by Petra J Knox
She grinned, her eyes shut like a sleepy cat. “Mmm…. Not at all.”
I moved to the other breast and repeated the same thing. She arched her back, and I grew hard again.
I made lazy strokes with my tongue, scooting my body down to trail kisses onto her flat stomach, swirling around her sexy belly button. At her hip bones, I kissed the dips there, then placed my open mouth over the sexy bone and sucked the taut skin there, watching as the pale softness grew red from my lips and tongue. She writhed, her legs shifting. I sat up and went to the end of the bed, crawling between her legs. I spread her thighs wide with my big palms under her knees.
With my blunt nails, I raked my fingers down her inner thighs and pressed into the sensitive skin where her legs met her cunt. She bucked, angling her pussy forward in invitation. That’s when I noticed the tattoo of a blue butterfly, about four inches away from her clit, where her panties would cover it.
I traced the shimmering wings with my finger and looked over at her.
“Eighteenth birthday present,” she said with a smug grin.
I nodded and leaned down to run my tongue over it, then pulled back. “It suits you.”
“Oh, Penn. God, you’re too good to me.” Her fingers went to my scalp, her nails lightly scratching through my buzz-cut hair as I licked it again.
Leaning on my elbow, I splayed two fingers on her pussy lips, spreading them gently until I could see the full glistening center. She was saturated with wetness, both from my cum and hers. She let me explore, intuitively knowing that her body fascinated me and that I wanted to learn every inch of her. I darted my tongue out and speared that little tender nub that swelled instantly.
She moaned, her hand gliding down to my face to find my mouth. I licked her fingers and her clit together, then I gently moved her hand out of the way, and brought my mouth down on her pussy, sucking in as much of her sweetness as I could.
While her thighs began to shake, I put two fingers inside her and pumped in and out at a torturously slow pace—if her sounds were anything to judge by.
I ate at her, licking and sucking, until she cried out her orgasm once more. Her limbs became heavy as she came down. I continued licking, lapping at her, drunk with her smell, her lush heat. I could’ve laid there for years loving on her.
I wiped my mouth on her thigh, kissing her flushed skin up to the knee, and sat up. She was nodding off, but her lips were frozen in a gorgeous smile. I laid down beside her, and scooped her up, pulling her into my body with my arm around her. Her ass pressed against my cock and I groaned, burying my head in her hair and neck, my eyes tightly closed.
I tried to think about unpleasant things, about pain, about Pepper—anything that would get my mind off plunging my dick back into Blue’s silken heat again like a fucking sixteen-year-old boy. Again and again.
After a while, though, my raging lust abated and I just held her, listening to her breathe. She was asleep. I kissed her shoulder and eased my way off the bed. I found a blanket on a nearby chair and covered her.
I stared down at her for a few seconds more and went into the living area where my boxers were. I grabbed them and put them on, picked up my pocket watch, and checked the time. Before I could change my mind, I picked up the phone that sat on the other side table and pressed the button for the front desk.
The lady gave me the number to the nearest Chinese takeout place. After calling them and telling them I wanted to order a little bit of everything, I walked back over to the bed and leaned over Blue.
“Hey, beautiful. It’s time to wake up.” I kissed her forehead and waited while she stretched and looked at me. “I ordered your precious Chinese food. They’ll be here soon.”
“Really?” her sleepy voice was sexy as fuck, but I ignored my reaction to it.
“Really, come on, up. Let’s get our laundry done.”
At the reminder, she swung her legs off the bed and grabbed a peach robe that was on the floor. Putting it on, she looked at my shirtless chest and bare feet.
“You going to stay here, I take it?” she asked, a mischievous grin on her face. “Probably shouldn’t be walking around looking that good. Might give the women, and a few men, a heart attack.”
I shook my head at her, trying not to smile. “I’ll stay here in case the food comes early.”
“Okay. I’ll be back.” She kissed me softly, then grabbed the pile of laundry and a canvas bag that hung by the door.
