Chapter 35 – Three Days Later
KAYLA
THREE DAYS LATER
The last few days have been quiet. As quiet as a life like ours can be. I’ve been in his arms while he’s been in mine. We’ve left the hotel, and I’ve been staying in his house. Not officially moved in, but kinda getting there.
He wants me to live with him, but I don’t know if I’m ready to let go of my own place. Baby steps is where we are, and he’s okay with that.
Though he may not say it, I know he needs me after what transpired with his brothers.
It was exactly what I was afraid of. Them finding out and trying to kill him. So when he went to them, I called Elsie and told her everything. It was one way I could ensure that he’d be safe.
Elsie was with Fernanda at the time, who told her everything, and together, they called Iseult. Of course, once Nicolette found out Raph was in the middle, she came too.
We figured if we all showed up, they wouldn’t want to put us in harm’s way. The only thing we worried about was whether we were too late. But luckily, we weren’t. Other than superficial wounds, they were all alive. With Iseult there, we knew she’d make them stop. She has that effect on people.
“Does your nose still hurt?” I ask, cupping his face while I lie on his chest, his fingers stroking up my bare spine.
“You need to stop worrying about me so much, little wolf. I’ve never been better.” His eyes glaze over as he raises his head and kisses the top of mine.
“You should talk about what happened. You need to talk to someone.”
“I’m fine.” His fingers continue to brush sensually.
“It helps to get it all out. To say how you feel without guilt.”
“Pretty sure if I told a shrink what I’m thinking, they’d have me arrested.”
I let out an exacerbated sigh. Propping myself on one elbow, I turn to him, chin on his chest. “You have to heal from this. You never got to talk to your brothers or your parents about what happened to you. Really talk. It will eat at you. Please, A. Do it for me. Talk to them.”
He shakes his head and stares at the ceiling. “Nothing good will come of it. It’s over now. I just have to forget them.”
My lips meet his ribs. “I’m afraid you’ll never get over it.”
He doesn’t say anything, just continues to stare at the ceiling while my heart simply breaks. He deserves to heal. To tell his side.
He’s been hurt so badly. His scars are deep. None of them truly understand it. Maybe they never will, but he has to try.
“Do you have work tonight?”
He clearly wants to change the subject, so I let him. Pushing will do nothing but make him close down. He needs to feel like he’s in charge of this.
“Yeah.” I drop my cheek against his chest. “But I have to quit tonight.” My gaze wanders off, hating that I have to. “I can’t possibly work there with this scar on my stomach. It’s enough that I covered the ones on my back with the mesh. I can’t do that with my abdomen.”
He sits up, curling his arm around me as he pulls me close. “I’m sorry, babe.”
I shrug. “I don’t even know if it’s the right thing anymore.” A rush of a breath leaves me. “I used to like it because it allowed me to have this sense of control, you know?” I smile stiffly. “But now, with you, I have that. I’m finally in control.”
He picks up my hand and kisses my knuckles. “I’ll always give you what you need. Anytime you need it.”
“Well, don’t sound too disappointed about me not stripping anymore.”
He chuckles, then hisses. “Ow, fuck me.”
His hand curves around his nose. He can’t laugh without feeling pain these days.
“That’s what you get.” I pop a brow.
The back of his hand caresses down my cheek, and he gives me a long look. “You know I’d never tell you what to do. It’s your body. But I'd be lying if I didn't say that I'm happy you won't be stripping anymore.”
“Oh, yeah?” I grin. “Why’s that?” My finger runs down his abs, lower, stroking his Adonis belt, causing him to growl low in his chest.
“’Cause now that you're mine…” He grabs my jaw and steals a sordid gaze. “I don't want anyone else to see what belongs to me.”
A moan escapes me as he flips me beneath him and those lips meet mine in a passionate exchange.
Breathlessly, he captures my eyes with his as he lifts one leg and throws it over his shoulder, the other wrapped around his hip, my foot resting on his back.
“I need to fuck you slow.” He slips the crown of his cock inside me while my fingernails dig into his bicep. “I need to savor you until you’re all I know.”
And with one thrust, he enters me.
“Oh, God,” I cry as he plunders in and out, lips nipping my neck, the fingers of his other hand lightly pinching my nipple.
“Adriel…” I whisper and groan as he continues to unwrap every piece of my soul.
