by Nina Levine
My orgasm builds as he works his tongue in all the ways I love. When he reaches for my hand and directs my fingers to my pussy, I almost shatter. I don’t, though. I manage to hold myself back, wanting him to take me to the edge and back, over and over before I finally allow myself to come.
Sliding my finger inside me, he finds my eyes and watches as he pushes one of his in too. He dips his mouth to my clit, still watching me, and tongues it.
My eyes flutter shut as I pant through the orgasm that wants release. The pleasure is intense and I want to let myself go, let myself feel it all, right now, but what I want more is for King to increase it to greater heights.
“Lily,” he growls, reaching our fingers deeper inside. “Look at me. Watch me fuck you.”
I obey his command at the same time the sound of people running filters through from above us.
The kids have worked out their daddy is home. That understanding flares in King’s eyes and he curses under his breath.
Letting me go, he finishes what I started with his jeans and reaches for his dick while I scramble off the vanity and turn around.
He takes hold of my neck while meeting my gaze in the mirror and thrusting hard inside me.
“Fuck.” The word falls from both our lips as he finds his rhythm. As the footsteps above us make their way to the front door.
I grip the edge of the vanity.
King has never felt so good. That’s what three weeks without him will do to a woman.
His fingers around my neck tighten the closer we move towards release.
The footsteps are on the stairs now.
The sound of the kids’ excitement becomes audible.
King pounds hard and fast into me.
I’m consumed by him.
Barely able to think about anything or anyone but him and this moment right here.
The footsteps are closer.
The excited chatter grows louder.
The kids are nearly here.
King is inside me, giving me himself, but I already feel him slipping away again.
I love our kids, but it’s at times like this I wish I didn’t have to share him.
“Oh God,” I cry as I orgasm, wanting, needing way more time with him than I’ve had.
He thrusts one last time and stills as he comes.
His hand stays around my throat while his arm circles me, squeezing me to him.
Kissing my neck, he says, “I’ve fucking missed you.”
“Daddy! Daddy!” Meredith’s voice sounds from the garage.
King pulls out of me and we quickly clean up before leaving the bathroom.
He’s barely stepped foot in the garage when Meredith flings herself at him. Travis follows suit and attaches himself to one of his father’s legs. Cade isn’t far behind, but now that he’s seven, he’s more restrained and holds himself back. But it’s clear in his eyes he’s relieved to see his father home.
Brynn enters the garage and looks at me apologetically. Moving closer, she says softly, “I tried to keep them upstairs.”
I smile. “Thanks.” With one last look at King and the kids, I say to her, “Let’s go get dinner on the table.”
I’m surrounded by nearly all my family tonight. Robbie begged to be allowed to have dinner with his girlfriend’s family, and Annika and her family are with her husband’s parents, but everyone else is here. Tomorrow we’ll celebrate with the club, our extended family. And if it’s the last thing I do, I’ll push all my current worries from my mind and focus on the good in our life. My kids are safe and happy, and my husband is home. And that’s everything I need.
3
Lily
* * *
Stepping out of the shower, I reach for my towel and dry myself off. Not that I really need to, the stifling heat that’s still heavy in the air even at 1:00 a.m. is enough to do that job for me. And I thought the air con had been fixed. Turned out, it hasn’t, and halfway through dinner, it stopped working again.
Dressing in the sheer red baby-doll I bought for tonight, I head out to the back deck and down the stairs to where King’s building the swing set. He came out here about two hours ago after everyone left and has refused to let me help.
He stops when he hears me and glances up, his eyes going straight to my breasts. Eight years have passed since we met, and every time he looks at me like this still feels like the first time. I didn’t have this in my first marriage, and I thank God daily that I have it with King. Even when he’s pissing me off so damn much I could do damage to him.
“How much longer do you think until you’ll be done?” I ask when I reach him.
“Half an hour. Maybe.”
“You should let me help. We’ll get it done quicker.”
“No. Go to bed. You’re exhausted.”
“And you’re not? Besides, there’s no way either of us are sleeping tonight and you know that.” A shot of desire races through me at the thought.
“Lily,” he starts, his voice all bossy and gruff like he’s about to order me around. I cut him off, though; I’m in no mood to be bossed. Not unless it’s in the bedroom.
“You’ve been away for three weeks and that quick fuck earlier comes nowhere near touching my need for you. Just let me help already so I can have you.”
His nostrils flare and he reaches out to take hold of my neck. “You’re not fucking helping me. You’ve run this place for three weeks without me; the least I can fucking do is build a swing set.”
“It’s not like you’ve sat on your ass for three weeks doing nothing. We’re a team, King. I didn’t have kids with you thinking shit would be easy all the time.”
“Yeah, but you sure as fuck didn’t have kids with me thinking you’d go through a year like the one we’re having.”
I frown. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing. I’m just trying to get you—”
“Bullshit. Something’s off. First you tell me you missed me. Twice. You never tell me that. And now you’re doing everything but fucking me, and we both know that is not like you at all. Talk to me.”