Once she was gone, I made another phone call.
8
Butterfly Kisses
“Here, try this.” Blue held up a plastic fork that had noodles dangling off it.
I leaned forward and opened my mouth, taking a bite. The noodles were covered in a sweet sauce that tasted like honey and roasted nuts. It was delicious.
A huge grin broke over her face. “See? I told you it was the best thing in the world!” She grabbed another box and stabbed the fork into it, this time feeding me vegetables.
When I made a face, she frowned. “No?”
I shook my head, trying to chew the remaining…whatever the fuck it was. “No.”
She threw her head back and laughed.
I stared at her, my eyes roaming every part of her being. We sat on the floor, on a sheet she had pulled out of the linen closet. She wore her robe still, but it wasn’t tied, and every time she moved, I was gifted with a glimpse of her thighs, her tits, her pussy.
This woman occupied her space with intention and a carefree air that blew me away. Just to watch her was a delight. The way she ate, the way she moved a stray curl off her face, the way she closed her eyes as she tasted something she enjoyed.
“What?” she asked shyly, noticing me staring.
“You’re captivating,” I answered without a beat. I grabbed the container she was holding and put it down, moving the rest of the food out of the way. Then I crawled on top of her as she laid back, laughing.
I sat up on my haunches, kneeling between her thighs. She went quiet as I slowly spread the silk robe open with my fingers, watching it pool down her sides.
“Your breasts are perfect,” I said, my voice growing husky and deep. I palmed one, gently kneading it in my hand, marveling again at the contrast of firmness and softness.
Blue reached out, touching my chest, my arms. Her touch set fire to my blood.
“I have to have you now, beautiful. Again.” I gripped her wrists in one hand and leaned forward, putting them above her head against the floor. “I can’t help myself when you look at me like that.” Moving carefully, I pulled off my boxers with one hand, then released her wrists. With one arm lifting her ass, and my other hand lifting her leg, I plunged into her tight goodness.
“Fuck, fuck,” I cursed, looking down at where we joined. It wasn’t enough. I grabbed her knees and pushed them toward her chest, then spread them wide. Her sweet tits were pressed together between them now, her head thrown back in ecstasy as she moaned.
I pumped into her, trying to slow my tempo. I thrust into her hard, slapping the backs of my thighs on hers, then pulling away to glide almost all the way out again, only to slam back into her gorgeous body.
“Hold your knees, beautiful girl,” I commanded. “Hold those legs wide. Let me see that pretty pussy.”
She did as I asked, her eyes dilated and blown wide open.
My hands went straight to those fucking tits. I pulled her nipples, twisting them, then kneading her breasts in my hands, using them as handholds as I fucked her with my cock.
“Baby, I’m…” she cried, her knuckles white from holding her knees like a good little girl for me.
“Come, all over my dick, Blue. Do it.” I looked down, feeling that vise-like grip wrapped around me. She was soaking wet, her juices all over the base of my dick. I released her breasts and found that swollen button on her, that little plump bud, and pinched it, hard. She screamed and bucked up against me, clawing now at my sides, trying to pull me in closer.
Without removing my han
d from her clit, I reached under her again and raised her up, using her as leverage while I drove in and out of her, fucking her with vigor.
When she came again, I felt my stomach tighten, and that glorious wave of molten pleasure crashed over me. With a roar, I spilled inside her so hard I saw stars.
After a few moments, I leaned over her as we caught our breath. Then I kissed her. I found her hands and weaved her fingers through mine and held them behind her head.
“I’ll never, ever get enough of you, Blue,” I whispered against her lips. Even after just having had her, my cock stirred back to life. I was addicted, just like I knew I would be.
But it was way too late now.
And unfortunately, even if I stopped all of this in its tracks, the only way this could ever end was in destruction.
