House of Clowns (HUNT Trilogy #1)

20. TWENTY

TWENTY

JOKER

I looked at her, the weight of unspoken words hanging between us. I wasn't ready to leave her again.

We lay side by side on the bed, the soft sheets cradling our bodies. Her presence was a lifeline, and I wanted to imprint the sight of her into my memory, the way her hair fell softly across her face. With each passing minute, I felt the tension between us easing, as if she were slowly forgiving me for the pain I had caused.

"I missed you," I murmured, my lips brushing against her ear as she nestled against my chest, her breath warm against my skin.

"And I missed all your toxic traits and red flags," she replied, a playful edge in her voice, her eyes sparkling with a mix of affection and mischief.

I leaned back into the pillow, a smile tugging at my lips. "Do you ever see yourself far away from here?"

"Yes," she nodded. "I dream about it often, actually."

"I missed this place. I've missed you." I pulled her closer, savoring the warmth of her body, but she shifted away, rising from the bed.

She walked toward the door, locking it with a soft click. When she turned back, a spark danced in her eyes as she returned to the bed.

She perched above me, her hands deftly removing my shirt, tracing her palm over my chest, igniting a fire within me. I spun her around, her back pressed against the sheets, and as I unbuttoned my pants, I gently spread her legs with my knees.

Desire coursed through me, but I craved the tease of playing with her first. Lowering my face to her, my tongue glided along her clit. She held her legs high, fingers splayed, inviting me deeper as I slowly entered her with my tongue.

"More," she breathed with a plea that sent a thrill through me.

But I paused, my gaze drifted to the few balloons resting on the nightstand, their vibrant red color catching my eye. Leaning over her, I reached for one, the soft texture of the balloon contrasting against the rough wood of the surface.

"Spread your legs for me," I said, my voice low and commanding. I gently pushed her legs back, exposing her even further.

I wrapped the balloon around my finger, feeling the smooth surface against my skin as I entered her. She was still tight, her warmth enveloping me, and a primal urge surged within me to stretch her, to claim her fully tonight. I left the tip of the balloon exposed, then leaned closer, my lips brushing against it. I gently blew air into the balloon nestled inside her, feeling the soft resistance as it expanded.

She gasped, her breath hitching as I felt her inner flesh yielding to the pressure. I tightened my grip, thrusting in and out of her, the sensation sending ripples of pleasure through her. I could feel her nails digging into her skin.

"Fuck," she shouted, her eyes rolling.

As I pushed deeper, I leaned down again, blowing into the balloon just a little more. This time, her scream pierced the air, her fingers digging into my shoulders, leaving their mark. I pressed deeper, feeling the intensity build, until her voice rose once more in a mixture of pleasure and surprise.

"Shhh," I whispered, pressing my palm gently over her mouth, quieting her as I moved in and out.

The balloon slipped free, round and taut, filled with air, its surface slick with her cream. I tied it off, the playful tension of the moment teasing her clit as I nudged it close to us. Then, with a swift motion, I pulled her body onto mine, entering her in one smooth thrust.

This time, she was open for me, allowing me to enter her with a fervor that quickened my pulse. I gripped her hips, driving in and out of her with such an urge, feeling her body respond as she held onto me, arching her back.

Our rhythm became a wild symphony, the bed frame pounding against the wall, sending a cascade of paint chips fluttering down around.

"Take it," I urged, my voice thick with desire as I drove deeper, "just like that."

Her thighs began to tremble, her palm slapping against the sheets, fingers curling tightly as she screamed my name, the sound echoing in the air.

As she tightened, pulling me deeper, I felt the heat building within me. I maintained my pace, pushing until I felt myself widen inside her, the release crashing over us as I collapsed onto her, spent.

She chuckled softly, breathless. "Balloon?"

"You took it with grace," I replied, a smile spreading across my lips as I remained inside her, savoring the moment.

I lay beside her, both of us gazing up at the ceiling. She chuckled, then giggled, her palm covering her lips. "Sorry, Mom, I've fallen in love with a clown."

A smile spread across my face as I pulled her closer, my breath warm against her ear. "I've been falling for you since day one."

Just when my lips had almost brushed against hers, the sudden, sharp knock sent the spell flying, running jarring shocks through us.

"Chiara, get the hell up!" Rocco boomed through the door—an argumentative seriousness to it that did not leave room for any sort of delay. "It's time."

Chiara sighed softly; her eyes, fixed on mine, flickered brown, and then she hollered back, "Coming!" She waited for the sound of his steps to fade down the hall before turning back to me, her hand cupping my cheek, unnatural determination sparking in her steady regard.

"Listen… I do not know if you have grasped everything that has been going on here," she said, her voice low. "But I told Rocco that I would change things. The whole rotten game."

I frowned, searching her face, trying to piece together the half-hidden meaning of her words. "What are you talking about?"

"I don't know that I can tell you everything—not yet." She pulled on her shirt and slid into her jeans, her hands deftly gathering her hair back. Then she turned, leaning down to kiss me, soft but lingering, her promise grazing my skin.

"I'll be back," she whispered. "And when I am, I want us to run away, somewhere no one knows our names." She smiled, and a glimmer of hope lit through her eyes.

I sat there and watched her as she moved to the door, her presence leaving the room quieter, and emptier. "Okay," I said, the word carrying everything I couldn't say aloud.

She left then, shutting the door firmly behind her. The room was silent until my phone suddenly buzzed in jarring interruption of the quiet. I answered.

"Yeah?"

It was Rocco, his voice carrying that unmistakable tone of command. He wanted me in the basement, and from the sound of it, it wasn't a request.