Page 78 of Bittersweet Revenge

He turned his back to me and let his shirt fall to the floor, revealing his tattooed back. It was a Japanese bearded dragon, black and grey, its mouth spewing unforgiving blood-red fire. Its fangs pointed aggressively. Its eyes were pulled in a dark angry scowl. A quote was printed at the bottom of Caleb’s spine, held between the talons of the mythical beast:“Pain gave me motivation.”

It truly was as if this was his way to surrender some of his control to me.

I took a couple of steps closer, detailing the tattoo more closely. The more I looked, the more I noticed the slight unevenness of scars on his skin.

I gasped at the number of them. There were at least six. I then understood the purpose of the tattoo; he’d wanted them to disappear.

His head hung low, his shoulders hunched. “This is how the hopeful child was smothered out of me,” he confessed, keeping his back to me. “This is helping me realize the world we live in has no place for love, tenderness, nor trust. The darkness became me. There is no turning back.”

I took a final step closer. Caleb took a sharp intake of breath when I ran my trembling hands down his back, gently stroking it.

I rested my hands on his shoulder blades, letting the heat of his skin seep into my freezing hands.

“We all have scars. I don’t have all the words to say what I would like to, but–” I suddenly felt bold and gave his back a small kiss. “I am feeling what you feel every day and I don’t want you to sink deeper into this. We’re alone now, you and I…” I kissed his back once more, trying to kiss each scar. “Please let down your guard.”

I reluctantly let him go and took a couple of steps back. “Turn around,” I begged.

He turned slowly, keeping his eyes trained on the floor. But how could he be ashamed? I wondered. Exposing himself in such a raw manner was the bravest thing he could have ever done.

I looked at the lone tattoo on his chest, just over his heart. I trailed my fingers over it. It was a heart topped by a crown. The bottom of the heart twisted on top of an eternity symbol.

“Please look at me. Caleb, please, trust me.” I couldn’t help my voice from breaking as my eyes filled with tears over his pain.

He looked up, his face a turmoil of emotion, an exposed nerve. “No, don’t cry for me.” He raised his hand helplessly, reaching for me. “I asked once before if you would cry for me, but I’m not deserving of your tears.”

I shook my head. “You deserve my tears and more. You’re a good man, Caleb. Even if you don't want to admit it. Even if you don’t believe it. I’m sorry for keeping you at arm’s length. You didn’t deserve that.”

My heart accelerated as I reached for his belt, undoing it.

“Your scars, your pain... They don’t make you any less strong. You deserve to be revered and loved and cherished.”

I sank to my knees in front of him, grateful for the luxuriously plush carpet, and unbuttoned his pants.

“Esmeralda.” He looked down at me. Instead of the dominance that had been there the last time I’d been on my knees in front of him, there was awe. It was as if he couldn't believe this was happening.

“I thought you would never get on your knees for me,” he breathed, his voice thick with desire.

“And I thought you would never love me. We were both wrong. Now let me revere you, Caleb Astor,” I added, a reminder of his own usage of the word when he'd made love to me our first time.

I pulled his pants and briefs down just enough to free his penis, which was already at half-mast.

I wrapped my hand around it, squeezing gently. It was quite ironic that this strong, imposing, and powerful part of him was also so soft and warm.

I pumped him a couple of times, watching as it grew bigger and harder in my hand. I had no real clue what I was doing, but I’d heard girls talk about it at school.Like a popsicle,they had said.

I gave the tip a lick. Caleb hissed. “Do that again.”

I smiled and licked the tip once more, longer this time, before putting the tip in my mouth. I then swirled my tongue around it.

“You’re killing me Esmeralda,” Caleb growled. Thrusting his hips slightly, he threw his head back in surrender.

I let go and looked up, floored at how undone he’d become. I might have been the one on my knees, but I was in charge. Seeing him like this, in pure bliss… It pleased me, knowing I was the one unravelling him. I was enjoying our predicament much more than I’d thought I would.

I repeated the action again, this time taking him a bit deeper in my mouth. The animalistic sounds and unintelligible words coming from Caleb were enough to let me know I was doing something right.

I repeated the motion, taking him deeper still, working my jaw to accommodate more of him while wrapping my fingers around the base of his length.

He slid his hand through my hair. Gently cupping the back of my head, he locked me in place as he started to rock his hips slowly, going deeper with each thrust. I rested one hand on his hip to keep the balance as he increased the pace. I gladly relinquished the control, letting him chase his pleasure. Seeing this powerful man come undone with the ecstasy my mouth gave him, aroused me in a powerful way I had never expected.

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