Chapter 37
THIRTY-SEVEN
North and I return to the house to retrieve the last of the boxes. When they’re all packed up and secure in the car, North stands, scratching his neck, looking unsure.
“What’s wrong?” I ask, a little concerned about what made his mood change from sweet and caring to somewhat nervous. “We can still take the van—”
“Stop it, it’s not that. I was just… I’ve got something for you, and I thought with having the house to ourselves, it would be a good time to show you, but now I’m not sure if you’ll even like it.”
North Jones, insecure?
“Now you’ve made me curious. Show me.” I step up to him, grabbing his hand and pouting. “Please?”
North licks his lips before he leans in to kiss me. “Okay.”
He leads me into the house and toward the stairs. Curiosity piqued, I follow him upstairs, wondering what he’s up to. What’s even up here besides his and Nash’s room and the guest room with all the herbs in it?
We stand in front of a room I haven’t been inside yet, and he pauses, hand on the doorknob. “I did my best, did lots of research, and asked the guy in the shop, but if there’s anything you need, we can get it, and if there’s stuff you don’t like, we can return it.”
“North, what did you do?” I ask, feeling my stomach flip.
He already redecorated my room and bought a closet full of clothes. What’s left?
But I nod, anticipation bubbling inside me.
When North opens the door, all I see is darkness.
There don’t appear to be any windows, and my breath hitches.
But then he reaches out for the light switch, and the room is illuminated by the gentle glow of a red safelight hanging from the ceiling, casting a soft, dim light that’s just enough to see by.
On a table to my right, there is an enlarger. Its lens and adjustable head look down upon a flat, clean surface below. Rolls of negatives and sheets of photographic paper are neatly arranged on shelves above, waiting patiently for their turn.
Turning left, I see the wet area, meticulously organized with a series of trays lined up on a long counter in areas designated for developer, stop bath, and fixer. The distinct chemical scent in the air is familiar, almost comforting, blending with the faint smell of photographic paper.
Toward the back, a drying area is set up, featuring lines with clips and racks, all empty now but ready to cradle wet prints as they slowly reveal their captured moments.
I notice small tools and accessories—tongs, timers, thermometers—casually placed around, each with its own purpose and place.
I’m in awe of how perfectly everything is arranged, every detail thought out.
He researched the topic.
“You did this for me?” My voice is barely a whisper, awash with emotion.
North steps up behind me, pulling me into his chest while he whispers in my ear, “Can’t have you turn other people’s bathrooms into darkrooms anymore.”
A lump forms in my throat as I take in every detail once more, the realization dawning on me—he didn’t only make me a darkroom, perfectly equipped with stuff I never even dreamed of having, he just made this house a home, made me belong here.
I turn to North, my eyes misty. “I’ve never had anything like this, never thought I would have anything like this.”
He squeezes my hips, his eyes softening. “You belong with us, Blue. I wanted to make sure you felt that.”
He leans in to kiss me, and I wrap my arms around his neck. “So, you’re saying I can’t blame you anymore if my photos turn out bad now?” I tease, my heart swelling with love for him and the others.
He chuckles, stroking some of my hair behind my ear. “Exactly. No excuses, photographer extraordinaire.”
I shove his shoulder, the comfort and ease between us is still new, but I fucking love it. “Guess I’ll have to up my game then.”
North’s eyes twinkle with amusement and a hint of heat. “Upping your game, huh? I’m looking forward to seeing that,” he teases, his hands gently sliding from my hips to my lower back, pulling me closer.
“Oh, you will,” I reply, my voice husky.
“Is that a promise, Blue?” He leans in, his breath warm against my cheek, his closeness sending shivers down my spine.
“A guarantee,” I whisper back, standing on my tiptoes, our faces inches apart. The air between us crackles with unspoken promises, turning into something more intense, more intimate.
Suddenly, he sweeps me up, his arms strong and secure around me. I let out a surprised laugh, my arms tightening around his neck. “North,” I exclaim, only half-protesting.
He carries me effortlessly to the table on the left, setting me on it. “Just making sure you’re fully aware of the perks of having a darkroom… and me,” he says, his voice rough and deep as he kisses up my throat.
“Oh, I’m very aware, thank you. Both are more than I could have asked for,” I whisper back, arching into him.
He turns his head, his lips grazing mine teasingly. “Just wait until you see what else I can do to inspire your creativity,” he murmurs, his voice low and husky.
