Bonnie nodded, then looked toward Sloan. “Do you need me for anything else?”
“No,” Sloan replied, giving her a knowing look that made Bonnie want to scream.
They all knew she could have stopped this carnage from happening a long time ago, yet she hadn’t. She could have taken Orjyll out, but didn’t.
“Get me out of here,” Bonnie said, looking away from the stares directed at her.
“You got her?” Raven said as they passed. “I’m going to stay here and help out.”
“Yeah,” Bishop answered as he quickly led her outside and to his bike.
Bonnie felt like she was on autopilot, her mind replaying the horror in the basement of that normal-looking house. Hate and rage filled her more than ever before. She didn’t even realize when they started to move, but somehow, she had wrapped her arms around Bishop, her head leaning against his back as the scenery passed by in a blur.
“I could have prevented it,” she whispered, then closed her eyes in disgust. Disgust at the man whose blood ran through her veins, at herself, and her self-loathing began to consume her.
Before she knew it, they were at Bishop’s place, getting off the bike and walking into the house. She moved one foot in front of the other until she slowed and stopped completely. Suddenly it all became too much. Her body shook as if she couldn’t keep her emotions under control, and the anger, absolute rage, fear, and disgust were going to explode. Panic overwhelmed her suddenly. Squeezing her eyes shut and fisting her hands, she opened her mouth and screamed, unleashing her fury.
She felt Bishop wrap her up into his large, strong arms. Not restraining her at all, but instead, giving her a sturdiness in which to let go of everything. Years and years of mental anguish poured out of her. Still in a somewhat sane frame of mind, she heard glass shatter and knew she needed to control her magic. She couldn’t lose herself enough to let her power go on a rampage. No, that would be saved for later. Not today, but soon. Very soon.
As quickly as her scream came, it stopped. In his arms, her shaking quieted. She had never lost control like this, ever, and wondered why now. Deep inside she knew. Never had she had support before—someone on her side. It had always been her and her alone. For the first time in her life, she could let go, and it would be okay. Now the tears came, hard and fast. Sobs of pain racked her body. No rage, only pain. It was as if her emotions were taking over and deciding when to release and how. It was odd, but it was time. Past time.
Bishop didn’t say a word as he held her. His large hands rubbed her back, allowing whatever she needed. Finally the tears slowed, the sobs subsided, and her emotions, while still there, were not as raw.
“What did I break?” A sniff followed her whispered words.
“A few windows,” Bishop said, his mouth pressed to the top of her head. “No worries. I know a witch who can fix them with a wave of her hand.”
Bonnie did just that, without even looking. She pulled away from his chest and rubbed her eyes. “Sorry about that,” she said, before realizing she wasn’t really sorry. “Actually, I’m not. Thank you for allowing me to… lose my shit.”
Bishop gently smoothed a strand of hair behind her ear. “Bonnie, we all need to lose our shit. And I’m glad you retracted that apology because I wasn’t going to accept it. Everyone needs someone to vent to. Viktor has always been that person for me. I usually punch him in the face, but we all vent differently. I’m honored to be that person for you.”
“So I could punch you in the face and it be like a freebie?” Bonnie said with a grin, but it quickly crumbled into a sob as her thoughts went back to the basement. How could she even smile or joke? “Goddess, if I would have taken him out when I had a chance, those people would—”
“Don’t even think of blaming yourself for that.” Bishop’s voice hardened slightly.
“How can I not?” She looked up at him, her eyes full of tears and anger. “Do you know how many times I could have but didn’t? I was so close to the bastard, and I didn’t even try.” She looked away from him, but he stopped her.
“Look at me, Bonnie.” Bishop’s eyes searched hers. “You were on your own. Now you aren’t alone. You have many behind you, and we will get the bastard. Together. We are going to do this together. You’re a smart woman. If you really believed at any time you could have killed Orjyll, you would have. I believe that with no doubts.”
