“I suppose so.”
“I blocked a lot of my twenties out. It was part of the confession I made to Reed. I, um… Lots of really bad things happened to me.”
Kingston sat on the bed and wrapped his arms around my waist, pulling me closer. “I hate that you weren’t taken care ofthe way you should have been. I hate that there were people in your life who should have protected you, and they failed. It’s not my place, and we barely know each other yet, but I want to be that person for you. We'll take it slow.”
Bubbling sobs came out of my mouth before I could reply. I clung to Kingston like a lifeline until he sat me in his lap. As much as I had shared with Reed, something about the way Kingston handled me soothed a deep, dark part of my soul. Parts of me I didn’t even know needed it as well as the very broken bits. I sobbed hard while he rocked me. Finally the tears slowed, and I shifted in his arms.
“I cried all over your shirt.”
“I have another one at work. Don’t worry about it.”
“You have to go soon or you’ll be late.”
“Things are unpredictable all the time, especially the drive to Autumn Ridge. I’m working much later than I said to allow for the commute. Get your pajamas on, princess. I can lay with you for a little while before I leave.”
“I’ll probably never say this again, but a bedtime spanking would do wonders. Especially since my head and my heart purged a bunch of gunk that was weighing on me.”
Kingston licked his lips, looking me up and down. His gaze had my entire body heating from the inside out. Damnit. Why had I blurted out something I’d needed for so long? I barely knew him. He might reject the idea and then it would just be another need of mine not being met.
“Hurry up, Eloise. I don’t have as much time as I’d like to take care of you. My hesitation regarding your statement isn’t because I don’t want to, but because I don't want to leave you alone afterward.”
My brat had been creeping up again since it was fun to push his buttons. I thought about changing into my pajamas in thebathroom but we were still talking, and it wasn’t a big deal anyway. He was a medical professional, after all.
Besides, who was I kidding? I wanted Kingston to see my body. I wasn’t overly flashy in general and I didn’t typically wear revealing clothing anymore, but I used to flaunt everything. The more outrageous the outfit, the more skin showing, would immediately have been a win back in my twenties.
Kingston blew out a long breath. “You’re so beautiful. Damnit, princess. You’re making me want to do something reckless like call out of work.”
Glancing up into the huge mirror on my dresser, I spied Kingston sitting on my bed looking at me. He was even more handsome tonight, or I was finally allowing myself to feel something for him. He stroked a hand along his chin, rubbing his mouth. I took my bra off and slowly danced my panties off to put on a new pair. King growled and tugged me backward, making my panties fall from my hand.
I landed on the bed with him behind me, kissing my neck, licking and sucking my skin. I never had anyone kiss me like that, like I was sexy and deserved to be worshiped. I twisted around to look at him.
“You have to go to work.”
“I’m aware.”
Kingston stripped out of his uniform piece by piece but faster than I’d ever seen anyone disrobe. It was fucking hot as hell. His muscles were even more impressive with only his tight black briefs on. Damn it. I was drooling for sure.
“I don’t do casual sex,” I stated, more for my own benefit since it would be hard to stop.
“There is nothing about this that’s casual, princess. Lay down.”
“King–”
“In here? Or at least in bed?” He gestured with his hand. “You can call me Sir or Daddy. Now do what I said.”
“Maybe I don’t want to.” I pouted.
“You’ll get your bedtime spanking. I’ll still hold you until you fall asleep but I want you on your back, legs spread. Right now.” He tapped the mattress with his pointer finger.
Holy fucking hell. There was nothing in my brain that could have prepared me for that. Sure we were dancing around the topics of a relationship but his growly, husky tone aroused me to my core. I wanted to brat, but the resolve on his face showed me he was not in the mood for games. The dominance seeping from every pore in his body made me absolutely drip with desire.
“That’s a good girl,” he growled when I complied.
Oh, I loved the way he praised me. Kingston kissed me, his tongue claiming my mouth as if he owned it. And though I knew there was still a lot to talk about and work through, he did. He could lay claim to my entire body and I’d let him. He trailed kisses from my chin all the way to my clit, tasting my pussy with one quick lick. It wasn’t enough. I wanted him to suck on my hot little nub but we were running out of time.
“I’m on birth control and I’m clean,” I mumbled as he moved his position slightly.
“I’m clean also. Do you want me to use a condom, princess? I’d rather not, but it’s your preference.”
