Chapter 18
Chapter Eighteen
Giana
My fingers skirted over cool sheets as consciousness came creeping in.
My eyes fluttered open the moment my hand didn’t meet warm, hard muscles, to find that I was alone in bed for once.
I frowned as I rubbed the sleep from my eyes and rolled over, only for something to crinkle beneath my head.
I slipped the paper out and smiled at the familiar handwriting.
We wanted to let you sleep in, so don’t worry about anything. Merrick and Spade went to the bar to handle everything with the Demons, and I’m keeping an eye on things at home. Breakfast is on the bedside table.
Love you always,
Kellan
I traced my fingers over the indent left by the pen before setting it down and glancing at the nightstand. A stainless-steel cloche rested atop a plate, and I couldn’t help but grin as I excitedly sat up and reached for it.
Steam billowed out as I lifted the lid to reveal the eggs, toast, and breakfast sausages arranged on the plate along with a fork.
I did a little happy dance as I dug in. I might have loosed a tiny squeal the moment my eyes landed on the travel mug of coffee, finding it exactly how I normally took it with just a splash of milk.
I voraciously attacked the food, my body practically vibrating with excitement, trying to get to Kellan to thank him as soon as possible.
I rushed into the shower, and dressed in a slouchy sweater and leggings before bolting down the stairs to put the dishes in the dishwasher.
With a quick refill of my coffee, I went on my search for Kellan.
He hadn’t been upstairs, and he also wasn’t on the main floor.
I quickly popped my head into the basement, but he wasn’t down there either.
I nearly fell down the stairs as I spotted Zane and Sophia down there.
The former held the pads for her as she practiced the punches, kicks, and blocks we’d taught her.
My mouth fell open as I silently watched them in stunned fascination.
This was probably the first time in weeks that the two hadn’t been at each other’s throats, and it was a nice change of pace.
I slowly closed the door and backed away, not wanting to do anything to jeopardize the tentative peace they must’ve found.
There was only one place Kellan could be now.
I slipped on a pair of Uggs and skipped out the door, making a beeline for the small studio Kellan kept on the property right beside Merrick’s workshop.
I swung open the door, grinning at the man perched on a plush leather office chair, his body hunched over his sketchbook as he added some shading to whatever he was working on.
His pencil clattered to the desktop as the electronic chime announced my arrival.
He hurriedly closed his book and smiled up at me like that wasn’t even more suspicious.
“What are you drawing?” I grinned mischievously, stalking over to him like a lion readying to pounce on their prey.
“Nothing,” he said a little too quickly.
He bounced up from his seat and led me over to a black leather couch.
I couldn’t help glancing around the studio in wonder.
I hadn’t been in here for weeks, and the beauty of his artwork took my breath away.
Bright morning light shone in through the large-paned glass walls, lighting up some of his pieces as though the sun was shining just to bring out their beauty.
His art here was more personal than what he had on display at his shop in town, like he’d made it for his eyes alone.
“Liar.” I poked him in the ribs. But I wouldn’t force him to show me.
It took some of us time to share something as personal as art could be.
Just like I wasn’t sure I’d let them read the pages from my journal yet.
Hearing a story was a lot different from steeping yourself in someone’s innermost thoughts and feelings.
“How did you sleep?” He wrapped me up in his arms, nestling me into his lap. I sank into his comforting warmth and let my eyes flutter closed, just drinking in his nearness. I hugged my coffee to my chest, not wanting to let it go so soon.
Kellan chuckled. “You know I won’t steal your coffee. Or maybe…”
I scowled at him and drank down a large gulp, trying my best not to react as it scorched a line down my throat. “Thank you for breakfast.”
“You’re welcome.” He grinned, placing a soft kiss on my lips. The next thing I knew, he had my cup of coffee and was downing half of it as I watched, mouth agape.
“Excuse me,” I gasped and tickled his sides, remembering exactly where to get him to deliver the most damage.
“Okay, okay,” he wheezed, handing the mug back to me. I scowled when I felt the difference in weight and finished the rest of it so he didn’t have a chance to steal it.
He took the empty mug from me and placed it on the side table before he wrapped his arms around me even tighter, his forehead resting against mine as we just sank into the moment of peace and quiet.
