18. Lena
I’m numb as I lie in the dark, Bri wrapped in my arms, in my new room in the penthouse. We’ve laid in this bed together, refusing to be apart for what must be a week. The news of Kate’s death brought us both to our knees and I haven’t been able to take a full breath since. Bri finally cried herself to sleep tonight, my own well of tears drying out a day ago.
We both figured out to stay out of the news because the fuckers who did this have twisted the story with the media reporting that she set the apartment on fire and then died by suicide. The story is so insane that it’s no surprise that people are buying it. Eating it up.
I begged Tony on my knees, nearly laid at his feet, to send the media the video, show them the truth, and let them see the evil in this town. But he just stared at me as Devin scooped me up, explained that it would do no good, and tried to console me as I lost complete control of my emotions and myself. I heard what he said: that the media is corrupt, and someone would intervene and scrub the video, but it wasn’t enough for me. Tony is good, but he is only one man in a sea of Obsidian monsters.
While my whole world is shattered, Bri has been hit harder than me. Bri and I have been friends since we were eighteen years old and were once roommates for years. When I decided to move in with Matt, she put out an ad for a roommate, and Kate came knocking .
She was there for Bri for the last five years, giving her the love that she deserves that I was too caught up in my shit to give her. They lived in that same apartment that is now nothing but ashes. Almost everything they had built, along with some of my things, are now gone.
Devin sent a crew to go through the apartment and find things that were still intact, but there was hardly anything left. There were only a few pieces of jewelry, a casserole dish, and a few pieces of clothing still in the dryer. However, they did manage to find Kate’s teddy bear, which she kept on the top shelf of her closet and only took out when she needed to cry or when we watched nostalgic movies together.
He hasn’t left Bri’s arms since they brought it to us. It still smells of fire because Bri refuses to let them wash it, swearing that it still smells like Kate’s perfume and threatening anyone who comes near it.
I keep apologizing, telling her that it’s all my fault for what happened. At one point, her crying turned to screaming, telling me to shut the fuck up. That it wasn’t my fault, that it was Matt’s and she would have her revenge on him for what he’s done to the two people she loves the most. My heart aches as I watch her curl into herself, her eyes red-rimmed, and her beautiful face shallow.
I curl myself closer to her, pressing my forehead to hers. The door clicks and soft light fills the room before someone slips in and closes it quietly. A large hand brushes my hair from my face. “Love?” Devin’s voice is soft, his warm breath curling around the shell of my ear.
I don’t answer because I don’t know what to say, and I don’t want to let Bri go. I feel the mattress dip as he slides under the duvet, pressing his hard chest to my back. His fingers brush over my arm as he presses his face into the crook of my neck. “I’m sorry,” he whispers. His voice seems to crack as the words fill the space between his lips and my skin.
He’s been doing this a lot this past week. My numb body flickers to life with the brushing of his hand across my face, tucking my hair behind my ears. Sometimes, he’s crawled into bed like now, or he’s just stood over me, brushing my hair away and tucking the duvet around me. Other times, he’s just a presence in the room.
Those times, I never look because he’s been in the chair at my back, and I don’t want him to feel guilty for waking me, so I just lie with Bri in silence until he leaves, closing the door so quietly that it’s like he wasn’t even there.
He rests his hand on my waist, his thumb making small circles on my exposed skin from where my shirt has ridden up. I close my eyes but hear the door click open again, light flooding the room before going dark. I see a figure on Bri’s side of the bed and feel the mattress dip as Tasha slides under the sheets. She brushes Bri’s hair back, kissing her softly on the cheek, before tucking herself behind her.
“Are they going to be okay?” Devin whispers, his voice filtering past me. “It’s been days, and they’ve barely moved.”
I see Tasha raise her head, looking over at him. “Not everyone goes on a killing spree when someone they love dies, you know?” Even at a whisper, her voice is sharp. I feel Devin tense behind me, his fingers twitching against my skin.
I wonder who he lost that was so important to him. The last few days, he’s been coming in here and lying with us while he thinks I’m asleep. He whispers to me about how sorry he is and promises to destroy Matt and everyone involved in this disaster. He always says he understands, but when I’m ready, we’ll turn this grief into vengeance like him.
“I was here first,” Devin finally replies, still in a whisper.
“I didn’t know it was a race,” she quips back.
I roll my eyes and shift under Devin’s arm. “Do you two mind?” I roll and look between him and Tasha. “Bri finally fell asleep and I promise if you wake her up, she will become a force like you’ve never seen.”
The room falls silent and the tension between them settles as I roll back, pulling Bri closer, and listen to her steady breathing as tears prick behind my eyes. “She’s going to be okay, right?” I ask no one in particular. “We are…were the only ones she has…had,” I correct myself, the words nearly choking me as reality comes crashing back in heavy waves.
