Chapter Thirty-Eight
Josh
The entire drive home from LAX, anger, resentment, and fear take turns hijacking my body. Negative energy seems to crackle along my skin. It’s like seeing the Dunkels has left a thick coat of filth all over me.
Impulses—none of them legal—flow through me, whispering all the ways I could get rid of Mom…and Vincent, and Roland, and Harvey. All the ways I could hide the bodies. If the Dunkels are gone, things will become more peaceful.
I park my car and breathe, my hand braced on the steering wheel. I don’t want to go in like this, not when I’m full of darkness. I’m afraid of giving in—and tainting everyone, especially Klein.
What are you afraid of? What do you think you’ll do to her? Dad’s voice asks.
Not sure what I might do, but I’m scared anyway.
Mom probably didn’t mean to leave one of us to die in a fire.
It just happened because she’s who she is.
Roland’s words ring in my head. The way his gaze bored into me like an ice pick piercing my skull.
Harvey’s velvety tone, the Dunkels’—and my own—conviction that I’ll be like my mother…
I give myself a slow five count to steady my nerves, then consciously relax my shoulders, paste on a smile and walk inside.
The place smells amazing—like roast chicken and potatoes and…home. The lingering miasma from seeing the Dunkels starts to slip away, and my smile feels less forced.
“Baby, I’m home.” The words roll out naturally, like I’ve said them thousands of times before. It feels good to say them—to Klein.
She pokes her head out of the kitchen and smiles. “Welcome back.”
She’s so beautiful. She shines like the brightest star—the only light that’s clean and pure in my life. Suddenly, the urge to hold her swells. If I can just get close enough, my world will be right again.
I push my finger into the knot of my tie and pull it down. The smooth red silk drops to the floor. Her eyes follow it, then take in my face. What does she see? I wonder, a fist closing around my heart. Hopefully nothing dark or sinister, because I don’t know what I’ll do if she pulls away.
But she widens her smile and spreads her arms.
I stride across the kitchen, then claim her mouth and devour her. She kisses me back, as though she’s channeling her bright energy into me. The sense of helplessness and anger subsides. I have Klein in my arms—my precious North Star that never leads me astray.
She loops her arms around my neck, rubbing her little tongue against mine like an eager kitten.
The heat in my blood burns away the clammy darkness.
Gratitude and an achy need for her feel like something physical is filling me up.
My hands trace the beautiful curves of her shoulders and breasts and cup the soft mounds and squeeze, earning a soft sigh. She isn’t wearing a bra. Good girl.
I swipe the pads of my thumbs over the hard nipples again and again. She shivers against me, her breathing shallowing.
“Oh my God,” she says, pulling back to drag in air. “You’re driving me crazy.”
“Like you aren’t doing the same to me.” I hoist her up on the marble kitchen island, positioning her so her hips are just off the counter’s edge.
I drop to my knees, moving between her soft thighs.
I crave her like the last drop of water in a desert.
Only her on my tongue can quench the searing heat burning in my veins.
My hand braces the spot next to her hips. I reach underneath the pink skirt and rip the string at the side of the thong. The thin scrap of fabric slides down her thighs with a soft whisper.
“Josh.” Her hands dig into my hair, but instead of pulling me toward her, they keep me away.
I move my eyes to look up at her. “What’s wrong?”
She tries to close her legs as well, and I shrug them onto my shoulders, keeping them spread with a gentle stroke of my palm over her thigh.
Her face is flushed, but not just with heat. Embarrassment casts uncertainty over her face. “This is really awkward.” She clears her throat, her eyes darting away.
I blink slowly. “You don’t have to do anything except enjoy it.”
Her face is redder than a ripe cherry. “What if you, um, don’t like it?” Vulnerability shakes through her, and I hear the unspoken question: What if you decide you don’t like me afterward? Her fingers in my hair clench hard enough to make me wince, but instead, I laugh darkly.
“Baby, you have no idea how long I’ve wanted to do this. You smell incredible—like a woman, like my Klein. Like the person I want to devour and wake up next to every morning.”
She exhales…but doesn’t let go. A multitude of emotions cross her face as they war within her. What past asshole of a boyfriend hurt her? I want to go back in time and pound the guy’s face.
