“Get out while you can,” Ryan said. “Makes sense.”
“You’re going to leave?” Peter asked.
“Yeah, you know what? I am. When I go home this evening, I’m going to pack up. I only have what I need at Control.”
“I noticed you didn’t move out,” William said, pointing at Ryan.
“You’re cheap rent. I was able to live a good life without worry,” Ryan said, laughing. “I appreciate everything you guys have done for me. I mean it.”
“Do you think you’ll come back?” Edward asked.
“I don’t know. It’s hard to say right now.”
Edward looked past Peter’s shoulder and saw that his woman was on her own. “Excuse me.”
He left the guys alone to chat. Wrapping an arm around her waist, he pulled her close. “How is my little angel doing?”
She chuckled. “I’m doing okay. Everyone is asking how we’re getting on. I’ve not had so much attention.” She covered her cheeks. “I’m kind of embarrassed. They want to know if you still sound British in the bedroom.”
He nibbled her ear, loving the sound of her giggle. Edward loved teasing her more than anything. “You should tell them that is when it gets worse, especially when I’m eating out your pussy.”
“You’re bad, Edward.”
“You don’t even know how bad I can be.”
“I know. You won’t go that far with me.” She ran her hand up and down his back.
They hadn’t gone further than exploring. He’d not wanted to rush her, and now he knew for sure the cut on her thigh was fully healed. Today she wore a knee length dress with a cardigan that covered her arms. Even if he wanted to show her off a little, she wouldn’t have it. She had to keep most of her body covered.
Pressing a kiss to her head. “Soon,” he said.
“You know most guys would love to deflower a virgin.”
“If anyone comes near you I will fucking kill them, Isabel.”
“I didn’t mean anything.”
“I know, baby. I care about you, and I’m not going to ruin your first time by rushing like a horny teenager. We’ve got all the time in the world.” He gripped the back of her head, and pressed a kiss to her lips.
“Thank you,” she said.
“For what?”
“For not making me feel weird.”
“You’re many things, but weird is not one of them.”
“Right, and what other things would those be?” she asked. The smile on her lips filled him with so much joy and happiness. It was crazy really. There were many times over the years where he wouldn’t have given a shit if the woman he fucked smiled or not. He’d have taken what he wanted, and sure he’d have given the woman plenty. Never would he have dreamed of changing his entire world for a woman. Moving Isabel in, helping her sister out, taking her with him to Control—it all meant something to him, something deeper.
“Let’s see … you’re a brat. I’ve heard the other men talking at the club, and you have a lot of questions.”
Her cheeks heated. “You said I could ask them anything.”
“I know, and I don’t have a problem with that. I never knew you were a curious little thing.”
“I am, very curious, and I know you’re taking your time with me. I just want to be able to give you what you give me.” She reached up, touching his face. “Thank you.”
“You’ve got nothing to thank me for. Believe me, we’re going to head down to my playroom. With all those questions you’ve been asking, I expect you to know a thing or two.” And just because he couldn’t resist, he gave her ass a little squeeze.
She chuckled and leaned against him. “What were you guys talking about?”
“I think Ryan’s going to finally leave.”
“Really?”
Edward nodded. “It would seem so. He’s not interested in the town of Cape Falls. It has never really done anything for him. Peter thinks there’s a curse.”
“What kind of curse?”
“You get out while you’re young or you never will.”
“I hope Sophie is out of here.”
“Why?” Edward asked.
“She was always a free spirit, Edward. This town, it would kill her little by little. You’ve told me so many wonderful things about the world. You make me believe that it could happen here, where a town of people had to be shocked by gang rape violence to even do anything.”
“It kind of made the small town comfort a lot smaller.”
“Yeah, it really did.”
Edward looked toward Gabriel, the Sheriff who had wanted to leave town for his wife, Amy. Then he looked at the Steer brothers. Even William had talked about leaving the town so many times. There had been so many fines, so much damage, so much pain just to open a simple club. He wondered if there was another surge of hate toward Control, would his friend leave or not?