Chapter 9
Clara
2 months later
“ Clara, you are a godsend. I told you that you didn’t have to come in today. I know it might’ve been a tough morning.” Debbie smiles, crossing her arms before leaning against the counter.
“Therapy wasn’t as bad as it usually is. We paused this week to focus on the present. Plus, you deserve a vacation more than anyone.” I grin at her before turning back to stock behind the counter.
The new girl I’ve been training all week is doing great. Now that I have keyholder responsibilities, I’ve been opening and closing for Debbie, so she can relax without any worries about her business.
Debbie and I work together to close for the night, and soon Burke’s slate grey Lexus pulls into the parking lot. He doesn’t get out, and I know he understands I need to soak up all the time I can with Debbie. We’ve built a great relationship, and she’s become more than just my boss.
“He’s a lucky guy. You always think you’re the one who is, but Clara, you are the best catch he could have found.”
My cheeks heat. I covered this topic in therapy, but I still find it hard to believe anyone. I’ve finally almost come to terms with the fact that I couldn’t control anything that happened to me when I was a child, and although I could have left Ryan, it also was a tough situation, especially with my history. “Yeah,” I say quietly.
Closing up the box of jams, I shift it back to where it belongs and take off my blue apron. “I’m going to miss you.” The admission is a big step for me. Being vulnerable isn’t something I’m comfortable exposing yet. As if you can show your heart and let people break the valves inside.
“I’ll be back before you know it, with presents,” Debbie says and quickly envelops me in a hug. “When I return, we should check into the new girl.”
“What do you mean?” I retreat, gazing into her blue eyes.
“Bailey is in some sort of situation. I just don’t know how deep it runs, or if she wants our help. You know you can’t help someone if they don’t want it.”
The last couple of weeks pass through my mind, and I think of the signs I’ve missed or brushed off. I freeze in place, my throat dries as the tears threaten to well up. I should have been more vigilant. Having lived through so much, the signs usually would hit me in the face.
“Clara, you aren’t to blame, and you won’t take this on alone. We have a wonderful support system here. You are healing and really, she’s very good at hiding that anything is wrong.” I lower my shoulders but mentally kick myself. I understand what it’s like to be trapped in a situation you feel you can’t control.
“We’ll work together when you get back,” I whisper.
Letting her go and exhaling a deep breath. Together, we lock up and exit through the backdoor to set the alarm and take out the trash. Once Debbie has made it to her truck, I turn to walk to the car and Burke is striding toward me.
“Have a wonderful vacation. Make sure you call if you have any troubles,” he says to Debbie. Nodding her a goodbye, he links his fingers with mine.
Walking to the car, he opens my door, then circles around to the driver’s side. “Alright, want to drive?”
“Nah, I’ll focus on my license when she gets back.” I look out the window, and Burke grips my chin to turn me to him.
“Hungry?”
“No, we had dinner together tonight. How was work?”
“It was good. What’s wrong, Dragonfly?” He strokes my face.
“I missed signs. Debbie told me the new girl might be in a situation. I should have picked up quickly, and now I feel dumb.” I try to turn my head away from him, but he doesn’t loosen his grip.
“Clara, you know you can’t save everyone. But let me check into it before you go in swinging, alright? We’ll take care of this like we do. Let’s get you home.”
On the drive, his hand doesn’t leave my thigh, and I revel in the comfort. Knowing I have people in my corner makes all the difference in the world. Not enough time has passed to undo the damage from the past, and I’m not sure it ever will, but the support has been appreciated in a way that they’ll never know.
“Date night this week? We can do a lunch or breakfast since you’ve taken on Debbie’s shifts, but I think it’s needed.” I smile and wrap my fingers around his hand.
“Of course, you spoil me too much.”
Burke’s deep laughter fills the car. “I’ve held back. I could lavish you with material things, but that isn’t your style. Physical touch and quality time are the things you crave, and I’ll provide whatever you need.”
“Wanna show me how much you can spoil me, then?”
He parks the car in the garage and turns it off before leaning over the console. Burke kisses me passionately, butterflies or nerves zip through my body, and I ache for his touch.
“I’ll never deny you.” His gruff voice makes my core clench. It’s been a few days since our schedules allowed time together, and I’ve missed it.
Burke wastes no time in circling the car and opening my door. He bends to sweep me off my feet, but I move out of his reach. “I have legs!”
“Keep it up, Clara, because I know exactly what buttons to push to have you begging.”
I can’t help but hide my grin and skirt past him to walk into the house. He is hot on my heels as I run up the stairs to the bedroom.
Before I can strip my clothes off to get in the shower, Burke grips the back of my sweater and pulls me to him. I melt against his chest as his fingers move to remove my outfit.
Trying to turn is futile. He will never control anything outside the bedroom, but when we play, he always makes me feel the safest, even if he calls all the shots.
“That’s my girl,” he growls into my neck.
Burke wraps his hand around my throat and leads me to the bed. I become a puddle of need under his icy blue stare. When the mattress hits the back of my legs, I fall back, and he shucks his clothes off.
He grips my sides, lifting me and scooting me back before he lowers between my legs, propping them up over his shoulders.
“Already wet, my favourite.” His breath traces over my clit, and I clench around nothing.
“Please,” I beg.
Burke doesn’t pay attention to me as he runs his fingers through my wetness and teases me while ignoring my clit. His digits slide into me, curling against the spot inside that makes my hips thrust. The teasing drives me insane, and my body feels like it’s on fire under the skin. I need him more than anything.
When his tongue slips over my clit, it’s everything, and I tremble under him. I arch, and he continues to lick me as his fingers fuck me. The edge of my orgasm is just out of reach, and he soon pulls away.
“Roll over.” I do as he says. “You listen so well,” he growls.
His hands open me before he thrusts into me. Burke slips his fingers under us to play with my clit. I’m so fucking close, and as he slams into me, I explode. Pleasure courses through my body, and as I try to move away from him, he grips my hair. “Don’t run from me.”
Burke’s rough voice makes my body tingle, and as he continues to thrust into me and play with my clit, I shake under him as another orgasm rips through me. It’s too much, but the closeness of his breath on my neck, and the growls that fill the room are everything I need.
“Use your words.”
“Please, make me come all over your cock again.”
He slows but doesn’t stop. His dick throbs inside of me, and his fingers rub over my clit until I’m milking his cock for the final time. I scream out, our guttural moans mixing in a symphony only made for us.
Burke pulls out, and I turn over. He kneels on the bed and jerks his cock, staring down into my eyes. I open my mouth, and he groans.
“I love when you look at me like this. See how hard I am for you? How much you are going to make me come?”
He fills my mouth, and I swallow while maintaining eye contact. He kneels forward, kissing me before wrapping himself around my body.
“I love you,” I whisper.
“Forever, Dragonfly.”
He’s the person I’ve been searching for, the man who will help me clean up any mess I make, who never judges when I need to end a life. Burke is the home I’ve spent my entire life trying to find.
Marla York is the much darker alter ego of Tanya Lynn. She wanted to explore stories that don't have to end with a happy ever after, and have a pen name just to release the darkness from her mind. Stay Wicked.