The more his eyes bore into mine, the stronger the connection between us. I crave it, feel it raid my heart and fill my veins. He’s my whole universe.
Lifting my other leg, he throws it over his other shoulder and rises on his knees. Eyes heavy-lidded, he increases his pace, staring down at where we meet.
At the sight of him looking there, the veins of his arms rippling, my eyes roll back.
“I’m gonna come…” I touch myself there, fingers circling my clit as he watches me.
“Fuck, you’re so beautiful. I need a taste of you.”
Before I can catch hold of my release, his mouth is on me as he sucks and licks and flicks until I’m lost to oblivion. Lost to him and us and the things we create together.
There’s no reason to hide anymore. We’re free. We can be together. No one will stop us.
“A!” I scream out as an orgasm springs to life, his tongue inside me now, feeling me ripple and tighten.
“Mm…” He engulfs my clit in his warm, seductive mouth until I slowly climb down.
Those lips trail kisses on the insides of both my thighs before they climb up my body until he smashes his mouth to mine. His fingers curl around my throat as he rams his thick cock back inside, my body jolting, craving every inch.
The power of his large frame over mine, the way he gives me just enough air to breathe while our eyes are locked… I never imagined it could ever be this way—pain and pleasure creating something beautiful.
When I come this time, he joins me, his warmth shooting through my limbs.
Owning me.
And I’ve never liked being owned so much in my life.
Arriving at the club, I slowly get out, my nerves getting to me. I can’t believe I’ll never work here again.
I like the women. The friends I’ve made. But sometimes growing as a person means letting things go, and I’m ready to let this part of myself go.
I haven’t even been here long, but I grew attached to the people, to the feeling it gave me when I took off my clothes and not a damn soul could do anything to me, not like before.
I’m also not the same woman I was when I first started. So much has changed in my life. I wonder what’s next.
But no matter where my life takes me, I know for certain that A will support me, even when he thinks he’s terrible at all things relationships. Yet he somehow still says all the right things, does all the right things. Together, we’ll be unstoppable. No matter what, I’ll always have his back.
A security guard greets me as I enter the club, the loud music beating through the speakers. I head toward the back, another man opening the curtain to allow me access.
As soon as the girls see me, they all greet me. I missed a few nights after I was attacked. Told the owner I was sick. He’s good about that. Doesn’t give us a hard time.
“How are you feeling, sweetheart?” Coco asks, running a long red fingernail through the front of my hair. “I tried callin’. You never called back. Had me worried.” Her thin brows curve with concern. “What did you have? The flu?”
I hate lying to her. I’m so sick of lies.
“Can we talk in private?”
“Sure, yeah. I’ve got a few minutes before I’m up. But you’d better get dressed soon. You’re up after me.”
My eyes go downcast. “That’s what I want to talk to you about.”
Her gaze widens.
“Girls,” she calls to the three others. “I’ll be right back. Tell Yonie I’ll go after Cat.”
She gives Cat a look that says she’d better not give her lip.
“Fine!” Cat throws her hands in the air. “I’ll go. Geez.”
Coco scoffs as she pulls me into one of the private rooms and shuts the door. “Tell me what’s wrong.”
With shaky hands, I lift up my shirt.
“Oh, Jesus Lord,” she gasps. “Who did that to you, honey?” She clasps my hands. “You poor thing.”
“It doesn’t matter.” I try not to cry, but fail, tears slipping with my sad smile.
“You’re leaving, aren’t you?” She sighs.
“I have to.” I shrug a shoulder. “I can’t work like this. It’s time.”
“If you wanna stay, I’ll talk to Yonie. I’ll make him understand.” Her eyes plead for me to stay.
I widen a tight-lipped smile, my vision blurring. “No.” My head shakes. “He won’t want me here looking like this, and I don’t want to face his rejection. I came here to say goodbye, Coco.” An ache weaves its way through my chest. “Thank you for everything.”
Her arms close around me and hold me tight, rubbing my back. “You stop that, okay?” She clears her throat, but her emotions seep through. “You have nothing to thank me for. I’ll always be here for you. Just one phone call away.”
Both of her palms fall to my upper arms as she stares at me with kindness.
“You’re a good soul, honey. Not many like that left out here in this cruel world. You come to me if you ever need anything, okay?”
I nod. “You too. I love you, Coco.”
“Oh, hell. I love you too.” She holds me once again, and together we cry, holding on to one another.
Somehow stronger for it too.