“I don’t like it when you think or talk badly about the woman I care about, Klein,” I confess, barely refraining from telling her I’ve loved her for a long time because I’m afraid I might scare her away. She’s more skittish than a startled bunny.
Her eyelashes flutter as she takes a stunned moment to process, then she meets my eyes. “You care about me…?”
I look up at the vulnerable hope pooling in the deep violet of her gaze. My heart throbs. “Ailee Klein, I wouldn’t be on my knees in front of you if I didn’t.”
She bites her lip again. Her brow furrows as she looks down at me, although the pressure in her hands remains the same. “Are you going to punish me?” Her voice is shaky with trepidation and anticipation.
“Yes. I’ll punish you every time you say something negative about yourself, no matter the place or time.”
Her throat works, but she slowly relaxes her hands. I push the skirt out of the way and breathe in her scent, biting back a groan. She’s hot all over, and I’ll stay on my knees forever as long as I get to be between her legs.
I part her folds and use my tongue to tease the soft pink flesh.
She lets out a soft sigh. I can’t believe she was going to deny us this gratification.
I pull her clit into my mouth and gently suck, flicking the tip of my tongue over the swollen nub.
Her thighs tremble. Her hands dig into my hair, pulling me close now.
Yes, my beautiful girl, ride my face and make yourself feel good.
As if she hears my thoughts, she gently rocks against my face. I love that she’s getting greedy for the pleasure I’m giving her. She cranes her neck, her glorious hair cascading around her shaking shoulders and breasts.
“Oh my God, oh my God,” she whimpers.
I lap her up, drinking in her honeyed juices. Every whimper and moan raises my temperature. My cock strains against the confines of my clothes as need throbs in my veins.
“Josh, that feels amazing. Yes, right there,” she says, moving against me to show exactly what she means.
I push two fingers into her tight pussy and pump. The hot juices drip down all the way to the heel of my hand. Her response is so erotic, it’s such a turn-on. She grinds herself against my mouth. I add another finger while I suck and lick her stunningly responsive clit.
She screams, then grinds as she rides the wave. My movements grow more frenzied. I’m determined to push her to another height with my mouth. I want her to remember how much I crave her—all of her.
She comes again. Her shriek fills the kitchen until suddenly, the sound turns hoarse as though she’s losing her voice. Her knees tremble as her legs fold.
I pull her close and carry her to the huge dining table, then spin her around.
She slaps her palms on the cool glass to brace herself.
I press my hand on her back, push her down until she’s bent over the table.
Her beautiful ass sticks out. I rub my palms over each cheek, enjoying the taut curvature.
“Jesus, you’re so perfect.” Impatient, I rip away at my belt and slacks and pull out my throbbing cock. The veins on my dick jerk. “I can’t wait.” I position myself and push in.
“Yes, oh yessss…” She pants as the slick muscles tighten around my cock. She’s searing hot, and my control snaps.
I drive into her hard, desperately trying to erase all that’s happened since I walked out the door this morning.
She moves with me, intensifying our pleasure.
I love it that I can make her go crazy with lust. I love it that I can satisfy her and give her everything she needs.
But I haven’t forgotten the promise of punishment.
I smack one cheek hard enough to leave a palm print. She gasps.
“For your punishment.” I rub the red spot and smack her again. Her pussy spasms around my cock. I bite my lip to contain a groan. “Count, baby,” I tell her. “Five more.”
“Yes,” she moans.
I give her a smack; she flinches. “One.” I rub the spot, which is quite red. I give her another on the same cheek. “Two.” She groans against the table, the muscles of her butt quivering. I stroke tenderly, then smack the other cheek.
“Three.” A moan.
I smack it again. “Four.” And again. “Five.” With each spank, her pussy pulses and overflows with slickness.
“My pretty girl, don’t forget—I love everything about you. Nobody says shit about you and gets away with it, not even you.” I pound into her ruthlessly.
“Yes, yes, yes,” she screams.
The beginning of an orgasm winds inside her. The muscles in her back contract more starkly. I dip a finger between our bodies to get it wet, then push into the tight opening above her pussy. Her back arches. She screams my name as a climax overtakes her.
My name on her lips is the only thing I need. Klein, my Klein, mine. I groan harshly as I empty everything inside her.