MAY 2017

"You gonna get that?" The unassuming tone wasn't enough to draw her attention to the nagging whine of phone vibrations, but the pools of blue that beckoned and directed her gaze towards the windowsill was.

Naked, protruding shoulder bones rose then fell in a noncommittal shrug.

"Then I will." He rolled over, thick bicep and upper body reaching across hers. "I can't properly enjoy a mouthful of pussy with that thing cheering me on." He handed Brielle the iPhone with a smirk, a kiss against her lips shortly thereafter. Satisfaction sat smug on her lips at te lingering taste of her own sweet tang that clung to his mouth, though she had lost count of the number of times he had made her come by now.

Absently, she thumbed on the power button while languid fingertip pads caressed her upper thighs. Ten missed calls from Braysin, Cari, and various other phone numbers. "The fuck?" Words mumbled, concerned brows pulled together as she wedged the phone between shoulder and neck before mounting him, lips pulled upward into a half grin, covetous and dripping with lust.

"Jesus fucking Christ, Bri. I've been trying to get you for over a fucking hour. I checked the law office, the studio, I even fucking called Sawyer. Where are you?" An impatient eye roll had her holding the phone inches from her head as he droned on. She knew better than to stop him when he got like this.

Situated on his upper thighs, she leaned forward to pepper gentle kisses and nipped bites across his chest and down his torso before deciding it was safe to bring the phone to her ear. The gentle graze of fingertips up her sides had her skin raised into thousands of goosebumps that crept up slender arms and down her spine.

"You need to get your ass over to NY Pres right fucking now. Mom's there. Cari and I are on our way."

Her impassivity quickly turned to alarm as brown eyes grew wide with concern. Body jolted upright, she dismounted herself from sprouting cock that beckoned from between thighs. She ignored the wince of tight and aching muscles that taunted and told of 24 hours well spent. Her feet found the ground, Initially unsteady, while frantic gaze scoured his bedroom in search of her clothing. Bare ass on the edge of the bed, she pulled legs through ripped black stockings that had been peeled off by eager teeth and hands.

"Cops called me early this morning. Ma accidentally broke into a neighbor's place thinking it was ours and started going apeshit when things weren't where they were supposed to be. You know how she gets with that shit. Lady that lived there chased her out onto the street and cops say she got hit by a car."

Hand cupped over mouth, Brielle froze. A sharp gasp inhaled as the sting of fresh tears assaulted her eyes. "You're lying."

The accusation was laced with a panic she didn't recognize in herself. Blood rushed to her head as she pictured Christine's fragile features bloodied and distorted as she lay in the street and, now, a hospital bed.

"I'm on my way." While her words were determined, shaky voice betrayed the courage she couldn’t be bothered to attempt to muster. "I'll get an Uber and be there as soon as I can, okay?" Thumb tapped against the End Call button, teeth sunk hard into tongue as she bit back the sting of fresh tears.

"What do you mean an Uber? I'll take you."

She half acknowledge the offer with a distracted brow raise tossed his way.

"I need a shirt."

He sifted through an abundance of neatly folded flannels and retrieved one that was long enough to keep her appropriately covered. While he dressed himself she slipped hurried feet into worn in combat boots before gathering her belongings, stuffing phone into her purse. Anything else she'd retrieve later, when she was more clear headed.

In his truck, her gaze was focused straight ahead as he plowed through traffic. Impatient fingers drummed anxiously against the console en route to the hospital. He rested a proffered and patient hand atop hers. Instead of jerking her hand away, she curled fingers around his and held back a fresh wave of tears as he pulled up to the emergency room entrance.

"Let me walk you inside. Make sure you get to her room."

"I'll call you later, okay?"

He nodded. Thumb and index finger framed her jawline and he pressed a knowing kiss to her lips before she exited the vehicle.