Page 52 of Thicker Than Blood

“I don't know Stefanos. That was under duress,” I said rubbing his cheek, smoothing my fingers down to his neck.

“You're going to have your IUD removed,” he said, narrowing his eyes at me.

“Sure, I am,” I said running my fingers over the back of his hair, feeling his body tense beneath me.

“Fine, I can do it when I put you to sleep,” he said with a smile and relaxed again.

“I’d like that,” I said softly, thinking how much I enjoyed walking up to his attention. “But don't tell me when you plan to do it.”

His hand snuck up from my waist, pulling my coat to one side and playing with my breasts and neglected nipples until I was squirming on his lap for more.

“Did you like me pissing in your asshole?” he asked whispering to me in the darkness, tugging on my nipple.

“Yes,” I said hesitantly because some of the most deeply shameful things he did to me, I loved them.

“My hot little whore, always hungry for more,” he murmured pushing his hand between my legs until his fingers slid into my pussy.

My head fell back and my lips parted, hoping it wouldn't take too long to return to his house.

Chapter 35

Stefanos

Since she stayed for the weekend, we went clothes shopping for her, but I might have gotten out of control when we stopped off at a lingerie outlet. There were stockings, basques, bodysuits, corsets, flimsy panties and bras. After seeing her in her black hold-ups, I wanted more.

“I don't think I will need any more underwear for many years to come,” she said dryly.

“Hmm,” I said because she would when I ripped half of them off her. “How about we go to the jewellers and you can show me which type of ring you like?”

She paused to look at me and I stopped walking to shuffle the bags into one hand, wrapping my free hand around her waist.

“You said yes, five times, I believe,” I said.

“But marriage—”

“Is a done deal.”

She frowned at me before muttering about me and her mother ganging up on her. It seemed like I had an ally in Thema. I watched Amari walk off. She wore her knitted dress but had bare legs with her boots. I wanted her to move in with me. The thought of her going home tomorrow made me desperate enough to message Thema.

???

“You're coming in?” Amari asked as I followed behind her with my bag hidden among all of hers.

“Stefanos, Amari, you're back,” Alcina said as she opened the door. “Mum said we are having a sleepover.”

Amari was hugging our sister but she glared at me. I smiled innocently at her before Alcina threw herself into my arms next. She was so tiny and light, fitting perfectly on my forearm.

“You're so tall, S,” she said with a giggle.

Thema appeared in the doorway as she looked at us with a smile, but she had tears in her eyes. Before I could say or do anything, she ushered us inside, saying the spare room was a mess and that I should sleep in Amari’s room.

“But Mum—”

“It’s a sleepover, Amari,” her mum interrupted her.

“I will show you where her room is,” Alcina said.

I watched them all, my father’s other family and for the first time since his death, I felt close to him. I understood the words on his letter. Just as I vowed to Amari to protect her, that protection fell on my sister and her mother.

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