Chapter Twenty-Nine
MONROE
It’s new to wake up without the light streaming into my window, but I don’t mind the darkness or the man who currently has his arm wrapped around my waist. I snuggle back into his chest, breathing in the scent of flames and rain.
I hold his hand close to my heart, lifting it and kissing his bruised knuckles.
Whatever happened the other night, wherever he went, it should have terrified me, but not a single part of me wanted to run from him in that moment.
Or any moment since I’ve met him. He’s been left to find ways to cope with pain and trauma on his own, and I wasn’t about to run away and let him fight his demons alone when he has me by his side now.
I know trauma. I know death. Crew needs love, compassion, and acceptance.
Crew is multilayered, and I’m discovering new things I love about him each day we spend together.
There’s a constant tension that simmers right under his controlled exterior, like a coiled wire ready to snap at any moment.
Violence feels familiar to him, but I don’t believe it’s exciting; I think it’s all he knows. I’m determined to change that.
Crew doesn’t need saving, but he does need healing. My phone glows next to my head with an incoming text, and I’m thankful I turned it on silent. Crew and I haven’t left his room all weekend, completely consumed with each other and lost to time moving around us.
Guilt starts to creep in that I haven’t reached out to my mom, and when I see her text, my heart sinks.
Mom: Just checking in since it’s been a few days. Let us know how you’re doing. Starting to get slightly worried. Your dad on the other hand is totally losing his shit.
Me: Alive and well. More than well. No need to send out a search and rescue.
I cringe.
Me: Sorry, not a good joke.
Mom: Just wanted to hear from you. We’re trying to give you space, you’re an adult, but just us being parents, you know?
Me: I know, Mom. I love you guys for it. I promise I’m better than ever.
Mom: That’s all we want for you. Thank you for texting me back.
Me: Can I bring someone to dinner tonight?
Mom: Of course you can.
Me: I’m in love Mom. I really want you all to love him
Mom: If you love him, Roe, then we will love him, too. All that matters is your happiness and we trust your judgment.
Me: Be there at 6?
Mom: We’ll be here waiting. Maybe you should prep him. It’s a zoo over here
Me: Nah, I think a surprise will be better
Mom: You trying to make that poor man run the other way? Because we’ll surely chase him
Me: haha. Our family isn’t that bad!
Mom: We’re just intense and love hard.
Me: Exactly what he needs
I set the phone back on the end table and turn in Crew’s arms, just as he starts to slide downward under the sheets. He kisses his way over my pelvis, nuzzling his nose into my pubic hair.
“Crew, what are you doing?”
“Starting our day with my face between your thighs.” He parts me then, taking a slow lick between my lips before sucking my clit into his mouth.
My back bows as the pleasure spreads outward from my center.
I love this man’s mouth on me. He’s been insatiable the last few days and seems to be addicted to making me come on his tongue.
He pulls away way too soon, tossing the sheets off of us and scooping me into his arms. I squeal, wrapping my arm around his neck, his mouth glistening with my arousal.
“What are you doing?”
“I want to try something. Do you trust me?”
“Of course I do.” Crew carries me into the other room, grabbing the swing that hangs from the ceiling in front of the bed.
My heart swoops as he sets my ass down into the seat.
He sets each of my feet into stirrups, spreading me wide as he drops to his knees, pulling the swing forward to bring my pussy to his mouth.
His lips suction over my pussy, and I grip the straps above me to hang on. He holds me close, using the swing to rock me on his mouth while his tongue lavishes every inch of me. I clench the straps harder, and the feeling is foreign yet thrills me at the same time. It feels so . . . devious.
Crew stands in front of me, his head cocked to the side, his dark eyes crazed and lust-filled.
He pumps his big cock with his hand, squeezing the tip on every upstroke.
Then he’s grabbing the swing and pulling me forward slightly to meet him.
When he enters me, it’s a completely new sensation.
My eyes roll to the back of my head as I moan loudly.
The thick mushroom head of his cock rubs a new place deep inside me, a place that has my vision blurring with tears.
“Oh, my pixie likes that, does she?”
“Crew, I don’t know what you’re doing, but please don’t stop.”
“That’s your G-spot, pretty girl. Now hang on while I bounce this tight pussy on my dick.”
Crew does just that, and I’m barely able to think straight. I can feel every inch of his cock as he thrusts in hard and slowly drags out, his head bumping this spot deep inside of me. My orgasm builds quickly, my legs shaking uncontrollably.
“I can feel how close you are, let go and come all over my cock. I want you to milk the cum out of me,” he says, his voice deeper and restrained like his control is barely hanging on by a thread. He bounces me hard, slamming me back down on his length before swinging me back.
“Oh, god, Crew! Don’t stop! Don’t stop!”
“Fuck, pixie, you feel so damn good. Your pussy is squeezing me so tight. Fucking come!”
When I come, I come harder than ever before, a scream ripping from my body that makes my throat hoarse. My orgasm hits me with the force of a wave breaking on the shore in the middle of a storm. My entire body shakes, everything inside me pulsing and vibrating, my head swimming.
Hands run all over my body, up my legs, and over my stomach, squeezing my breasts and working their way down again. I open my eyes to see Crew looking down at me with so much love and appreciation that it makes my heart stutter in my chest.
“You took that so well. How do you feel?”
“Like I’m on a different planet. I don’t know if my legs will work after that, they’re shaking so badly.”
Crew just laughs as he slowly pulls from my body.
He’s gentle with me as he gets me out of the swing, scooping me up bridal style and carrying me to the shower.
Ever since the night he came back to me covered in blood, it’s become our thing to bathe together.
I love the connection and closeness of it, and Crew seems to find comfort in being able to safely let all his walls down.
After our shower, we reluctantly get dressed.
Not to my surprise, Crew had been stealing my panties and several dresses when he was sneaking into my house at night to have here for when he ultimately brought me home.
Once again, it’s one of those things that I can either find endearing or be completely freaked out by.
But there’s just something so innocently sweet and considerate about him that I adore so much, I let it slide and put on one of the dresses, thankful for something clean to wear in front of everyone.
“I want to bring you somewhere tonight, if you’re up for it.”
“I’ll follow you anywhere, pixie. Where’d you have in mind?”
“My parents’ house. Dinner is always a really big deal over there, and I want you to meet them all.”
Crew looks stunned, his hand running through the wet locks of his hair. Water still beads over his eyelashes as he blinks them away.
“You want me to meet your entire family?”
“Yes, silly. Of course I do. We’ve already established I’m not going anywhere, and neither are they. Will you come?”
“Monroe, are you sure? I’m the kind of man parents warn their daughters about.”
I laugh, dragging his mouth in for a kiss. “My family isn’t like that. They are the least judgmental people in the world. My grandma loved you, don’t forget that.”
“I bet if they knew the blood on my hands, and the things I’ve done to their daughter, they’d judge.”
Okay, so he’s not wrong there. “We aren’t going to talk about that. You’re good, Crew, despite what you may believe about yourself, you are good, and your heart is there.”
“My heart only beats for you.”
“Well, it’s past time it beats for you, too.”