Time To Learn (Believe Book 3)

by Karen Ferry

  Instead of answering him with words, I find the hidden zipper of my dress underneath my right arm and push it down to the floor.

  He stops breathing altogether as his eyes make a slow, burning trail down my naked body, only to stop at the red, lace thong barely covering my pussy and the matching suspenders keeping my black stockings in place. Then his eyes trail back up, and I gasp when I see the ferocious glint in them as they meet mine.

  “I dare you,” I whisper on a slow smile.

  On a long groan, his mouth seals mine, his tongue pushing through my lips and I grip onto his shoulders when he lifts me up, balancing me against the wall.

  I wrap my legs around his waist, digging my heels into his arse as his mouth leaves mine only to move down my chest until he finds my right breast. I shout out when his lips surround my nipple, sucking it hard inside his warm mouth.

  “Oh, fuck,” I gasp, pushing my fingers into his hair, tugging on it. A low sound reverberates in the air, making my mouth dry up, and I grind my pussy against his cock.

  “Shit, you make me hard,” he moans as he releases my nipple only to start all over again on my other breast. “Is your pussy drenched, sweetheart? Does it want my cock?”

  Fuck, I love it when he talks dirty to me.

  “Yes.”

  Through my lust-addled brain, I feel his hands run up and down my ribcage, teasing and pressing into my skin, marking me with his passion. Then I feel a brief twinge at my hips followed by a ripping sound, and when he pushes two fingers inside me, I whimper.

  “Perfect pussy,” he groans around my breast.

  As he finger fucks me, I shudder wildly, barely able to hang on to him.

  “More,” I moan, grinding against him as he sets a relentless pace.

  “As you wish.”

  I can’t keep my eyes open, and as he pushes another finger inside me, the palm of his hand rubbing against my clit, the orgasm hits me like lightning. My cries are swallowed by his mouth, but he never stops fucking me, drawing out every last drop of my pleasure.

  “Ready for my cock, sweetheart?” he breathes against my lips.

  Still with my eyes closed, I nod as the last aftershocks tear through my body. Slowly, he slips out of my pussy, and I open my eyes to look at him as he unzips and pushes down his jeans. My mouth waters at the sight of his cock, pre-cum glistening on the apa, and my core clenches with anticipation.

  “Fuck,” he hisses then and leans his head on my shoulder.

  “What’s wrong?” I croak.

  His body trembles so hard.

  “Condoms are in my nightstand,” he grunts.

  When he moves to release me, I clench my legs firmly around him and take his lips in a soft kiss.

  “No condom,” I breathe against his lips.

  When his whole body stills, I nibble on my lip, worried if that was taking it too far. I rest my head against the wall and meet his gaze. The fire in them is banked down, but it’s still there.

  “Are you sure?”

  I nod, determined.

  “I’ve got us covered,” I smile. “So unless there’s some weird STD you haven’t told me about, we’re good to go, baby.”

  He blinks in surprise before he starts to laugh.

  “I’m all good, sweetheart.” He grins up at me. “Got myself checked out a couple of weeks ago, got the results yesterday. I’m clean.”

  A thrill courses through me and I look down as I feel his cock near my entrance. My breath hitches as he starts to rub the head around my still sensitive clit. The cool apa sends a shock of lust through me again, and I pull his head closer towards me.

  “Fuck me, Kristian,” I whisper against his lips. “Hard. Wild. As if you’ll never let me go.”

  On a low growl, he pushes inside me, stretching me, and the feeling of him bare for the first time makes my breath clog up. When he’s finally buried to the hilt, I feel his thumb circle my still sensitive clit slowly. I clench around him and smile in victory when he curses, only to gasp as he angles his hips, letting me feel the effect of his piercing fully, for the first time.

  “Holy shit, I’m one lucky girl,” I breathe as he rocks inside me, his pace slow at first.

  His hoarse chuckle makes me feel a little shy all of a sudden, but my embarrassment at bursting out my thoughts disappears as his thrusts grow deeper.

  “Hold on, sweetheart.”

