Chapter Fourteen
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Hannah
The sun warms my skinas I sip the peppermint tea Blade bought for me.I’ve got my legs tucked underneath me on the bench on his front porch.It’s calming—the quiet hum of the morning, the soft rustle of leaves in the breeze, and the scent of pine all around.It feels like I could stay here forever, in his home, in this moment.
My plan was to avoid snooping, but when it hit me that I didn’t have anything to wear, resisting became a lot harder.When I open his closet, I find a lot of T-shirts and jeans.I also find a black suit and a white, long-sleeved shirt in a dry cleaners’ bag.I guess that’s for formal occasions, but what would an MC president need a suit for?
His choice of colors for T-shirts is either white, black, or gray.I choose a black one, and it’s long enough to almost reach my knees.If I put a belt on it, it could be a dress.The fabric drapes loosely around me.It’s comfortable and makes me think of Blade.His place feels like home already.I’m waiting for Blade to return, even though he promised he’d be back by five it’s almost seven now, and I really need to get home to Grace.She’s been known to destroy things if I leave her alone for too long.
The sound of an engine rumbles in the distance, and I glance up, my heart skipping a beat when I see a truck coming into view.But it’s not Blade on his bike.It’s Prophet sitting in the driver’s seat.
I can’t hide my disappointment, but I push it down, lifting my mug to him in greeting as he climbs out of the truck.He gives me a casual wave, the same laid-back attitude he always carries.
“Blade had business at the compound,” Prophet says, his tone easy as if it’s no big deal.“Sent me to take you home.”
I nod, setting my tea on the bench’s arm.“Okay,” I murmur, but there’s a touch of disappointment in my voice that I can’t quite hide.“Would you like a cup?”
He shakes his head, his eyes glancing toward the road.“Nah, I really need to get a move on.There’s work to be done at the compound.”
I laugh at the impatience in his tone, but I get up, stretching the tension out of my back.“I can take a hint.Give me five minutes, and we can hit the road.”
“Thanks, Hannah...appreciate it.”
Walking back into the house, the quietness wraps around me, and I make my way toward the bedroom.Blade’s room feels like an extension of him—simple, lived-in, yet warm.The least I can do is make his bed, so I pull up the covers, smoothing the wrinkles out, then plump the pillows to make it look neat.My fingers brush over the sheets, the faint scent of him still lingering.I find myself smiling without meaning to and the bite mark on my shoulder throbs slightly.Pulling the T-shirt to one side, I stare at it in the mirror.It’s almost healed which is weird, but I guess he didn’t bite me as hard as I thought.
My dress lies on the floor, discarded after our night of passion.Bending, I pick it up and carry it along with my shoes into the kitchen.Turning on the faucet, I rinse out my mug, wipe my hands, and then slip into my coat.
Opening my purse, I pull out my lipstick, the shade of red always makes me feel a little bolder.I put it on then walk over to the refrigerator, lean forward, and press a soft kiss to the door.It’s my way of saying goodbye—a simple, silly gesture—but I hope Blade will like it.
Back on the porch, I slip into my shoes, holding my dress in one hand.Prophet stands there, staring up at the early morning sky.His posture is relaxed, as always, as though time means nothing to him.“Shall we hit the road?”I ask.
Prophet grins, the kind of grin that makes you wonder what’s going on in his head.“Yep.You’re over in the Bear Ridge Estate, right?”
“Sure am,” I answer, nodding.
“The house with the picket fence?”He raises an eyebrow, a teasing glint in his eyes.
“Sure is,” I reply, matching his playful tone.“I’m a sucker for the classic look.”