He pulls my sweater over my head, leaving me only in my bra and jeans. A low growl rumbles in his chest when he leans in and kisses up my cleavage. I grab the seam of his sweater and pull it over his head too, the dim red light illuminating his chiseled chest.
Fuck, this man is so damn hot.
He reaches behind me to open the clasp of my bra and pulls it off me while he kisses a line from my earlobe to my shoulder.
“North,” I gasp, grabbing his upper arms to steady me, his muscles hard under his soft skin.
He grabs my hips, setting me back on my feet, his hands finding the waistband of my jeans. “They need to go,” he commands in a whisper, pulling them down, leaving me in only my panties.
“Maybe we could talk some more about how you inspire my creativity first,” I tease.
“You want to talk? That’s cute. Get on your knees for me, baby. We can use your sassy mouth for better things.”
You don’t have to tell me twice.
I’m so eager to have his cock in my hand that my fingers fumble with the zipper of his jeans while his hand gently brushes back my hair. “Look at you, precious thing… so eager.”
His cock is already hard and glistening when I free it from his jeans and boxers. I slide my fingers around his length, eliciting a hiss from North. My movements start softly, testing as I stroke him, but he’s not having it.
“Be rough with me, baby,” North commands, his grip on my hair getting tighter. I grip him harder and, at the same time, lick up his cock from the base to the tip. “Fuuuuuck,” North groans, his head falling back.
Taking him in my mouth, I bob my head up and down before rolling my tongue around the head.
North looks back down at me, and I keep eye contact while I blow him.
“God, look at you, so fucking pretty on your knees for me, sucking me so good. Such a good girl.” I hollow my cheeks and suck at him, making him groan.
“Perfect, fucking perfect. Does it make you wet, sucking me off, baby? What would I find right now if I’d let my fingers glide into your panties? Are you dripping for me?”
Oh, I so am.
I whimper around him, pressing my thighs together to keep from ruining my panties.
I can’t answer him, so I moan, trying to take him deeper.
He starts to thrust into my mouth, his hands drifting to my chin and tilting it upward while continuing to fuck my face.
His touch is a contradiction of firm yet sensual, much like the man himself.
“While I love fucking your mouth, I need to fuck your cunt when I come.” My lips slide along his length until he pops out of my mouth, then he steps out of his jeans and boxers.
“Come on.” North crouches and puts my arms around his neck, only to hold me to him and stand, my legs coming around his waist. We both release a hiss at the contact when my panty-covered pussy presses against his bare length.
He leaves the room with me, switching off the red light before closing the door.
“Why not in there?” I ask, confused. He could take me here in the hallway on the floor if he wanted to.
I don’t mind where he fucks me as long as he finally does it.
“I put everything I could think about in there but forgot about condoms,” he grumbles, making me laugh.
Luckily, his room is next to my darkroom, and he sets me down on the edge of the bed as soon as we enter. North opens his nightstand drawer, but instead of a condom, he reaches out a folder to me, dampening my desire a notch.
“What is this?” I ask, frowning when I open it. Inside are medical documents, deepening my confusion.
“Test results from all three of us. We’re all clean,” North explains, stepping up in front of me and grabbing my chin, making me look up at him.
“So, tell me, Blue, what would it take for me to fuck that cunt of yours raw?” His words make me gulp, and my pussy clenches around nothing.
Fuck. “I’m willing to pay for every option you would like to go with.
I’m even good to have a vasectomy, but maybe we need to discuss if you want to have kids first before we go down that road.
Although I’m fine giving Hunter or Nash the honor as I have Lio. But if you want one from all of us—”
“Stop,” I say, silencing his ramble. “I don’t want kids. I don’t want this gift to be a burden for anyone else. And I’m not the motherly type.”
“I have to disagree there. You’re amazing with Lio, even though you’re not trying to be motherly, but I understand. I’m more than fine with not having any more kids. Nash never wanted his own, and I think Hunter is through after caring for Lio. But I would suggest you talk to them about it.”
“Sure,” I agree. I was afraid of broaching the subject of my not wanting kids. I thought that would be a deal-breaker, and at least one of them would look for another woman to start a family with. North’s words somewhat reassure me there.
“Great, looks like I’m going to make an appointment then,” North tells me while taking the folder back.
“Just like that?” I ask, stunned.