I squeeze my eyes shut, pushing back the swell of tears, as Devin brings himself closer, his warmth enveloping me. “It’ll take some time,” Tasha answers. “And it’ll be very hard, but she has you.” She pauses. “And us.”
I feel my chest tighten, but this time, it’s as if someone has squeezed my heart at the idea of having other people on our side. Having the family we always dreamed of.
“If you guys really love me…” Bri’s voice is raspy, her words rough. She turns her head toward me and opens a swollen eye, glaring at us. “You’ll either shut the fuck up or get out.”
“We’ll leave,” I say, trying to stifle a giggle. It’s the first time in days that she sounded like herself. Devin and Tasha slide out of the bed, leaving me to lean over and give her a kiss on the cheek. “Love you, B,” I whisper as she rolls away, pulling the duvet beneath her chin and wiggling further under the covers.
I creep to the doorway that Devin and Tasha have already slipped through. “Hey.” Bri’s voice catches me right as I’m about to shut the door. Sticking my head back in, I see that she’s propped up on her elbow, her red-rimmed eyes looking at me. “I love you so much, Lele.” Her voice catches on my name. “Don’t worry about me so much, okay? I’ll be fine. I promise.” She sniffs and then waves me away. “Now get the fuck out and let me sleep in peace. This room has been a fucking revolving door, and I need some alone time away from you people.” A soft smile pulls at my lips, and I blow her a kiss, slipping out and closing the door behind me with a soft click.
Devin is already lounging on the sofa with Tasha in the kitchen brewing coffee. They both look at me as I stand in the doorway. I look down at myself and note that I’m only in an over-sized T-shirt of Devin’s and a pair of underwear. I touch my hair and it’s comparable to a rat's nest that will take some time to get out. My eyes land back on Devin, who is only in a pair of gray sweatpants that, on any other day, would have me drooling like a dog.
How can one man’s body be carved to such perfection? It’s fucking unfair.
“Can I use your shower?” I tug down the shirt, suddenly self-conscious of my appearance in front of him.
He stands up, the sweatpants hanging low on his hips, the V under his abs is like a neon arrow, and I’m drawn like a moth to a flame. “Let’s get you cleaned up, love.” He closes the distance between us and takes my hand, leading me to his room. It’s clean and pristine, just like the last time I was here well over a week ago.
Flipping on the lights, the crisp, white tiles nearly burn my eyes, proof that I’ve been in the dark for too many days. He turns on the shower before turning to grab towels out of the massive closet; he sits them on the small stool next to the shower door.
He looks over his shoulder as he reaches in to check the water temperature. “Are you okay?” His brow furrows at me. “It’s ready for you.”
I tug down the shirt more; my cheeks heat because I don’t even want to know what he sees now that I’m in the bright light of this bathroom that illuminates all the grime that covers my body from days of being in that bed. “Thank you.” My voice is quiet as I look away from him and step sideways from the door, giving him room to leave.
His finger hooks beneath my chin, forcing my face up toward him. I didn’t even hear him cross the large space and my heart thunders in my chest at his sudden touch. His blue eyes are bright, even as they narrow on me. “If you think I’m leaving you, you’re sorely mistaken.”
I try to look away, but he keeps his hold on my chin as my face grows even hotter. “I’m disgusting and my hair is a mess of knots. I'll be here for a while; you don’t need to stay and wait for me.”
His nostrils flare as he cocks his head to the side. “I’ve waited a week for you, what’s a while longer?”
My breath hitches because even though I knew he had been checking on me periodically and climbing into bed with us, I didn’t think he was actually waiting for me . I reach up and touch his face. The last time I looked at it, it was marred with bruises, but they’re almost all gone now, with only the slightest tinge of yellow left around his eye. He presses his cheek into my palm, the slight scruff on his chin scraping against my skin, sending a tingle up my arm.
He takes my hand from his face and leads me to the now steaming shower. “Strip,” he commands softly and without another thought, I find myself shucking the shirt over my head and letting my panties fall from my body. I step into the shower that’s large enough to fit five or more people, the hot water hitting my skin, causing me to moan. This has to be what heaven feels like.
I close my eyes and let the warmth seep into my muscles, relaxing them one by one. I turn to find the shampoo, and instead, I’m met with a hard, chiseled chest. I gasp, my body jerking in surprise, but Devin’s hands land on my hips, holding me in place. “Don’t fall,” he says, tightening his hold.
My hands plant onto his chest and I watch the water cascade down the planes of his muscles. The steam swirls between us, making him look ethereal in the bright light. One of his hands moves from my hip to my cheek, his eyes locked onto me. We stand there in silence, his thumb caressing the side of my face.
He drops his hands and turns, grabbing the bottle of conditioner behind him. “Turn around.” His voice is soft as if he’s trying not to scare a small animal. I slowly turn as he runs his hands over my tangled hair. “You have quite the mess here, love.” He slowly works his fingers through my tangles, careful not to yank on my hair as he loosens them, freeing me of the infernal rat’s nest I had created.
