Page 24

Chapter Sixteen

JOSHUA

I stare at the closed bedroom door.

What the hell is going to greet me on the other side today? What kind of mood is Skyla going to be in?

What would she do if I went in there, threw her against the wall, held a knife to her throat, and asked her what the hell was going on? What is it I don’t know about her?

I want to ask her what fucking secret she has that’s going to get us both killed.

I don’t know when the line was crossed, but I no longer see our relationship as fake. And that scares the shit out of me because I have no idea what I’m getting into.

All I know is the thought of losing her is more hurtful than anything I can imagine she is hiding.

But I still want to know. I need to know.

Taking a deep breath, I walk into the bedroom and look at Skyla lounging on the bed like she doesn’t have a care in the world. “You need to get ready.”

As much as I want to ask her what she’s hiding from me right now, I think both of us need some time to act like an actual couple.

If we’re going to sell the relationship, then both of us need to make an effort to ignore the lies.

For now, at least. Because if we ever take this relationship to the next level, and I think we already have, we need to get everything out in the open.

Even if my secrets will have to come out along with hers.

And I have no idea if I’m ready for that just yet. For her to look at me differently. For her to walk away.

She is mine, and I don’t think I’ll be able to just let her go.

Skyla rolls onto her back and props herself up on her elbows, her phone falling to the side. “Why?”

“We’re going on a date.”

Her eyebrows climb, her full lips parting. “Are we?”

She gets out of bed and pulls off her shirt, dropping it to the ground. When her nipples harden into stiff peaks, pressing against the thin lavender lace of her bra, my cock swells.

The last thing I want to do is ruin whatever little game she’s playing right now, especially when lust is shining bright in her eyes and she looks like she’s seconds away from climbing me like a tree.

My gaze rakes down her body as she reaches for the waistband of her black leggings.

I raise an eyebrow. “Going to take those off, too?”

“Well, if we’re going out, I think I need a shower first.”

Skyla turns and strides over to the window, pulling the curtains shut. With her back still to me, she reaches for the waistband once more.

As she works the skin-tight material down her legs, she bends over, her round ass in the air, making me harder.

God, that would look even better with my handprint.

She straightens back up as I cross the room.

I clamp one hand to the back of her neck, pushing her up against the wall in front of her.

Her breath hitches. “Oh, and what do you think you’re doing?”

“I think that maybe we don’t have time for your teasing.” I drag her earlobe between my teeth, biting down until she squirms against me.

When her back arches and her ass presses hard into my cock, I move my hand up, sinking it into her hair.

The soft strands slip between my fingers, and I use the grip to pull her head back.

Her throaty chuckles have my cock straining hard.

“Tough guy.”

My other hand skims down the curve of her waist all the way to her hip.

I grab the side of her thong, pulling it taut against her skin until it’s biting into her flesh.

She moans, her hands pressing against the wall.

Her gaze connects with mine. “Going to keep teasing me?”

I want to sink into her, crave her submission, my mark all over her body. It’s almost a compulsion. Constant. Crippling.

But I’m in control. Of her. Of myself. Always.

I have to be.

So, I let her go and take a step back, crossing my arms. “And give you what you want? No. Go get ready.”

Skyla spins to face me, irritation in her glare before she shrugs. “Fine, but it’s going to take a while. Since you’re not willing to fuck me, I guess my fingers are going to have to do.”

I keep still. Don’t react.

Because if I even breathe wrong, if a single muscle twitches, I know I’m done.

“Go for it.”

She heads to the bathroom, her hips swaying with every step, making me ache.

Her smile grows wider. “Suit yourself, but don’t get mad when it’s someone else’s name I’m moaning.”

Fuck that.

I want to slam her up against the wall and bury myself in her, fucking her until my name is the only word she knows. I want her tight, little pussy wrapped around me.

More than anything, I want her to submit to me.

So, I follow her into the bathroom, shedding my clothing as I do.

The water is already running, but Skyla is sitting on the counter, completely naked and looking smug.

Her arms are crossed beneath her breasts, pushing them up higher.

She laughs and shakes her head, mischief in her eyes. Her hands drop to the counter, and she leans back. “You’re so easy.”

I close in on her, my cock throbbing.

