Azeira
My palms were sweaty and my stomach twisted around the knots forming inside it. Slowly, I made my way deeper into my parents’ house while nibbling on my bottom lip.
I knew after leaving here my relationship with my parents, mainly my dad, would never be the same, but I couldn’t fight how I felt anymore.
When I stepped inside my mom’s room, she and my dad were in the middle of playing some card game. She had gained the color back in her face. Her eyes were filled with life again. She even started gaining some weight back. All the chemo and surgery seemed to work. At her last appointment we were told she was cancer-free.
“Hey,” I called out, making myself known.
Mom’s eyes flickered to me first and a smile formed on her face. “Hi, my sweet girl.” When Dad looked at me, his face lacked emotion.
I swallowed hard and stepped further into the room, not bothering to sit. I knew this wouldn’t take long.
“What brings you by?” Dad asked, not hiding the disdain in his voice.
“Jeremy.” Mom cut her eyes at him.
He clenched his jaw.
“I actually came to talk to the two of you.”
Mom sat up straighter and cleared her throat. “I’m actually happy you’re here.” Her eyes went between me and my dad. She lowered the cards in her hand on top of her lap. “You two have been hiding something from me and I let it go on for far too long. It’s time you two come clean and I mean now.” Her eyes narrowed.
I tucked my lips together and shot my eyes to my dad.
“Honey,” he started.
“No.” She raised her hand. “If you’re about to tell me more lies and bullshit then don’t bother. I want the truth. That man, Kairus, how did you really end up with him ? And Jeremy I know we were behind with bills, so how did you manage to get the money? Knowing what kind of business Kairus is in, I can suspect what happened but I want to hear it from one of your mouths. So talk.” Mom put on her no nonsense voice. By the look in her eyes I could tell she was fed up.
“Fine…” I started, stepping closer to the bed. Dad gave me a warning look but I ignored it. I wasn’t covering for him anymore, especially after how he’d been acting lately.
By the time I finished telling my mom everything, I could admit I felt better, lighter even. I hadn’t realized how much keeping that from my mom was weighing me down.
By the look on her face it was clear she was unhappy about the news. Her eyes shot daggers into my dad and her mouth turned upside down.
“Jeremy! How could you?” she started. “Our daughter!” Mom’s face reddened as she shouted.
“You think I wanted to let her go with him! I was desperate and you were dying! I had to do what I had to do in order to save you and keep a roof over our heads!” he defended.
“You let our daughter live with a monster! He could have killed her!” The cards knocked to the floor.
The knots in my stomach grew. I shifted on my feet. The two of them could argue later but right now I needed to tell them something.
I cut their arguing off. “He didn’t treat me badly. Well, eventually.”
The argument paused and both glanced at me. “Are you really sitting here defending him?!” Dad protested.
I licked my lips and raked my fingers through my hair. “Look, I didn’t come here to argue about Kairus.” I sighed.
“Then what did you come here for?” Dad asked.
“Jeremy!” She shot him another vengeful glare. It was clear she had more to say to him. My parents rarely argued in front of me growing up, even now that I was an adult they tried to keep it to a minimum, at least around me.
“I’m going back to Kairus,” I blurted before I lost my nerve. Heat crept up my spine.
“Over my dead body.” Dad shot out of his seat.
“, no!” Mom protested.
I licked my lips and stood straighter. “I’m going back to Kairus. I know he’s unconventional and may not be your first pick for me, but I’ve grown fond of him. I care about him and I miss him. Since being back I’ve been miserable. I want to be with Kairus and I hope you two will support me.”
“Support you? Why the hell would we support you going with a man like that? Look at my hand! Did you forget you saw him cut my finger off?”
“He what!” Mom shrieked. Color drained from her face.
I blew a heavy breath out. “It wasn’t Kairus who did it. Plus he wouldn’t hurt me and I know he cares for me just as much as I do him, probably even more.”
“, please, no.” Mom shook her head, her voice cracking. “Do you see what you did!” She slammed her hands on the bed. “You put her in the position to be with that man.”
I swallowed hard. While I had stopped caring about how my dad felt, I never wanted to hurt my mom.
“I’m sorry, Mommy, but I’m going back. I lo-I just have to.” The first time I spoke those words would be to him, not anyone else.
