Page 61 of Purgatory (Devil Dogs of the Apocalypse #1)
Alessandra
Later that afternoon, I wake up deliciously sore in all the right places, as well as some new, and stretch my arms over my head. The plush blankets making up Hawk’s bed wrap around my body and create a cocoon of warmth, safety and relaxation. I’m tempted to stay in bed all day long.
Prior to the guys finding me, it was months before I could truly relax. Now I find that, not only am I the most relaxed I think I have ever been but also the happiest.
I take my time, arching my back here and there, knocking out the kinks that seemed to have developed from our romp and notice something off.
I reach my arm out to my right side. Nothing.
I do the same to the left. Empty. It’s then I decide to actually open my eyes and lift myself up out of my laziness to notice no one is having a lazy day but me.
Where are the guys?
At this point I say fuck it and, begrudgingly, move my lazy butt off of the comfiest bed ever and make my way to the bathroom.
They couldn’t have gone too far. They never leave me without someone as backup.
I take my time washing up and brushing my teeth, then go out and rummage through Hawk’s clothes for something to borrow.
I settle on a super soft white hoodie with a picture of a bullet and the phrase “Just the tip, I promise” and a pair of his black boxer briefs.
On me they’re practically shorts so they’ll do.
Once I nod to my disheveled but nevertheless cute self in the mirror and throw my hair up in a messy bun, I bounce down the stairs to the kitchen.
It's on the third to last step that I hear them talking quietly.
“We should do something special for her, but I don’t know what.
Besides random music that belongs on an oldies channel, fishing, hiking, those damn marshmallows and us, I have no idea what else she’s into.
” Hawk says. I quietly, step over to the entry to the kitchen but keep myself out of view so that I can eavesdrop on their potential surprise.
“Well, we did find all of that booze when we were scouting together. Maybe have a free night. Games. Drinks. A night to forget all the bad, but one so good she’ll never forget,” Cole suggests.
Jax nods his approval. “That sounds like it would work. I can even get the fireplace going again. It's chilly enough now and you remember how much she liked roasting marshmallows last time.”
“Truth or Dare.” I say, finally making my presence known. Their heads all perking up at my voice and suggestion.
“Hey, gorgeous.” Cole says, smiling ear to ear as if my being here is the cure to any sadness burdening him.
“How’re you feeling, sweetheart?” Hawk asks with a smirk, as if he’s remembering what we just did.
Jax doesn’t say anything, rather, like a man on a mission, maneuvers his way over to where I am, pulls me into his arms and kisses me stupid. He pulls back and whispers, "You are so fucking beautiful, you know that, baby?” I smile at his mouth, loving the attention.
“Morning guys. Or should I say evening?” I scrunch my nose, waving my hands about.
I have no idea what time it is and don’t really care at the moment when they’re all looking at me like that.
“Whatever. I’m good,” I giggle out. Jax maneuvers his hand to the small of my back and leads me in to the island.
I go to take my seat next to Hawk and finally notice the giant plate in front of me.
Or maybe it’s a platter. I don’t know. All I do know is, it’s massive and breathtaking and oh someone just earned brownie points. Mountains of them.
It’s beautifully captivating and I can’t seem to take my eyes off of it. How did I not smell these?
Holy cannoli! These huffin’ puffin’ red hot love muffins stole all of my available mind space! Because there is no way I would have missed these beauties.
Soft, warm, gooeyness. Double fudgy chocolatey goodness with nuts and freaking toasted marshmallows. IT’S FUCKING FOOD PORN! I snatch one and devour it in record time just so that I can go back and have another.
“So freaking GOOOOOOD!”
“Double chocolate fudgy rocky road cookies...” someone says as I pick up a third and pull the plate closer, protecting it from anyone that might think these are somehow theirs and not all mine.
It’s ok babies, I’ve got you.
I look up to see Jax staring at me and smiling at the mess I’ve made of my face in my haste to down the deliciousness. Without a word he brings his face to mine and licks the chocolate at the corner of my mouth.
“Not as sweet as you taste but not bad.” I can feel the blood rushing to my cheeks at his declaration as Cole and Hawk laugh next to us.
“So...” Jax continues. “Truth or dare?” He asks with a cocked eyebrow.
“Yea. I mean...” I shrug my shoulders and set the cookie down .
Don’t worry sweetie, I’ll be back for you in a sec...
“I’ve never played it but I was listening to your conversation and Hawk even said you guys don’t know that much about me, you know like the deep stuff, so I think it would be a good way to learn all the juicy stuff about each other and have some fun doing it.”
Cole slowly makes his way closer to us, pulling me away from Jax and into him. He lifts my chin and smiles down at me. It’s not a nice smile. It’s a holy shit I've fucked up smile.
“Just so I understand correctly... you’re saying you spied on us while we were trying to make special plans for you?” I nod. “And what if those plans were supposed to be a surprise?” Ah fudge nuggets...
He gives me the sadistic smile again, only adding a wink to the threat. “Truth or dare it is. I think we’ll have lots of fun.” Cole looks at Jax and Hawk, all of whom are wearing the same sinister faces now.
“Let the games begin...”