  Pleasure overtakes my senses, and as he takes me harder, wilder, and rougher—just like I asked him to—whispering how much he loves fucking my pussy, I feel more alive and wanted than I ever have before. The orgasm builds and builds, and just when I feel the tingles in my spine a second time tonight, Kristian increases the pace, his thumb rubbing my clit harder, and I’m there.

  Flying. Soaring. Higher and higher until I push my head back and close my eyes, revelling in the ecstasy tearing through me.

  “You. Are. Mine. Fuck!”

  He buries his head in my neck as his thrusts become more erratic, and I cling to him, whispering how much I love his cock, his fingers, and his mouth, until he cries out my name as he comes. The trembling that tears through him as he shoots his cum inside me elates me. Knowing that I hold so much power over him—that I am able to make him fall apart at the seams—makes me feel stronger for the first time in years.

  “Holy shit,” he gasps against my neck.

  I giggle and kiss his cheek. The low hum he lets out fills me with happiness for a while. But then I remember that I can’t stay.

  “I have to go,” I whisper.

  Sighing, he takes a gentle, but firm hold on my thighs and then slips out of me. I feel like a sack of bones as I lean against the wall and try to get my breathing under control.

  I grin wickedly up at him when I feel some of his cum run down my inner thigh.

  His eyes glint as he leans down to give me another soft kiss before he pulls up his pants.

  “Fuck, that’s hot,” he grumbles and then goes to the bathroom. I do my best to clench my inner walls together, keeping the rest inside, but then sigh in relief when Kristian returns with a cloth.

  “Here, let me take care of you,” he murmurs and kneels down in front of me.

  Emotions clog up in my throat as I feel him gently wiping his cum away, his eyes so focussed on me. When he’s done, he leans closer and presses a soft kiss so close to my sensitive core I shudder. When he wraps his arms around me, pushing his forehead against me, my heart rate picks up. The way he tightens his arms around me isn’t only soothing—it’s intense. Overwhelming, even.

  “I hate that you can’t stay,” he murmurs on a long sigh. “But I understand.”

  I push my hands into his soft hair, massaging his scalp as I allow us a few more minutes. The intimacy between us is growing stronger with each day, and I relish in it.

  “Sorry I ruined your underwear,” he chuckles then.

  I snort when he tilts his head up, a teasing glint in his eyes.

  “I don’t believe that for a second, but it’s okay. Now, give them back to me.”

  Quickly, he swipes them up from the floor and puts them in his back pocket before he stands, his eyes twinkling with mirth.

  “Nope. I’m keeping them.”

  I gape at him.

  “What?”

  Tongue in cheek, he nods at me.

  “Yeah. I think I’m going to frame them.”

  My eyes bulge, but he just keeps going.

  “Hang it on my wall at the tattoo shop, actually.”

  “What?” I shriek. “You can’t be serious.”

  “Hmm.” His lips twitch as he wraps his arms around my waist. “Maybe I am, or maybe not. You’ll have to wait and see, I guess.”

  I shake my head at him as I run my hands over his hard chest.

  “You’re a perv,” I whisper.

  He grins as his mouth hovers above mine.

  “You love it,” he grumbles.

  I can’t deny that.

  “Maybe.”

  His arms t
ighten around me once, before he steps back and bends down to pick up his shirt. Feeling a little cold now our rough lovemaking is over, I grab my dress and shimmy it up my body.

  Kristian takes my coat and hands it to me.

  “I’ll walk you back.”

  I wipe some strands of hair away from my face.

  “You don’t have to do that,” I smile. “It’s not like I have far to go.”

  His jaw tightens as he takes my hand.

  “Doesn’t matter. Technically, we’re still on a date, and that means I’m walking you home.”

  I smile softly at him.

  “You’re kind of being the most perfect boyfriend ever,” I grin.

  His blinding smile makes my heart skip.

  “Good. Keep thinking that, sweetheart, because I plan on being your last.”

  My mouth pops open in shock, and I think my heart stops beating for a few seconds.

