“Clara.”
“Same nightmare as the last few. It’s so fucking real, though. I can feel the way he grabs me. It’s not fair. I never asked for the things he did to me, the things he stole from me. None of this is fair, and it’s not reasonable to make you deal with it.” I glance at the black comforter, playing with a string poking out.
“You’re mine. I won’t let anything happen to you.”
We’ve been dancing to the same tune for over two months. Burke has helped me so much, and while I shouldn’t feel this way toward Ryan’s father, I have talked it over with Debbie. It felt right when we instantly connected, like I had known her my entire life.
I worried the only reason I felt a bond to Burke was because he was my hero that night, but she pulled it out of me that I’ve liked him for so much longer. He’s always been in the back of my mind, like I wished I met him before his son so I wouldn’t have had to endure what I did, but at the same time, we might’ve never gotten here, and Ryan could have hurt other girls.
He’s so certain he desires someone as broken as me. I keep waiting for the music to stop and him to move on. Despite my fears, Burke has been my rock, and I want him as much as he wants me, but I need him to show me.
The nightmares claim me every night, and I’m not sure if I’ll ever be free of them again. What if this is the way my life will always be? The last person to touch me was Ryan, taking me against my will as he hurt me in ways I’d never tell anyone.
With my stepdad reappearing in my life, their images take turns assaulting my dreams and keeping me in a state of fear. Life might never return to the way I deserve—or hell, even a way for me to stay sane.
“Clara, what do you need from me?” Burke strokes my cheek, and his other hand squeezes mine.
“Claim me. Replace their hurtful touches with yours.”
Burke’s hand twists in my hair and pulls my face to stare up into his eyes. I’m not sure what he’s looking for, but I don’t have time to question it.
His lips crush mine, and I melt into his arms. My heart races, butterflies exploding in my stomach.
I kiss back deeply until we pull away, gasping for air. He releases my hair, ripping the covers back as he turns toward me. Burke’s naked muscular body greets me, and he cups my jaw, turning my head as his lips trail over my sensitive neck.
My nerves go wild, his touch igniting the fire within. As his head moves to my nipples, he sucks before his teeth run over the tender tips.
Moaning, I slide my fingers through his short salt-and-pepper hair. His hand slips down and grips my neck harder, and spots dance across my vision before he releases me.
At first I freeze—each movement reminding me of a dangerous time is hard to process. His fingers brush against me when he loosens his hold, and I refocus on his eyes. There is no malice there.
Lust and fire burn behind them, but nothing else. The loving dominance is something I crave, to let my mind go with someone I trust not to hurt me.
Trust is a fine line. It can be broken so easily, but I believe Burke won’t tear me into pieces. He has proven I can hold on to him to keep steady and that it is okay to fall.
My mind lingers on these thoughts until Burke’s tongue sweeps across my sensitive flesh. He moves down my torso and rips off my shorts.
“You’re so perfect. Fuck, I’m a lucky man.”
His caress has me arching my hips; I need his tongue on me lower. He teases me as his kisses feather over my thighs until he puts my legs over his shoulders. Burke stills, and my body trembles, waiting.
“You’re my needy girl, right?” I don’t answer him, and his grip on my thighs tightens. “This is my pussy?” he asks again.
“Yes, take me.” I can’t handle his breath on me. I’m going to burst as soon as he touches me.
Burke’s hands spread me open, and as his tongue explores my wetness my body responds eagerly.
I try to sit upright, but he pushes me down. I want to enjoy this, but I fear I’m damaged from the years I’ve been told no one licks my pussy because I’m gross.
“Stay put,” his gravelly voice fills my ears. “Enjoy this, because I’m pretty fucking sure it’ll be my favourite place to be, other than on your arm.”
His icy blue eyes stare up at me as he curls his hands around my thighs.
Seven
Burke
I’ve waited a long fucking time for this. With Clara sprawled before me, I’m captivated by the delightful view. Anyone dumb enough to hurt this precious soul is a fucking idiot.
