Chapter 83
KOEN
Leaning against the door frame, I watch Briar sleep. She needed it; it’s been a long twenty-four hours. I’ve only been watching for about ten minutes before she stirs, as if sensing my presence.
Her eyes blink slowly open. I enjoy the little snapshot of peace on her face before it’s gone. Briar shoots up, her hand going to the other side of the bed—the empty side. Panicked, she looks around, freezing when she meets my gaze.
“Where’s Remi?”
“She’s fine. She woke up a couple of hours ago and went wandering into the kitchen, hungry for breakfast. Liam took her to the rink for a tour of the Breakers’ locker room before the game tonight.”
She exhales, having held her breath while I talked, her shoulders relaxing.
“What time is it?” Briar rubs her face, trying to push off the heaviness of sleep that still clings to her.
“It’s past ten.”
“What?” Her hands drop and she gapes at me. “Why did you let me sleep so late?”
“You needed it,” I tell her honestly, and for a moment we just stare at each other before she lets out a short laugh.
“Yeah, you’re probably right.” And then my words from earlier hit her. “Wait, did you say there’s a Breakers game tonight?”
“Aye. And we’re going.”
“We?” She blinks at me.
“We,” I confirm, unable to suppress the half smile on my face. “You, me, and Remi; Aidan and Liam hooked us up with tickets for tonight’s game, and Rory’ll be cheering.”
“Oh, wow!” Briar exclaims. “Remi—Remi’s going to love that,” she says softly.
“I hope so,” I say. “I have a lot of making up to do. With Remi and with you.”
Another long moment passes between us, the silence in the loft becoming very apparent.
“Where is everyone?” she asks.
“Out,” is my only response, and my eyes track her hard swallow.
Hoping to break the tension, Briar moves to get out of the bed.
“Oh no, darling, you stay right where you are.” She stills, the hand holding the blanket hovering mid-air. “You need to eat.”
“I can do that in the kitchen,” she replies, but I shake my head.
“Don’t you move,” I warn, before disappearing out into the hallway to retrieve the breakfast tray I prepared for her. It only takes a minute, and I’m pleased to find her still in the bed when I return, though, with a slightly miffed expression on her face like she’s mad at herself for listening.
I come closer and notice her body tense—not in fear, no, this is a different kind of tension altogether. Setting the tray down on her lap, I return to my full height. “Eat.”
Briar makes a little face at me, and my fist tightens as I resist the urge to grab hold of her chin. Not yet. I have to readjust myself before taking a seat in the armchair across from the bed. Looking up, I find Briar watching me. My eyes narrow, and I point to the tray in her lap. “I said eat.”
Another roll of her eyes, and she’s finally exploring the tray, eating a few bites of eggs and bacon and all of the toast. I wait patiently. She must have been hungry, because by the time she’s done, the plate is just about clean. It’s the most I’ve seen her eat. Ever.
Setting the tray aside, she takes another sip of coffee, her eyes on me. “Thanks for breakfast.”
I just nod. Now that she’s properly fed, I can proceed with my plans for the day. I rise from my chair, stalking toward her with purpose. Without warning, I scoop her up, out of the bed and into my arms.
“Hey!” She twists, half fighting being taken down the long hallway. “What are you doing?”
We cross the living room and down another hall and we’re in my bedroom. “Putting you back where you fucking belong.” I drop her onto my bed, a little less gently than I probably should have.
She lands on the soft mattress with a grunt, immediately scrambling for the mattress’s edge.
“Ah.” I hold up a finger and she stops, eyes flickering between my finger and me. “Don’t move.”
She sits back, folding her arms across her chest, and rolls her eyes. “Did anyone ever tell you how bossy you are?”
I step back, admiring the sight of her in my bed. It looks right—she looks right. She’s wearing a plain t-shirt and shorts, no bra, dark hair down and messy from sleep, no makeup. And god, she’s never looked more beautiful.
“So how long am I supposed to sit here exactly? I’ve got things to do, you know.” She tosses her long dark locks over her shoulder, and oh, how I want to wrap the length of it around my fist.
I take a step toward her, my eyes darkening. “You’re not leaving this bed until you understand just how sorry I am.”
Surprise shows on her face, and her eyes widen.
Noticing my increasing proximity, her eyes soften just before I reach her.
