignores his remark. “You ready to go, Myr?” She gives me a look then turns and storms right past the brooding officer and out the front door. Again, I’m absolutely stunned. I think there’s something brewing between her and her mom’s boyfriend. A man who’s old enough to be her dad .

I follow her out, not bothering to glance back at the lying low-life drug pusher behind me. I actually think he and Anna would be perfect for each other. They should seriously revisit that, and then I can laugh my ass off when her “baby daddy” gets hauled off for a life-sentence.

I get outside, and Rowan’s heading straight for my car while Ryker is hot on her heels. I’m not sure if I should stay back and watch this play out or go to my friend’s aid. She stops by my passenger side door, and looks back. “Can you unlock it, Myr?”

I’m about to click my key fob when Officer Ryker pins me with a stare. “Don’t. Or her stubborn ass will be in trouble.” My thumb hovers over the button as my nerves lodge in my throat. I don’t know what to do.

“Rowan, you and I need to have a chat.” His locked jaw turns in her direction. “We’ll see that your friend gets home safe and then I’ll take you back.”

My thumb presses down, unlocking my car for her, letting her decide for herself what she wants to do. But she doesn’t climb inside, opting to turn and cross her arms, confronting him once again. “I’m sorry, Officer. If you want me to go with you, you’re going to have to arrest me. Because I’m not going anywhere with the man who’s fucking my mom. Sorry, but you’re not my daddy.”

Holy shit. I can’t believe she just said that. Is she crazy?

Ryker stalks over to her. The look on his face sending a chill up my spine. “Fine. Have it your way.” He reaches for her arm, turning her to face my vehicle, pinning her against it, and then… he locks the handcuffs around her wrists and starts leading her toward his cruiser. My mind jumps into fight mode and I rush toward them.

“She didn’t do anything, Officer. Please don’t arrest her. She’s just upset and nervous.”

Rowan turns, shaking her head, looking way too calm for what’s happening right now. “I’m not nervous, Myr. I’m pissed. But only because daddy dearest thinks he can call the shots. Just text me when you get home so I know you’re safe. I’ll be fine.”

She leans in to give me a hug, whispering not so quietly into my ear. “He’s not going to hurt me. But what he wants, he can’t have.”

So that’s what this is about? A battle of wills. He wants her, but she’s not giving in. I’m not even sure what to think about that. I thought he was all into her mother. But after witnessing that kiss, who the hell knows. It’s more than obvious Rowan’s attracted to him, but she’s fighting it tooth and nail. And for good freaking reason.

He tucks her into the back of his car, and turns in my direction, looking even more tense. “We’re going to make sure you get home safe.”

I know not to question an officer, so I gulp down the million questions on the tip of my tongue and rush over to my car, watching them in my rearview mirror the entire way back to my house. Wishing I were a fly inside that cruiser.

As soon as I get inside my house, I send Rowan a voice memo, telling her to call me as soon as she’s free to talk. Then I send Knox a text.

Me: Oh my God. You’re never going to believe what happened tonight. Too much and too crazy to text so call me when you can.

I actually want to hear his voice and see his reaction when I tell him what went down tonight. I’m sure he’s going to be just as shocked as I was. But considering it’s one in the morning, I’m guessing I’m going to have to wait until tomorrow to share the scoop.