Fearless King

by Hughes, Maya

  He ran his hands down my thighs. “There are three more days until I need to leave this apartment. I’m keeping you in bed until then.”

  “What about my classes?” I pushed up on my elbows.

  “Fine, you can go to class, but I’m picking you up from there and bringing you right back here.” Sparks of excitement rushed through my body. When we were apart, touching myself had only made me think of him and of our near-nightly calls that had always ended with me screaming my release into my pillow. I didn’t need to muffle my sounds now. He rested his hand on my stomach and nudged my knees apart with his shoulders.

  “What about studying?” My words came out in shuddering pants.

  “The only one studying will be me—studying every inch of you and trying to see how many ways I can make you come.” He trailed his fingers from my stomach and teased my clit.

  I stared at him between my legs with my head swimming. Hooking his hands behind my knees, he lifted my legs, opened them wide, and pushed them up toward my chest. I was completely exposed and at the mercy of the delicious promise in his eyes. If I made it through the night without losing all of myself to him, it would be a miracle.

  My muscles clenched in anticipation of his touch. His breath skimmed across the wetness coating my thighs and pussy.

  “I’ve missed you.”

  I laughed, and his gaze snapped to mine. “Are you talking to me or my pussy?”

  “Both,” he growled before dropping his head, painting my opening with his tongue. My body trembled as he sucked on my clit in a long pulsing rhythm that made my toes curl. I clawed at the bed beneath me and screamed, digging my heels into his shoulders. He dropped one hand from behind my knee. Using his thumb, he rubbed my clit and sank two fingers into me, plunging them deep and stretching me, but nothing filled me up like his cock.

  “You know what I want.”

  My thighs tightened around his head, the soft brush of his beard scraping against my oversensitive skin. My back arched off the bed, and I screamed his name. It echoed off the industrial-height ceiling, and I bucked against him. Planting one more kiss on my clit, he let go of my legs. I shuddered and dropped them to the cool blankets beneath me.

  He kissed his way up my body and to my mouth. The heft of his erection nudged my already slick folds open.

  Lifting his body, he caged me beneath him. The grind of his hips meant I never fully recovered from my last orgasm.

  “You didn’t say you missed me too.” His latex-covered head stretched me. Guiding it in like a heat-seeking missile, he didn’t even need his hands.

  “It’s been days. I thought you knew.” My eyes rolled back, and my eyelids fluttered. I gasped at his sharp thrust and moaned. Hitching my legs around his waist, I opened myself even more, digging my heels into his muscled ass.

  “You need to say it.” He nipped at my chin.

  His pubic bone ground against my clit, sending toe-curling shots of pleasure racing through my body. I clawed at the bedding beneath me and at his back, at the fabric bunching under my grip.

  “I missed you too.” I slipped my arms under his and grabbed the backs of his shoulders. I bit down on his shoulder, screaming into him as I shook and shuddered. His thrusts sped up, grinding into me and drawing out my orgasm until my vision winked in and out.

  He tightened his grip around my back, groaning into my neck. The pulsing of his cock sent another orgasm ripping through me. I was coming apart at the seams. Unraveling at the unending climax that stole my breath away.

  Rolling to his side, his throat worked up and down. He pulled me in close against his chest. Our hearts pounded in unison as we came down from the explosive high.

  I rested my head against his chest and ran my fingers along his skin. Contentment settled in deep to the cracks in my soul I hadn’t known were there. There was no restlessness or worry that I needed to do something. There was only the rise and fall of his chest and his complete possession of my heart.

  * * *

  Leaning over the center console, I kissed Ford again. He held on to the back of my neck and pulled me over onto his lap. I jumped at the sharp horn honk when my hip banged into the steering wheel.

  “I’m taking you out for your birthday tonight.”

  I grinned. “You remembered.”

  “I could never forget.”

