22. Casper
It’s been a week since the man, now identified as Edgar Schrader, attacked Mona. A week since I held her through her nightmares, coaxing her out of each one until she fell back asleep. A week since she told me she loved me.
For obvious reasons, the house has been closed, not to reopen until I get the go-ahead from the state. Cambrie has been handling all of that, making sure that the employees are well taken care of in the temporary closure.
In the meantime, I’ve been spending every spare moment with Mona, who is now officially moved into my place—our place.
I made the mistake of letting her, Peyton, and Brett take my credit card to Hobby Lobby to get decorations for the condo.
Although seeing the joy on her face when she was unbagging everything and showing me was fucking priceless, and I’d let her rack up whatever charges she wanted just to see that smile again.
I really feel like this past week has shifted so much in our lives and our relationship.
It only solidified our connection, although it wasn’t wavering in the slightest. But she seems lighter, more intentional, aside from when she’s reliving the accident in her mind, her eyes glossed over.
It’s not smooth sailing past the accident, and I wouldn’t expect anything less.
There’s no time limit for healing from anything that causes trauma. No matter how old or young you are. It leaves wounds, some that never heal, some that leave thick, jagged scars behind. But the thing about scars is that even when mended, they can still hurt.
There’s no remedy that takes care of it once and for all, and when she has those moments and craves more alone time, or snuggles, or support, I’ll be ready to help or recruit someone who can.
I’ve got the world in the palm of my hand, and it’s hers just as much, maybe even more with me at her beck and call.
But right now? Right now, she’s glowing, dressed up in a pretty, short, dark green plaid dress, tapered at her waist with delicate lace lining the sweetheart neckline. Her necklaces are overlapping one another on her chest, and paired with the outfit are her old Docs.
“I heard whispering,” she reports nervously, her ear pressed against the front door.
Not a second later, I hear a knock, which means it’s either Ledger or Ransom—because Kol or Bates would’ve been dicks and entered the code, letting themselves in.
“Open the door,” I say.
Her eyes widen with shock, like how dare I make such a suggestion. But she takes a quick breath and turns to face it, twisting the knob and pulling it open.
“Mona!” Ransom greets her with the biggest smile. “Gosh, you’re looking beautiful as ever.”
Mona’s smile is real and warm. “Thank you. You guys look great.”
Ledger smirks. “Thanks. I picked it out myself.”
“Holy shit,” Mona teases him. “Was that a … joke? I didn’t know you could make those.”
Ledger rolls his eyes and strolls inside, ignoring her and Ransom’s giggles. “Since when did these two become best friends?”
Knowing our handshake, I greet him with it, chuckling as Bates walks in behind Ransom, smacking his ass as hard as he physically can. He yipes and leans into Bates, giving him hell. Serena sneaks in behind him, ignoring the fight beside her.
She immediately greets Mona with a hug, and they share a few words I can’t hear. Her smile finds me, and I embrace her with a hug, after all, she’s my family now too. After a quick check-in, she returns to the storm in the entryway.
Chaos, typical of our group when we’re all together, ensues as the final member of the Sinners Craft Club arrives. Kol looks cheerier than normal. I’d love to prod into what that’s about, but I leave him be, turning my attention to Mona instead, who’s sauntering over to me.
“Hey,” I greet her, lifting my arm so she can tuck herself beneath it. “See? Not so bad.”
I think they softened their blow with the flowers, cards, and phone calls from this past week, easing her into their friendships versus this being the first real introduction.
Staring down into her stunning green eyes, I see no guards or walls between us, and it’s the most beautiful sight.
Compared to the first time we met, when she basically shot me in the heart, she’s unrecognizable, relaxed and calm.
I like to think that’s because I created a safe enough place for her to stow her swords and shields, and just be.
“Yeah, yeah,” she groans, rolling her eyes.
My fingers find her waist, tickling her aggressively, and she squeals, running from me and into the dining room, where dinner will be served soon by Lena, the chef that always cooks at Bates and Serena’s house.
I trail after her, the rest of the shit show following along with me.
Bates throws his arm over my shoulders. “Glad to see you found someone, Cas. You’re happy.”
