Chapter 9

T he hum of my car's engine hangs between us as it idles in the driveway, and I survey the exterior of her house—most of it is cloaked in shadows, but it's a small craftsman-style bungalow with a large stained-glass window on the gable. I want to know what the inside looks like. We sit in silence, each of us waiting for the other to make the first move… My time is running out.

I'm not leaving with regrets.

"You know… I'm not America's most-eligible bachelor yet."

We regard each other, and she swallows. I could get lost in her eyes forever. I can't tell if minutes or hours have passed. She bites the corner of her lip. "Do you…" After a long pause, she continues. "Do you want to come in for a drink?"

I've never been so thirsty. "Yes." We need closure. Maybe it's selfish, but I need one more night with her. I wasn't ready for the last time to be the last time. Turning off the engine, I step out and walk around the car to open her door.

She steps out, and my hand is on her lower back when she unlocks her front door and I follow her inside. There's not a lot of twenty-three-year-olds who own their own home. The dark space, filled with monotone shadows, is transformed into a vibrant, colorful dwelling when she flicks the light switch. Yeah, this is hers.

Emerald-green living room walls match the art deco sofa in the same hue. Throw pillows, flowers, and artwork make the room come alive with pops of color. I like it. It's a lot, but it's not overwhelming. It's invigorating and creative. Built-in floor-to-ceiling shelves along the east wall hold hundreds of vinyl records.

"Wow."

"My mom was really into music. Most of my memories are of us laying on the floor and listening to records together. I kept them when she passed… and then added a lot more." She chuckles.

Kendra steps out of sight after walking through the dining room into what must be the kitchen. I stand in the living room, taking in the space. It's neat and organized, but she's definitely a maximalist when it comes to color. The floral arrangement off to the side is even coordinated to the room. Impressive.

"Those are nice," I say, pointing to the bouquet.

"I love having fresh flowers in the house. They make me happy."

Personal touches are everywhere, and my brain attempts to catalog everything, to further understand who she is. It's bright, colorful, and just so damn… happy .

Ice clinks against glasses as I peruse her shelves while she fixes us drinks. She returns with two tumblers of amber liquid, then I sip the smokey whiskey she hands me.

"Do you have a favorite?" I ask, flipping through some records.

She takes a sip and swallows. "Hmm, that's a tough one. I'm a mood listener, but if the house went up in flames and I could only save one… probably Tina Turner."

Tonight was supposed to be one last fuck before I'm forced to push her away, but seeing this side of her, who she is when no one's around, only makes me like her more. Kendra's the cake I want to have and eat too.Whatever we are, expires tonight, and the passing seconds piss me off.

"Put something on for us."

She has a broad range of artists to choose from, and I'm curious what album she'll select. Out of the corner of my eye, I watch her take another drink while she looks on to the wall of records before us. After a beat, she steps in front of me and pulls out a cardboard sleeve of Zero 7 . I'm starting to think Kendra is from an earlier generation than her own. I chuckle as she drops the needle onto the record.

She smiles. "What?"

I shake my head. "Nothing."

Professionally, she's driven and authoritative. She flitted around Sugar and Ice calling shots and making decisions while quietly commanding the team she showed up with. No question, they respect her.

But when it's just us… she's more vulnerable and free. I hope she doesn't give every man she takes home the same treatment—it's a gift I'd like to pretend is mine alone.

Sitting down on the green sofa, I make myself comfortable. I tilt my head as she sways to the music.

She moves toward the spot next to me on the sofa, and I don't hesitate. I grab her waist and firmly drop her sideways into my lap. Her body tenses, and she takes a deep breath.

I furrow my brow. "What's wrong?"

She shakes her head, looking down into her glass.

"Kendra…" I say as a warning. "Talk to me."

"I feel like we shouldn't be doing this."

"Why not?"

"Because you're not mine." She glances down to her fidgeting fingers. "I mean, you're not anyone's, but… Do you know what I'm doing on Monday?" she asks.

