Chapter 26

Clara's hands cup my face, pulling me down for a kiss, and I know I should resist, but I don't.

As far as coping mechanisms go, this is better than alcohol, which I know from experience, and taking care of her—making Clara feel something good—is something I know I can do.

"Anything, doc. I got you," I mumble against her lips.

She grips me tight, and my hands go to her shirt, yanking the thing over her head before going back to our kiss.

Clara's fingers tangle in my belt as she works to get my pants undone, and I untie the threads that keep her scrub bottoms tight.

Getting her pants off is quicker, so I let them fall, and she steps out of the pile, kicking them away.

It doesn't take much to get me hard for Clara, so as I move her hands for a moment, I pull my erection through my downed zipper, not bothering to fully ditch the pants.

Gripping my cock tightly, Clara strokes her hand up and down my shaft. My head falls back as she toys with my opening, smoothing her thumb across it.

With my eyes closed, I don't notice her bending to take me in her mouth, so the warmth hits me like a pleasant electric shock.

I grip her hair, letting Clara work me up as I thrust between her lips.

When I know she's likely slick and ready for me, I pull her back up to standing and spin Clara around to face the counter.

Pushing her forward, I drape Clara over the marble surface.

I pull the straps of her bralette down her shoulders so I can see those magnificent nipples of hers get harder as they brush against the cold stone counter.

She hisses lightly as they do, and I reach forward to pinch one of the perky buds. Clara moans low, arching her back, which presses her ass against my dripping cock.

"Please, Luke. I want you."

Clara's voice is low and quiet, but the desperate need is obvious.

"Love those pretty words, darlin'."

Reaching for her panties, I pull the crotch out of my way.

Again, I'm taking speed over fully undressing her, and I shove my dick home, loving how we're both so hungry for this that we're fucking with our clothes on.

Arching even more, Clara cries out as I sheathe myself deep, up to the hilt, and begin a punishing rhythm.

You want a distraction, I'll give you one.

Our bodies slap as we come together, each of us groaning and crying out in pleasure, creating a symphony from the sounds of our lovemaking.

Hiking Clara's leg up, I sink in even further, bottoming out, and she shouts into the large kitchen.

Reaching around her hip, I find her clit with my fingers and tease the sensitive bud.

Clara rocks her hips harder against me, moaning and grunting as I work her closer and closer to an orgasm.

She's raw and animalistic right now, demanding pleasure from me, and I'm willing to give her everything she wants until I have nothing left.

"Yes, Luke. Harder." Clara's words are breathy around her cries, and I ramp up the pace.

My cock and balls are heavy with lust, aching with the need to come and fill up her tight little pussy.

I'm close, and the flutter of her walls around me tells me Clara is, too.

Flicking her clit faster, I pummel into her, and it's not long before we both fly off into a blinding release.

She clamps down around my cock, milking me, and I shoot my hot cum deep inside her, grunting low.

Suddenly exhausted, I curl around her, whispering, "Did I distract you?"

With a soft giggle, Clara looks back at me.

"Expertly."

It's a moment of heavy breathing before I slip out, and Clara is able to pull on her pants again.

"Well." I don't bother with actually zipping up, and Clara just holds her shirt in her hands. "How about a shower and a movie night in bed?"

Smiling at me, Clara slides herself into my arms, laying her head on my chest.

"That sounds wonderful. And maybe—" she looks up with a grin so devious it puts mine to shame "—you'll be ready for round two before bed."

Chuckling and giving her ass a playful slap, I start walking us down to the bathroom.

"For you? I think I'll be ready halfway through the shower."

* * *

Night indeed comes after,with another round while we were trying to clean up. Lying next to her in bed has become my second favorite thing.

Number one being the sex, of course.

We shut everything off and turn in, and I am more than ready for some sleep after my strenuous evening.

But life is an asshole, and it has a way of making sure I never get too happy with myself.

A few hours into sleep, I see the images that haunt me, filling my dreams like they always do. The nightmare rocks me, and I wake up in a sweat, my heart pounding hard enough I swear it's audible.

"Luke? Are you okay?"

I look over at Clara.

Shit. I must've jerked hard enough to wake her up or made a noise. Dammit.

"I'm…" The look of concern on her face makes me want to crawl out of my own skin. "I'm fine. Just a nightmare. Sorry. I didn't mean to wake you up."

Clara furrows her brows at me, rolling over to face me properly. As she sits up, holding the blanket around herself, my heart is still pounding.

"A nightmare?" She puts a hand on my shoulder. "You had one last night, too. Are you sure you're okay?"

The latent images of the young boy burn behind my lids when I blink. Actually, I've had several.

"I'm sure it's nothing. Just stressed about work and everything."

I plaster on that practiced smile I wear for everyone. My own way of indicating Nope, don't look over here, I'm fine without saying any words.

"Oh, sure. I get that. I think I've just been too tired to remember any nightmares. The hospital doesn't let up, even when you're dealing with shit."

Stroking down her cheek, I nod. "No, it doesn't."

I hate the idea of Clara having nightmares, maybe even more than I hate having them myself.

"Do you want to talk about it? Sometimes that helps."

Offering Clara that grin again, I shake my head.

"Nah, I'm fine. I think I'll just get up and get something to drink. Walk it out, you know?"

"Oh, sure."

Clara yawns, and it's positively adorable.

"Go back to sleep, doc. You need your brain working on all cylinders."

She laughs but then slides back down and lays her head on the pillow.

"Okay. Don't stay up too late. You need sleep, too."

"Of course not, doc." I give Clara a quick kiss, then slip out of bed.

Exiting the room, my mind comes awake to the sound of the "sleep music" still playing, and I hold back the groan.

Yeah, real damn helpful you are.

Padding to the kitchen, I look inside the fridge for something, but I know I don't want anything in there.

With a sigh, I turn around and go to the small bar in the living room. Snagging the bottle of whiskey from the bottom shelf, I spin open the cap and take a few long pulls from the bottle.

I give it a few minutes, making sure I'm good and buzzed, and then I just lie down on the couch. I'm not waking Clara up because of another fucking nightmare.

I'd rather pass out on the less than spacious couch than interrupt her sleep again.