Why can’t I get enough of this woman?

Grabbing her thighs, I force them apart and step between them, my fingers sliding through her slick folds.

She lets out a breathy moan that has my cock spasming.

I swirl my fingers around her clit, pressing harder while her pussy gets soaked with her arousal.

She rolls her hips, trying to increase the pace.

I pull back. “I thought you were going to fuck your own fingers.”

She puts a foot on my chest. Though she tries to push me back several steps, I don’t budge.

Instead, I grab her ankle and pull her off the counter, keeping her one leg bent and pinned high by my side.

My cock slides against her pussy, her arousal coating me.

“Now, do we want to talk about you teasing me, or are you going to beg for me?”

“Begging isn’t my style.” Her voice breaks slightly as I shift her into an angle that lets me inch into her.

“No?” I pull out and drop her leg. “Then I guess that’s the best you’re going to get.”

Grinning, I step away from her and into the shower, letting the hot water cascade over my back.

Her irritated sigh follows me.

I stand in the water for a couple of minutes, listening for the sound of her leaving, but it doesn’t come.

After a few long moments, the door to the shower opens, and she steps inside, sinking to her knees in front of me, just out of the spray of water.

Her hand wraps around my cock as she looks up at me, stroking up and down, her thumb brushing over the head and sending a shiver straight to the base of my spine.

I jerk in her hand as she traces the underside of my length with the tip of her tongue. “I thought you wanted to be fucked.”

“You wanted me to beg.” She looks up at me before licking me again. “This is me begging.”

Fuck.

My hands sink into her hair, and I pull her closer to me.

She opens her mouth, taking me past her lips and to the back of her throat.

Her nails dig into my thighs as she hollows her cheeks.

When her head starts bobbing up and down my length, I don’t think I’m going to last long.

One of her hands leaves my thigh to cup my balls, squeezing them hard as her tongue flicks over the tip.

I ache and thrust deeper into her mouth.

Her eyes fill with tears, but she takes me deeper still, moaning around me.

The vibrations have me aching and throbbing.

I use my grip on her hair to pull her head back.

Her lust-filled eyes meet mine before she gets to her feet.

I scoop her up, hands beneath her ass, and slam her back into the wall.

She moans as I sink into her, taking my time and stretching her pussy out.

Her inner walls flutter around me as she starts to move with me.

Bracing one arm above her head, I pound harder into her. I groan when her nails sink deep into my shoulders.

She holds on as her back arches.

When I come, it’s hard and fast. I keep pounding into her, driving deeper and harder as her moans grow louder.

She arches into me as she finally crests over the edge of her own orgasm.

Her pussy milks every last drop from my cock.

I’m not done with her yet, though.

The second her legs stop shaking, I slide out of her and turn her around.

She lets out a small whimper as I push her against the wall.

I sink two fingers into her. “You’re going to come for me again, and this time you’re going to beg properly.”

She gasps, her hips shoving backward as I plunge deeper into her. “I did beg.”

“Nope. You acted like a little slut and played with my cock until I was too lust-drunk to think straight.”

Her little giggle has me pausing.

She rolls her hips, trying to get more, but I pull out of her completely.

“Maybe you didn’t hear me.” I push her closer to the wall and pinch her clit. “I told you I want you to beg for me.”

She gasps and rolls her hips back into me again. “Please, make me come.”

“Not good enough.” I pinch her clit harder, chuckling when she shoves her ass back into me. “Beg like you really want to come for me.”

“Please. I need you.” She looks at me over her shoulder. “Please.”

“Much better.”

I slide my fingers into her again, crooking them against her inner walls until she’s wrapped so tight around me that I think she’s going to break something.

Her legs start to shake, pussy squeezing impossibly tighter.

When I dip my head and bite on the sensitive skin at the base of her neck, she comes.

Her hips rock in time with my fingers.

I keep thrusting until she’s spent, her body slumping against the tiles.

After a moment, she turns around to face me, a small smile curving the corners of her mouth.

I pull her back into the spray with me, fingers working through her hair, detangling it as she reaches for the shampoo.

When I take the bottle from her, she arches an eyebrow but says nothing as I pour some into my palm before working it into a lather.

Though I don’t know what the hell is happening right now, there’s something about it that feels right.