  Bloody hell, did he just say that?

  Ignoring my clear state of amazement, Kristian turns towards the stairs, and we walk back to my house in silence.

  27

  Kristian

  “When is it the right time to tell a woman that you’re in love with her?” I ask Alex one Friday afternoon when we’re eating lunch in his office.

  His hands holding a sandwich stop halfway to his mouth and his eyebrows shoot up in surprise.

  “You’re asking me that? How the fuck would I know?”

  I sigh and take a sip from my water bottle.

  “Look,” he starts after he’s taken a huge bite, “I’m clearly no expert, but I’m thinking that if you love someone, you should tell them the minute you realise that you’ve gone mental.”

  My lips turn down in an unhappy frown.

  “Just like that, yeah?”

  “Fuck, yes. If you’re so sure of your own feelings, why keep them locked away? I’ve never understood that.”

  I shrug.

  “Probably because most people don’t simply blurt out their wayward thoughts like you do.”

  He swallows his food on a low chuckle.

  “Well, maybe you’re right.” The amusement fades from his eyes and he frowns at me. “Honestly, though? If you know you love her, why wait?”

  He does have a point, but baring my heart is a risk. Placing it on a platter, handing it over, when I don’t even know if Laura feels the same way makes me vulnerable. Exposed. I’m not used to that. Sometimes, it feels like she does, but until I hear the words fall from her sweet lips, I won’t know for certain.

  As we finish our lunch, I can’t help but wonder if the way Laura looks at me sometimes is her way of telling me that she feels the same way but is too scared to say the words. Given her past, I can’t say I blame her.

  I thought I knew what love was before I met her. First, there was Rebecca, and then Emma—why else would I have felt so hollow and broken when she turned me down? But the feelings I harbour towards my Scottish sweetheart are so much stronger, I’m starting to think that maybe I was never really in love with Emma. Not completely. Maybe only half in love…but is there even such a thing?

  I feel so much more when I’m with Laura. Maybe too much. These feelings are too intense. Too overwhelming.

  As if she knows I’m thinking about her, my phone pings with a text. I pick it up and swipe the screen, unable to wipe the foolish grin off my lips when I read her text.

  Laura: Want to go to the Oran Mor tonight? Mum and Ailith want to have a private slumber party, and I’ve been ordered out of the house.

  My grin turns into a full-blown smile, and I text her back like an overeager teenager.

  Kristian: Absolutely. We close at eight. Want to stop by here first, and we’ll head there together?

  Laura: Sounds good. See you tonight, baby. xx

  Fuck. It hits me straight in my cock every single time she calls me that.

  Kristian: Can’t wait to see you, sweetheart. x

  “Fuck, lad, you’re so far gone, it’s not even funny to tease you about it,” Alex grumbles beside me. He gives me a soft jab on my shoulder with his fist, but I just shake my head at him.

  All I can think about the rest of the afternoon is seeing Laura again.

  Laura

  “Mummy, can we keep Thunder?” Ailith asks me as I glide down from his back, careful not to startle him.

  My lips pull up in a confused smile.

  “That’s a strange question coming from you. You know we don’t keep the horses once they’re fully rehabilitated, sweetie.”

  The flare of hope in her eyes dies down, making me feel wretched, but it’s just the way it’s always been. I gather the reins in my right hand before I motion Ailith closer. Slowly, her head hanging down, she walks towards me and I hug her to my side. Thunder turns his head and I can’t help but notice his eyes appear sad, too.

  But he can’t be sad. He’s just a horse.

  I look down at my daughter and give her a gentle squeeze.

  “Listen, it’ll be a long time before this guy will be able to trust anybody else but us. So let’s talk about it again when we reach that point, okay?”

  She heaves a sigh but nods.

  “Okay.”

  “Come on.” I turn us around and head for the stables. Thunder snorts once, but follows me placidly. “I have to get ready for my date with Kristian.”

  Just thinking about him sends a swarm of delicious butterflies through my tummy.

  “Can I ask you a question, Mummy?”