Dad cut his eyes at me. “If you go back to that monster, you’re no longer welcomed here.” My eyes bucked.
“Jeremy.”
He whipped his head to face Mom. “No, he’s insane and I won’t allow her to put us in danger with her. That man’s unstable and it’s my job to protect you.”
“She’s our daughter!”
“And she’s making her choice.”
I bounced my eyes between the two. I didn’t want to cause issues with them. I loved my parents regardless of the differences between me and Dad right now. Still, I wasn’t going back on my decision.
“I’ll give you some time to get used to the idea. Maybe in time you’ll see he’s not as bad as you think.” It was a reach, but I believed Kairus had some good in him, even if no one else did. “I love you guys,” I told them, then turned to leave.
My mom started fussing at my dad as I walked out the room feeling like weights were wrapped around my ankles. My whole life I followed the rules and did what my parents wanted. For the first time I was stepping outside the lines and doing what made me happy. It was time to follow my heart.
“What are you doing back here?” Kairus asked in a low snarl.
My heart trembled and my stomach fluttered. His hand curled tighter around my neck.
I’d missed his touch and the sound of his voice. I missed the adrenaline that shot through my veins whenever he was close. The way my heart was racing, not out of fear, showed me this was the right move.
Instead of answering, I pushed up and crashed my lips into his. I closed my eyes and tilted my head as I reached up and grabbed his head, licking his bottom lip then pulling it into my mouth.
Passion gushed up my spine. Desire swirled in my stomach. Blood shot down to my pussy causing my clit to throb.
“I won’t let you give me up. You told me I was yours and I never knew you to be a liar so I’m here to tell you to take me,” I mumbled against his lips, kissing him again. My body pressed into him. His bulge pushed into my hip. “Make me yours, Kairus.”
Like a switch flipped, Kairus growled and grabbed my hip painfully. He quickly took over the kiss, possessing my mouth like he was starved for me.
I moaned and melted into his kiss. Between my legs leaked with my essence. I’ve missed this. I needed this.
“You’re mine,” he grunted, kissing down my neck and biting it.
I cried out and grabbed his shirt. My pulse pounded in my throat.
“Tell me. Tell me now.”
My eyes rolled to the back of my head when he sucked on my skin and teased it with his tongue.
“Yours,” I whimpered as the desire in me built.
Kairus turned us and walked us to his steps. He yanked away and stared at me with darkened, hungry eyes.
“Turn around,” he demanded.
I gulped. My heart leaped as if it was about to jump out my chest.
I spun around and Kairus grabbed the back of my neck and forced me forward. I caught myself on the steps.
I gasped when Kairus yanked my shorts down. A brush of air hit my pussy. He used his knee to spread my legs. “All of you is mine to keep and have.” He kneaded my ass cheeks before slapping his hand across them. I yelped and jumped. My eyes squeezed shut as he repeated the motion.
“Someone might see us,” I whimpered.
“I’ll cut their eyes out if they see what’s mine.” He pushed against me. His hand wrapped around the front of my neck and his dick nudged my center.
“Kairus,” I moaned.
“I watched you. For two weeks, I stood in the shadows and watched you. Do you know how badly I craved to be closer to you?” My head fell back and my eyes rolled when he pushed his dick into me.
“Why didn’t you come get me?” I strained to get out.
“Because you aren’t good for me,” he gritted, feeding me more than just the tip. “You make me feel.”
“Ah!” I cried when he slammed into me. His strokes became punishing as he moved in and out of me as if his last words angered him.
“Feelings make you weak. Do you want me to be weak?”
“No. You’re wrong.” My breathing picked up. I clenched around his dick. His hand around my neck tightened. I struggled to swallow but I became wetter. “Feelings don’t make you weak.”
He fucked me deeper. Our skin slapped together like a round of applause.
Instead of responding, he continued fucking me, tightening his grip around my neck even further. It became hard to breathe and my stomach grew taut.
“I never want to go without this pussy again. My bed was lonely without you. My soul was empty.” His words caused heat to swarm my stomach as my heart swelled.
“Oh god,” I whimpered. It felt like I was floating on a cloud.
Kairus’s dick swelled inside of me and he choked me harder. Just as I felt myself losing consciousness he released me and I came behind him, hard. My body trembled wildly and my toes curled. I was high off epinephrine with no desire to come down.