Shit! I’m falling for this woman, and I have no way of holding on.

Skyla’s long skirt flows around her ankles with every step. She reaches up to wipe some sweat from her forehead, the heat of summer already setting in. “Are we going to Central Park?”

I step through the gates and wait for her to follow me. “Yeah, I thought you might play nice for once if we went somewhere you like.”

The corner of her mouth twitches. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. I always play nice.”

I give her a flat look, pressing a hand to her lower back and guiding her out of the way when someone on a bike comes whipping through.

My protective instincts with her are over the top.

“I couldn’t tell you one moment since we’ve been married when you’ve played nice.”

“I put your dick in my mouth. That was pretty nice of me.” Her elbow nudges into my side before she keeps walking, the sunlight shining down, making the light strands in her hair stand out.

An old lady passing by gives us a dirty look as Skyla bursts out laughing.

It’s the most carefree she’s seemed in days, and she looks even more beautiful.

Rolling my eyes, I stuff my hands in my pockets to resist the urge to pull her back to me and shield her from the men on a bench who are staring at her like she’s a piece of meat.

If they keep staring, though, they’re going to have something else to look at.

She falls into step beside me, her hands loose at her sides. “So, how did you know I like coming here?”

“I called Summer and Jade a couple days ago.”

“Really?” She looks at me like I’m an entirely different person before shaking her head. “I can’t believe you asked my sisters. I’m going to start thinking you like me, husband.”

A little shiver runs through me when she calls me that. It feels right.

“I thought it might be nice to spend one day not trying to kill each other, but if I was wrong, we could go home and practice throwing knives or something.”

She snorts. “To be honest, I don’t think you want to get in a knife-throwing competition with me.”

“I got it. Your father raised you to be deadly from a young age.” I turn and stop in front of her. “That being said, I wouldn’t underestimate what I’m capable of, either.”

Mischief shines in her eyes. “Oh, yeah?”

“Yeah.”

Skyla smirks and reaches up, her hands linking together behind my neck.

My heart starts racing as I step closer to her, not sure what she’s doing, but I want to find out.

Her fingers sink into my hair as she stands on her toes, every inch of her body pressing to mine.

And then pain explodes in my thigh.

“For fuck’s sake!” I glare at her, rubbing the spot where she drove her knee into my thigh. “What the hell was that for?”

“You wanted to mock how deadly I am.” She gives me a sweet smile over her shoulder as she keeps walking. “I just wanted to remind you what I’m capable of.”

I should kill her.

It should be easy. She’d beg for her life, and I’d snap her neck. Leave her lifeless in the park for driving her bony little knee into me.

It isn’t as easy as it seems because I want her around. Even at the expense of my own health and safety. Life with her is harder, but it’s also lighter. Better.

And I want to know what else we can be and do together.

Besides, it could’ve been worse. She could’ve gone for the balls.

Skyla smirks like she knows exactly what I’m thinking about as she looks back at me. “Are you coming, or am I finishing this walk on my own?”

Sighing, I follow after her, walking along the winding park trails and back out onto the street. “Where are we going?”

“Well, I was thinking that we should go to the zoo. I used to take Summer and Jade there all the time when they were little.”

My eyebrows pull together at the distant memory on her face. “You’re close to them? All three?”

“More so Summer and Jade. Ellie had a tough time after our dad died since she was there when he was killed. Someone had to take care of the others, though, so I stepped up.”

“Where was your mother?”

“She died two years before Dad was killed. Car accident. She wasn’t much of a mother before then, though. Dad was cheating on her, and she was a shell of a human for most of my childhood.”

I nod. “When my dad went to jail, I was the one who kept the family running.”

“Yeah, Logan said as much, though he used to say you thought you ran the world and everyone else was supposed to bow down to you.”

Shrugging, I step out between two parked cars, looking to see if we can cross and get coffee from the shop on the corner before heading down to the zoo.

Skyla appears beside me just as a van comes screeching around the corner.

She grimaces. “Shit.”

It slides to a halt in front of us, and she sighs, looking up at the sky.

I reach for the gun at the back of my waistband as the driver’s window rolls down and the back door is thrown open.

Aiden looks at me over the top of his sunglasses. “Get in.”