Page 42 of Like A Moth To A Flame

After six months of surgery and therapy, it isn’t easy to find out it wasn't an accident. Someone wanted the Cross family wiped out, and that included me. It has taken me years to build a grid and find the resources to help people.

Agnes appears in my doorway as I sit on the bed, looking at Lillith’s empty side. "Where is she?"

"Mrs. Cross is in her room already asleep for the night. Is there anything you need, Killian?"

I stare at her and tell her the truth. "I need my wife in my bed."

She stands poised with her hands clasped together. "I suggest you go to her room, then."

A smile tugs on my lips, and I remove my mask. Agnes is the only one of my staff who has seen my face. She took care of me after the accident, so she saw the before and after. She pretty much knows everything about me except for my feelings.

"You think that's a good idea?"

She looks down at the floor. "It didn't stop you last time when you told her to undress so you could see what you bought." She shrugs her shoulders. "You own her."

I acted like an asshole that day in front of Agnes, but I was jealous. Then she broke down and tried to do the unthinkable. I would never have forgiven myself if she had succeeded.

I've had Agnes keep an eye on her since we got back. I know what I said was fucked up at the docks, and it probably came out wrong. But since my parents’ death and what my body went through, I want to avenge my parents and find out who was responsible, but I also want to finish what my parents started.

"I know I haven't put effort where she's concerned."

I haven't had sex with my wife. I haven't had sex with anyone since I married her.

"You haven't."

I get up and slide my mask over my face. "I'll be in Lillith's room tonight."

She steps aside. "I think that would be a great idea. She needs someone. I think she needs a friend she can trust."

I open the door to Lillith's bedroom. The smell of her light perfume hits me, and I smile, closing the door. That's the smell I miss on my bed. Her smell. I can't stop thinking about it. It's like a drug. One taste and you’re addicted.

I remove my mask and place it on the nightstand my mother had especially made of wood. I'm glad I chose this room for her. My mother loved it when I was a kid. It’s modern like the rest of the house's interior, but it has that historic feel at the same time.

I sit on the edge and see her plump lips parted and her long lashes kissing her cheeks. She sleeps peacefully, but I know that’s the last thing she feels. She feels alone.

I slide the sheet down her shoulder, and her eyes flutter open. We stare at each other for a minute. Words are not needed. They never have been when it's just the two of us in bed, but tonight is different.

"Is everything alright?" she asks, her eyes glazed over with sleep.

"No."

"W-what's wrong?"

My eyes trail down her thin white camisole. Her pink nipples are outlined in contrast to the light fabric. Her flat stomach disappears under the sheet.

I stand and remove my long-sleeved shirt, then slide my pants over my hips along with my boxers. Her eyes lower, watching my hand slide over my semi-hard cock as I fist myself in front of her.

She knows what I want. She slides the sheet down, exposing her flat stomach, and her matching white panties come into view. I place a knee on the bed, helping her pull the sheet down her thighs.

She lifts her leg, and I hold her thigh so I can get settled between her legs. Those aquamarine eyes hold me when I slide my fingers to her hips and under the band of her panties. "I'm going to fuck you, Lillith. Soft at first. Hard. Harder. Until you can't take me anymore." I slide her panties over her hips and down her thighs as I continue to tell her what I'm going to do. What I need. "I'm going to come inside you. Repeatedly. Over and over, making your body mine. You tell me to stop, and I will because I could never hurt you, Lillith." I place a soft kiss on the tender skin of her inner thigh, and I hear her inhale. "I've wanted you since the first time I heard your sassy mouth all those years ago, but it wasn't the right time, was it?"

"I was sixteen."

"I waited until you were older. Until I finally had the balls to use your father's gambling habits and bad business decisions against him in order to have you." My hands slide up the sides of her ribs until I pull the strap over her shoulders so I can see her full breasts when I slide deep inside her so she can feel all of me.

"You wanted me?" she asks, her voice going all innocent.

Fuck.

---