Chapter 129 CHAPTER 129
The strength it took to get out of bed this morning can move a mountain.
It was the first Sunday where I wasn't planning, working or searching for jobs.
I wanted to sleep in but I needed to get Zade into that library before Rowland gets us into trouble and I needed to do that today.
So I push myself, despite how tired I feel.
His hands pulled me closer as I went to leave the bed, whispering nothing coherent as he battled sleep and the need to have me in his hold.
Tempting but I needed to get going. If I give in to this sleep, I won't get up till midnight.
“Baby..” he mumbled and I chuckled.
“When did you get on the baby train?”
“Isn't that what you call me? Is it bad? Have you been calling me a bad name all this time?”
“Hush, you're so reactive. I call you baby because I love you and I want to take care of you and make you happy and put my boobs in your mouth.”
“Hmm, I like the sound of that. The I love you part,” he winked and I laughed.
His morning voice is to die for and now he's being seductive and sweet…
I shook my head and leapt out of bed.
“Come on, Sunshine? Just once?”
“As if you can ever stop at one. If you haven't made me scream so the entire neighbourhood can know you're good at you won't rest,” I say as I go to the closet to pick up clothes for the week.
“I didn't hear you complaining last night. In fact, you asked for more. Three times.”
“Well it's a new day and we have places to be. Up. No wait, don't come now. When I'm done bathing and downstairs, then you can go.”
“Why? Scared?”
He was lounging on the bed, naked, his hand holding his head while his elbow supported him on the bed.
A very tempting offer in his eyes. He wasn't chasing me, but damnit it was the most difficult turn around I've ever made.
“You're not winning today Satan.”
“I think my name is Zade baby, I remember you screaming it last –”
“Shush, I get it, you're pro at making me lose my shit but stay there. I mean it Zade!”
“Don't worry,” he laughed, “I'm going downstairs.”
“Better.”
Few seconds in and I'm hearing his voice again.
At the bathroom door.
“Except you've changed your mind?”
“Zade!”
Laughter boomed in the halls as he rushed downstairs.
I couldn't stop smiling as I finished my bath.
My dressing today was just as it was every day, two joggers, two hoodies and a turtleneck inside to cover my marks.
I don't really care how I look but it gives me a bit of warmth and that's all that matters.
When I got downstairs, Zade had laid out a breakfast buffet.
“Baby can we afford this?” I asked, popping a bacon in my mouth. “Damn, it tastes really good.”
“I've been watching a lot of cooking shows. And it's from Rowland’s fridge. He just keeps buying things as though his family is still with him. On instinct. I think he's rich rich.”
“Not really, he just misses them. Go and shower so we can leave.”
“Yes love,” he said, kissing my neck quickly.
We both knew if it lasted a second longer, this outing will be shifted to the next weekend.
Our connection is so hot and literally my saving grace in this mess.
We quickly prepared and I drove out.
“When are you going to teach me how to move this thing? It's easy right?”
“It's a car and no it's not easy, lives depend on you driving it correctly and follow all the rules.”
“Rules? Isn't it just to keep it moving?”
“It's not a Steed, it doesn't have a mind of its own and won't stop if another car is heading in its direction. Worse if you're going as fast as I am, one wrong move and things can go really bad.”
“O-kay. Maybe you should slow down?”
“Scared?” I chuckled, driving faster.
“Sunshine…”
“Don't worry, I won't get you killed.”
I shook my head and slowed down an inch and he breathed easier.
When I turned onto the path that's supposed to lead to the town where the library was, I nearly turned back around.
“What's wrong?” Zade noticed.
“The map says I'm in the right place but my eyes think otherwise. This is supposed to be a quaint little village not some mega city or military base.”
“Are you sure it's safe to continue?”
He's picking up on my safety precautions. Good.
But before I could turn, I saw some houses that survived whatever this was.
They were exactly the way I'd seen them the last time, bungalows with snowy roofs, a mail post at the entrance and one car parked in front.
A little paradise that's now being interrupted by capitalism.
I was irritated as I drove down the path towards the mountains that led to the library.
“Sunshine?”
“We're on the right path,” I muttered, “the library is that roof over there.”
When I stopped in front of it, it took a lot not to march over to that gate and yell at them.
A mega building was built on both sides of the library, the property sprawling all the way down to the lake at the end of the street, squishing my library in between.
I seethed as memories of the last time I was here collided with the reality, not as if either memories were pleasant anyway.
So I got out of my head and pulled the door open.
“Oh wow,” Zade said as books and tables fell, and he dragged me away from the entrance before a chair hit me.
“Thank you,” I whispered breathless
After everything had settled, I clicked the lights, they weren't working but unlike last time, my eyes were better now and I walked straight in, my mind on one thing.
“Zade,” I muttered as I looked at the empty space, “the book is gone.”
“Shit. In the wrong hands baby, it's very dangerous. Do you have any idea who would have taken it?”
I know who but the idea of seeking him out made me shake my head.
There's no way I'm seeking out Baldwin.