Page 76 of The First Cut

I blink, wondering if I’ve bitten off more than I can chew. He doesn’t give me time to back out, though. He steps over me, straddling my body as he leans over.

“Lean back, open your mouth, and let me in.” His voice is sharp, his command unyielding.

“Yes, Mr. President.”

His lips twitch for the briefest second before I open my mouth and take him in. He doesn’t ease me into it. He just glides his cock in as far as it will go and stares into my eyes.

“Relax your throat and let me in.”

I try. It’s not the easiest thing in the world to do when you’re pregnant and your gag reflex is not what it used to be. He thrusts forward, filling my throat and making me gag. Tears drip down my face as he holds himself still. I’m on the verge of panic when he pulls back.

I cough, sucking in deep breaths, wiping my face with the back of my hand before he’s ready once more.

“Take a deep breath.”

I nod and do just that before opening my mouth. He doesn’t waste time. He shoves his cock as far down my throat as he can before grabbing handfuls of my hair to anchor me in place. Hestarts rapidly thrusting, my body nothing more than a vessel to get him off.

“So fucking good,” he snarls as I grip his legs, my nails biting into his skin as I become lightheaded. He gives me a moment’s reprieve before he’s fucking my mouth and throat again. Just when I think I can’t take anymore, he thrusts forward, his groin almost flush with my face as I feel him throb.

“Fuck yes. That’s it, doll. Just like that.”

I shake, needing to breathe, but he holds me tighter until I go limp in his arms. He pulls his cock out as I gasp for air and finishes on my chest.

When I finally have my breathing under control, I look up at him through damp lashes. I must look like a fucking wreck. He’s sitting on the coffee table, watching me with a blank expression, but I can detect a hint of wariness.

I bite my lip before I grin. And then before I know it, I’m laughing—great belly laughs that make my boobs jiggle and my boy twist in annoyance.

“You okay?”

I nod, still laughing, but eventually I get my shit together. “Do I get a sticker?”

“Huh?” He looks bemused as he reaches down and eases me to my feet.

“I faced the monster and survived. I want a damn sticker.”

It’s his turn to laugh as he buries his face in my neck. I feel his whole body relax as we stand there, soaking each other in. It isn’t until I start shivering that he pulls back.

“Let’s get you in the shower and cleaned up.”

I lean on him when he wraps his arm around me and guides me upstairs. I don’t think about that damn spot in the hallway as we pass it. All I think about is how oddly sated I feel.

He runs the shower for me, and after stripping out of his cut, he ushers me in and climbs in behind me. He washes everyinch of my body before moving on to my hair. By the time he’s finished, I’m half asleep and feeling boneless. Wrapping me in a towel, he dries me off before walking me to the bed. I climb in while he heads back downstairs naked to make sure the house is locked up.

I murmur his name when he climbs in next to me and wraps his arms around my body, one hand cupping my breast, the other holding my stomach. If he answers, I don’t hear him.

I don’t hear anything until the phone rings hours later, jarring me awake. I squint my eyes at the clock and see that it’s seven a.m., not nearly as early as it feels.

“Okay, thanks for letting me know. We’ll be ready.” He ends the call before leaning forward, his forearms on his thighs as he hangs his head.

Immediately alert, I sit up and move behind him, sliding my hand over his shoulder. “Hannibal?”

His hand covers mine as he speaks. “That was the nurse. Melissa died an hour ago.”

Chapter Twenty-Five

Lola

Isit on the sofa, fiddling with the hem of my skirt as I wait for the social worker to get here. Hannibal's cold and remote, sitting beside me, but I don’t take it personally. I know it has nothing to do with me and everything to do with his teenage daughter coming to live with us. I’ve seen the side looks when people find out he has a daughter that he hid from his club. Even though I’m not justifying his actions, I can understand his reasoning. Sometimes, the best thing you can do is walk away, especially if you think you pose a danger to someone. I don’t know how much Hannibal has changed in the last fifteen years, but his ex agreed that her daughter was safer without Hannibal around. He could have easily cut those strings and walked away like so many deadbeat fathers, but he didn’t. He might not know how to love a child, but he knew how to provide for one. From what I can tell from mostly eavesdropping, Hannibal provided above and beyond what was necessary.