She does it meekly, without saying a word. I walk over to her and tilt her chin up.
“You’re okay,” I tell her. “It’s over.”
Her eyes are glassy. She looks at me for a moment, then looks away. “It’s not over. Not really. My father has my mom and my sister to use as leverage over me. It’s been this way my whole life.”
I frown. “You’re safe,” I tell her softly.
Kaia looks at me sharply. “You don’t understand. That back there? That’s who my father is. That’s why I live in such a tiny apartment. Why I work at Club X. Can you just…”
She stops, taking a deep breath and dropping her gaze. “Please stop trying to make things okay. They aren’t really ever going to be okay.”
I slide my hand under her jaw, forcing her to look at me. “I’ll never bend. Never become flexible and pliable. Never be soft and malleable. But I think that happens to be just what you need right now, beauty.”
She studies me, her throat working. “I’m so tired, Calum.”
I nod. “I know.”
I reach down and unzip her hooded sweatshirt, peeling it off her lithe body. She toes off her shoes and lets me push down the waistband of her sweatpants. When she stands naked before me, shivering against the steamy air, I guide her to the bathtub.
Acting a steady frame for her to hold onto as she climbs in, I kneel as she sits down. The hot water sloshes for a moment as she settles in with a sigh.
I trail my fingers through the water as it continues to fill the tub. Kaia closes her eyes.
Reaching for the lavender scented soap, I dunk it under the water and then start to lather her arms, her knees, all the places that aren’t sensitive. She releases a sigh at one point but doesn’t say a word.
She stops me for a second, bringing her wet hand to my face. Using the gentlest touch, she rubs away all the traces of blood, washing them away like they never existed.
I wash her hair next, sliding my hands through the silken strands. She seems to fall into a trance as I rub circles into her scalp, even moaning once or twice.
By the time I am done and her hair is rinsed, she looks at me with a sigh. Her eyelids are heavy, her voice low and rough. “Thank you.”
My lips tip up at the corners. “You’re welcome.”
She inhales a long breath, shaking her head. “I don’t mean for washing my hair, although that was nice. I mean… thank you for jumping in today. You probably…” Her eyes close briefly. When they flutter open again, they are filled with tears. She takes a steadying breath. “You probably saved my life today, Calum. I promise, I won’t forget it.”
Then she does the oddest thing. She takes my hand, still wet from the bath, and turns it over. She places the lightest of kisses right in the middle of my palm.
Something breaks loose deep in my chest. A chunk of ice in the very cold, very dark ocean that is my heart.
I stare down at her. She looks up at me.
I tilt my head and move closer. She turns her face up toward me, seeking my lips.
When we kiss, there is no hint of gentleness, no sweetness to be found.
Only cloying desperation.
I lift her from the bathtub and carry her into the bedroom, unaware of anything but the need to be inside her.
29
Kaia
Dripping wet, wrapped in Calum’s strong arms, I kiss him desperately as he carries me into the bedroom. He doesn’t stop until he tumbles me down onto the mattress, looking down on me, his breath coming in ragged pants.
“Stay here,” he commands. “Stay just like that, beauty.”
Calum turns and disappears out the bedroom door for a moment, his footsteps receding into silence. Seconds tick by. I grow restless.
What is he doing?
But soon enough, he returns. He’s holding a golden roll of condoms in one hand. He doesn’t mention them as he places them on the bedside table.
Then Calum focuses on me, reaching out to touch my knee. He spreads my knee out for just a moment, using his free hand to grip my opposite hip. My pussy is partially exposed and he brushes his hand over my lower lips ever so briefly.
I shudder, anticipation already building.
“Oh, beauty,” he rumbles. He looks up at me, our gazes clashing. “The things I’m going to do to you…”
He starts to rip off his loose t-shirt, whipping it over his head and exposing his chest, abs, and arms. Every part of Calum is more impressive than the last; he could truly be a statue carved of marble, come to life.
He hooks his thumbs in his black sweatpants and shoves them down, kicking them off. For a second he is bare before me, standing proudly, his cock jutting out. His expression is dark, his gaze feral. It’s like being observed by a big cat who keeps licking his jaws, indicating that it’s time for dinner.
I’m his sole focus right now… and I’m ready for his hands all over my body. Ready to gasp and writhe and know the pleasure that he means to give to me.
I shiver, sitting up, and reach for him. Curling my fingers around the firm flesh of his hips, I pull him down. He pushes me onto my back and our legs tangle. His cock presses into my lower belly as his full weight comes to rest on me briefly.
My breath leaves my lungs in a gush. Calum’s blue eyes scan my face as he bites his lip. He thrusts against me once as he kisses the left corner of my lips. I writhe against his body, moaning softly.
He takes the weight of his upper body off mine, transferring it to his arms. I lock my legs around his waist, biting my lip as I run my hand down between us. When I reach the tip of his cock, smoothing my palm out to touch it gently, he sucks in a sweeping breath.
“God, Kaia,” he whispers. He thrusts against my hand, biting his lip. “Do you feel how hard my cock is? Hmm? You make me this way.” He leans his weight on one arm, reaching his hand up to cup my jaw hard. “I’m going to pop your cherry tonight, beautiful. But before I use my big, hard cock to stretch you out, I’m going to make that pretty little pussy cream for me.”
My breath hitches. I feel a trickle of desire escape my entrance. Looking at Calum’s expression, I have no fucking doubt that he means it.
I groan, my impatience growing, and rock my hips against his body. “I want to feel you inside me.”
Calum smirks and drops a kiss on my lips. “Patience, beauty.”
I wrinkle my nose at him. Sliding my hands between our bodies once more, I touch his cock, which is hot against even my warm skin. He hisses, closing his eyes briefly.
“Be careful what you wish for, Kaia.” He eyes flicker open, seeming to pierce me down to my soul. “You just might get it.”
I shoot him a defiant look and wrap my small fist around his cock, working it up and down his length. He grabs my hands up pins them up above my head, growling.
“Tonight is supposed to be about you,” he grits out.
My eyebrows quirk. I’m a little breathless when I finally speak. “It is about me, Calum. I want to learn everything about what makes you feel good.” I bite my lip, hesitating. “Teach me, Calum. Don’t hold back. I want to learn.”
His pupils are so large by now that when he casts his gaze over me, they are nearly black with desire. “Oh, princess. Do you know what you’re asking me to do to you? I’ve spent the last month dreaming of that pretty mouth wrapped around my cock. Of you being a good little girl and holding still while I fuck your face…”