"What?"

"I'm sitting down and interviewing a woman who is committed to finding love… finding love with you . She's probably thinking about you right now, and I'm sitting on your lap. I have to look her in the eye on Monday and discuss her becoming the next Mrs. Sullivan while I'll still be sore from you fucking me two nights prior." I hate the longing in her voice but love that she anticipates being sore. It's an admittal that we both need this and plan to take it.

"How about I come back tomorrow and we practice your poker face?"

"Sully, it's not funny. What I'm engaging in is beyond unethical."

After peeling the glass from her grip and setting it aside, my other hand travels from the nape of her neck to the base of her spine. She arches her back and adjusts against my hardening cock. I bracket her sides in my palms and sit her up, then readjust her so she's straddling me. My hands land on her bare knees and glide upward until I'm hiking the skirt up around her waist and showing off the royal-blue lace underwear she's rocking. "Very cute." Her short dress never stood a chance. We've been dancing around this all night, and now the only things between us are my clothes and her underwear.

"I don't want to get into trouble."

Aww. "You're a terrible liar, baby."

"I'm not lying."

"Do you have any idea how warm your pussy is on my leg?"

Cupping behind each of her thighs, I yank her forward, grinding her over my cock. My lips cover her small gasp at how hard I am for her. We're so close. It's right here. I want her more than my next breath.

After we tease each other with our proximity, she whispers,"I never said I didn't want it. I just don't want to get in trouble."

I smile against her lips. "I won't tell if you won't."

Burying my hands under the stretchy fabric of her dress, I grip her thighs, loving the feel of her against me.

Her fingers work the buttons down my chest before she pulls the shirt tails from my pants. "This is the last time." There's sadness in her tone . Fuck … If this is it, then I will make it worth remembering.

"Then you better get down on your knees, baby girl, because there's no way in hell I'm walking away before I've seen how pretty you are with that mouth wrapped around my cock."

She drops to the floor like the sweetheart she is, and I shove my pants and boxers down. Then she reaches for me, and I shake my head.

"Take your dress off, baby."

As she peels her arms from the sleeves, I fist my dick and admire how gorgeous she is. The strapless black satin bra underneath makes her look like my own personal pinup model. There's a sophistication to it, which makes the depraved act she's about to perform even sexier. She pushes the dress over her hips, and I love that I can see how wet she is. I hook my finger around the soaked scrap of fabric. The pad of my thumb finds her hot clit, and she pulses against me. "That's my troublemaker. Show me what a bad girl you can be."

Her thong snaps back into place, and she drops between my legs, spreading me wider for her.

"Will you come down my throat?" she asks. Her mouth dips to my inner thigh, where she drags her pouty red lips over my skin. My jaw tics and my mind races with all the ways I can smudge her lipstick. I relax my arms over the back of the couch to watch her work. Last time we were together she asked for my cum too.

"Do you have a cum kink, Kendra?"

She smiles, bites her lip, and nods. Her fingers grip my length, but instead of wrapping her lips around me, her head tilts to the side and she sucks one of my balls into her pretty fucking mouth while she tightens her fist around my length and lazily strokes me. It's hot as hell, but what really gets me is the way her eyes sparkle as she does it. Yeah, she's a cum princess.

"Goddamn, Kendra." I groan. "I'm a sucker for those gorgeous gray eyes of yours."

I throw my head back and look at the ceiling to collect myself. When I've reined in the threatening orgasm, my eyes find hers again. She flicks her tongue over my sack once more before sitting up and spitting on my cock and covering it with her mouth.

My hands slide into her hair and set the pace, then I thrust deeper. She hums around me, and I smile down at her. "So beautiful…" I mumble, marveling at the sight of her. "I bet you'd look even prettier fucking your fingers while you suck me off… Do it, Kendra."

She skates one hand down her body until it disappears under her thong.

"Now the other one…"

She releases me, and I relish the sexy way she writhes against her fingers.

