Page 23

My breath comes out jerkily as I slide into the kitchen. My head swivels as I try to find a place to hide. Desire, anger, fear, defiance . . . they all wage a war inside me.

Healing isn’t linear. That’s one thing Valkyrie always drilled into me. After we lost mom, after we lost dad, and then Mad Dog. She repeated it constantly when Pope, Cyanide, and the club broke our hearts. And it was something she reminded me of again when we finally escaped Frankie.

The process was slow when I arrived here, but it was happening.

I may struggle to trust the people around here, but deep in my heart, I know this is a safe place for me.

Physically, anyway. Which made it easier to drop my walls a bit.

Of course, Pope refusing to let me be the person I arrived here as has helped more than I expected.

Then he had to run when the little eavesdropper heard something that made him a bit butthurt. It took me a while to work out that he was the sound I heard during my conversation with Valkyrie the other day.

Just like typical Frankie, he had to ruin the progress I made.

I didn’t intentionally drift back to that version of myself. I never would have gone back there willingly. My head, though, that bitch has been through some shit. Sometimes the scary memories are the hardest to escape from.

The heavy thud of Pope’s feet smacking against the hardwood sends panic rushing through me.

Without any other option, I duck down on the other side of the island counter and cover my mouth so he can’t hear my loud ass breaths. Desire swells under my skin as his steps get closer.

Do I want him to catch me? I don’t know.

Will I let him catch me? I don’t know that either.

He steps into the kitchen just as my eyes drop closed and his betrayal plays out behind them. Arousal still burns under my skin, but rage scorches my heart.

The plates of food I had cooked earlier catch my eye.

With a snarl, I jump to my feet and dig my hand into the meatloaf. “Cheating bastard.”

Pope freezes in place, naked as the day he was born.

I have to fight to keep my eyes from dropping to that thick dick hanging between his thighs. That only makes me angrier, so I pull my arm back and release the fistful of meat.

The idiot doesn’t even move. He lets it smack him right in his tattooed chest.

Holy crap, that felt good.

I don’t give him time to recover. I grab the spoon from the mashed potatoes and sling a spoonful in his direction.

“Ah, come on! Not the fucking hair,” he whines, shaking the chunks out.

He narrows his eyes, and then he’s stalking toward me.

Quickly, I grab the tray of meatloaf as I back around the island. “That’s the least you deserve.”

“There’s that fire,” he says with a laugh.

I lob another chunk of ketchup-covered meat his way and snarl, “Come any closer and I’ll burn the hell out of you.”

“Oh, baby, I’m counting on it.”

His eyes keep dropping to my breasts and licking his lips. It’s ridiculous that I feel that shit between my thighs.

“Fucking psycho,” I mutter, tossing the entire tray at him and sprinting out of the kitchen.

“No need to be mean,” he yells as he lumbers after me.

I swing myself around the banister and race up the stairs. Needing to slow him down, I slide the torn blouse off my shoulders and drop it before reaching for the button of my jeans. Maybe if he sees the trail of clothes going one way, he’ll follow, hoping it’ll lead to me.

My body twinges every once in a while as old wounds open up, but I push through it as I strip off my jeans. I toss them in the opposite direction of his bedroom.

Is it wise to risk him catching me in a room with a bed and both of us naked? Abso-freaking-lutely.

Shit. No. No, it’s not.

I tilt my head, listening for anything to give away his location, but he’s being quieter than he was earlier.

Anticipation licks up my spine as I glance around his room, trying to figure out the best place to hide.

Pope will find me. That’s a given.

What happens after that will be on my terms. Will fucking him solve anything? Nope. But it will get me the fuck out of my head, and right now, there’s nothing I want more than that.

Pope is so used to being in control of everything, including sex. In the past, I had no issue submitting to him because I trusted him with everything inside me.

I’ll allow him my body, but I refuse to let him have my heart again. Though I can’t escape the torment Frankie inflicted, I can find refuge in a hazy pleasure. That’s one thing I can control. It’s one thing I make the choice on.

Pope may have turned out to be a shitty partner in the end, but he was never a shitty lover. My mind and my body remember that vividly.

Instead of standing in the middle of his room to wait for him, I peek my head out the door. I don’t see him, so I carefully step back into the hallway. My intention is to make it to the bathroom and into the shower. Maybe he’ll get the hint and climb in with me.