She goes to reply, but when she opens her mouth, I take that as my invitation.
My lips are on hers, my tongue sweeping mercilessly through her mouth, devouring her.
She had her breakfast, and now I’m going to have mine too.
I release her lips, and she lets out a gasp, her eyes watching as I circle around to the end of the bed.
“Remember how I was the first to make you come?”
She swallows, her cheeks burn pink but she nods.
I grab hold of her ankles, twisting her flat on her back and dragging her down to the end of the mattress. “And remember when you told me you haven’t been with anyone since?”
Her eyes are huge, pupils blown wide, but she nods again, though this time it’s more stilted.
“And you should know, I’m also going to be your last.” Her mouth parts at my words, but I keep going. “You’re mine, Briar Rose; you’ve always been mine, but I’ve been negligent in my duties as yours,” I admit to her, my face serious.
Grazing my fingers against her skin, my hand travels up her outer thigh until I reach her shorts, slowly tugging them down the length of her legs.
She’s not wearing any panties. Briar doesn’t stop me.
Her shorts hit the floor, and my hands make their way back up her legs.
My gaze is locked on hers as I slowly force her thighs apart.
“Do you wish to see me on my knees, darling? ‘Cause for you, I’ll fucking bend.”
I sink down, and she sits up, trying to stop me.
“No, you don’t have anything to make up for—” One of my hands pushes her back down onto the mattress, while the other finds her slit, smiling when she releases a little whimper at the contact.
Already so sensitive. Leaning in, I give her a taste, and the way she shivers when my breath hits her skin…
“Oh, baby. I have so much to make up for. And I’m starting right now.
So lie down. Shut up. And fucking come for me, darling. ”
I take the subsequent whimper that escapes her as agreement and go in on her.
I’m not gentle, there’s no teasing; I devour her like a man starved.
She gasps and wiggles when I hit the right spot.
I grip her hips, keeping her in place. Her legs wrap around my head, her back arches off the mattress—the sudden rush of sensation too much for her to handle.
Dragging my tongue higher, I suck on her clit, and her body goes rigid.
She’s close. Alternating between licking and sucking, I focus my full attention on her clit until she trembles.
Moving my fingers up and fully exposing her to me before sucking hard, I continue to torment her as she comes apart on my tongue.
An orgasm rips through her, and it’s intense.
I left her wanting last time, and she’s shaking fully as I force her to ride it out, the sensations overwhelming her.
I feel her clit pulsating on the tip of my tongue.
Before she’s had a chance to catch her breath, my hand presses between her thighs, avoiding the still too sensitive clit; as I slide a finger inside of her, my cock tightens, aching for her, but I ignore it.
This isn’t about me—this is about her. I rise, pushing her higher up the bed with me as I crawl onto it, keeping one finger inside of her before dragging her against me.
I pin her feet under mine and grip her throat until she’s stretched out against the length of me; her back to my chest gives me full access to that sweet, sinful body of hers.
Her ear is beside my mouth, and her body tenses when I whisper, “That was one.”
I use my free hand to push her shirt up until she’s naked beside me, stretched out and at my mercy.
I run my hand up the length of her, exploring every inch until I find her breasts.
I keep my fingers light, tracing them just where the skin swells, taking my time before finding one of her nipples.
My touch is delicate, and a direct contrast to the firm grip I have on her throat.
I roll the taut bud between my fingers, my teeth finding her neck, biting down before flicking my tongue.
She gasps and squirms, grinding her backside into me, needing my attention lower. I breathe out a soft laugh, “Oh, little Rose, that was quick. Do you want to come again?” I circle her nipple with my fingers before giving it a sharp pinch.
She inhales sharply, biting her lip and nodding quickly.
My hand moves to her other breast, the one I’ve ignored up until now.
The hardened nub straining for my attention.
I flick it with my thumb, and Briar arches her back, her backside grinding into me again, harder this time, until she freezes.
My mouth curves into a smile. She felt it—I’m hard as a rock and impossible to ignore.
I pull her closer, my cock jerking with the contact, desperate to be inside of her. “You feel that? What you do to me?”
Briar clamps her thighs together, but I shove them back apart, using my feet to pin hers while keeping her pressed up against me. She jumps when my fingers find her sensitive slit, using four fingers to rub deep circles just over her now desperate clit.