Chapter 16 #2
Finally, Luc withdraws his thick fingers, but he growls when cum leaks from my pussy.
Cool and sticky, gravity urges it to pool beneath me again.
“A little of both, I guess.” His hands don’t leave me, though.
Rough and warm, they run up my thighs to hug my waist. Filled with questions, his eyes rise to mine. “Is a baby something you would want?”
I shrug. It’s not really something I’ve thought about. My career has been my sole purpose in life… until now. “I don’t know. Maybe in a few years, once the new spa location is up and running. Definitely not right now. Is that okay?”
Instead of disappointment, like I expected, Luc’s mouth curves into a smile. “I can wait, mon soleil. It’ll be worth it.”
Sitting up, I straddle his lap and wind my arms around his neck. With my lips pressed to his, I whisper, “You’re welcome to keep trying. The breeding dirty talk… mmm, very sexy. And I have a warding IUD, so we don’t have to worry about me actually getting pregnant.”
His big hand cradles the back of my head, thumb stroking my cheek. “I don’t know what that is, but I trust you.”
I giggle and nestle my fingers in his fur. “It’s an IUD designed for supernatural creatures. Infused with magic, it creates a barrier around my uterus that’s impenetrable by any sperm—human or monster.”
His chest rumbles with a sound of acknowledgment. “Convenient.”
“So much for taking things slow, huh?” I glance down at the glob of pearly-white jizz dripping down my belly and wince.
Luc’s fingers brush through the ends of my hair, like he has to be touching me just as much as I do him. “We could take a few steps back. Focus on dating and stop having sex.”
Head slicing up, I scoff and smack his chest. “Hold on now. We don’t need to do anything crazy. I’m a very sexual creature.”
Luc’s chuckle warms my body from the tips of my toes to the sex-tousled hair on my head. “I’ve noticed. And I can’t seem to control myself around you either.”
“Good.” I flash him a sultry wink. “But no babies… yet.” Climbing off his lap, I leave the bed and extend a hand to him.
“Yet.” He slides his fingers into mine, and I lead him to the bathroom. Both covered in cum, we need to clean off before going to sleep. Not to mention, the bed needs new sheets. I might have to invest in one of those waterproof sex blankets with the amount of fluid Luc expels.
Not that I’m complaining.
Eyes closed, my hand sweeps across the mattress in search of soft fur. The smile drops from my lips when my fingers come up empty, met only by the cool cotton sheet.
Lids springing open, I lift the pillow in search of the seven-foot-tall minotaur. Because, logically, he would hide under there, right? Sheesh, Ness.
“Luc?” My voice echoes around the empty bedroom.
Waking up alone after a night of explosive, mind-blowing sex… talk about déjà vu.
Heart deflating, I get out of bed and grab my robe from the hook on the back of the door.
“I guess it was too good to be true.” All that talk of babies last night and he couldn’t even dignify me with a goodbye.
But something—a soft, masculine hum—has my ears prickling and my poor organ in my chest re-inflating.
Following the sound, I pad down the stairs on my tiptoes. When I reach the living room, the humming intensifies, with soft music playing in the background.
I choose my steps carefully, avoiding the creaky spots on the hardwood as I sneak toward the kitchen. The sight before me has a hand slapping over my mouth to stifle my giggle.
There, in his birthday suit, is Jean-Luc. The big curmudgeon has his back to me, hips shaking to the beat of an old-school rock song.
His rumbled humming spreads throughout the small kitchen.
Hooves shuffling along the floor, his tail flicks in time with the music coming from where his phone sits on the counter.
Spinning to face me, his eyes are pinched shut as he strums a wooden mixing spoon like it’s his own personal electric guitar.
I can’t help but smile at this carefree, uninhibited moment. “As much as I’m loving this… why are you naked in my kitchen, Luc?”
Sliding to a stop, his baby blues spring wide, the wooden spoon clattering to the floor. “Vanessa. You’re awake.”
This time, my laughter bursts free. “Sure am. Whatcha doin’, big guy?” I sidle up to him, bending at the waist to pick up the spoon, which puts me face-to-face with his dick. I swear the one-eyed monster twitches under my perusal.
He backs around the counter and continues stirring something in one of my mixing bowls. Spoilsport. “Oh. I didn’t want to put on my dirty clothes from yesterday. And mon soleil, you’re tiny. I doubt anything of yours would fit me.” The tips of his ears flutter and turn an endearing shade of red.
Hopping onto the counter, I swing my legs. “You’ll have to leave some clothes here for next time—” A gasp puffs from my mouth. “I mean… if there is a next time.”
Luc grunts, adding some veggies into the bowl. Sureness fills his eyes when they rise to mine. “There will be.”
“Good.” Lightning fast, I grab a strip of yellow bell pepper from the cutting board and pop it in my mouth, crunching it between my teeth. “Where are your clothes then?”
He points one thick finger over his shoulder at the open closet door in the back of the kitchen. Sure enough, now that I’m not distracted by the python between his legs, the distinct hum of the dryer meets my ears.
While Luc cooks omelets, I grab plates and silverware and brew some coffee.
“Oh, I usually drink my coffee black with blood powder. What do you like? I might have some creamer in the fridge from the last time Viktor and Maggie were here.” Opening the fridge, I slide bottles and containers to the side until I find a bottle of vanilla creamer near the back.
The expiration date hasn’t passed yet, and when I pop the lid and sniff, it smells okay. Artificially sweet, but not sour.
Luc plates the omelets, adding a sprinkle of cheese on top before sliding them across the counter. “I usually go for hazelnut, but whatever you have is fine.”