"Fuck, just like that… I'm going to take your mouth, tap my leg if you need me to stop." I sink my other hand into her curls, cupping her head on both sides while I work those lips up and down my dick. She moans and rocks harder, and her hips snap eagerly to get more friction. My eyes bounce between watching her getting herself off to seeing her mouth take more of me. I push her down on my cock, and her throat opens up. All my muscles engage, staving off my climax. I growl through clenched teeth. I'm playing a dangerous game right now.

She bucks against her clit. "Look at me when you come." When she glances up, her eyes well as she struggles to take the extra inches. I pull her off me and give her a quick breath, a string of saliva still connecting her mouth to my length. Then I fist her hair and force her to take me again. It's not enough to give her a chance to relax her throat, so she gags. "Shh… you're doing so well, baby. Make that pussy come for me, and I'll give you a breath."

Her body clenches and shakes, then sweet tears stream down her face when her climax erupts.

I wrench her mouth off me, pick her up, and toss her onto the couch where I was sitting so I can take her spot on the floor. Ripping her underwear from her legs, I shove my face between her thighs as she continues to come. She takes a deep breath, then exhales a cry of pleasure. Her fingertips dig into my scalp as she grinds against my face. I devour her with my tongue and practically drink. "Good, good girl," I drawl, "giving me so much cum."

Her legs relax, and she starts to retreat. Hell no. I suck her clit hard, and she screams, trying to kick me away as I tug on the oversensitive bundle of nerves. She breathes like she can't get enough air.

I grip her thighs and lock her tighter against my face. She twists and shrieks before another orgasm builds. Now she welcomes the torture, pushing back against the sofa and lifting her hips. I focus on staying latched to her, trying not to smile. Her nails rake through my hair, and she scratches the back of my neck, clutching me as the second orgasm hits her.

I love how sultry her voice becomes when she's getting off. I lift my head away and slap her clit—hard.

"Fuck, Sully!"

"Nuh-uh. You don't call me Sully when my face is covered with you." I slap it again. "Who am I, Kendra?"

"Daddy," she whines.

Sitting up, I pull her onto me again, this time stuffing my length inside, feeling the steady roll of her last orgasm around my cock while she straddles me. I grasp her chin. "That's right, baby girl." It's a test of my patience to remain still inside her while she throbs around my dick. Letting the involuntary movements of her pussy work me over while I lick up her neck, claiming her. She's the one I want. I'll do her stupid fucking show, but it will be her I take home when it's over.

She slows. Our eyes meet, and it's as if everything else fades away. Her gaze matches mine. We both know this situation is fucked. "I don't want to give you up," I say.

Her sad smile is torture when she nods. "I know."

She kisses me, and it drips with sensual longing. I move my lips with hers, needing Kendra to recognize the hope I have. We're not done yet, but I can't tell her that. She'd try and stop me, and I'm not fighting her on this. Not tonight. I cradle her against my chest as she rides me. Her body is so soft and pliable in my large hands. When her thighs tremble and her knees knock against my sides, I grip her ass and help her keep the rhythm she's struggling to follow.

As soon as she comes, she calls me daddy one last time and I pull her down, burrowing deep as I spill inside. I growl into her flesh. It will be six long months before I hear that word again, so I commit it to memory, along with her smell, touch, and taste.

She throws her arms around my neck and holds me. I can't see her face, but a tear rolls down my back.

"It's going to be okay" is all I can tell her. She nods into my shoulder.

Tired and spent, I lie on the sofa, taking her with me. The tips of my fingers graze up and down her back as she rests her head on my chest. When she shivers, I wrap her in my warm arms and enjoy the sound of her content sighs as we relax without sharing another word. I'll be here until she kicks me out. After cleaning us up, I take my spot next to her again. Grabbing the blanket off the back of the couch, I throw it over us. It doesn't take long before our heartbeats are in sync and we drift into a deep sleep.