Page 5 of Son of a Preacher Man
He and Dillon were having a drink at the bar when she walked into the private VIP space holding onto Katie’s arm. Honey-blonde hair. Smoldering blue eyes. Knockout black dress. Fucking stunning. Kelly looked like she could be the answer to his prayers.
At least until she opened that snarky mouth of hers.
Chuckling to himself, Kodiak leaned back against the bar, observing Dillon’s futile attempts to make nice with her. Kelly wasn’t having it. Not at first. But as the clock ticked closer to midnight, she positioned herself smack dab in between them.
Dillon’s birthday is New Year’s Day, and he has a rule. Everyone has to kiss him at twelve. So, when Kelly kissed the birthday boy at the stroke of midnight, Kodiak wasn’t exactly surprised. It’s when she tugged on his hair, planting her lips on his, that knocked him on his ass.
He tasted strawberries and champagne on her tongue.
He felt her fingers slide over the bulge in his pants.
And for the first time in his life, Kodiak felt something for a woman who wasn’t his sister.
With Kelly still rubbing him, he tore his mouth from hers. “I thought you don’t like dick?”
“I don’t.”
“Oh, yeah?” Taking her by the hand, Kodiak led her away from the VIP space in the direction of the alcoves. “Could’ve fooled me. You seem to like touching mine.”
“Maybe I’m a little drunk.” Kelly giggled. “And a lot horny.”
Opening the velvet drape, he pulled her inside. Fingering the thin strap of the slinky black dress that barely covered her tits, it slipped from her shoulder. “I want you to take this off for me.”
She looked up at him from beneath her lashes, a puddle of fabric at her feet. “Are we gonna fuck?”
“Nah. Maybe one day.” Unzipping himself, Kodiak smirked. “When you can admit you want this dick and beg me to put it inside you.”
“Never gonna happen.”
“Wanna bet?”
“Yeah, and I’ll win.” Kelly grinned, her tongue sweeping over her bottom lip.
“What makes you think so?” Stroking himself, he took a step toward her. “You’re salivating just looking at it. Go on. You can touch me. I’ll allow it.”
She didn’t hesitate. Slender fingers wrapped around his hardened flesh and squeezed. Her teeth sinking into her full, pouty lip, Kelly fisted his cock.
“That’s a good girl.” Thrusting his fingers into her long hair, Kodiak tipped his head back. “Now, get down on your knees. Suck me.”
And she swallowed him whole.
Yes, what a good fucking girl you are.
Kelly was frosty to him after that—like it never happened. It was almost as if she was angry with herself for liking it. For wanting him. He could see through her shit, though. Something had fucked her up. The girl was broken. But as much as Kodiak wanted to, he was in no position to pursue her. He had nothing to offer.
Not then.
Not now.
Maybe not ever.
Because he was more damaged than she was.
Six in the morning and the September sun was rising over Chicago.
Taking his third lap around the mile-long trail in the neighborhood park, Kodiak’s gaze fell to the bench beneath the old oak tree. The place where they’d parted, tasting each other’s tears.
“You’ll always be my Seth.”
