King of Depravity: Chapter 18

I loved sleeping with Chloe at her place. And I’m not talking about the sex, but about the actual sleeping. It’s not something I expected, the connection of having her body against mine in her most relaxed state, and it’s been the best bonus.

But in my bed, it’s even better. She still sleeps in the cradle of my arms, pressed to my torso, our legs tangled together, but unlike when we’re jammed in her bed, my feet aren’t hanging off the end, the blankets are large enough to cover us both, the mattress is soft enough to settle her even closer.

We went to bed early but it’s nine before we get up, and I think we both needed that kind of sleep.

I might have needed a rest like that for actual years. I can’t remember the last time I slept so well, barely waking, going right back to sleep the few times I did.

Chloe is wearing one of my T-shirts, the fabric now up around her chest. I skate my hand over her hip and up her belly. I’m honestly not trying to start anything, I know she’s going to need a little time to heal after yesterday.

I just like the feel of her skin under my hand. She’s so silky and soft, it’s another comfort I never expected and I’m going to enjoy taking full advantage.

I let out a breath, her hair blowing up and landing across my cheek. I rumble out a small laugh as the strand tickles my skin.

Fuck me, I’m like a smitten kitten.

“What’s funny?” she asks, cracking open an eye as she asks in a sleepy voice.

“Your hair is tickling me.”

“Tickling? You mean to tell me you’re ticklish?”

She reaches back then, her fingertips dancing up my side toward my armpit. “Don’t you dare,” I growl, catching her hand. It’s her turn to laugh, cute little bubbling giggles that make me warm inside.

I catch her fingers, pulling her body and turning her so we’re spooning. Then, wrapping her arm and mine around her torso, I playfully bite at the sensitive part of her neck.

Her giggles turn to shrieks as her feet kick out.

I’m laughing too as I roll on top her, play biting at her shoulder. It’s this moment of quiet fun I haven’t had in forever. Not since I was a kid.

But the memories of what killed my simple joy as a child, steal it again now as I stop biting, easing off her.

Laying on her stomach, she lifts her head, her eyes full of her questions. “Where did you just go?”

I shake my head, and start to roll away, off the bed, but her hand on my chest stops me. “Killian?”

“Yeah.”

“Do you know what I like best about you?”

This is a question that erases my pensive thoughts, replacing them with curiosity and appreciation. How did she know I needed her affirmation? “My cock?”

She snorts even as she smiles. “No.”

“My muscles?”

Her hand slides from my chest to my biceps. “They do make me feel very safe, but no, they are not what I like best.”

I turn back toward her, pulling her stomach to mine. “The fact that I live in the shadows and can see all the monsters?”

Her eyes search my face. “I’m glad you’re not calling yourself a monster anymore, but no, that’s not it either.”

“I am a monster,” I say to her, my previous thoughts slamming back to the front of my brain. And then I’m off the bed, striding toward the bathroom.

“I like your honesty.”

I stop in the doorway, turning back to her. “What?”

“I like that I don’t have to wonder what your true intentions are. I always just know. Even when I don’t like them, I know them and then I can respond to them. That is what makes me feel safe with you, when I don’t with anybody else.”

I stare at her, blinking in surprise. “Everyone hates how much shit I just let fall out of my mouth.”

“Not me,” she whispers. “I like it.”

I’m back to the bed in an instant as I practically dive on top of her. No one accepts me for who I am.

They all look at me with worried eyes, even my family treads cautiously around me, leaving a wide path.

I kiss her, not just with passion, but with tenderness and…gratitude. This swell of emotion fills my chest as I taste her.

She wraps her arms around me, threading her fingers into my hair.

The kiss isn’t fast, but it’s deep. Her legs wrap around mine, our bodies moving together as I kiss her over and over, tasting her.

My hands are sliding up and down her sides, moving under her ass to give her cheeks a squeeze before skimming down her thighs.

In every way I can, I’m drinking in as much of her in as possible, wanting to know her. I finally leave her mouth but it’s only to kiss my way over the skin of her jaw and neck, noting every freckle, every mole.

I kiss each one before I move down her chest, stopping to lick her nipples until they pucker into stiff peaks. I want to make my girl feel good.