  “With everything that’s happened, I almost forgot about it. The girls reminded me when we were shopping, and they already beat you to the punch—Mak and the guys invited me to go out with them. When I turned my phone back on, Marisa was so pissed.” I’d make it up to her.

  He tightened his arms around me and rubbed his nose against mine. “Then I get to take you for your first drink.”

  I pecked him on the lips and reached for the door handle. “Deal!” Flinging it open, I hopped out of the car. If I didn’t make a break for it, we’d end up making out in the car. “I’ll call you when I’m finished.” I pushed the door closed, and he rolled down the window. Leaning in, I ran my fingers through his hair. “Only a couple hours.”

  “You sure you don’t want me to wait with you?”

  I laughed and rested my forehead against his. “I can handle it. Meeting with my dean isn’t the hard conversation. This feels right, like a phoenix reborn from the ashes.” If I hadn’t been up late and smelled the smoke or had smelled it but had brushed it off like the other times that burning smell invaded our apartment, where might I have been right then? Dread bubbled up, and I shoved it down. The what-ifs would only drive me crazy. They’d driven me crazy after my parents died, and I wasn’t going to do that to myself. These were the first steps in my new life.

  “Go do your thing and I’ll be here when you’re finished.”

  I let go and stepped back onto the curb in front of my academic dean’s building, I waved to Ford. He stared back at me as I climbed the steps. This should’ve been scary. It should’ve been insanity. Changing majors at the end of junior year? Who does that? Me, that’s who.

  My leg bounced up and down in the waiting area. This was what I wanted. What was there to be nervous about?

  My mouth was so dry I grabbed a paper cup and filled it to the top. The receptionist called my name. I choked on my water, spewing it all over my shirt. My palms were clammy and felt like I’d been running them under a faucet.

  The dean opened his door and invited me in to take a seat. My hands shook, and I perched on the edge of the chair. Taking a deep breath, I word vomited the whole thing out before he could say a word.

  Completely out of breath, I sat back in my seat and braced myself for the judgment.

  “I’m glad you’re safe. If you need anything from this office or your professors, please let us know. We’re here to make sure you’re not handling this difficult time alone.”

  “I have friends and family helping me out.”

  “Good, but don’t hesitate to send a message. I’m not just saying it to be nice.”

  I nodded.

  “What major were you thinking?” He turned halfway in his chair and clicked away at his computer.

  “That’s it? You’re not going to try to talk me out of it?”

  “Do you know how many premed students come in here needing a new major? You’re not the first, and you certainly won’t be the last. I can’t say most of them have anywhere near the grades you do, but only a small percentage of people who think they want to be doctors go on to be doctors. Don’t worry about it.” He waved his hand like it was no big deal.

  A giddy laugh burst free from my lips.

  “Not the first one of those I’ve heard either. With your grades and some of the electives you’ve squeezed in, you can switch majors to just about anything. You’ll need to take some summer classes depending on which you choose. There are a lot offered online now, but you’ll still be able to walk at graduation with the rest of your class. What did you have in mind?” He spun in his chair to fully face me.

  My mouth hung open, and I racked my brain.
With medicine off the table, I drew a blank. Nice going, Liv. I could’ve at least actually come up with a plan for what the hell would come next.

  I blurted out the first thing that came to mind.

  Thirty minutes later I was officially a business major. I ran down the steps, practically skipping. Business was the perfect combination I needed. I wouldn’t want to teach forever, but running my own dance school had some real possibilities. Maybe that would convince Colm I was serious about this. I wouldn’t just be a dance teacher, but a business owner.

  The money in the trust was sitting there, and now I had a plan for what I could do with it. Any fear about what I’d do when I wasn’t on the path set out for me melted away. With a couple of online summer classes, my graduation would be delayed until the next summer, but that wasn’t a big deal.

  Any course load after the one I’d just taken would be a cake walk. I’d finish out the last of this semester strong to keep my GPA up, and a new chapter of my life would start in the summer.

