Page 123 of Inked in Bloom
“I think that can be arranged,” I say, her fingers dragging me by the waistband of my jeans. There’s a pop of the button and the grind of my zipper being tugged.
She’s become far too adept at making me come—her hands, her mouth, her glorious tits paired with a few minutes in my office, behind the Conservatory after classes, on my fucking bike. Usually, I’d be embarrassed by how quick she has me undone, but we’ve been short on time. Besides, there’s nothing I’d deny my mate. “There’s just two things I’ll need from you first.”
Her brow lifts, hand hovering above my already eager dick. “And those would be?”
“Your ass on my desk and your legs over my shoulders.” I grip her waist, and she gasps as I pick her up.
The hem of her nightdress rides higher, and I set her on top of the oak, settling between her thighs. She rests on herelbows, watching me with a mix of desire and nerves. “I’ve been desperate for another taste.”
I nibble up her leg and take my first few licks, groaning when delicious carrot cake swirls against my tongue.
To the tune of her whimpers and gasps, I take my time savoring my dessert…
…and then I return for seconds.
49
MONROE
Aweek and a half after Briar leaves, I’ve finally settled into a routine with the girls. They bound into the bedroom around five or so in the morning, then it’s breakfast, packing lunches, and taking them to school. While they’re learning, I work on preparations for the ceremony, and after school, I bring them treats from Novel Nibbles. In the evenings, Cherri joins us, and we do crafts or projects around the house. The latest is a collage wall leading down the hallway to Briar’s office. Instead of using newspaper clippings, though, we’ve taken old books and mixed up their pages for our canvas. Once it dries, the girls will help me paint it.
“I wish I didn’t have to go to sleep tonight,” Juni groans from over her paper. She scribbles with a fat green crayon clutched in her grasp. Her tongue pokes out from the corner of her mouth as she focuses on staying in the lines.
“I know, but your body needs it,” I remind her. “Even flowers need to rest in the shade to grow.”
The other girls at the table nod in silent agreement.
“I guess so.” Juni shrugs, then sets down her crayon and stares up at me. “Will the nightmares ever go away?”
“I don’t know, sweetie.” She and Briar both talked to me about her nightmares of being unable to breathe. Whilethat’s a usual enough dream for folks who are overwhelmed or trapped by something in their lives, I suspect in Juniper’s case they are her subconscious working through her death. Unlike the other girls, who each have their own tragedy, Juniper’s was violent. Horrific. I swallow thickly, recalling what Briar told me about her drowning. “Have you been practicing what we talked about?”
“Rewriting the ending?”
I nod.
“I have.” She lifts her chin and puffs up her chest. “I’ve been practicing it all day. When I start to feel like I can’t breathe, I blow big bubbles that float on the breeze.”
“I love that.”
“My sisters are there, and we run and chase them round while you and Daddy sit on a blanket, eating macarons.”
“And smooching,” Lilly adds, giggling. The other girls join in, and my cheeks heat.
“Sounds like a lovely dream.” I place a hand on Juniper’s shoulder. This visualization technique is one I’ve used many times with clients, but I’ve never ached so much with the hope it’ll work. “Tonight, at bedtime, I want you to close your eyes and picture that a few times before you go to sleep. Okay?”
She nods vigorously. “Okay.”
“I wish you were always here,” Taylor says, carefully coloring her paper like she didn’t just say six words that splinter my ribs.
“Me too,” Millie and Lilliana agree in unison.
I temper the prickling sensation building behind my eyes.
“I love being here,” I admit, unable to say more. Wishing I could. I won’t promise them anything until I talk to Briar,and I won’t talk to him until I’m certain. It wouldn’t be fair to any of them otherwise.
There’s the usual nightly knock on the door. I clear my throat and leave the girls to their coloring, opening the door for Cherri, who’s holding a large square box that smells divine.
“Pizza!” the girls shout as soon as they spot the box on the counter, cheering and throwing their arms around Cherri.