After what seems like forever, he rinses my hair with one of the shower wands, running his fingers through my now tangle-free hair. I hear him grab another bottle, this time, gently lathering shampoo onto my head. His deft fingers massage my scalp, causing another moan to fall from my lips. “That feels amazing, Devin.”
He says nothing as he rinses the suds out before applying another round of conditioner, twirling it up, and securing it with a claw clip, which makes me wonder how many women he’s had in this shower. I shake the thought from my mind and turn toward him and see that he’s lathering up a loofah. The body wash smells like eucalyptus and mint as he runs it down my arm in small, circular motions.
“Devin, you don’t have to do this.” My voice has gained back some of its volume from the soothing steam, but my words are barely above a whisper. Because as much as I feel like I should be doing this myself, I don’t want to. I haven’t been this pampered by a man…ever.
“I know.” His gaze follows the loofah as he works it over my body, cleaning away the days of bed rot. “But I want to do this for you.” He looks up at me, his eyes soft and a ghost of a smile on his lips.
A soft smile pulls up on my lips because no man has ever offered to do the work for me. To care for me in this way. I watch as he continues to clean me, turning me around and exfoliating my back before taking the shower wand and rinsing it all away. His touch is gentle, but it sends electricity crackling across my skin. Waking me up.
His arms wrap around my waist from where he stands behind me, his lips barely touching my shoulder. His touch is comforting as he nuzzles into the crook of my neck. My body flares to life at his gentle caress, heat curling low in my abdomen. “Devin,” I whisper his name, letting the steam carry my words around to him.
My body is waking up as my heart starts to pick up speed. The ache in my muscles went down the drain along with the soap suds, leaving me feeling fresh for the first time in days. The smell of the mint across my skin reminds me of him, sending my senses into overdrive.
He gently kisses my skin, not pushing me for anything. But right now, I want to be pushed. Pushed up against this wall as he pushes his cock between my now aching core. Pushed over the edge into fucking oblivion. “Please,” I whisper, my fingers running down his arm, my nails lightly scraping his skin.
“Lena—” he starts, but I turn in his arms, wrapping mine around his neck.
“Make me forget, Devin.” My voice is firm as the heat of the steam mixes with the heat that swirls between my legs. I pull him down to me, our lips a breath apart. “I need you.”
He doesn’t hesitate as his mouth crashes with mine, his tongue slipping into my mouth, sweeping through it. His kiss is hungry as his hand comes up, his fingers weaving into my hair, and he pulls my head back to deepen his kiss. His taste is intoxicating, making me dizzy as heat swirls around me, through me.
He pulls back, leading me against the shower wall. He holds me there at arm's length while I take the time to look down at his body and notice his very large, very erect cock. My hand drifts up as my mouth waters at the sight of him being so turned on, but his hand wraps around my wrist, stopping me. I whimper as he gives me a lopsided grin. “No, love,” he breathes. “Tonight is about you.”
He drops to his knees in front of me, the water cascading down his shoulders. His hands run up my legs, stopping at the apex of my thighs. His blue eyes burn like the hottest fire as he leans forward, his tongue sliding between my folds, my knees nearly buckling. He grips my calf and hoists one of my legs over his shoulder, opening me up to him. I press my hand against the tile to keep myself steady, watching as his pupils widen and he licks his lips. “Fucking delicious.” He looks up at me. “I’m a starved man, Lena, and I am going to devour you like you’re my last meal.”
He nips at the inside of my thigh, swirling his tongue over the sensitive skin. My head falls back, bumping into the shower wall as my fingers slide into his hair, holding on for dear life. He works his way up to my pussy, once again running his tongue through my folds. I take in a shuddered breath as his tongue swirls around my entrance, teasing me.
“Oh God,” I say, my face pointing toward the sky.
He gently sucks my clit between his teeth. I hiss as he swirls his tongue around the sensitive bud. “You can call him all you want, but he doesn’t listen. So, from now on, I am your god.” He buries his face into my pussy, licking and sucking as the heat builds between my legs. “I’m your savior and you’re my fucking salvation.”
He pushes a finger into me, another moan escaping my lips. “You’re so fucking wet for me, Lena,” he growls, adding another finger. “I can’t wait to bury my cock into this sweet pussy.”
“Then do it,” I breathe, the challenge in my tone ringing out.
He pumps his fingers faster, my hand gripping his hair, my nails digging into his scalp. “When I fuck you, Lena,” his tongue swirls my clit before he continues, “I will have you bound and gagged in my bed.” He nips me, the sensation, along with his dirty words, nearly sending me over the edge. “I will fill you up with my cum and have you screaming my name, even though no one will be able to hear you with your mouth stuffed.”