Biting her lip, she nodded, then shook her head. “Those people.” A tear slid down her cheek. “They died because they didn’t suit his purpose, didn’t they?”
Bishop said what she already knew, “Yes.”
“How can someone be so evil?” Bonnie asked, not really expecting an answer. Instead, she felt she needed to toss out the thoughts that terrified her the most. “His blood runs through my veins.”
“You are nothing like him. Do you hear me? Nothing!” Bishop took her face in his hands, forcing her to look at him. “You also have your mother’s blood in your veins, and that is much more powerful. Never forget that. Emilia was a beautiful soul, and so are you.”
Bonnie nodded, praying he was right. It was a fear of hers. She actually had a mean streak, and definitely wasn’t what you would consider sweet, but so far, the evilness she had seen over the years with her father had never come out of her. But once she came face-to-face with Orjyll, that evilness that was a part of her was going to have to come out, and it terrified her.
“Promise me something,” Bonnie said quickly, her eyes widening.
“What?” Bishop asked, not promising anything.
“Don’t let me hurt any of us.” Bonnie thought about the tornado from earlier. “This has to happen soon. I did practice, but my mother’s powers, well, let’s just say I can understand Kira’s anxiety while she possessed them. It could take years to learn to control. We don’t have years.”
“I promise.” He leaned down to kiss her but stopped before he made contact. “I want to kiss you, but I’m sure I still have blood all over my face.”
Bonnie leaned up and kissed him instead. “You don’t, and if you did, it’s your blood.” His promise meant more to her than he could even know. She trusted him to pull her back if she lost control. He was a witch hunter and would probably know before she even realized it.
He tugged her into his arms and held her close. “Now you promise me something.”
“Anything.” She surprised herself at her own answer and how quick she was to promise him something when she didn’t even know what it was. “Within reason,” she added.
He chuckled, then looked down at her, turning serious. “You don’t do this alone. If I’m not around and something happens, you wait for me. We do this together.”
Wow, this was a hard one. Could she promise him this? Did she even want to? Doing a quick soul search, she admitted she needed him by her side. Actually, she wanted him by her side. This was a first for her, and it felt good. “I promise.”
He gave her a narrowed look. “That was a long hesitation.”
“I didn’t want to lie to you, so I had to think about that one for a minute.” She followed with a smile.
“You look tired.” He searched her face. “I’m going to go shower, get this blood off me. Then if you’re hungry, I’ll fix us something to eat. You okay?”
“Yeah.” She nodded, her lips curving upward as he kissed her on the forehead before he turned around.
“I’ll be right back.”
Standing there, she felt suddenly lost. What in the actual hell? Shaking her head, she made her way to the couch and sat down. Glancing down, she saw herself wringing her hands together, then pulled them apart and stood up. She paced around for a second and figured out what the problem was. She didn’t want to be alone. Not now. Tomorrow it may be different, and she’d want her space like she usually did. But right now, she needed him. At least to be close to him. She didn’t want to remember what she had seen in that basement, and it seemed he was the only thing in her life that could make her f
orget.
Rushing toward where he’d disappeared, Bonnie stopped at the bedroom door. When she heard the shower, she slowly walked toward the bathroom, shedding her clothes as she went. She didn’t even second-guess herself. Was it an abrupt decision? Definitely. Did she care? Definitely not.
Stopping before the shower, she saw him through the glass. Bishop stared straight at her. His eyes roamed up and down her body as he opened the door. He held out his hand, and she took the last few steps needed. As she moved to underneath the warm water and into his arms, she knew this was exactly where she belonged.
Chapter 30
Bishop let the hot water wash the blood away. Eyes closed, he took this minute to calm himself. Seeing Bonnie in so much pain totally did him in. It was hard to watch, but all he could do was be there for her. If he could take her pain and rage away, he would with no questions asked.
