Chapter 1 Amari #2
I spin her around, pressing her against the shower wall. The cool tiles make her gasp, and I take advantage, trailing kisses down her neck. My teeth scrape against her pulse point, and she moans, tilting her head to give me better access.
My fingers trail down her stomach to the heat between her legs. She’s already wet for me, and not just from the shower. I groan against her neck as I explore her pussy, finding her clit and circling it slowly.
“Please,” she whimpers, pushing back against me.
“Please what?” I tease, slowing my movements until she squirms with frustration.
“Fuck me. I need you to fuck me.”
I slide two fingers inside her, and she cries out, her inner walls clenching around me immediately. She’s so tight, so perfect, and I can barely think straight. I pump my fingers slowly at first, building a rhythm that has her panting and clutching at the wall for support.
“That’s it, baby,” I murmur in her ear. “Let me hear you.”
My thumb finds her clit as I continue working her with my fingers, and she starts to shake. I know she’s close—I’ve memorized every tell, every sign of her impending orgasm. The way her breath hitches, how her thighs tremble, the little whimpers that escape before she falls apart.
“Amari, I’m going to—”
“Come for me,” I command, curling my fingers to hit that spot that drives her wild.
She shatters with a cry, her body convulsing as waves of pleasure crash over her. I hold her through it, whispering praise and promises against her skin. When she finally stills, I turn her around and kiss her deeply, swallowing her satisfied sighs.
She reaches for me, but I catch her wrist. “Not yet. Let me wash you properly first.”
I take my time with her body, my hands unhurried.
By the time I’m kneeling at her feet, she’s trembling again, arousal coiling through her.
I wash each foot carefully, massaging the arch, kissing her ankle.
She watches me with heavy-lidded eyes, and I know what she sees: a vampire king on his knees for his queen.
Standing, I press her against the wall again. This time, I grip her hips and lift her. Her legs wrap around my waist instinctively, and I’m positioning myself to slide inside when—
The bathroom door flies open. Images assault our minds—Tofi demanding attention, wanting her daddy now, now, now. The mental pictures are insistent: me in my suit, petting her, taking her on an adventure, teaching her something new.
Carla giggles. Actually giggles while I’m hard as stone and desperate for her. The sound is light and musical, so at odds with the moment that I can’t help but stare at her in disbelief.
I glare at her. “What?”
“You know you like it,” she teases, her eyes sparkling with amusement.
I roll my eyes and set her down with a groan. My dick throbs painfully, demanding attention I can’t give it. The loss of her warmth against me aches.
“Don’t worry, Amari.” Carla’s hands smooth over my chest, trying to soothe my frustration. “You’re getting more of me later. Maybe we can have a night alone, just the two of us, to celebrate the technology center.”
More images flash—Tofi bouncing, spinning, demanding. I can feel her impatience through our bond, and guilt starts to creep in. I close my eyes and count to ten, trying to will my erection away.
“Give me a minute, Tofi,” I call out, trying not to sound as frustrated as I feel.
Carla giggles again. I narrow my eyes at her, and she tries to stifle it, but her shoulders shake with suppressed laughter.
“It’s not funny.” The words come out harsh. “You were gone for days this time. It was hard for me.”
Her expression softens immediately. She cups my face in her hands, water still running over us. “Okay, okay. I’m sorry, baby.”
Her fingers find the short curls at the back of my head, playing with them the way she knows I love.
The gentle tugging makes my breath catch.
“She’s a daddy’s girl.” She shrugs. “So it’s best to get used to it.
Tofi will always require your time because she loves you.
And you’re supposed to be helping her rebuild her bond with Noki. ”
“I know.” Between the technology center and missing Carla, I’ve barely spent quality time with Tofi. No wonder she’s frustrated. “I’ve been neglecting her.”
“You’ve been busy,” Carla says gently. “But she needs you. They all do.”
I look down at Carla’s feet and grab the washcloth again. Kneeling before my queen, I start washing her feet with careful attention. She plants soft kisses on my arm as I work, and the tender gesture eases the irritation burning through me.
My frustration isn’t really about the interruption. It’s about these responsibilities that keep pulling her away from me. I knew she had duties when we mated, but I hadn’t realized how much those duties would steal her from my side. The Queen of Limbo can’t abandon her realm, even for love.
“How are things going with Brookstone and Blackburn?” Her tone drips with disdain, and I know she hasn’t forgiven them for what they did to Verde and Petra.
I rinse her feet and stand, turning off the shower. “Same as usual. Endless, irritating corporate warfare.”
“Do you need to go to Detroit?”
I step out of the shower and grab a towel, wrapping it around her first before taking one for myself. My frown must be fierce because she takes a step back. The thought of leaving Wintermoon, leaving her, makes something primal rise in me.
“No, Carla. Absolutely not.” The words come out as a growl. “I’m not leaving Wintermoon. I’m not leaving you, nor am I leaving our children. My home is here now.”
I run the towel through my hair with more force than necessary, trying to calm the possessive anger her question sparked.
“I’ll get in touch with Bobby. He’s coming back for the weekend anyway.
” A thought occurs to me, and my mood lightens slightly.
“He seems to be getting attached to Wintermoon lately.”
Carla walks out of the bathroom, and I follow, unable to resist popping her on the ass as she starts looking for clothes. The sound is satisfying, and she shoots me a look that promises retribution later. I grin, unrepentant.
As she rummages through her drawers, I head to the closet for one of my suits. Black today. Underwear first, then the perfectly pressed pants.
“Do you have any plans today?” I ask, buttoning my shirt.
“Nope.” She pulls on a dress that makes my fingers itch to take it right back off. The fabric clings to her still-damp skin, outlining every curve. “Just you.”
My smile returns full force at her simple declaration.
“While you’re catering to Tofi,” she adds with a mischievous grin, “I’ll be catering to you.”
I cross the room in two strides, pulling her against me. The dress is thin, and I can feel every inch of her through it. “And I couldn’t be happier.”
Her lips part for another kiss when Tofi’s demands crash through our minds again. There’s desperation in the images now, a need that goes beyond simple attention-seeking.
I rest my forehead against Carla’s. “Our daughter is relentless.”
“Like her father,” Carla whispers, and the pride in her voice makes my heart swell.
“Wait for me downstairs, Tofi baby,” I call out. “Daddy’s just getting dressed.”
Through the door, I feel her embarrassment at my endearment. Even as a spider, I manage to make her blush. She scurries away, her excitement radiating through our bond.
I finish dressing, adjusting my tie in the mirror while Carla watches from the bed. She’s sprawled across the sheets like a goddess, and the sight makes me reconsider leaving. But Tofi’s pull pulses through our bond, and I know I can’t disappoint her again.
“You’re a good father,” Carla says softly.
I turn from the mirror to look at her. “I’m trying to be.”
“No,” she sits up, her expression serious. “You are. Our spider children adore you, Amari. Not just because you’re with me, but because you love them. You’ve given them something they never had before—a father who chooses them every day.”
The words hit something deep inside me. I cross to the bed and cup her face in my hands, kissing her with all the emotion her words evoke. When we part, we’re both breathing hard.
“Tonight,” I promise. “After the children are settled. You and me.”
“I’ll hold you to that,” she says, her smile wicked.
Another impatient pulse from Tofi makes me step back.
I smooth down my suit, checking my appearance one last time.
This is my life now: interrupted moments, stolen kisses, a daughter who demands attention, and a mate who disappears into other realms. It’s chaotic and frustrating and nothing like the orderly existence I maintained before.
It’s perfect.