  I grabbed my phone and tapped on my contacts.

  She picked up on the first ring, sounding groggy even though it was after two p.m.

  “Are you still asleep?”

  I jerked the phone away from my ear at her massive yawn.

  “You try getting any sleep when these guys have parties so often it’s like they think it’s an Olympic sport.”

  I laughed. “The Brothel not the bastion of quiet nights you expected?”

  Marisa sighed. “I didn’t believe them when they said the parties appear out of thin air, but I’ve seen it happen. Now I believe. People bring their own kegs and just set them up in the living room. It’s insane.”

  “Other than getting no sleep, how are you?”

  “Hiding indoors. I got extensions on any work I had due this week, so I’m hibernating and making LJ feed me to keep his overprotective tendencies in check.”

  “I’m glad he’s there for you.”

  “Me too.” I could barely make out the words. “How are you handling the study disruption? Have you made Ford create a study den for you at his place?”

  “Nope, I just left the dean’s office. Guess who’s a business major now.”

  “About freaking time! If I had to hear about your obligation to become a doctor one more time, I was going to strangle you.”

  “Hey!” I stepped off the curb and walked across the street toward the coffee shop right off campus.

  “The landlord called and said we should be able to get into our place to see what might be recoverable tomorrow.”

  The heat of the flames licking at my arms as we rushed down the stairs came back to me. What would be left? “That’s number one on the list of things I don’t ever want to do.”

  “Not all of us can replace all our worldly possessions at a moment’s notice.”

  I cringed at how shitty my words had sounded. “Sorry.”

  “Don’t worry about it. You’re allowed one privileged rich girl comment every so often. I’m fine sporting LJ’s boxers and T-shirts until my next paycheck comes in.”

  Now I really felt like a shitty friend. “We can go shopping once my new cards arrive. Think of it as a birthday present for me.”

  “I thought I was supposed to give you something for your birthday.”

  “Nah, I get to choose what I want, and I want to get you some stuff.”

  “I’d normally say no, but seeing as most of my stuff is probably a charred pile of rubble, I’ll let it slide this time. So, where am I taking you for your birthday?”

  “The Kings are taking me out. I can send you a message on where to meet once they tell me.”

  “Sounds good. Someone just left the bathroom. These guys are worse than chicks and I need to take a shower, so I gotta go. Talk later.” She ended the call, and I ordered my coffee.

  Maybe Ford would be up for a vacation somewhere. We could spend the summer in a place with a good Internet connection so I could take my class, and we could laze by the pool, eat amazing food, and spend as much time as we wanted in bed. Whatever it was, things were finally falling into place. I couldn’t wipe the grin off my face. Everything was perfect.

  33

  Ford

  I’d tried to call Colm, but he let every call ring out. Liv wasn’t freaking out, so I hoped that meant he’d decided to stick to what I’d asked him to do and wasn’t going to say anything to Liv until he landed, until I’d gotten a chance to talk to him.

  She stepped out of the bathroom and did a twirl in the hallway. Her makeup made her look like Liv, but not Liv.

  “I told you I had a surprise.” She rested her hands on my chest, and in her heels, she didn’t have to stand on tiptoes to kiss me. I wrapped my arms around her. My hands traced up and down her back. The smooth fabric glided under my touch, and I wanted to peel it off her with my teeth.

  “What if we just stayed here for your birthday? I’m sure I can make it a celebration you won’t forget.”

  “Don’t even think about it. I’m going out for my first legal drink and you’re buying it for me, remember?” she said against my lips. She tasted like strawberries.

  “If that’s what you wanted, maybe you shouldn’t have worn that dress.” I palmed her ass and lifted her up on her toes.

  Laughing, she pushed against my chest until I let her down, and then she picked up her bag. “Let’s go.” She led the way across the street, and I rested my hand on the small of her back, guiding her into Fish’s.

