Chapter 16 #2
When I get to the sitting room, I pause in the doorway, remembering my parents’ no children allowed rule, but then I remember this isn’t their house anymore, and I enter the room on principle.
A framed photo on the sofa table catches my eye, and I take a step closer to get a better look.
In the picture, Luka and Guy are standing proudly in their Halloween costumes, Guy is dressed as a famous soccer player, and Luka is dressed as some anime guy from one of his video games.
Guy’s smile is beaming at the camera, but Luka’s distracted by something and looking to the side.
A small smile tips at his lips, but his eyes are what grab my attention.
He looks so happy and completely enamored with whatever he’s looking at.
I think I secretly went as Chucky that year.
My parents never celebrated Halloween, so I’d always go over to Luka’s and change into my costume there.
Mrs. Kingsley would always help me with my makeup and costume before taking us trick-or-treating.
Then she’d help me clean it all off before sending me home with my belly full of candy.
Now that I’m older, I realize there’s no way my parents didn’t know what was going on, so I guess it was cool that they let me go every year.
Maybe they wouldn’t have if they knew the type of costumes I was choosing, but Mrs. Kingsley’s makeup skills were good enough to keep my identity mostly hidden.
The sound of footsteps coming back down the stairs startles me, and I hurry to set the picture down, but my elbow bumps into something tall and narrow. It wobbles a few times, and I spin around to save it from falling, but immediately pull my hand away like I’ve just touched a hot stove.
Of course, Luka sees the whole thing, and I can practically feel his smile as he watches me attempt to pretend like he didn’t just catch me snooping.
My eyes go wide as they adjust and I fully take in all the details…The small patch of red pubic hair, trimmed into a nice landing strip, decorating the most realistic-looking replica of the female genitals I’ve ever seen.
Okay, it’s the first… and the most realistic…Both statements can be true at the same time.
He grabs the object in question and twirls it in front of him like a baton.
“What’s wrong, Girl Scout? It’s just a flesh-light.
It’s not going to bite you or anything.” He holds it out to me as if to prove it.
“Don’t worry, it’s clean,” he adds, as if that’s what I’m the most concerned about right now.
I shield my eyes with my hand. “What is it? And why wouldn’t it be clean?”
The devil himself couldn’t even rival the wicked grin that spreads over Luka’s lips, and suddenly the context clues snap into place. I stand frozen in horror, hating that I just walked right into that one.
He wets his lips, his eyes flaring with heat as he holds the silicone mold out toward me.
“This is a flesh-light.” His eyes never leave mine as he slides his middle finger inside to demonstrate.
“It’s a male masturbation toy. Keeps things interesting and fun when you’re jerking off.
” He adds a second finger, then slowly begins to pump his digits inside her.
I feel a thin sheen of perspiration break out over the back of my neck as warmth begins to pool between my thighs just at the sight of Luka’s clearly talented fingers stroking the toy.
Jesus Christ, who knew a man’s hands could be so attractive? I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to look at him the same way again.
“And why exactly do you keep your toy out in the open for anyone to see?” I finally manage to ask, feeling annoyed by my own embarrassment, at how easy I make it for Luka to tease me.
Luka makes a show of looking around. “Well… this is my home, and it’s not like I have a lot of guests over.
I find that it’s a functional, easily accessible place to keep it.
” He shrugs. “Besides, who doesn’t want to look at a pussy every now and then.
I custom-built Susanna here, picked out the labia color and everything. ”
“I really don’t need to hear the details.”
“Wow, Girl Scout, you sure are looking flushed right now. There’s nothing to be embarrassed about, it’s not like she’s real or anything.
” He gives the toy a gentle kiss before setting it back down in the exact spot I found it.
“If Susanna freaks you out, I’d hate to see how you’d react to my toy room. ”
I jerk my gaze up to his, seeing amusement flash through his eyes. “You have enough sex toys to fill an entire room?” I hate that I can’t tell if he’s joking or not. I mean… the man’s house is a giant robot, so why wouldn’t he have an entire room designated for all his sex toys?
Perfect white teeth bite down on his bottom lip as he tries to hide his grin. “You want a tour? I’d be happy to show you my collection.”
“No, thank you. That won’t be necessary.” I take the folded dry clothes he’s still holding and practically run to the bathroom to change out of my sopping wet clothes.