Wanting nothing more than to swoop her up in his arms and carry her inside the shower with him, Bishop knew that would be selfish. As much as he wanted it, it wasn’t the time. So instead of doing what he wanted, he left her to get her thoughts together. Maybe that was the right move. Maybe it wasn’t. It was hard to tell with Bonnie. She was so independent, which he didn’t understand, but respected.
With a sigh, he went to grab some shampoo when he heard the door open. Slowly, he turned only his head to see her standing in the doorway through the glass panel of the shower, her beautiful body bare. She looked lost but determined. She wanted him, needed him as much as he needed her. The knowledge hit him hard, filling him with a longing to be the best man he could for her.
Opening the door, he reached out his hand, giving her the opportunity to change her mind. Thank fuck she didn’t. There wasn’t even a hesitation as she walked forward, taking his hand and stepping inside the cubicle with him. He couldn’t even express how that made him feel. She came to him, and he fucking soared. Holy shit, he was losing his mind.
The water glistened off her body as it beaded against her skin. She was beautiful in all ways. He reached out to touch her face, but she stopped him as she reached for the soap. Lathering her hands, she put the soap back, then massaged the suds into his chest, shoulders, and arms. Her soft hands roamed up his neck, to his face as she caressed his features, her eyes following her hands. Her fingers played with the area he had been hit, her gaze quickly going to his as if making sure she wasn’t causing him any pain. The pain thrumming through him was further south than his forehead. He throbbed painfully with need, but he continued to let her have her way. Shit, he was more than happy to let her have her way.
She glanced down between them, and he could tell a grin formed across her lips. Her hands followed her gaze as she cupped him, then began to explore in earnest. Bishop gritted his teeth, his head falling back as his eyes closed. One hand went against the glass, and the other stayed fisted to his side. It took every ounce of self-control not to turn her around, bend her over, and slide into her body.
“Make me forget, Bishop.” Her whispered words opened his eyes as his head snapped down to stare at her. “Only you can make me forget, even if for a short time.”
He didn’t need to be asked twice. Clasping the back of her head, he brought their mouths together in a kiss so hot his toes fucking curled. His free hand ran all over her body, loving the slick feel of water on her skin. Her breasts pressed against his chest, sliding all around the slickness of the soap and water. It was almost more than he could take without losing his shit. Her fingers tightened against his cock as she continued to play with him. He lifted her leg to rest on his hip as his fingers found her core. Bishop pumped one finger, then two inside her, and she was more than ready for him, but he wanted this to last. He didn’t know if he could last, but he was going to try, dammit. Pulling their mouths apart, he picked her up high enough that her tits were face level. He began with one, sucking her puckered nipple and biting before moving to the other. He couldn’t get enough of her. Bonnie’s cries and moans had his cock so hard he hurt.
“Spread your legs and straddle me,” he ordered, and she did. He slowly let her slide down his chest. The feel of her pussy riding down his bare skin had him growling. “Let me know if I hurt you. This may get a little…”
“Out of control,” she finished when he couldn’t seem to find the right words. “Good.”
Her words had him sinking her onto his cock. Her body swallowed him so tightly he had to fucking control himself so as not to end this before it even started. His jaw tightened, his eyes narrowing as he kept himself deep inside her, not letting her move. Not yet.
“You look so angry.” She touched his mouth with her thumb, running it along his bottom lip. “You should really smile more.”
“Not angry,” he replied, his teeth clenched. “Just trying to get control so I don’t hurt you.” Or embarrass himself, he added, but not out loud.
“You won’t hurt me.” She tried to move, but his hands wouldn’t allow it. So she wiggled, making him moan and growl at the same time. “Come on, Bishop. Let loose.”
He cocked his eyebrow at her, then gave her a wicked grin. “Let loose?” He carefully plastered her back against the glass and hoped to fuck it would hold.
“Please” was her one-word response.