His fingers dig into my skin as he squeezes my neck. “I’ve thought of your cunt every fucking day I’ve been away. Fucking you is the highest fucking priority I have right now, but for once in my life, I’m trying to think of someone other than myself.” He slides his free hand under the hem of my baby-doll. “I’ve never seen you so tired, and what I want to do to you will wipe you the fuck out.” He skims his hand up my body over my stomach to my breasts before growling, “The only thing off with me is that I’m holding myself back from slamming my dick so fucking hard inside you that it’ll break you.”
Oh God.
I want to finish the conversation I began, because I don’t believe there’s nothing wrong with him, but when he talks filthy to me and puts his hands on me, I’m helpless but to go along for the ride. Especially when he’s giving me what I’m starving for.
“Wipe me out, King,” I beg, desperate for him to fuck me exactly how he mentioned. “Stop holding yourself back.”
“Fuck, Lily,” he growls, looking torn. “It’s fucking Christmas tomorrow and the last thing I want is you too exhausted for the kids.”
The way things usually go down when King comes home after being away is we have a marathon session of sex and then I sleep for most of the next day while he hangs out with the kids. So I understand where he’s coming from, but Goddammit, I want him.
Now.
Tonight.
For the entire night.
I need to be with my husband in the way that truly connects us.
Pushing my body against his, the words “I need this” fall from my mouth in an urgent and fierce rush. My eyes search his, wondering what’s gotten into him. In all our years of marriage, I can’t recall one time he’s held back like this.
He turns silent for a beat, and I see the conflict he’s struggling with.
Fuck, maybe we should spend tonight talking.
The thought fl
itters away as fast as it came. I know him as well as I know myself, and King needs a couple of days at home after being away before he’ll start talking.
Finally he nods and says, “Let me finish this and then—”
He’s cut off when Travis’s voice floats down from the back deck. “Mummy, I’m sick.”
King’s head jerks up to look at our son. “Fuck,” he mutters as he lets me go and makes a move to head upstairs.
I grab his arm and stop him. “You finish the swing set. I’ll take care of Travis.” I say this like taking care of Travis will be quick, but we both know it won’t be. Travis is the needy one of our children; when he’s sick, he demands our complete attention.
King looks at me with regret, his eyes communicating what I already know: there won’t be any sex now.
He nods. “I’ll be up soon.”
I leave him and run up the stairs to Travis. Scooping him into my arms, I take a good look at him. “You don’t look well, baby. What’s wrong?”
His little hands come to my neck and he grasps me tightly. “My tummy is sore.”
I only needed to take one look at him to know he’s going to vomit and he’s just confirmed it, so I take him into the bathroom. Sitting on the edge of the bath, I deposit him on the floor and say, “Do you feel like you’re going to be sick?”
He nods, his lips quivering. “Yes.”
I turn him to face the toilet and say, “Okay, we’ll wait here and see—”
Before I finish what I’m saying, he retches violently into the toilet and then starts crying, his tiny body shaking.
I move behind him, rubbing his back and holding him.
He vomits three more times, growing more upset each time. Once I think he’s gotten it all out of his system, I clean him up and then carry him into his bedroom.
As I lie him down, he grabs for my neck again as tears stream down his face. “Don’t leave, Mummy! My tummy’s sore still.”
I sit on the bed with him and try to calm him. “I know, baby. I’m not going anywhere.”
“You promise?” The tremble in his voice slays me. I hate watching any of my children go through sickness.
I nod. “I promise. Wiggle across so I can lie with you.”
A minute later, he’s cuddled up to me and I’m pretty sure I’m not far off passing out now that I’ve stopped and lain down. King’s right: I’m absolutely shattered.
I don’t fall asleep, though. Travis is agitated, so I sing his favourite songs to him in an effort to get him off to sleep. I have no idea how long I do this for but it feels like quite a long time. It’s not until King steps into the bedroom that I stop singing. Travis is asleep but I kept going because he has a habit of stirring easily if I stop straight away.
“Is he okay?” King asks.
“He vomited a few times, but he’s been asleep for a little while now so I think he’s settled. I’m going to stay a bit longer though. Just in case.”
“I’ll have a shower and then take over.”
“No, I want you to get some sleep tonight.”
“This isn’t up for negotiation,” he says as determination fixes itself to his expression.
When King gives me the look he’s currently giving me, I know not to bother arguing, so I don’t. I simply nod and watch him as he exits the room, wondering how many days I’ve got him home for this time. Praying that it’s longer than he usually stays in between trips lately.
I lie with Travis, waiting for King to shower and return. However, after deciding I need to know now how long he intends to stay, I go in search of him.
As I enter our room, King walks out of the en suite, a towel hanging low on his hips, his chest bare. Raking his fingers through his still-wet hair, he comes to me. “He’s asleep?”
“Yeah.” His chest has my complete attention and I momentarily forget what I came here to ask him.
He tips my chin up and asks, “What?”
Still distracted by his chest. “Huh?”
“You have that look on your face that tells me you’ve got something on your mind. What is it?”
Right. “How long will you be home?”
“I’m not sure.”
