Talia’s been coming over a lot and talking to her has helped. She told me healing is a slow process, and I’m beginning to understand what she means. I assumed once Niki carried me out of that place, I’d be able to put it behind me, but it’s not that easy. Some things leave a mark, and that basement certainly left one on me.
It’s also odd to have such a huge life event that no one else knows about beyond a very small circle of people. A couple of my sorority sisters texted to tell me all about the gossip of Dr. Ellison disappearing with his mistress and leaving the university and his family in chaos. Apparently a few girls have come forward and claimed he sexually harassed them. It’s a mess, but no one has any idea how horrible the truth is in comparison.They have no idea the monster he was and the things he did, and a part of me is so pissed about that. I hate that he’s basically getting away with everything, but there’s no way to tell the truth without dragging the Melnikovs into it, and I refuse to do that. He’s dead, and I need to make my peace with it. Besides, the truth won’t do anything for his wife and kids except hurt them even worse. It’s better if they don’t know the real monster he was. Better they think he’s a cheating bastard than a man capable of raping and trafficking women.
With everything that’s happened, my birthday has been the last thing on my mind, so when Niki walks into the room holding an armful of presents, it takes me by complete surprise. I’m still lying in bed, feeling half-awake and sore in all the right places.
“What is all this?” I sit up and when I stretch, the sheet falls down and his appreciative sigh makes me feel like the most beautiful woman in the world. I don’t care if every guy on the planet thinks I’m ugly as long as this man thinks I’m gorgeous. I’ve never once felt like I needed all eyes on me, but I also hadn’t realized how much I’d enjoy having Niki look at me the way he does. It’s addicting, and I don’t bother pulling the sheet back up. I’m rewarded with another heated look and one of his sexy grins.
“You’re such a liar, Van.”
“A liar?”
He sets the presents down and braces a hand on either side of me while he leans in closer. “Yes, you once told me you wake up looking hideous.” His grey eyes are full of mischief when he adds, “I believe you used the wordserection killer.” He stands and quirks a brow at me. “That’s obviously not the case.”
My eyes drift down his body. The tight, black tee he’s wearing is distracting, but I drag my eyes lower, stopping on the huge bulge in his pants. Unable to hide my big smile, I say, “Is that my present?”
He laughs and pushes the boxes towards me. “You already own this. First, you need to open these.” Leaning in again, he kisses me and whispers, “Happy Birthday, Van.”
I give an excited squeal and reach for the first box. I’m still getting used to the way he spoils me, and usually I’d put up more of a fuss, but it’s my birthday and I’m too happy right now to do anything other than rip off the paper with a big smile on my face. He sits next to me, looking just as happy as I feel while he watches me open every gift. He’s gone all out, not that I’m surprised by that, and I end up with a brand-new phone, a set of keys to a car that he swears I’m not giving back to him, a diamond and sapphire bracelet that probably cost more than the car, and a leather journal withVanengraved on the front.
My fingers run over the soft leather while he says, “You need a private place to express yourself, something that’s just for you, a place that feels safe. I’m always here to talk about whatever you want, but I understand that sometimes you need to get things out and you don’t want an audience for it.”
I’m so touched by how thoughtful he is that it takes me a second to notice the small box he’s handing me. When I open it, a small laugh escapes when I see the small bunny inside. It’s wearing a floppy sun hat and a pink dress.
“To keep the tradition alive,” he says with a grin. “Even though it’s not Easter.”
Before I can get all emotional and start crying, he takes out the bracelet and puts it on my wrist. His long fingers work the clasp, and when it’s on, he runs his thumb along my inner wrist, right across the red mark that’s almost faded.
“The sapphires made me think of your eyes,” he says.
‘It’s perfect,” I tell him. “Thank you, Niki, for everything.” I look around at all my presents. “You spent way too much, of course, and we’ll be having a serious discussion about the car, but thank you so much.”
He grins and moves aside the empty boxes. “The car is yours. End of discussion. It’s already in your name, and you’ll break my heart if you don’t keep it. We both know you don’t want to do that.”
“That hardly seems fair,” I say, but he just grins and grabs onto the sheet, slowly pulling it lower.
“I’d really like to see my birthday girl in nothing but that diamond bracelet.” I laugh while he tugs the sheet all the way off and then slowly starts to kiss his way up my calf. “You’re also forgetting about something else you get on your birthday.”
His teeth gently nip at my skin while I ask, “What did I forget?”
A pair of very amused grey eyes meet mine when he says, “Spankings.” I suck in a breath when he tongues the back of my knee.
“You can’t spank me,” I say, but he’s already grinning and kissing his way up my leg.
“I believe I can.” He sucks on my skin and then slowly runs his tongue along the crease of my inner thigh. “Twenty of them and one to grow on.”
I’m about to tell him there’s no way in hell he can spank my ass twenty-one times, but before I can get the words out, his mouth is on me, licking a line up my slit and making me forget about everything except how good it feels to have his mouth on me.
“I love you so fucking much,” he murmurs while he devours my pussy like it’s the best thing he’s ever tasted. Sliding his arms under my legs, he uses his broad shoulders to spread my thighs while he lays his palm against my stomach in a move that feels both protective and possessive. His hands are no longer bandaged, but the cuts haven’t fully healed, and every time I see those red marks, I’m reminded of what he did for me. It’s not possible for me to love him any more than I already do, but myawe of him seems to keep rising. I have so much respect and love for this man, and watching him feast on my body reminds me of how lucky I am.
My fingers thread through the silky strands of his dark hair while my hips rock up to meet his greedy tongue. He sinks into me, fucking me in slow strokes that leave me shaking and whimpering his name, and when he slides out and starts to lap at my clit, I let out a gasp that only spurs him on. He’s relentless, chasing after my pleasure and then letting out a satisfied groan when it consumes me.
With his name on my lips and his mouth locked onto my body, I come hard, writhing beneath him as he uses his tongue to lap up my release.
“I never knew it could be this good,” I say. My words are barely more than a shaky whisper as aftershocks run through me. “Everyone knows sex can be really great, but I had no idea it could be like this. I had no idea it would make me feel this close to you.”
He covers me in soft kisses, gently nuzzling against me like he’s savoring every second of this. “Me either,” he says, so close to me I feel the heat of his breath. “Being with you is a thousand times better than anything I could’ve imagined in my head.”
Resting his chin lightly on my lower stomach, he looks at me and winks. “I’m guessing this spanking I’m about to give your ass is also going to be way better than I imagined.”