We took another shower after she got back from getting our laundry. I found Blue just as insatiable as I was. I fucked her against the tiled wall, coming all over her face when she dropped to her knees to finish me off. Then I had her back against the wall, her legs wrapped around my shoulders, my hands holding her ass as I ate her pussy.
When we climbed out and dried ourselves off, I held her against me. It was almost time for me to go. All I had to do was get dressed, grab my shit, and say goodbye.
It was Blue’s time to turn quiet. I pulled on my boxers and jeans while she brushed her teeth at the sink. She knew exactly what was happening. I didn’t know how, but she did.
She rinsed her mouth, then leaned over the sink, her hands braced on the porcelain, her head down.
Pain bloomed in my chest, and I reached for her, turning her around, holding her close.
Finally, I pulled away and looked down at her. She was so tiny, with such small feet and dainty hands. Even her precious mouth was small. I traced my thumb over her bottom lip and watched as it quivered. Her beautiful glitter eyes were shiny with unshed tears. The way she was looking at me…
“Beautiful, don’t cry.” I kissed her forehead and breathed in her scent.
“I won’t… Just tired.”
“That you are, true.” I kissed her sweetly on the mouth. “Go get some sleep, beautiful girl.”
“Okay.”
With one last look at her, I headed toward the living area.
“Pinn?” she called.
I turned around. “Blue?”
She gave me a wobbly smile. “Can you drop by Mesmer later tonight? My shift ends at three.”
I didn’t want to lie to her. I couldn’t tell her flat out that I’d never be able to see her again. And even if I did, I couldn’t tell her why. Instead, I smiled my last smile. “I’ll see.”
Once I was fully dressed, I grabbed my stuff and walked out of her hotel room. I shut the door softly behind me, making sure it was locked.
I leaned against the door and let out the breath I’d been holding.
I can do this. I can let her go.
Finding something deep within myself, I pulled away from the door and put my hood up.
It was almost six in the morning.
The stairwell was empty as I jogged the six flights of stairs down to the first floor and through the shitty closet-sized lobby. Through the glass entrance, I could see him standing across the street, waiting for me. I paused and looked behind me, past the door that led back to Blue. Back to her warmth, her laugher, her beauty.
“Goodbye, Blue,” I whispered. Then I went outside and crossed Drury Lane.
9
Mind the Villain
With his hands in the pockets of his slacks, Crocket kept pace with me as we walked behind the hotels and down the alley on The Rough side. He was wearing his sunglasses, which meant I couldn’t see his eyes. It pissed me off, but the sky was already brightening enough to justify shades.
Neither of us spoke until we’d passed public notice and merged into the shade of the dense pine trees that bordered the lane for a mile or two.
“Who’s the girl?” he asked quietly. I knew he’d ask about her.
“Where’s Pepper?” I countered, my gaze shifting around us, on the alert for any rats that might’ve been lurking around, men who’d be sorry to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.
“Well, right about now,” he checked his watch, “on a cargo ship headed to Bora Bora.”
I turned to look at him, my feet not breaking stride.
Crocket wasn’t lying.
“Thank you,” was all I said as I looked back in front of me. A feeling of peace unfurled in me, releasing the tension that I’d been holding in my shoulders since I’d lost my mark a few days ago. Fucking Pepper was finally out of my hair.
“Who’s the girl?” Crocket asked again.
I grit my teeth. “Nobody.”
“I see. Must be pretty special for you to call me.” His tone held a note of humor, but he knew me, knew I wasn’t going to talk about this.
“Works at Mesmer, right?” he asked, even though I heard it in his voice that he knew she did.
“This isn’t quid pro quo, Crocket. Drop it.”
He was silent for a minute, his steps even with mine, relaxed.
“Just be careful, Pinn. If your—”
I stopped in my tracks. He gracefully did the same.
With my fists clenched and my temper rising, I stared at him. We were just about the same height, and although I was bigger than him, frame-wise, he was still a force to reckon with. Crocket could hold his own and more; he just avoided doing anything that messed up his dandified attire.
