Without her within arm’s reach, discomfort vibrates along my nerve endings, but even though I want nothing more than to claim her as mine, the existence of boy toy number one and boy toy number two stop me.
Our flirting was the stuff of legends, and I fully intend to see her in the throes of passion sooner rather than later, but not before I untangle her from her ill-fated love triangle.
I’d rather deal with them the same way I dealt with her ex-new roommate, but she may never forgive me if I do.
She’s mine.All of her.Her heart, body, mind, and soul.I refuse to be her side piece.I must eliminate all competition before I enjoy the delights of her body.
I groan and drop my forehead on the tiled shower wall.Tonight will be pure torture, but it’ll be worth it when she gives me everything.
I’ll have her writhing on my cock, screaming outmyname and only my name, and living by my side as soon as fucking possible.
I clean up, dress, and bring in the deliveries before she emerges from the master bedroom.Flushed from the shower and without makeup or her hair styled, she looks impossibly softer and more delicate.
Despite her bravado before our showers, a sweet shyness wafts from her and she stands in the doorway uncertainly for a moment before joining me in the living room.I hand her the remote and finish spreading out the food on the coffee table.
“Isn’t this carpet worth thousands of dollars?The couch must be expensive, too.Let’s eat in the kitchen,” she suggestions.
“First off, I don’t give a damn how much something costs; it’s useless if we can’t use it.Second, nothing is too expensive for you.Sit and eat.Spill away.I’ll keep the stains as mementos if you insist on making them,” I say.
She fiddles with the hem of my shirt.
Tight across her chest and hips but loose everywhere else, the black material highlights her amazing curves.
“Right.Mementos,” she grimaces as she settles on the couch.
My cupcake doesn’t like the thought of leaving, does she?I smirk and sit beside her.
She clicks through several different streaming services before huffing and tossing the remote at me.
“Too many options.I’m too hungry to choose,” she snarls and reaches for a plate.
Realizing I haven’t watched television for pleasure in years, I fumble around until I happen across a documentary about baby animals.I press play and turn the volume just loud enough to hear over our chewing.The show may not be conducive to sexy time—hell, maybe it’ll help me keep my hands off her, but probably not—but after the challenging last few days, Karey deserves a lighthearted distraction.
I dig in, my enjoyment of the food otherworldly with my cupcake by my side.Food, like sex, hasn’t held the same appeal in recent years, but Karey wakens my tastebuds and brightens my life.I need her by my side every day for the rest of my life.
Our legs brush against each other every time either one of us leans forward.Karey makes no move to put distance between us.In fact, when she sets down her plate and pulls a blanket off the back of the couch, she shifts closer and falls asleep with her head on my shoulder.
I don’t dare move for fear of breaking the spell and waking up from my deepest fantasy.Her trust floors me.I rest my cheek on the top of her head and pull her tighter against me.
She sighs and snuggles closer.
Her phone buzzes but she doesn’t budge, so I let the TV roll onto the next documentary and pull another blanket down to cover her feet.
I fight to stay awake so I can relish every moment with her, but the peace in my soul lures me into a doze, and within a few breaths, slumber overtakes me.
Deep sleep reaches up with inky hands and yanks me into a nightmare.
My father’s fist collides with my cheek.His cruel words and crueler boots torment me.Pain and misery invade every inch of my body until the overload leaks out as sweat.Everything hurts but he won’t stop.
It’s not enough.It’s never enough.
He turns toward my mom.
She still hasn’t seen a doctor since his last drunken rage, but he won’t stop hurting her.Her screams pull me down the hallway.
My father slides his belt out of his belt loops.
The world blurs.