I tuck that nugget away for my next trip to the grocery store. I want Luc to be comfortable in my home.
After pouring us each a mug of steaming coffee, I settle on one of the stools tucked under the counter. The other stool groans as Luc sits next to me… still naked as the day he was born.
Again, I eye the appendage between his legs. Even soft, it’s impressive. My cheeks heat and my core pulses. Down, kitty. Clearing my throat, I ask, “How am I supposed to eat breakfast with your sausage challenging me to a staring contest!”
Chuckling, Luc plucks a paper napkin off the pile on the counter. He spreads it open and lays it over his lap. “Better?”
“Yes. Thank you.”
Between bites of egg and veggies, Luc says, “I thought we’d run to the lumberyard outside the city after we eat. They have overstock and scratch-and-dent cabinets and doors. I can’t leave until I know you’re safe. I’ll have to get you a new couch at some point, too.”
My tummy flutters. Yes, he’s the one who broke my door in the first place, but I also appreciate that he’s protective and considerate enough to fix it. “Wait, what happened to my couch?”
Luc’s cheeks blaze, and he clears his throat. “When you were sick, umm, I did a little damage while you fed on me.”
“Oh.” Silence settles between us, and I push my food around on my plate. Eventually, I force out the question that’s been on my mind since last night. “What happens next? After you leave...”
Luc sighs and rubs a hand over his mouth.
When he turns to face me, he grips the seat next to my thighs and spins me until we’re face to face.
“I’ve never done long distance before, but I meant what I said last night, Vanessa.
I’m willing to try if you are. We can figure things out as we go. Find a routine that works for us.”
I swallow around the lump in my throat. “I’m not ready to give up my career or my life in the city… for you.”
Luc’s expression remains serious as his thumb strokes a soothing path along the outside of my thigh.
“And I’m not asking you to. I would never ask you to sacrifice your success for me, mon soleil.
I’m asking for phone calls and text messages and spending as much time together as we can with our busy schedules. ”
“So you’re a workaholic, too?” I chuckle.
He shrugs. “Unfortunately. But I will always make time for you. If you need me, pick up the phone and call. Anytime. Day or night. Okay?”
I nod, gulping down the emotion clogging my throat. “You, too.”
The dryer chooses that moment to sing its little tune, signaling the end of the cycle. Luc shoves the last bite of his omelet into his mouth, chewing before speaking. “Come on. We’ve got a door to fix.” Taking both of our plates, he rounds the counter and puts them in the dishwasher.
Hmm, he cooks and cleans up? I could get used to this.
Luc swings my brand-new door shut, flicking the lock a few times, testing it. “You’re all set.”
After getting dressed, we drove half an hour north to the lumberyard.
Everyone there seemed to know Luc, slapping him on the back and giving him fist bumps.
He even gave out a few bottles of maple syrup he had in the backseat of his truck.
I like that he has a community of his own outside of the orchard.
And maybe he’s not as grumpy as he first seemed.
I stroke my hand over the painted white wood.
“Come spring, I can paint it the same color as the old one. If you want.” Running a hand over the back of his neck, he peers up from beneath a lowered brow.
“I like it this way. Plus, I have a killer story to tell now.”
Luc’s laughter reverberates through me when he pulls me in for a hug. “I should probably hit the road.” It took most of the day to pick up the door and install it, then add in a quick lunch break and it’s nearing four o’clock. Plus, Luc has an hour drive back to Maple Ridge Hollow.
Silence settles over us as I savor the feel of his big arms around me, something I’m sure I’ll have withdrawals from this week.
“I almost forgot, do you need to feed before I leave? Or I can leave some blood in the fridge?”
“No.” My face swipes against the worn fabric of his shirt when I shake it. “My body seems to metabolize your blood slower. I should be okay until next weekend.”
“You’ll let me know if you need more?”
“Yes.” I bury my nose in the tuft of fur on his chest that his shirt can’t seem to contain. It bursts through the unbuttoned portion of his flannel, soft against my nose and filling my nostrils with his distinct maple and pine scent. “Is it weird that I don’t want you to leave?”
He strokes a hand over my hair, holding me close. “Feeling’s mutual, Ness. But you have a relaxation empire to build. And my sap bags are probably overflowing.”
I pull back, eyes widening. “Oh, no! I totally forgot about your syrup!”
His fingers wrap around my neck in a collar, bringing my mouth to his. “Don’t sweat it. I called Maggie while you were sick. She and Viktor have everything under control.”
“So… I guess I’ll call you later?” I murmur against his lips, not quite ready to let him go.
“Mmm. Video call, mon soleil, so I can get a good look at your wet little pussy while you come from my words alone.” His teeth sink into my lower lip, setting loose a full-body tremor.
Fuck me. Why does his filthy mouth make me want to do exactly what he says? Oh yeah, because if I do, I’ll be rewarded with another orgasm. And who doesn’t love orgasms.
“Okay.” I wrap my fingers around the collar of his shirt and swipe my tongue along his lips. Don’t get me wrong, I love sex, but kissing Jean-Luc is almost as amazing.
His chest rumbles with a groan, and the fingers around my neck tighten. Neither of us is ready for the weekend to end. Our mouths fuse, tongues dancing, refusing to separate even when my head gets fuzzy from lack of oxygen.
Finally, Luc breaks the kiss, warm breath panting against my face. He presses his lips to my forehead in a gesture so tender that I’d melt into the floor if he wasn’t holding me up. “Later, mon soleil,” he whispers against my temple. Then he’s out the door.
With swagger as smooth as warm honey, he throws a wink over his shoulder before trotting down the steps to his truck. His tail flicks in the air behind him, the only sign of his own giddy excitement.