“Do you really want to see what I was drawing?” he asked after a few minutes, catching me off guard. He sheepishly withdrew his sketchbook that I hadn’t even seen him bring over with us.
“Of course I do.” A crease formed between my brows as I scanned his face. His shoulders slumped slightly, but that didn’t make any sense.
He edged the book away from me as he flipped the pages. “There are some unfinished sketches in there that I want to wait to show you.”
A thrill of excitement shot up my spine as he landed on the drawing he was looking for and took a deep breath as though he was steeling himself for my reaction. Anticipation zinged through my veins, and I couldn’t keep myself from bouncing on his lap.
My eyes widened as he turned the page around.
It was me, but it wasn’t just my face. It was a sketch from the other morning when the four of us woke up in bed together.
He captured the light beaming in through the window as it hit my skin beautifully.
My eyes were closed, my head thrown back in ecstasy, my messy locks tangled down my arched back.
I was straddling thin air, instead of Spade’s hips, my sleep shorts scrunched up revealing the curves of my ass, my breasts on full display, my nipples taut from Kellan and Merrick’s teasing.
“It’s beautiful,” I said, because it was.
Despite being practically naked in the drawing, it was artistic and gorgeous, unveiling the light Kellan always managed to capture in me.
It was soft yet alluring, two things I hadn’t really thought about myself, but Kellan seemed to capture anytime he drew me.
“You really like it?” He expelled a breath as though he was truly worried I wouldn’t approve.
“With all the violence and murder we commit nearly every day, a semi-nude drawing shouldn’t be as high on your list of moralities.” I giggled, and he beamed back at me. “You know I always love your art. I love seeing the world through your eyes.”
“You really don’t know how perfect you are, do you?” he asked, his lips finding mine instantly. My eyes fluttered closed as he threaded his fingers through my hair and deepened the kiss, his tongue twining with mine in a seductive dance.
“Are you sure you don’t need a live model?” Mischief lit up my grin as I pulled at the hem of my sweater.
“I’ll never argue about getting the chance to worship every inch of you, little devil.
” He helped me slip the material over my head and groaned at the realization that I wasn’t wearing a bra.
The cold studio air washed over my bare skin, pebbling my nipples into stiff points.
Kellan licked his lips, his sable gaze devouring my entire body like he was indeed memorizing every dip and curve to recreate in his art.
He teased his mouth along my jaw, and down my neck, following my collarbone until he reached my chest. A shiver of desire slithered up my spine as he neared the sensitive skin.
My head rolled back the moment his mouth closed over one of my nipples, his teeth lightly nipping at the flesh and sending a shockwave of ecstasy straight to my center.
I rocked my hips, my core desperately seeking any friction as lust scorched its way through my veins.
His hand traced over my waistband teasingly, and a needy whimper slipped from my lips.
As he switched breasts, his mouth curved into a grin, unleashing a new current of desire within me.
Finally, his hand slipped beneath the leggings and went straight to my core.
I bucked into his touch, my aching pussy desperately needing him inside me.
He didn’t torture me for much longer. He sank his fingers into me, curling them at a delicious pace as his thumb swirled around my clit.
Before I could protest, he pulled out, his mouth releasing my nipple as he hoisted me into his arms and strode across the room.
He swept his arm over his desk in one swift motion, sending the art supplies clattering to the floor.
Neither of us cared as electricity zinged between us, practically drawing us together with a magnetic force.
He ripped my leggings and panties off me, managing to tear off his own shirt and pants before he was kneeling before me, his rippling muscles on display as he parted my thighs.
“You have no idea how many times I’ve wanted to do this over the last couple of weeks.”
“Don’t wait so long next time,” I breathed as he gazed down at my slick core like it was a gourmet meal from a Michelin-starred restaurant.
“I won’t.” He grinned as he dipped his head and dragged his tongue through my wetness. He watched me the entire time, greedily drinking in my expressions as eagerly as he devoured my pussy. “I would fucking eat you for breakfast, lunch, and dinner if I could.”
My head rolled back on the desk, my eyes closing for a moment before he stopped. “What—”
“Eyes on me, sweetheart. Watch me feast on this sweet pussy.”
Fuck. How could I not when he put it like that?