Kairus leaned down and pressed his lips into the top of my shoulder. I cried out when his teeth sank into my skin. Electric volts shot through my body.
There was no doubt in my mind, this was exactly where I belonged.
“We should talk,” I rasped. My throat was slightly sore from being choked, but I welcomed it.
After the round on the steps he brought me upstairs and tied me to the bed, eating my pussy until I begged him to stop, then fucked me again. I was tired and my body felt exhausted but I knew a conversation was needed.
“About what?”
“About me coming back.” His eyes narrowed.
I adjusted on the bed and rubbed my hands over the rope marks on my wrists. My eyes landed on the tattoo on my finger.
“I want to come back and live with you. I didn’t like how I felt when you sent me back home. I tried to go back to normal but it was pointless, you’ve become a part of me and I can’t deny that,” I started. “I have rules though.”
That caused him to raise a brow with mirth beaming in his eyes. “Rules, huh?” He leaned against his dresser. My eyes ran over his face, taking in all the scars on his skin. I loved his imperfections. He was so cold and cut off most of the time, those scars made me remember he was human.
“For one, I don’t want to be held captive here anymore. I want to be able to come and go as I please without you tracking my movements and without a driver.” His jaw clenched. “I am also signing back up for school. It took some work and a lot of time but I got everything situated when it came to me missing the end of the semester. Getting my degree is important to me and I don’t want anything getting in my way.”
“That’s it?” His head tilted, words void of emotions.
“No. Stop killing and beating people up over me. If we’re gonna do this then you have to realize that I only have eyes for you. There’s no need to hurt anyone because you think they’re going to take me away. Also, I want to know how you always know where I am. The whole time I was gone you tracked me somehow. I felt you but I never saw you.” My eyes narrowed. “How?”
Kairus didn’t reply right away. He pushed off the dresser and made his way toward me. His movements were slow and predatory.
When he got close to me, I tilted my head up as he brushed his hands over my neck and his thumb rubbed my pulse point.
“Your rules are cute.”
“Cute?” My mouth turned upside and my brows furrowed.
“Yes, cute. The fact that you believe I will ever be okay with another man being in your space is amusing to me.”
I reached out to grab his wrist. He continued stroking my pulse point.
“Kairus, I get you have issues from your childhood, but I need you to work with me here. I don’t want anyone else but you, that’s why I came back. You’ve imprinted yourself on me and no matter how much I tried to get over you I couldn’t. Please, stop hurting people because of me.”
His body tensed and he peered into my eyes, face unmoving. “What will I get in return?” he questioned.
I licked my lips. “Whatever you want.”
A taunting smirk formed on his face. “Careful, that’s a lot of power. You sure you’re up to it?”
I swallowed hard and nodded. “Yes. If it means no one will get hurt, then I am.”
He watched me silently. I was hyperaware of his touch. “As long as they don’t touch you, we can see how it goes.” It wasn’t the answer I wanted but it was a start.
“And the other things? Not being so controlling and treating me like a human and not property?”
“Mhm…but you are my property, Beauty. My name on you says so.” His voice came out low and husky. I had to remind myself that my pussy had just gotten a nice beating and needed a break.
“Kairus, I’m serious. I love how possessive you get over me but sometimes it’s too much.” I could tell by the darkness that flashed through his eyes he didn’t like what I said but it was the truth. I wanted the freedom to do what I wanted without worrying Kairus would pop up and cause a scene. I was a grown woman and had no desire to ask permission to go anywhere.
“You’re making a lot of demands and seem to be the only one getting something out of all of this.”
Breathing heavily, I shifted so I was now on my knees and lifted, causing his hand to drop. I wrapped my arms around his neck and smiled.
“You get me.” Leaning in, I pecked his lips. “All of me. You get to tie me up, mark me, claim me whenever you want for all to see if you please.” My voice grew lower and sultrier. His eyes flashed and his nostrils flared. “No one has ever gotten me like that before.”
He grabbed my hip securely. “And no one ever will! And do you know why?”
I bobbed my head. “Because I’m yours.” My lashes fluttered and I bit into my bottom lip, hoping he heard the sincerity in my words. Kairus’s trauma from his childhood impacted so much in his adult life. I hoped my return would start to heal it.
“You won’t lose me and no one will take me from you.”