Bishop pulled out quickly, but slowly pushed his way back inside her just to make sure she was ready for him and that she wasn’t in pain. The look of pleasure radiating from her eyes told him she was absolutely fine. With only one purpose in mind, he began to “let loose.” As he pounded into her, she slid up and down the glass panel. Her breathing came in loud bursts. She gripped his neck so she could pull herself up and ride him. He stood with his legs braced apart, letting her have her way and damn, did she. He watched her breasts bouncing, his gaze going back to her face to see her wide-eyed and watching him.
Knowing she was close and he was way past close—though he could hold off all night just so she could have more pleasure—he took control again. Sliding her off him, he set her on her feet, then turned her around.
“Put your hands on the glass.” His voice was low and husky with his demand. When she did, he stepped back to see the beautiful sight of her displayed for his eyes. Damn, how many times had he pictured this in his mind, in this shower… fuck, any shower? Many fucking times. She glanced back at him from over her shoulder, and he cursed at the “come fuck me” look in her eyes. Giving himself a few strokes, he moved behind her and eased himself inside her tight heat. Grabbing her hips, he didn’t start out gentle. Not this time. She was ready for him.
“You are fucking beautiful,” he said as he continued to pump into her. One hand remained on her hip as the other ran along the smoothness of her spine, then dipped around to feel the fullness of her breast. He pinched her nipple, making her moan. He wasn’t much of a talker during sex, never had been, but the picture of her accepting him in this manner sent the words right out of his mouth. Yeah, he was definitely not a talker but a doer, and he was fine with that as were the women he’d had in his lifetime.
Right now, only one woman mattered to him, and if she wanted him to recite a fucking poem, he’d be pussy enough to do it just to be inside her. Jesus, he was most definitely under her spell, pun totally intended, and he’d never felt more content.
Bonnie didn’t respond other than the moans, sighs, and cries of pleasure. Again he was fine with that. When she whimpered and began to push back against him to meet his thrusts, he knew she was at the edge. As was he. His large rough hand slid from her breast and along the smooth side of her stomach, where he found the part of her core that would send her over that edge. With a second of hesitation—because he didn’t want this to end—he realized that this was actually the beginning. Whenever he could have her in his bed, shower, kitchen, yard, wherever in the fuck he could, he would have her.
Working his fingers, he thrust in and out, his eyes roaming the glass to make sure it was holding, and smiled as she screamed out in pleasure. This scream—compared
to her earlier scream—was the only scream he ever wanted to hear from her. With a few last thrusts, he also lost himself, even felt lightheaded for a moment, and had to grab for something to steady himself. Fuck, that had never happened before. Getting his shit together quickly, he pulled out, then slowly helped her straighten up as he turned her and tugged her to him.
They stood that way for a while, each lost in thoughts of their own. Her breathing regulated, though her body still shook, just like his. Eventually, she pulled away from him to stare up into his eyes. Without a doubt, he knew he loved her. He absolutely loved this woman, and even when she had used the damn aversion spell, his mind and body knew it.
“I love you, Bonnie Grail,” he said, his eyes connecting to hers. “And if you don’t love me, you will.”
* * *
Swallowing hard, Bonnie had longed to hear those words from someone… anyone. How sad was that? Day in and day out, she only lived with hatred that she projected or received. Sure, she had friendships here and there, but she’d never trusted anyone with her heart or soul. And if she loved that person, they would be given free rein to both. She tried to think of something smartass to say, but it stuck in her throat. That was new. Goddess, why wouldn’t words come? Swallowing once again, praying he didn’t hear the gulp, she frowned. “How do you know?”
Okay, that shocked him, or at least his widened eyes stated that fact. “That I love you?” He frowned with a shake of his head. “What kind of question is that?”
“A good one from where I’m standing,” she replied, then cocked her head. “Bishop, we’ve been thrown together by circumstances out of our control. You know next to nothing about me. What I like to eat, my favorite color, if I snore, what my favorite movie is, or who I would ask my guy to give me a pass on if I met them.”
Bishop listened intently to her without saying a word until that last part. “Pass on what?”
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