Chapter 16
Kinsley
All That Is Beautiful Is Fleeting
Alek woke me with kisses on my neck the next morning.
Memories of last night had me flushing in embarrassment, but we were alone now, and he took full advantage.
Pressing his hard cock against my pussy, he pulled my leg over his and slipped inside me.
He made slow, sweet love to me. It was tender and magical all at the same time.
Our eyes interlocked as our bodies moved together in a new way.
Each caress from him created an invisible rope that wrapped around my soul, and I matched it with my own, binding us irrevocably to one another.
This man had no idea of the tempest of emotions that were running through me as I clenched his cock between my legs and let go.
Soaring to new depths, I surrendered everything to him.
“My sweet little pet, what are you doing to me?” he breathed, moaning my name over and over in my ear.
I longed to answer him in words, to tell him I loved him, but couldn’t. To speak the word aloud would make leaving that much harder, so instead I cried. After soothing my tears, Alek pulled out of me.
“We should shower and go downstairs for breakfast. As much as I hate to leave this bed, I’ve got to oversee some things at the club.
You’re going to be so fucking sore. I’m going to be inside you every chance I get.
” He pulled me to my feet. And damned if he wasn’t lying; I was incredibly tender. Would I ever adjust to their sizes?
“Pump your breaks, old man. Until Ivan forgives me, I’ll have every third day off to rest.” I smacked his ass lightly. He whirled around and grabbed me in a bear hug.
“Did you really just smack my ass?” he growled, trying to sound mad.
“Maybe. It’s a really nice ass, you know. I’m fond of it.”
Letting me go, he turned the water on and adjusted the temperature. I came up behind him and leaned against his back. My hands traced his stomach, feeling the muscle flinch.
“How come you call me old man? Nik is only a few minutes younger than me, you know,” he said, moving my hands and pulling me into the shower with him.
“Because you act like one. Plus, he has a baby face.” His smooth chest called to me, so I ran my fingertips down his skin until he groaned. Each contour like my own private playground.
“You know, it’s a good thing I’m a secure man.” He swatted me playfully on the ass.
“Hey now, you know I bruise easily.”
“I remember.” His voice dropped lower, heat sliding in. “But your ass looks so damn good with a little color. Just thinking about it…does things to me.” He pulled me into him as the warm water washed over us.
My hands wandered down his body, and I cupped his ass, kneading the firm flesh. Moving my hands, I brought them around and cupped his balls before wrapping my hands around his dick and stroking it until it started to get hard again. He raised his eyebrow and cocked his head to the side.
“Speaking of being sore. I think it’s only fair I do the same to you and Nik. I could tease and stroke you for hours, maybe suck a little. What do you think?” I batted my eyelashes as he groaned and moved my hands. “You’re no fun, old man.” I winked, and he laughed.
Warm water blasted me from my showerhead—thank god we each had our own—and I sighed, sinking into the comfort.
I swayed, teasing him as I washed. His eyes were glued to me, so I sang.
Choosing something was easy, and by the way his cheek twitched, I knew I was making my point.
I tucked his reaction away; he seemed to enjoy it as much as Nik.
As I continued, he growled and launched his body toward mine, caging me against the shower wall with his strong body.
“Don’t tempt me, or I will absolutely run you like a river, and as it is, you’ll be hard pressed to dance with your little friend later.”
“Little friend? You should see him in tights.”
He rubbed his cock between my ass cheeks and dipped lower. “Don’t make me break his legs, kitten.”
“You’ll do no such thing. I’ll—”
He shoved his cock brutally inside me, making me cry out. Pulling my head back, he moved down my neck and sucked hard, marking me. I squirmed in his arms, trying to pull away. But he nipped the flesh and pumped inside me until I was panting. Just as I was about to go over, he pulled out.
Slapping my ass hard, he barked, “No more for you.”
I whipped around, frustrated, but nearly crumbled as he grabbed his cock in his fist and stroked it. Fire spread through my body from the sight. I gulped, then whimpered as I reached for it, but he shook his head. “No,” he stated firmly.
“Please,” I begged, while he flashed a devilish grin in my direction. His fist pumped faster. He brought himself to the edge and then backed off. Gracefully, I knelt in front of him.