“Fine,” he grumbled, making me smile wider. “If school is what you want, then so be it.”
“And keeping track of my every move?” His jaw clenched.
“We’ll see,” he gritted.
I shook my head, knowing the conversation would come back up later. “And the last thing, how do you always know where I am? I know you’re busy so did you have someone following me? And tell me the truth!”
This time a crooked grin split his face. I narrowed my eyes at him.
His hand went to my right wrist and he brushed his thumb over it. “Remember when you cut your wrist punching the mirror?”
I nodded slowly. “When I had the doctor sew you up, I may have had him implant a tracker inside you.”
My eyes widened. “You what?!”
His body stiffened and a bored look appeared on his face. “It had to be done. If you tried to run away I needed to know where you went.”
“But I didn’t! Why didn’t you say something once we got closer?”
“Knowing your every move was necessary. I enjoyed being able to locate you whenever I wanted.”
My mouth dropped. I couldn’t believe he would go this far. It was one thing to tattoo me without my permission, but to put a tracker in me like I was a dog was too far.
“Okay.” I moved away from him. He frowned when his hand fell from my body. “The first thing we’re gonna do is get this thing out of me. That’s not normal or okay, Kairus. If you want to know where I am, all you have to do is ask. I have nothing to hide from you. I came back here because I want to be here. When I left I told you if you would have asked me then I would have chosen you.” My eyes softened and my teeth scraped over my bottom lip. My hand lifted and brushed over his rugged skin. “This is me choosing you, Kairus, but we have to do this the right way.
“You said you didn’t like the feelings I brought you because they made you weak, but that’s not true. You’re one of the strongest people I know. A lot of people see the flaws in you but not me, I see potential and strength. I might not agree with how you handle business but I can overlook that because I see the man you are behind all the crudeness. You turned my life upside down from the moment you took me, but in the end it turned into the best thing that could have happened to me. Don’t let your past continue to dictate your present, Kairus. You’re stronger than what your dad beat into you. I just wish you could see that.”
I stroked his cheek, noting he was in need of a shave.
Kairus reached for my wrist again. “Your father won’t approve of me.”
“I don’t care,” I rushed out.
“You can’t try to leave if he protests because I won’t let you go easily.”
I shook my head with a small smile. “My parents know I’m here. I told them I want to be with you.” It was brief but I saw the shock pass through his face.
“And I won’t turn into some Prince Charming. I’m violent, possessive, obsessive, and dangerous.”
I swallowed, still not afraid. “I know all that,” I whispered. “It doesn’t change how I feel about you.”
“And how do you feel about me?”
Suddenly, my mouth grew dry. My heart hammered against my ribcage. I was nervous to confess my feelings because I didn’t know how Kairus would accept them. The way he was raised, without love and care, made it hard to connect with him most of the time, still I tried. I wanted to shower him with love and show him he was bigger than his past.
Inhaling a deep breath, I made sure to stare him in the eyes so he could feel how real my words were.
“I love you, Kairus,” I admitted for the first time out loud. The day we danced at the symphony was the day I knew for sure I had fallen in love with him.
A wave of emotions passed over his face. His eyes became wild.
I was caught off guard when he yanked me into his hard body and pressed a hard kiss onto my mouth.
“You’re moving in here, permanently,” he demanded. “And you’re never going back to Elite. I’ll cover your expenses from now on.”
I nodded, not giving a fight. Elite was now a part of my past and I had no plans of returning. Moving back here was my plan all along.
“And you’re not allowed to leave me.” It broke my heart that inside Kairus was still a broken kid who had learned to tuck how he felt away and handle his feelings in unhealthy ways.
“I won’t, but you have to remove the tracker and remember I’m a person. All you have to do is communicate with me. Oh, and no more throwing me in the basement and locking me up.” I cut my eyes at him.
“Done.” He kissed me again, this time more hunger-filled. “I knew from the moment I laid eyes on you, you were meant to be at my side and in my arms. There was nothing I wouldn’t do to have you.”
Most people probably believed I was crazy for wanting to be with Kairus and stand by his side, and maybe I was, but I didn’t care. He brought out a side of me I’d never experienced before. He made me feel alive for the first time in my life. My heart soared when he was close. No other man had ever made me feel how he did. It didn’t matter that no one else understood what we had, as long as the two of us had each other.