And somehow, miraculously over the last few days, she has become mine. I can’t quite believe it, but she’s given me things that she’s given no other man.

And I’m giving her something I’ve never given another woman…my heart. I’m falling in love.

I stop to nuzzle her belly button, drawing another giggle from her, even as I hold her hips in my hands. “I’m going to know every inch of you before I’m done.”

I feel her stiffen at my words and I lift up to see her grimace. “How long do you think that will take?”

My brow scrunches. “Until I know every inch of you?”

“Until we’re done?” she whispers back. And then she starts to try to wiggle out from under me.

I hold her hips, keeping her in place as my eyes narrow. “You’re staying here until the Russians are no longer a threat. We’ve already agreed.”

She nods, relaxing a bit. “Right. Yeah. That makes sense.”

I can feel what’s been lost between us. Is she feeling the connection too? Did it bother her that I mentioned the end?

I can see that. But how I’m feeling about her doesn’t really change the fact that I’m not a happily-ever-after kind of guy.

I could end up in prison tomorrow. Or dead.

But I know something has shifted, because while I’ve never really cared about my life, it bothers me to think of her being alone. That no one would care for her.

Fuck.

I lean to nuzzle her belly button again, but her body is still stiff under my touch, not relaxed and pliant like it was before. I kiss along her belly to the seam where her torso joins her leg. “I’ll tell you what. Once I’ve learned every inch of you, we can renegotiate…”

“Sure.”

“You’re going to be sick of me by then, but if you’re not⁠—”

Her head snaps up then. “Sick of you? It’s more like, you’ll be done with me.”

Right. Abandonment issues. “No woman has ever made me feel more seen and accepted than you, Chloe. Do you know how powerful that is for me?”

She partially sits up but it isn’t to leave. This time, she’s tugging at my arms, inviting me up her body.

When our mouths crash together again, there is an urgency that wasn’t there before. Her legs lock around my waist as she pulls my hips closer.

“Luv,” I murmur against her lips. “It’s too soon after last night. You’re body needs⁠—”

“I need you, Killian,” her green eyes lock with mine, shining in the morning sun. “Please.”

This “please” holds enough desperation that I know I can’t deny her.

I manage to unlock her legs long enough to get her underwear off and then I’m ripping my own down my thighs, settling my hips between her open ones. Cradling her body against mine, I slowly sink inside her.

She’s still tight, but I can feel the difference today, her flesh more easily yielding to mine. And when I’m all the way inside her, I hear her gasp and feel the shiver of pleasure that moves down her body. “Oh…wow…” she rasps in my ear. “That is…”

“Yeah, baby girl,” I groan pulling out only to plunge back in, giving her just what she needs.

Her body arches to take even more of me in. Yesterday was beautiful, but today, my balls are on fire.

I’m trying to keep my thrusts deep but not hard. I don’t want to hurt her.

But Chloe is arching to meet my hips as she grabs my ass, encouraging me to go faster, harder.

“Be honest,” I grit out, “my cock is really your favorite thing about me.”

She lets out a small breathless laugh, even as she moans again, the head of my cock pushing right where she needs it.

I ratchet up the pace, wanting to give her everything I’ve got.

She starts making these keening cries of pleasure, her legs so tight around me, I just might break.

Fine by me. I’d break for her any day.

Her pussy gets tighter and tighter with every thrust until she finally comes undone, her scream of pleasure making me break too.

I start cumming as she grips my cock so tight, I think she might wring out every last drop of cum I’ve got.

Collapsing onto her chest, I gather her close. I’m not sure I have the words to tell her what that meant but I start to try and explain. “Chloe that was…”

“I know,” she whispers back, her arms tight around my neck. “Can you promise me something?” she asks, her hand stroking down my back.

“Yes.” I don’t even need to know what it is. I’d give her anything.

“When you’re done with me, just tell me the truth…okay?”

I look down at her, stroking my fingers over her cheek. “I only meant I was going to kiss every inch of you until I was done mapping your freckles. Which, I got distracted and never finished, so we’re going to have to try again.”

What I don’t add is how I’m not sure I’m ever going to be done with her.

But she’ll get sick of me, and if I’m honest, it’s likely to be sooner rather than later.