If anyone in our group understands my and Mona’s relationship, it’s him and Serena. They walked so Mona and I could run. I stole his playbook, and he coached me through a few parts I was worried I was failing at. But it all worked out in the end.
And when the next psycho finds a need to order a custom-made and designed horror mask, we’ll be right here to help. That reminds me …
“Still good for Halloween?” I whisper, making sure that my voice won’t carry down the hallway and into the dining room. But given how loud Ransom, Kol, and Ledger are being, I’m not too worried.
He nods sharply. “All set. Ready for action.”
“Perfect,” I murmur, bumping his shoulder with mine. “Thanks, buddy.”
“Of course,” he hums.
We stride into the dining hall, immediately greeted with swirling scents of Mona’s favorites—baked ham, cheesy corn, mashed potatoes, and gravy. Complete with the most delicious buttered rolls.
Everyone takes their seats, and we dig in, the room filling with laughter and endearing stories, some embarrassing and others sweet. God, what a perfect night, as I’m surrounded by most of my favorite people and the love of my damn life.
After the whole gang leaves, including Lena, I finally have Mona all to myself again. I can see the fullness in her heart as she walks over to the couch and sits down beside me, curling up into my arm.
“Good night?” I ask, leaning over and kissing the top of her head.
She peers up at me, a big smile stretching across her face. “Really good.”
“Whoa,” I tease her, smirking. “Chill out there, Shakespeare.”
Her face falls, her eyes and mouth pressing into thin lines. “I hate you.”
I gasp, grabbing my shirt at my chest. “You hate me?”
She nods sharply and bites down on her bottom lip. “So much.”
In one quick motion, she throws her leg over my lap, straddling me, with her hands on my shoulders.
My hands instinctually fall to her hips. “Hmm. So, you’d hate it if I did”—I grind her hips down, rolling my dick against her, which perks up at her nearness—“this?”
Her exhale catches in her throat, and she wets her bottom lip. “Oh God, yeah. Never ever do that again.”
I sigh heavily, sitting up and wrapping an arm around her back. Standing to my feet, I carry her with ease. “Well, I’d better get us to bed then. I never want to do something you don’t like.”
She wiggles in my grasp, and I tighten my hold, not letting her slip free.
“Wait, wait, go back. I do like it. I do.”
I stay silent until I get into our bedroom, and I toss her toward the bed, letting her fall a few feet through the air. She giggles once and then gasps, her eyes blowing open. Her body stiffens as she hits the bed, fear in her eyes.
Any aches she had from the attack have healed, and I didn’t even think that any roughness might be triggering for her.
Stupid. Stupid. Stupid.
I rush to the bed, taking her hands in mine. Her eyes shift to me, big and vibrant.
“Shit, baby. I’m sorry. Are you okay?”
A flash of disgust flits across her face, followed by a humorless chuckle.
“Yeah, I just wish that it didn’t still affect me, you know?
I’m aware, to the core, that I’m safe. That you won’t hurt me or let anyone else get close enough to try.
I mean, I went most of the evening without thinking about it once.
But then it just hit me out of nowhere.” She groans, angry at herself.
“Hey, it’s not a straight line. But you’re doing everything right.
Acknowledging it and how it makes you feel, talking it out with someone and not keeping it all trapped inside.
” I drop to the bed beside her, and she turns to me, hanging onto every word.
“You’re doing incredible—you know that, right?
You’re so fucking strong and brave and beautiful.
Be proud of yourself because I sure as hell am. ”
Tears well up in her eyes as the softest, most vulnerable smile tips her lips. I know in these moments, she prefers to show me how she feels versus telling me, and that’s exactly what she does.
Like on the couch, she plants her hands on my shoulders and straddles my lap, no distance between us.
Sliding my fingers over the curve of her hips, I can’t help but smirk, knowing there are words sitting on the tip of her tongue. “Come on. You can tell me how much you love me. There’s not a limit.”
Amusement lifts her face. “Now I’m definitely not saying it.”
I click my tongue and groan, tipping my head back against the bed. “Such a fucking brat.”
“Oh noooo,” she whines playfully, grinding her center down against me. “What are you going to do to me, Mr. Masked Man?”
“Keep you,” I murmur, digging my fingers into her sides a little harder so she can’t wiggle out if she tries. “Forever.”
