Page 51 of Son of a Preacher Man

Funny, he’d said those very words when Jarrid told him she’d fled. Disappeared without a trace. Permanently etched into his memory, Kodiak could see him sitting there, that smirk on his face, as he nonchalantly relayed the mind-numbing news as if he were reciting the weather.

And he knew.

The soulless motherfucker knew that after everything, this would cripple him. Devastate him. His father knew, without a doubt, he could endure anything, except losing her. Because for as long as Kodiak could remember, he’d made it so.

“Upped and left town. No one knew where.” His throat tightening, he choked on the words. “My father said it was my fault. I had displeased God. He was punishing me for my sins.”

Jonathan.

And by then, Bo, too. Except Jarrid didn’t know about that. Riddled with guilt all over again, Kodiak believed it. He didn’t deserve her, and the only one he could blame was himself.

“You found her, didn’t you?”

Of course, I did.

“It took a while, but yeah, I found her,” he said, behind her on the stairs. “We…uh…had the marriage annulled.”

Kelly unlocked her door and turned to him. “I’m so sorry.”

She meant it.

He could see it in her shining blue eyes.

“Trust me, baby, I don’t deserve the sympathy.”

And he didn’t feel like talking anymore.

Pushing her up against the wall, his hands came to rest on either side of her head. Kodiak watched the pulse beating in her neck quicken and traced it with his tongue. Her fragrant skin, sweet beneath his lips, incited him. Sucking the delicate flesh into his mouth, he scored it with his teeth.

“Yes…” Kelly whimpered, reaching for his belt. She unbuckled it. “…you do.”

Already open and raw, he made no attempt to contain himself. Abruptly switching places, Kodiak leaned against the wall and pulled her back to his chest. Sliding his hands inside her sweater, he stretched out the neckline, ruining it, and exposed her breasts.

Kelly brought his fingers to her nipples. He pinched and pulled on the pliant nubs, then needing them in his mouth, he turned her around, biting them while he rid her of her clothes.

She tugged at his pants, rubbing over the hardness in his boxers.

With a growl, his hand went to her throat. Kodiak pressed in, and yanking her to his chest, his fingers slid down her belly, seeking that sweet, sweet pussy.

“Oh, fuck,” Kelly cried, widening her shaky thighs, as he sawed his fingers in and out of her. “Make me beg for it.”

So perfect.

Biting the tender lobe, Kodiak rumbled his praise in her ear. She squeezed his dick. And except for his thumb on her clit, his movements stilled.

Tracing circles on the swollen nub, he watched her nails sink into her thigh. Her head falling back on his shoulder, Kelly bit on her lip, sucking in air through her teeth. She was so beautiful at that moment, naked and trembling like a newborn fawn in his arms.

“Please,” she squeaked, her head thrashing back and forth.

His fingers hooked in the opening of her pussy, he held onto her, tapping her clit with his thumb. “There’s my girl.”

“I need…”

I know, baby.

Pressing his thumb into her clit, Kodiak pushed his fingers up inside her. And he didn’t stop until her wild cries ceased. Then collapsing to the floor, he just held her. Kissing her lips. Stroking her hair.

She palmed his cheek, his weeping dick throbbed against her thigh. “I did say when.”

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