Runaways by Nicole Dykes
“Rae . . .” I breathe against her lips and know we need to stop, but I can’t force myself to do it.
She grins, her hand rubbing over my erection through my jeans as she straddles my thighs on my bed. “Let’s just stay here forever.”
I smile, gripping her hips and rolling her over so she’s on her back and I’m hovering over her. “The mural is pretty much done.”
“I know.” She leans up, hooking her hand behind my neck and pulling me down over her. “We have three thousand dollars now.”
I nod as I kiss her lips softly, relishing every second I have with her. Having her alone in a bedroom is something I took for granted for entirely too long. “What do you want to do now?”
Her hand slides under my t-shirt as her heels press into my ass, pushing me forward and between her legs. “I can only think of one thing.”
I groan against her mouth, grinding my aching cock against her clothed pussy, needing her so fucking badly. We’ve been here for nearly a week. Everything has been provided by the Malcolms. I haven’t had a chance to go and get condoms. So every time we’re alone, it’s been a hell of a lot of hands and oral.
I’m not complaining. But if I don’t get inside her soon, I’m going to fucking lose my mind.
“We can’t.”
Her hips move upward, grinding against me. “We could.”
“Rae . . .” She’s going to kill me.
“Okay. Okay.” She continues to move against me, pulling me closer to her as we kiss. My lips move over her delicate neck as she thrusts her hips up, still holding me in her vice-like grip with her heels, pressing me just where she needs me. Her back arches as she moans softly, “Oh God, Lawson. Right there.”
I smile, loving that she’s just as desperate for me as I am for her. “I can’t wait to be inside you again,” I whisper into her ear, making her whimper.
“I want you so badly.”
“First thing I’m doing with that cash is buying condoms.”
Her hands slide over my back, and she looks blissed-out and beautiful. I kiss the tip of her nose, wanting to make her come. Knowing I’m close to jizzing in my jeans and not caring. “Or maybe the pill. God, Lawson, I miss you coming deep inside me.”
Jesus. I’m panting now, and I can feel her body tensing beneath me, her fingers digging into my back. But it all stops with a quick rap on my door.
“Fuck.” I move off her body, and she sits up, quickly arranging her clothes.
“Jack? Are you in there, sweetie? I need to talk to you.”
I look at Rae, her face twisted in a fearful expression I don’t like. Her voice is a whisper, “Oh my God. Does she know we lied?”
I shake my head, kissing her forehead as I stand up from the bed. “No. It’s okay, Rae.” I walk toward the door, trying to steady my voice and get my cock under control. “Just one sec.”
I look back over at Rae, who’s sitting on the edge of my bed, brushing her hair with her fingers. She looks slightly wrecked. Fuck.
I open the door only slightly. “Hi. What’s up?”
Loraine eyes me suspiciously but doesn’t seem upset. “Can we talk for a minute, sweetie?”
I nod my head, but move out into the hall, not wanting to bring any attention to Rae being in my room. “Yeah, sure. I’m hungry though. Do you mind if I make a sandwich?”
She smiles happily as we head down the hall. “Not at all. I have to feed that artistic brain of yours.”
I laugh at that, and we walk into the kitchen where she makes me a sandwich despite my protests that I can do it myself. I wonder if Rae is freaking out. Honestly, I know she is. “So, um, what’s up?”
She places a plate in front of me. “I know that your masterpiece is almost done.”
I scratch the scruff on my face, noting I need to shave. “Yeah. We know it’s almost time to leave.”
She waves me off, grabbing a mug of tea and sitting next to me at the counter bar in her kitchen. “Oh, that’s not what this is about. I don’t want you guys to leave. It’s been great having you here.”
I take a bite of my sandwich, trying to figure this woman out. “Okay . . .”
She smiles, shaking her head at me like I’m a child, but it’s kind. “I want you to do another mural in my bedroom, but then, I think I may have another job lined up for you.”
I’m listening now. More money. More security. More of a chance to give Rae a good life. One she deserves. “What kind of job?”
“I have a friend in the Ozarks.” She looks sad now as she cups the mug with both of her hands, looking at the liquid and then looking back up at me. “I did. My friend, she passed away recently. But her kids are still there.”
I have no idea where this is going, so I just quietly chew my food and listen.
“Anyway, they have a resort there. It’s beautiful and on the lake. They’re trying to keep it going and need trustworthy staff members.”
“Staff?”
She nods, smiling. “I told Rose this already, but I believe that everyone comes into your life for a reason. They need staff. And I suspect you three could use a steady job. The pay may not be spectacular, but it’s free lodging.”
I stare at her, my hands almost shaking with excitement. Free lodging? A roof over our heads for free? And some cash in our pockets? “They would hire us?”
She nods her head, placing a hand over mine. “I’ll miss you kids, but I think this is a great opportunity. And who knows? Maybe you could sell your art there, sweetie. It’s an excellent tourist town. I have no doubt the guests will love your art.”
“Why are you being so good to us?” The question escapes before I can stop it, but it’s something I’ve wanted to ask her, really ask her and get an answer.
“There are good people in this world, kiddo. I didn’t think there were any left until I met Andrew. He reminded me of that, and now, it’s my mission to make sure I pass that along.”
I can’t argue with that logic. I’ve met plenty of shitty people, but it’s been balanced out by the good ones. “Thank you.”
She stands and pulls me into a hug, one I actually accept. “But first, the bedroom mural.”
I laugh at that and finish my sandwich as we talk about the details of that project before I sneak back up to my room with Rae. I close and lock the door behind me when I see Rae is still on my bed.
“What’s wrong?”
I sit next to her and cup her face in my hands. “You were right. Things are changing. We’re going to be okay, Rae.”
Her eyes widen before I kiss her, trying like hell to fight my doubts.
Because things aren’t perfect. Everything can still go wrong, but for once in my life, I’m leaning into it and holding out hope for the good.
