is riding him hard, he ensures I’m ready for him. And then Hook’s cock is there, replacing his fingers. He grips my hips as he fucks me, and for once he’s chasing his own pleasure. I don’t mind. I can’t take away the pain he’s experiencing, but I can give him this. I want to give him this.
Hook drives into me again and again, his fingers tightening as he pulls me back to meet each thrust. It’s rough and brutal and I’m fighting to keep my arms braced because it feels so damn good. Every stroke hits a spot deep inside me that has my toes curling against the tiled floor. He growls my name as he comes, grinding his hips against my ass, pushing himself deeper yet.
Only then does his touch go soft on me, his hands smoothing over my hips and ass and up my back to pull me to my feet. Hook turns me and then his mouth is on mine. The kiss is the exact opposite of what we just did, sweet and devastatingly gentle. I don’t know if it’s an apology or a thank you, but it doesn’t matter because when he lifts his head, he looks more like himself.
Hook smooths my hair back from my face. “Thank you.”
“I enjoyed it.” I tow him down for a quick kiss. “Want to hang out while I finish Isabelle’s wedding dress?”
His brows wing up. “Already? You only started it a few days ago.”
“I’m inspired.” And it makes me happy to see two people I care about find their happiness with her. I wasn’t sure they’d pull it off, but apparently they have, and this is my little contribution to their happily ever after.
Hook reaches around me to turn off the water. “Sorry for interrupting.”
“Don’t be.” I stretch my arms over my head and something pops in my back. “I needed the break, and you needed me. It all works out.”
His low grin has my stomach doing a happy flip. “How about I make the quick sex up to you when you’re done?”
“I’m listening.”
“A massage.” He catches my hand and lifts it to his lips, his eyes dancing. “A handful of orgasms. Cuddling afterward.”
He’ll be okay. I understood that, of course, but I can actually see him settling back into his skin, back into the person he is. Hook will always doubt himself after he’s forced to do something like this. It makes me love him more that it affects him. He might be a villain to many, but he’s mine.
I grin. “You have yourself a deal.”
“Good.” He waits until I step past him to swat my ass. “Get to work. I’ll work us up some dinner in the meantime.”
I glance at him over my shoulder. “I love you.”
His smile is almost free of the shadows that plagued him when he first arrived back in our rooms. “I love you, too. Always.”
“Always,” I repeat, my happiness bubbling up in my chest like a live thing. Some days I can barely believe that this is my life. Even with the darkness, it’s better than I could have dreamed. I wouldn’t trade it for anything.
This short originally appeared as the April 2020 short for my Patreon. Each month, patrons nominate their favorite couples and characters, vote on one, and I write a brand new short featuring the winner. For more bonus stories, please consider joining my Patreon.
8
The Baby Talk
Tink
“Do you want to talk about it?”
I jump, and then instantly feel silly for jumping. I’ve been sitting on the couch long enough for the sun to change position in the sky, dropping down to kiss the horizon. I should have been working, but I’m too distracted and I can’t trust myself to cut fabric right now. I pull the blanket I’ve draped over my shoulders more firmly around me. “Talk about what?”
“Uh huh.” Hook drops down next to me and stretches out. He’s wearing a suit, but he’s removed both shoes and socks, which means he’s been home for more than a few minutes.
I didn’t even notice. I shiver. “How was your day?”
“Fine. Gloriously mundane. But we’re not talking about me. We’re talking about why you’re sitting here, impersonating a human burrito.” He glances at his watch. “Normally, I have to tear you away from work and bribe you with orgasms and food. Are you not feeling well?”
I’m not, but not in the way he means. “I’m not sick.”
Hook sits up, his brows drawing together. “Okay, now I’m actually worried. What’s