Something crackles in the space between us, thickening the air, and as she parts her lips to whisper, the entire world falls away. “I want you—now.”
Reaching up, I tug at her forearms, and she crashes on top of me, her chest flush with mine.
“Then take me.”
I want her to have control right now, unless she genuinely begs me for it. I want her to set the boundaries, the rules. As hard as it might be to not bend her to my whim, I’m handing her the reins.
She hesitates, her stare bouncing between my eyes as she realizes what I mean. “I loooo—” Smirking, she cuts herself off, sealing her lips to mine to stop my smart remark. Her lips part mine, and she kisses me deeply, her tongue quickly joining the party.
I drop my hands to the bed, fisting the comforter so I don’t spin us around and pin her down.
This is for her. This is for her.
My cock springs to life as she grinds against my pants, growing bigger and bigger with each glide up my length.
“Fuck,” I murmur into her mouth as her fingers find my hair.
She’s getting as lost in this as I am, breathy, panting, desperate. It’s the hottest thing I’ve ever seen.
Take from me, baby. Take it all.
Her fingers trail down my body, her tongue still dancing with mine as she hikes my shirt up, flattening her palms against my abs, up and over each one, higher and higher until my top is pushed to my neck.
She pulls away long enough to rip it off me, a fever taking over her. She’s feral as her tongue and kiss devour me, trailing back down my torso. My body is on fire beneath her, scorching to the touch as she slips her fingers in the waistband of my jeans, unfastening the button.
Her eyes flash up to mine as I watch her peel my jeans and boxers off, looking nothing less than devilish as she frees me.
“Fuck, that look in your eyes might make me come,” I groan, fisting the blankets harder.
The tip of her pointer finger runs across the slit of my dick, collecting the drop of pre-cum. She sucks her finger into her mouth, popping it as she glides it out. “So, are you going to sit still like a good boy while I suck you?”
Jesus fucking Christ, giving her control was a terrible, horrible, brilliant idea.
“I’ll do my best,” I grunt, my dick pulsing as she wraps her palm around it.
Her eyes hold mine as she lowers her head, mouth open, tongue out, and she takes my tip into her warmth, her tongue swirling instantly. “Mmmm.”
“Fuck,” I whimper, the sensations already overloading my system and making my eyes drift shut and my head fall back. “That feels so good.” My hand twitches to reach for her, sink my fingers in her hair, but I refrain, wanting to earn my gold star as her good boy.
Deeper and deeper, she takes my length down her throat, working me like she wrote the fucking handbook. Vibrations from her moans shoot through me, tingles dancing through my body in the most delicious way.
God, I don’t know if I can hold back and let her keep the reins. I’m dying over here. To flip her over, push her back down, and thrust into her in one go.
“Ride me, baby. Please,” I exhale, more desperate than I ever imagined possible. “I need you.”
She’s just as ready, eager, and hungry. Pushing to her knees, she doesn’t bother to take her panties off, merely lifting the dress and pulling the lace to the side as she lines herself up.
“There you go,” I murmur, my fingers going numb in the sheets.
Slowly, she lowers herself, her tight pussy taking me greedily, every single inch until her lips are pressed flush against me.
She moans, rocking her hips and building more confidence in her moves every second. “Fuck, you’re so deep.”
Her palms find my chest, and she lifts her ass back and drops, sliding down my entire length.
“Holy fuuuck. That’s it,” I grunt as she rears up and back down, her ass clapping against me. “Use me, Mona. I’m all yours.”
And that’s exactly what she does, losing herself in the pleasure as she rides my cock, over and over until her breathing quickens.
“P-please,” she begs. “More.”
I don’t hesitate, my hands grabbing her waist and my hips rolling upward.
My cock plunges deeper inside her, eliciting the most breathy, sporadic moans. She’s right there; I can feel it in the way her pussy’s tightening around me.
“Give it to me. Stop fighting it. I can give you another,” I promise her, unsure of where I’m going to find the strength to not come immediately.
“No,” she gasps. “Together.” A shudder runs through her, and she plummets over the edge, crying out, “Oh God, yes, yes, yesssss!”
And I’m gone, right along with her, filling her up to the brim like the good boy I am.