Grit (Dirty #6) Read Free

take another gulp of coffee, cringing at the bitter taste but enjoying the heat.
    “My guess,” he goes on as if I didn’t reply, “is he saw the same article in the paper as the other guys and took off. Or maybe Carter Bates got to him too. He’s not saying much right now.”
    I choose to keep my mouth shut. This cup of coffee definitely has its use.
    Byers pats my good arm, letting his hand rest there a beat longer than necessary. I look up at him and he gives me a small nod. “I’ll keep you updated.” He tips his head at the door. “Go see your girl. Four doors down.”
    I don’t hesitate. I drop my empty cup into the trash and dart out the door. The only thing I can think about is seeing her. Making sure she’s okay. Touching her, just so I know she’s really here. And kissing her.
    “Hey,” Rocky says softly. She gives me a pained smile and I wince. Now that the bruises have had some time to really set in, they’re darker, standing out more prominently, especially under the bright hospital lights.
    I skim the backs of my fingers over her jawline, careful not to cause her anymore pain. She immediately does the same to me, I think needing that direct skin-to-skin contact in the same way I do.
    “You look like shit,” she states.
    “You look beautiful,” I say, pressing a kiss to the top of her head. I inhale the scent of her hair, closing my eyes as it fills my lungs.
    “You’re a liar.”
    I grin, my lips still against her. “You ready to get out of here?”
    “Absolutely. But Joe and my parents are on their way. You have time to escape, but not much, so make it quick.”
    “What if I want to stay?”
    Her dark eyes meet mine, searching. She clears her throat, taking several seconds to respond. “Then stay.”
     
     
    ***
     
     
     
    I start the shower, adjusting the water until it’s the perfect temperature. Rocky takes my hand as she steps in, and I follow. I watch her, captivated, as she tilts her head back, wetting her hair.
    My hands go to work, massaging shampoo into her long locks. She sighs happily. I’m growing fond of that sound. I lean in and brush my lips over hers, trying to elicit another one.
    Rocky doesn’t disappoint, humming contently when I finally draw back.
    “What’s going to happen now?” she asks, her eyes closed, her hands resting against my stomach.
    “Hopefully both guys plead guilty, we bypass a trial, and the judge puts them away for the rest of their lives.”
    Rocky opens her eyes, blinking water from her lashes. “What about you and me? What happens to us?”
    “I don’t know,” I say honestly. “But I want to explore it. And,” I add, “I really want to explore your body as well.”
    She laughs, her fingers sliding down my stomach to wrap around my cock. I’m already hard for her.
    “I’m good with that.”
    She begins to stroke me and I release a soft hiss through my teeth. After everything we’ve been through lately, you’d think this would be the last thing on either of our minds. But this is my serenity. These little moments with her. Her touch. Her laugh. Her .
    I make good on my word and begin exploring. My fingers glide down her body, leaving a soapy trail behind. I watch as the shower spray slowly rinses it away. I’m reminded of our first time together, when we painted one another. I washed her just like this. But that night was tainted by my need for revenge.
    It doesn’t have to be that way anymore.
    “I’m pretty sure you’ve discovered these areas already,” Rocky says, stirring me from my thoughts.
    Cocking a brow, I grip her ass, grinning as I pull her closer. Her mouth meets mine and I kiss her deeply, completely consumed. This woman. God , this woman. My little fighter. She makes me want to make some changes—reevaluate my life goals.
    Three is still my number.
    One: To strengthen my body. Make it strong. Make it a machine. Make it so that what happened before can never, ever , happen again.
    Two: To help others find