“Offer’s there if you change your mind,” Luka calls from the other side of the door.
“Trust me, that won’t be necessary!” I call back.
“Suit yourself.”
Once I’m inside and safe from Luka’s teasing, I lean against the sink and take in my reflection.
Wet hair falling in loose waves around my bright, red, flushed cheeks that make my hazel eyes look more green than gold, and not a trace of makeup in sight.
I guess the rain washed it all off completely.
It’s weird, somehow, I feel more beautiful right now than when I’ve got a full face of makeup and my hair perfectly styled. The flush on my cheeks gives me a youthful glow. I guess embarrassment looks good on me.
Embarrassment… or arousal?
“I’m starving, so I’m going to order a pizza. Jalapenos and hot honey still good with you?” Luka says from the other side of the door, making me jump like I’ve just been caught thinking something I shouldn’t.
Honestly, can I not have one private moment to my thoughts without having Luka alerted to it? Does he have some sort of heart rate censor monitoring me?
“Yeah, if that’s what you want. I’m not picky,” I quickly call back.
But rather than answering me, I hear his voice in the distance repeating the order like he’s talking on the phone.
I don’t know why, but that simple gesture does something to me, and I get this warm fluttering feeling in my stomach.
I can’t remember the last time someone asked me my preference for pizza…
Jimmy certainly didn’t. He practically ate like a toddler, hating any seasoning on his food, especially spicy food.
I don’t think he’d know how to order a pizza if his life depended on it.
Stop comparing everyone to Jimmy. Luka is your…
Husband.
I shake my head, still trying to wrap my brain around it.
Images from tonight’s meeting rush back—Luka claiming me as his wife in front of the whole town, the way his jaw clenched when he realized what my parents were saying, the fury in his eyes like he was ready to burn the world down if it meant protecting me.
I’ve never felt so… wanted . By anyone.
It’s all supposed to be pretend, but I can’t help but feel like we’re starting to blur the lines. And it’s messing with my head in ways I didn’t expect.
I peel off the heavy, wet layers and pull on the soft, worn, oversized t-shirt that smells like Luka.
He was thoughtful enough to let me borrow a pair of his sweatpants, even though they’re way too big.
I do my best to tie the waistband as tight as possible, but they still hang loose at my hips, and I have to roll up the legs four times, so I don’t trip on them.
I glance down at myself and blow out a sigh.
I may look ridiculous, but at least I’m warm now.
When I swing open the door, I walk right into the immovable force that is Luka.
His hands grip my waist to steady me. Neither one of us moves as I stare up at his defined jaw, the way his Adam’s apple bobs as he swallows, and my fingers itch to trace it.
Then I feel his thumb brush against my hip and take a big, not-so-subtle step back.
“Thanks for the clothes,” I say in a high-pitched voice that sounds nothing like my own, and give him two thumbs up for emphasis.
He huffs a laugh like he’s holding back another tease. “No problem. Hey, so I was thinking since we’re already ordering pizza, we could watch a movie or something, too?” He shrugs. “If you’re up for it.”
I narrow my eyes, not even trying to hide my suspicion at his jarring mood change. “Why?”
“What do you mean, why?” He holds a hand over his heart like I’ve wounded him. “I just figured tonight was… a lot… and I don’t know about you, but I could use a little escapism.”
I twist my lips, considering his offer.
“You can’t tell me this isn’t perfect movie-watching weather,” he adds, just as the low rumble of thunder echoes in the distance.
He’s not wrong… And it has been far too long since I’ve had free time to watch a movie—well, apart from the Avengers marathon with L.O.K.I.
that is, but that felt more like babysitting a genius preschooler than relaxing and enjoying myself with as much as he talked. Of course, I’d never tell him that.
”All right. Yeah. A movie night sounds fun.” I nod, feeling awkward all of a sudden.
I bite my cheek and rock back on my heels, trying to push the detailed reminders from my mind. Not helpful, brain.
“I went ahead and took the liberty of selecting the movie. I hope you don’t mind.” He gestures over his shoulder to the couch, where I notice he’s already set out a bowl of popcorn.
I try to ignore the flutters my stomach gets from knowing he was so confident that I’d say yes and also the fact that he never really cared to have popcorn during a movie, but I always insisted we needed it.