“Stop.” My voice was deathly calm, belying the emotions swarming inside me. “I know good and well what you were about to say. It’s done. It’s over. Finished. There is no girl, got it?”
He took his sunglasses off, folding them closed, and hung them at his throat. Something shimmered in soulful brown eyes, and suddenly he seemed ageless. His brow pinched and his lips curled up into a slight smile. I saw pity in that expression and… relief?
Fuck Crocket and his sage-act bullshit.
Being smart, he didn’t say anything more about Blue. Instead, he sighed and pulled something out of his pants pocket. “Here. One of my best took care of the situation, took this as a parting gift for me. Proof. It’s yours.” He tossed it at me.
I caught it and examined it. It was a black braid of hair, about six inches long.
Pepper’s hair.
I shoved it in my back pocket and nodded, my jaw tight with the effort to keep quiet. For the first time in my life, I wanted to have a conversation. A real one. Being with Blue all night had fucked with my mind, like she had lit a match to a furnace inside me and I was still on fire. Holding that fire back wasn’t as easy as I thought it would be.
I started off again, Crocket keeping pace at my side.
I smelled my neighborhood before we even breached the clearing. Refuse, piss, dogshit, mold.
It wasn’t a big community, but it was sizable, with one concrete road that was more pot-hole ridden than anything, and five paths and a few alleys that ran through the housing and blue-collar shops. This was The Rough in all its glory.
The only home I’d ever known.
It was quiet around this time, only a few people here and there moved about, mostly those who’d just gotten off work in the City. Everyone else was finding their beds.
I thought of Blue then, remembering that I’d told her to get some sleep.
I closed my eyes for a second, feeling my breath catch from the strain of an invisible cord that tied me to her. It was a feeling that I’d have to get used to until, one day, the cord would dissolve. Either she’d cut it as she moved on with her life, or it would shrivel and die with nothing to feed it.
My fear was that it would remain as strong as steel, and that the length would never reach its end, always connecting us no matter where in the world we happened to be.
“See you around, kid. Come see me soon. I have another book for you.”
I realized we were already behind Main Street, right at the back
door of Once Upon A Book, Crocket’s store. His hand was on the door, keys in the lock when I cleared my throat.
He looked at me, raising a refined eyebrow.
“Thank you, Crocket.”
His eyes softened and he winked. “Always, kid.”
I walked the rest of the way down the dark alley, turned the corner, and crossed the street into the bright morning sun.
Figaro’s had the Closed sign up. I went around back, like I always did, and made my way to my bed on the sofa, where my thoughts turned to soft skin, cherry blossoms, and blue hair.
At about five in the afternoon, I gave up on sleep and washed up, got dressed, and headed downstairs to meet Pop.
Earlier this morning, it had started raining. In fits and bursts, I’d drifted off, only to awaken again to what I thought was Blue crying. Every time, I’d look around the room, searching for her, but it was just the rain outside my window, running in thin rivulets down the glass. As I drifted back and forth into that place between waking and sleeping, the raindrops became Blue’s tears, and the windowpane, her pale eyes.
It was all bearable, though. I could live without sleep. I’d done it before, and it was a simple sacrifice to make if it kept me away from her.
I opened the door to the back, shaking off all trace of Blue and her tears, and walked into the shop.
Figaro’s was empty, as it often was. The shop was quiet of all noise except the click-clacking of Pop’s tools. The only light came from the afternoon sun through the grubby windows at the front. The rain had finally stopped, and already I could feel the humidity setting in, seeping through the cracks.
The smell of the place—motor oil, burnt tires, metal filaments—never failed to take me back to my days spent in the cage, tucked away between retired ventilators and heating elements.
I went straight to his work desk in the back alcove, where one lightbulb burned in the ceiling. I reached into my pocket, pulling out Pepper’s braid. I placed it on a stack of papers a foot away from Pop’s hand.