I look down at him, my eyes wide as I imagine myself tied up and at his mercy. He fucks me harder with his fingers before curling them, hitting my G-spot just as he sucks on my clit. I see stars and I let loose, screaming his name as I come all over his face and fingers. He continues to pump his fingers and swirl his tongue around my clit as I come down through the aftershocks.
My breathing is heavy as he spears his tongue into me, lapping up my orgasm as if it truly is his last meal. Pulling away, he immediately sticks his fingers in his mouth, making a show of licking them clean. He pulls them out with a pop, his eyes bright. “A fucking five-star meal.” He gives me a wild grin, his teeth looking sharper than ever.
He lowers my leg, running his hands up my inner thighs one last time before rising to his feet. His hand grips my chin and he captures my mouth with his, sweeping his tongue across mine, making sure that I taste myself on it. His other hand snakes around my waist, pulling me to him, his hard cock pressing into my stomach. He groans as he deepens the kiss more, letting his teeth scrape across my bottom lip as he pulls back.
I’m breathless as I grip his arms and push him away. His eyes go wide as he takes a step back, flashing with panic as I lower myself to my knees this time. He moans my name as I grip his shaft, precum dripping from the tip. I stick out my tongue, my mouth watering for a taste, but his fingers weave into my hair, gripping it and holding me in place.
“Lena, you don’t need—" But instead of listening to him, I pull against his hold and swirl my tongue over the head of his cock. He lets out a long, breathy moan as I continue to tease his tip. His grip loosens on my hair, but he doesn’t remove his hand.
I tilt my eyes up, and through the steam, I see his eyes staring down at me, filled with lust and need. I lick my tongue up the underside of his shaft, gripping his balls and giving them a playful squeeze. “Seeing you on your knees, love, is the hottest fucking thing I’ve ever witnessed.” He weaves his hand in my hair, tugging on the strands, sending a jolt right to my pussy. “Even on your knees, you have me at your fucking mercy.”
I snake my hand up his thigh, coming around and gripping his ass. The muscles flex underneath my hand, rock hard. I pull him toward me, letting his cock sink deeper into my mouth, pushing against the back of my throat. I pull him back out, lightly scraping my teeth across his velvet skin. “Fuck,” he groans, both of his hands bracing the back of my head, slightly rocking his hips.
A smirk pulls at my lips before I pull back, his cock popping from my mouth. He looks down at me, his eyes nearly glazed over with need. “Fuck my mouth, Devin.” I dig my nails into his ass, slowly licking the tip, tasting him on my tongue. “Fuck my mouth and come down my throat.”
He growls, the grip on my hair tightening. “Are you sure that’s what you want?” His eyes darken, still swirling with lust.
I nod, because no words could possibly describe how badly I want this.
“Open your mouth and stick out your tongue.” He wrenches my head back and I do what he says. “Tap my thigh twice if it’s too much.”
It won’t be.
He jerks his hips forward, roughly holding my head as his cock slips past my lips, hitting the back of my throat. I keep my eyes on him and watch as the realization hits him as hard as my orgasm did.
Because I don’t have a gag reflex.
A Cheshire grin pulls at his lips, his teeth gleaming in the light. “You are such a dirty fucking slut, love.” His voice is nearly a growl. “Full of dirty little secrets, and pretty soon, my cum.” He slams his cock into my mouth, and another jolt runs to my clit as he slides down my throat.
He doesn’t hold back as he fucks me, only pulling out to let just enough oxygen into my lungs. My vision blurs as tears prick my eyes. “So fucking beautiful,” he grunts out. “Your mouth was fucking made for me.” He thrusts harder, his grip on my hair, pain prickling across my scalp. “Such a good fucking girl taking my cock like this.”
I snake my hand between my legs and rub my clit, looking for release as the pressure builds between them, but he yanks my head back. “Hands off,” he grits out before returning to his assault on my mouth. I moan as his rhythm becomes erratic. One, two, three more thrusts and he’s coming down my throat. His head falls back, and he moans my name as I swallow every last drop, putting the taste of him to memory.
He pulls me to my feet, his grip tight as I loop my arms around his neck. He pulls me in for another kiss, tasting himself and making me lightheaded in the process. He pulls back, scraping his teeth across my bottom lip, nipping it. “I’m going to spread you out on my bed and feast on your pussy until you pass out.”
He kisses me hard as I press myself against him, his cock hardening again. He turns off the water, drying me off and wrapping me in a towel. His eyes flick past my head toward the ceiling, but before I can turn, he’s scooping me up and carrying me out of the bathroom, straight to his bed. Laying me out just like he promised, ripping the towel from me.
“A meal and dessert.” He winks as he lowers his head between my legs, fucking me with his fingers and tongue, ravaging me like a wild animal.
And even though we’ve been alone in here the entire time, I can’t shake the feeling that we're being watched.