  I cluck my tongue at her.

  “Of course. You can ask me anything, you know that.”

  “Well…” Ailith squints her eyes at me before she takes my outstretched hand. “I was just wondering if Kristian makes you happy?”

  Warmth settles in my heart and I smile gently at her. She’s taken to my new relationship status really well—better than I’d expected—but I’ve known it wouldn’t be long before she started grilling me.

  She’s a smart girl.

  “Yes, he does.”

  When her smile breaks through, I almost have to catch my breath at the sheer happiness in her eyes.

  “I’m glad. I’m happy you’re not so sad anymore.”

  “Oh, sweetie.” I take a deep breath as we enter the stables. “That means a lot to me.”

  “Are you going to get married?”

  I almost stumble and suppress a nervous laugh.

  “We haven’t known each other for that long, Ailith. It’s way too soon to think about marriage. Plus, I’m not sure I ever want to get married again.”

  “Why not?”

  I stop next to Thunder’s stall, and turn to unstrap the girth on the saddle as I think carefully about how to answer that. I remove the saddle and place it on the ground before I turn to face her.

  “People don’t always get married even though they love each other,” I answer, keeping my voice soft. “It doesn’t mean they’re afraid to commit—it’s just not for them. I respect and understand that.”

  “I don’t understand.”

  I can’t contain my chuckle, and tap lightly on her nose, amused at the small frown that appears between her eyes.

  “Don’t you worry about it. When you’re older, I’ll try to explain things to you. You just concentrate on being a child for now, please.”

  She nibbles on her lips, nodding slowly as I turn back to remove Thunder’s harness.

  “Do you love him?” Her question throws me for a loop and as I feel the blush creep up my neck underneath my turtleneck, I’m relieved she can’t see it.

  Oh, crap.

  Feeling cornered, I glance down at her. The way she looks at me, so serious and old beyond her years, makes me sad. My baby is growing up way too fast.

  But at the back of my mind, I know she deserves the truth. She always has and she always will.

  I hang Thunder’s tack on the peg on the door to his stall and then lead him inside, sliding the door closed behind me, before I take a deep breath. Finding my courage, I
turn around, walk the few steps separating us, and crouch down. I don’t want to hide from her, but at the same time, this isn’t exactly the kind of conversation I’d thought we’d have a mere month ago. Heck, I never thought we would before I met Kristian, yet here I am—thirty-three years old and with a boyfriend who’s seven years younger than me.

  Feeling way out of my depth here, I wipe my suddenly sweaty palms on my thighs and muster up the courage I need for this kind of conversation. Nerves dance in my belly as I meet her gaze. She tilts her head to the side, eyes wary yet curious, and I take both her hands in mine and wait until she shuffles closer.

  “Sweetie, Kristian and I are just enjoying ourselves.” Crap…I have no clue if she understands what I’m saying, so I wet my lips and try again. “When two grown-ups really like each other, they take the time they need to get to know each other properly. So, while we’re dating, it’s a little early to talk about love. Let’s leave it at that, yeah?” I give her a crooked smile. “But I promise you this—whatever happens between us, you’ll be the first to know about it. Deal?”

  Ailith nods slowly, but the usual openness that always stares back at me from her blue eyes is vacant. A sinking feeling settles in my stomach at the shuttered look in her eyes. When she opens her mouth to speak, I smile encouragingly at her.

  “I like him,” she whispers. I squeeze her hands gently, somewhat happier that she does. “But I don’t want him to hurt you.”

  Ah, bloody hell.

  I release her hands and cup her small face in my hands. I close the distance between us until the tips of our noses are so close, they almost touch.

  “Listen to me,” I whisper fiercely, willing her to understand. “Kristian will never hurt me like your father did, Ailith.” I force the big lump that’s settled in my throat back and blink furiously at the tears that are misting in my eyes. “I promise you that. It’s not in his nature to be cruel. Trust me on this, please?”

  She sniffles but nods again.

  “I’m so sorry I ever let our lives spin so out of control, sweetie. You know that, don’t you?”