“Fuck, sweetness. You don’t play fair,” he groaned as I positioned my mouth near his cock. When he muttered “Open that pretty little mouth of yours,” I inwardly rejoiced. I took my time driving him crazy before he pulled my head hard against him and his cum ran down the back of my throat.
“God, I love your mouth on me,” he said, pulling me into his arms. I smiled, content once more.
After finishing up in the shower, I got out, then wrapped my hair and body in towels and kissed Alek on the cheek while he dried off.
“I’ll see you at breakfast, my King. I’m so glad you’re home. I missed you.” I headed to the bedroom closet.
“Kinsley?” His voice was soft, vulnerable, and his sapphire eyes were bright this morning. “I’m so glad you’re here. I missed you more than you’ll ever know.”
My breath caught in my chest. It might not have been an I love you, but in my heart, that was what I heard. I ran to him and kissed him.
“God, I swear I want to fuck you again.” But instead, he pulled away from me.
I giggled. “And that would be a problem for who?”
“You’re so naughty, kitten.”
“I mean, I practically have to be if I want to not be replaced,” I said, sticking my tongue out.
He stepped out into the hall, and I went into the closet to get dressed but stopped short—the container.
When did it even get here? I would have to thank Marcus.
Dropping to the floor, I opened it and gulped.
Sitting on the top of a folder was another envelope.
The handwriting, my name scrawled on the outside, brought fresh tears to my eyes.
It was sealed, which told me Marcus, even if he’d looked inside, hadn’t violated my privacy by opening the envelope. Hugging it to my chest, I took a deep breath and then ripped it open.
My Dearest Kinsley,
If you’re reading this letter, then you have found yourself in need of a fresh start.
I know I don’t need to tell you how important it is that you follow the plan I’ve listed.
Jellybean, I’m so sorry. All I can do is hope you’ve forgiven me on some level.
I’ll never forgive myself for failing to protect you in the first place.
In this box, you’ll find everything you might need to start over. I have strategically placed containers such as these in a variety of locations throughout the world on the off chance you need to run more than once.
Your only other option is to use the contact information I provided in my explanation letter.
I’ll leave that decision up to you. I won’t lie.
All your refusals to let me verbally tell you the story made it easier on me.
I’m a coward, you see. Your disappointment and potential rejection would have killed me.
Saint Amand-de-Coly is your first stop. It’s a beautiful place; I think you’ll love it.
It’s in France. I know you’ve always wanted to go there.
Use the ID for Delphine Toussaint. Your new safety deposit locker has a key to a flat in your name.
It also holds coordinates, in the event you need them.
Use our code phrase tout ce qui est beau est éphémère.
All that is beautiful is fleeting, and they will help you.
Please know, I never meant to hurt you or keep secrets. I wanted to tell you so many times. You deserved better, and I want you to know I loved you from the start. Do not waste time. Trust your instincts, Jellybean.
Love always,
St. Owen
Oh, Owen, I’d give anything to know what was in your other envelope.
I tucked the letter away and closed the container. I’d need to talk to Sebastian and see if his guy could work with any of the documentation I had. With a heavy heart, I finished getting ready and went down to breakfast. The quiet chatter as I approached made me feel nervous.
Once I stepped through the doorway, I saw my beloved, and for just one second, everything else dropped away. My body reacted before my brain caught up. A rush of relief, an unbridled joy, surged through me. My heart leaped, stupidly.
I took half a step forward before shame slammed into me. It was as if my brain forgot we’d spent a month shattered over him. But clarity followed and thank god it did, because I wanted to run into his arms and shower him with kisses.
The moment cracked me in half, and I was left torn.
Join them like an adult and test the waters or run away.
I chose the former, even though my stomach twisted as it all came flooding back.
What I said, what I’d done to us. I took my seat.
His presence and the fact that he was within arm’s reach had me trembling.
I shifted in my seat, my heart pounding in my chest, each beat echoing with a thousand emotions. Being this close to him brought a rush of longing and heartache so intense I wanted to cry. My mouth dried out, and the heaviness from before grew.
His gaze was fixed on his plate. God, I loved him so much, and the ache intensified. Memories of our shared moments—his laughter, protectiveness, and love—collided with the harsh reality of how it ended. And my heart broke all over again.