Chapter 18
Eighteen
Clara
“We’ve had more donations,” Amber says with a smile. “A group of authors created a charity anthology, and with the funds they purchased the entire wish list.”
“Excellent. What if we have something here?” Debbie asks.
I fiddle with the napkin on the table. “I don’t want to cross the two. This needs to be a safe place for all of us.”
“Smart! I didn’t think of that.”
Bailey leans against her chair and takes a sip of water. “We should look into how much it would cost to build a shelter, one that caters to everyone. The one here is fine, but it’s not new, and they don’t take women without children.”
I write it down in the list of things to research and ask Burke.
“Did you hear the news? Keith skipped town. They can’t find the slimy bastard anywhere. He needs to burn for what he’s done.” Tammy sighs and chugs her pop.
Pressing my lips together, I would love to share, but I don’t need them to worry about anything.
I’ve taken care of a few of the guys we have come in contact with, and although Curt has told me to be more rational about the whole thing, it burns in my belly knowing these men get away with being abusive wastes of space.
Doing what I can makes sense, but I also never want it to be tied up in me or lead to the organization, because everything would be for no reason.
Helping women and children leave the worst situation of their lives has been emotional, but fills me with accomplishment.
“Earth to Clara,” Debbie says.
“Sorry. Did we add self-defence to the list?”
Tammy clears her throat. “Not everyone fights. I don’t know if it’s needed.”
Sitting upright, I lean forward. “I’ve fawned, frozen and taken flight.
Never in my life have I been able to fight until recently, even when I knew my life could very well have ended.
Self-defence has little to do with the ability to stand up for yourself sometimes, and everything to do with the amount of confidence it gives you. ”
“That’s true, you’re right,” Debbie says. “Alright, we’re going to regroup in a week or so.” She pushes away from the table, grabbing everyone’s drinks. Bailey jumps up to help but I am exhausted and feel like my muscles might give out on me.
“Do you need a ride home?” I ask Bailey.
She shakes her head. “Nah, I’m gonna hang back and help Debbie, and then I’ll drive home. I love you.”
“I love you,” I whisper into her neck when I hug her.
Waving at everyone, I head out to Burke’s car and slide into the passenger seat. “You good?” he asks.
“Why is saying how you feel so hard?” I whisper.
He’s silent for a few minutes as we drive. I notice the heater for my seat is already on, and it makes me warm inside as well.
“Because it’s putting your trust out in the world, giving a part of yourself up against the chance of rejection, which can cause harm.”
“Old age making you wise, or is it the grey hair?”
“I’ll show you old age.” He grips my thigh tightly, and we drive in blissful silence until we reach the house. “I made dinner, but I think you need a lesson first.”
“Oh, yeah?” Jumping out of the car, I try to outrun him, but he’s quick to put me over his shoulder. He carries me through the house until we reach the bedroom.
“What could you possibly teach me?” I giggle when he tosses me on the mattress.
“That mouth has to learn not to be so fucking mouthy,” he says with a pause.
I jump up and kneel onto all fours. He’s always afraid of being too much, but I know he won’t hurt me.
“These lips?”
Burke undoes his belt and strips off his pants before stepping close to the bed.
Threading his fingers through my hair, he guides my head to his cock and I swirl my tongue around the tip, but he pushes me down further, using me like he needs. I suck until he reaches my throat and swallow as he tightens his grip.
“Look at you, taking all this dick. Fuck, what a good girl,” he grunts.
Mumbling around his shaft as he continues to fuck my face, I grind against nothing. Only he can satiate the ache deep within me. Wetness covers my chin as I suck him like my life depends on it.
“It’s so fucking good. You’re so damn perfect.” Burke pulls me off of his dick and lowers to kiss me, our faces a mess of drool.
I pull my shirt off, and Burke rounds the bed to remove my pants. Burke grips my hips and positions me flat on the bed. Straddling me, he rubs the head of his cock along my slit, teasing me until I press back.
“Please.”
“What’s that, pretty girl?”
“Please fuck me,” I moan. He pulls away from me, and I growl in frustration. “Please fuck me, sir.”
He fills me with his cock, and I roll my eyes from pleasure. Burke leans down as he thrusts into me and kisses my spine until he reaches my shoulders.
Resting against me, his heat covers me before he wraps his hand around my neck. “You know I love you, right?”
“Yeah,” I whisper.
“And you know the words to say?”
“Yes, sir,” I groan.
“Such a good fucking girl. Mine.” Burke kisses my neck as he slams into me.
“Yours.” I squeak out before I scream. My muscles pull tighter, and ecstasy runs through me.
“Fuck,” he growls from behind me as he pulls out and releases over my ass.
Catching our breath for a minute, he rolls to the side. “I’m sorry.”
“Why?” Looking over my shoulder, I arch my eyebrow.
“I wanted to take you for longer, make you beg me to stop, but it’s been a long day, and I damn near cum in my pants when you kill. You equally terrify me and turn me on.”
Laughter erupts from me, and Burke only smiles. “I do not.”
“Fuck yeah. You’ve boiled a man alive, cut up another couple, slammed a rolling pin into another guy’s ass. Dragonfly, you’re the last person in the world I’d ever cross.”
He’s silly. I would never hurt him. Burke is the only one who has ever believed in me, been proud of me and shown me love isn’t supposed to hurt.
With a groan, he gets off the bed and shortly returns with a cloth to clean me.
“Dinner?” I roll over and grab my robe from the corner of the frame.
“Let’s go; it’s in the oven.”
“Burke?”
“Yeah?”
“I love you,” I whisper.
“Forever, Dragonfly.”