  Her tight green dress turned more than a few heads. I was equal parts proud and ready to growl at anyone who looked too long, but she was on my arm for the night, and she’d be in my bed in a few hours.

  Jack dropped off a couple of glasses at my usual spot on the far end of the bar. I picked them both up and held one out to her.

  She stepped in closer, the light catching the color of her eyes and reflecting off her dress, illuminating her like a jewel.

  “Thank you for my first legal drink.” Her lips curled in a mischievous smirk, the same kind she knew drove me crazy. Letting her fingers linger on mine, she took the glass from my hand.

  The background noise of the bar faded away. Our quiet little corner became my whole world. There were no booths back there. It was my favorite spot where, even if it got busy, I never had anyone around me.

  “Happy birthday.” I kissed out each syllable against the side of her face. Fish’s was the perfect place to take her for her first drink. It was quiet, although a recent review from the Philly Mag about its quaint off-beatness had brought in new arrivals.

  Flashes went off at the front of the bar as people took selfies and pictures of their plates. Apparently bar food that actually looked like bar food was the new trendy thing. A couple heads had turned when we’d walked in, but other than that, no one seemed to notice me, which was just how I liked it. I didn’t want to deal with fans on this night, not when I had so many plans for Liv.

  “I say we skip the group celebration and just go back to the apartment.” She traced her hands along the bottom of my shirt. Her fingers skimmed my skin, and blood rushed to my cock.

  I wrapped my fingers around her wrist. “Is this a test? You’re the one who wanted to come out. You’re not going to tempt me.”

  The noise of the crowd got louder, and more flashes went off at the front of the bar. The place was turning into a photo shoot.

  “What’s the fun if I don’t?” She lowered her hand, bringing mine with it. Angling her back to block the view of anyone nearby, she slipped my hand between her thighs.

  I traced my fingertips along the soft skin between her legs. I cupped one hand over her ass to keep her dress down and ran my fingers higher. She sucked in a shuddering breath and wrapped her hands around my forearm.

  Bracing my back against the wall, I stared into her eyes. They burned with a desire I’d come to know so well, one I had tasted on my lips and couldn’t wait to taste again. I pushed my fingers higher and brushed against her bare skin. She
wasn’t wearing any panties. The evidence of how much she liked my teasing coated her inner thighs. My thumb brushed along the seam of her pussy.

  She let out a long breath and her hold tightened on my arm.

  “Once I get you home, I’m not stopping until I’ve wrung every last orgasm from you.” I ran my other hand along the back of her neck and pressed my mouth against her ear. Wetness coated my fingers, and I pushed two inside her. Her pussy clenched around my invading digits.

  She licked her lips. “Is that a challenge?”

  Her body trembled and her knees dipped. I wrapped my arm around her and held her up. “I’m going to spend the whole night with the smell of you on my fingers. Every time I take a drink or a bite to eat, I’ll be thinking about you and making my plans for what happens when my front door closes behind me.”

  Her lips parted, and she stared back at me with a dazed look in her eyes. She rocked harder against me.

  I flicked my thumb across her clit, and she stifled her moan. My cock strained against my jeans, but the discomfort was totally worth it. I ran my thumb along her jaw; her pulse thundered against my palm. My dick throbbed at her soft mewling and the way she barely maintained her composure. Her ankles wobbled in her high heels. I cupped her pussy and dragged my thumb across her clit again.

  She shook and her hand shot out, grabbing my shirt. Clutching the fabric in her fist, her back bowed and her eyes fluttered shut.

  “I think you liked that,” I whispered against her ear.

  Her low moan and almost collapse into my arms confirmed it. I tugged down the skirt of her dress, making sure no one got a flash.

  “I think I’ve created a monster.” She laughed and rested her cheek against my shoulder.

  * * *

  The taxi pulled up to the curb of the club. Liv looped her arm through mine, and the bouncer lifted the velvet rope. We walked inside past the long line of people stretched down the block. The music thumped and pounded, slamming into my chest.