I tiptoe down the hallway, keeping an ear out for the slightest hint of movement from him.

“Gotcha,” he yells, his arms wrapping around me from behind.

My body and mind recognize him, but I still let out a scream and bring my head back. It cracks against his face, causing his arms to loosen around me.

“Oh, you little wench,” he laughs as I take off.

I glance over my shoulder as I reach the bathroom door. He’s pinching his nostrils together, but his eyes haven’t moved from me. The laughter and heat in them is what differentiates him from Frankie.

The betrayed part of me finds delight in his hurt, even though I probably shouldn’t.

I blow him a kiss, call him a little bitch, and then run into the bathroom.

For the first time since Frankie started abusing me, I don’t feel like a damn victim.

My heart beats.

My lungs expand.

My body shivers in something other than fear.

This is the most I’ve felt alive in as long as I can remember.

There’s so much stuff that Pope and I have to work through.

I still haven’t forgiven him for the past and I don’t know if I’m ready to yet.

What I know is I didn’t think I’d ever be able to make a choice about who I give my body to again.

I thought my life with Frankie was all I was ever going to have because I was scared to leave.

I slide my underwear off and turn the water on, waiting for it to hit the right temperature before climbing inside. Tilting my head back, I let the hot water rain down over me, washing away the filth that has clung to me since Frankie’s phone call.

Pope yanks the shower curtain back and I swipe the water from my eyes so I can see him. They drop to his nose and an unexpected burst of laughter escapes at the pieces of tissue he has rolled into both nostrils.

The heat in his eyes burns hotter as he watches me laugh at his expense. Then they get a little glossy. “Goddamn, little mama. Never thought I’d hear that sound again. I don’t even give a fuck that it’s me you’re laughing at.”

He runs his eyes over my body hungrily, his hand dropping to his still erect cock.

I widen my legs, flashing him a hint of my trimmed ginger curls.

He groans, tightening his fist around his length. “I haven’t ever been a good man, little mama. I’m holding on by a thread. You have two seconds to tell me to leave or I’m climbing in that shower with you.”

The huskiness of his words strokes against my skin. I revel in the power I have over this man right now.

My hand snaps out, tangling into his hair tightly, and I yank his head back.

“You’re not in control in here. You touch me when I say you can.

You do what I say you can. And let me be really clear right now.

This, us fucking, means nothing. It’s not me forgiving you.

It’s not me saying we’re back together. This is me letting you help me escape for a while. Understood?”

Goddammit. I didn’t think I’d find Birdie taking charge so fucking arousing, but my leaking cock and heavy balls would say I do.

Very much.

She actually thinks I’d have an issue with her using my body for her pleasure?

I let her keep a hold of my hair as I step into the tub. Thank fuck I had them install one big enough for the two of us because when I drop to my knees before her, I take up half the room.

“My queen,” I say, staring up at her in worship as I guide my hand slowly over my length.

“No talking,” she orders, placing her foot on the side of the tub.

Birdie guides my head to her pussy. She doesn’t have to order me any further because I know what the fuck to do. I dive in, my tongue sliding through her slit. My groan rumbles against her as her flavor bursts into my mouth.

Her fingers dig into my scalp as I lap at her, her moans bouncing around the bathroom.

I’m so fucking starved for her. I release my cock, grab her ass in both of my hands, and pull her tighter to my face.

If I died right now, I’d die a happy fucking man with a mouthful of my favorite pussy.

Birdie cries out as her release drips from her. I moan, gulping it down as my cock jerks and ropes of cum shoot onto the bottom of the tub.

She peers down at me, a beautiful crimson flush coloring her skin. Using the hold on my hair, she guides me to my feet then unlocks her fingers and places her hands on my sides. She maneuvers us until her back is against the wall.

“What do you want now, little mama?” I ask, fisting my hands so I don’t cave to the temptation of touching her.

Birdie nibbles on her bottom lip as she considers me. Then she reaches out to take one of my hands in hers and brings it up to her throat. I get the hint, opening my fist and wrapping my fingers loosely around her neck.

I growl when the pearls rub against my skin.

“Fuck me.”

“Wrap your legs around me,” I order, closing the distance between our bodies.