“Yeah, but what’s your estimate?” He always has an estimate and I’ve learned to subtract a day or so from it because nine times out of ten, something urgent comes up that he has to go back for.
He looks pained as he drags time out before giving me his answer. “It may be the day after tomorrow.”
“Boxing Day?” Surely I’ve heard him incorrectly.
“Yeah.”
“Oh. Okay.” I stumble over my words because this was not at all what I was expecting. Although I should have been because the situation in Melbourne has been intensifying for weeks.
He scrubs a hand over his face, his eyes betraying his frustration. “Fuck, Lily, I wish I could tell you a different timeframe, but I can’t.”
I nod, swallowing my disappointment. Trying to at least, because at this point, I’m too tired and emotional to actually manage that. “I know. And I get it. I do. But I’m worried about the kids. Especially Cade.”
“Why? What’s going on with him?”
“His behaviour is out of control.”
“I’ll have a talk with him about it.”
I turn silent. Talking to Cade about his behaviour won’t fix anything if the reason why he’s acting out doesn’t change. But I don’t want to lump that on King. Not when he’s fighting for his club and everyone’s safety.
Moving into me, he takes hold of my face with both hands. I’m intoxicated by his scent, his bare skin, his proximity. Instantly. Because that’s what King does to me. “We’re gonna be all right. Shit in Melbourne will be sorted soon.”
I curl my hands over his biceps and ask the one question I’m almost too scared to ask. The one question I’ve never broached. “What if it’s not, King? What if this drags on for another six months or another year?”
He doesn’t answer me straight away, and I can tell by the flicker of his eyes that this is something he’s thought about a lot, too. “Winter and I are making damn sure it won’t.” His mood changes swiftly and his eyes darken as he lifts me into his arms. Walking me backwards, he drops me on the bed and positions himself over me. “There’s no fucking way I can go on for another six months or year being away from you all the time.”
My hands go to his chest and then run down his body as he brings his mouth to mine. I flick his towel open and remove it while our tongues tangle together. When I stroke his cock, he growls deeply and reaches a hand under my baby-doll. A moment later, his fingers are inside me, and another growl comes from deep inside him.
Pulling his lips from mine, he rasps, “Fuck.” He then moves down my body, spreads my legs, and buries his face in my pussy.
Dear. God.
I grip the sheets and arch my back as he gives me what I need.
His mouth.
His tongue.
His love.
And just as I’m losing myself in the pleasure, Travis screams out for me.
King responds instantly, letting me go and moving off the bed. Looking down at me with regret, he says, “I’ll go.”
I lift myself up onto my elbows. “We’re not having sex tonight, are we?”
He throws clothes on and says, “No,” before bending to kiss me again. “Go to sleep.”
I watch him until I can’t see him anymore and wonder if we’ll get our time together before he has to return to Melbourne. At the rate we’re going, I’m beginning to seriously doubt it.
4
Zara
* * *
“Daddy! Wake up! We’ve got presents!”
I crack an eye open and find Noah crawling over his father, shaking him to wake him from the deep sleep he’s in.
Since Fury arrived home from Melbourne four days ago, he’s slept better than he ever has. His insomnia is nowhere to be seen. Not that I expect that to be a forever thing, but I love all the sleep h
e’s getting this week.
“Noah,” I say. “Come here, little man. You can show me where all the presents are.”
As I sit and swing my legs over the bed to head out into the lounge room with Noah, Fury’s arm hooks around my waist. “You’re not going anywhere, princess.”
Noah had crawled off his father, but at the sound of his voice, his little eyes light up and he exclaims, “Daddy! Presents!”
I laugh as Fury drags me close. Rolling to face him, I trace the curve of his smile with my gaze. Seeing pure happiness on his face makes me happier than ever. We’ve been together for five months, and each day I feel more blessed than the day before to have him in my life.
Looking at his son, Fury says, “Where are these presents?”
“Under the tree!” Noah loves everything about Christmas and that makes me love it even more. His glee is infectious.
“Okay,” Fury says, “you go and figure out which one you want to open first. Zara and I will be out in a minute.”
He does as his father says, and once we’re alone, Fury rolls to face me. Placing his leg over mine, he takes hold of my face. “I had plans for you this morning, but I fucked that up by sleeping in.” Dropping a kiss to my lips, he then says, “Happy birthday, beautiful.”
I grasp his arm. “Tell me more about these plans.”
“Fuck no. I’ve gotta go open presents with my son; the last thing I need right now is the hard-on that would give me.”
Grinning, I say, “At least promise me a raincheck.”
His lips brush mine again. “Baby, there’ll be a raincheck and then some tonight.”
I wish it was already tonight. I mean, I’m looking forward to celebrating Christmas with my family and the club today, but what I’d love even more is spending the entire day alone with my man.
Pushing his chest, I say, “Okay, you need to leave this room now or else I may never let you leave and I think Noah will stop liking me if that happens.”
“Nothing could make that kid stop liking you. He asked me on the phone yesterday if you’d be here today. When I told him you’re living here now, he practically exploded with excitement.” He arches his brow, giving me his “I told you so” expression.