The heat of her pussy scorches my cock as it rests against her. Birdie uses the edge of the tub for leverage as she climbs my body and, fuck me, but it’s still just as sexy as it used to be. Her heels dig into my ass, pulling me in until my cock notches at her entrance.

I don’t move, though. Those fucking pearls are irritating the fuck out of me. My hips and chest hold her against the wall as I slide my hand from her throat to wrap around the fucking things.

Her eyes widen. “What are you doing?”

“Getting rid of the last piece of Eleanora. You’re Birdie fucking Fitzgerald, and she’s all mine ,” I growl, yanking the pearls from her neck.

I slam inside of her as the first pearl falls to our feet. She makes a strangled noise as I power into her pussy like a man fucking possessed.

That’s what I feel like.

Possessed.

Obsessed.

Fucking mad.

Everything about Birdie intoxicates me.

Her nails dig into my back, dragging along my skin, the bite of pain causing my balls to tingle.

She sobs and pleads as I pummel her mercilessly.

So long.

It’s been a long seven years since I’ve been buried inside someone so fucking precious to me. If I could crawl inside her skin right now, I’d do it.

As much as I want to savor this moment, I’m too fucking selfish. Too fucking hungry.

My fingers tighten around her throat as I fuck her into the wall. “Jesus, fuck, little mama. You feel so goddamn good. That pussy is scorching. Fucking ambrosia, baby.”

“Shut up,” she gasps, her head thumping against the wall as she tosses it back. “Shut up and just get me off.”

“Going to make you feel me for days,” I mutter. “Make you remember.”

Birdie grabs a handful of my hair. She yanks my face closer as she snarls, “Shut up.”

“Make me.”

She drops her legs from around me and shoves me back. I let out a pitiful whimper, already missing her heat.

“Down,” she orders, and I drop to my knees again.

She climbs on my lap, sliding down onto my cock and braces her feet against the bottom of the tub. She places her hand over my mouth as she rides me.

Not what I was expecting, but holy fuck, I’m not complaining.

The water rains down over us as she rises and falls above me in a breathless urgency.

Her tits bounce, beckoning me like a fucking siren song.

I shake my head to dislodge her hand, cup the perky globes in mine, and drop my lips to one.

I suck her nipple into my mouth, swirling my tongue around it before biting down.

Her ass smacks against my thighs as she fucks me, her hips losing their rhythm as her orgasm draws closer.

I move my mouth along her chest, nipping and sucking, leaving my marks behind. My lips trail along the curve of her collarbone, up her neck, and along her jawline until I reach her ear.

“You’re so fucking powerful, little mama. Look at you, owning me like the motherfucking queen you are. Fucking me so goddamn good.”

She whimpers, her pussy clenching around my cock, her hips jerking unsteadily.

“That’s right, baby. Ride this fat cock. Milk me dry. Use me up.” Fire pools in my abdomen, and I toss my head back in pure ecstasy. “Fuck. This pussy’s on fire.”

My words are gravelly as my release climbs up my spine.

“Yes, yes, yes,” Birdie chants breathlessly.

Her body quivers, and her tight little cunt convulses over me as she cries out in fervor.

There she blows, folks.

With a guttural roar, my cock pulses, shooting cum deep inside of her.

The cold water pelts our heated skin as our harsh breaths fill the small space. I drop my forehead to her chest as I fight off the tears that suddenly spring to my eyes.

Goddammit.

Her pussy was so good it’s got me fucking crying.

She pats me on the head. “Good boy. Thanks for doing a good job.”

My tears dry up as laughter breaks from my chest. “Goddamn, little mama. I’ve missed the fuck out of you.”

Birdie snorts, climbing off me so nonchalantly. As if she didn’t fuck me so good that it made me cry. Fucking voodoo pussy, I tell you.

“Sure, you did,” she says, shutting off the water.

I rise unsteadily to my feet and am about to climb out of the tub after her when I fucking step on the pearls in the bottom.

It’s like everything happens in slow motion.

My feet go one way, my body goes another.

I grab onto the closest thing I can reach, which just happens to be the shower curtain, and one by one, the hooks pop off the rod.

So, I do the only thing I can do in this situation—I close my fucking eyes and brace for impact, soaking in the raucous laughter coming from Birdie.

Welp, I’ll probably die from strangulation by shower curtain, but at least I’m going out with that sound in my ears and her pussy juices all over my cock.

I could die in worse ways.