Page 16 of Duke

MY EYES BLINK, trying to focus.

I’m so damn tired.

The adrenalin that pumped through me earlier triggered by Duke’s words wore off an hour ago.

I smile weakly, pulling into the old ranch-style house where I grew up. Despite my need for answers, I key in quietly, not having the heart to wake Pops. It will have to wait until morning.

After grabbing a quick shower, I quickly comb through my wet hair and climb into bed.

Thoughts run through my head at how his soft beard felt between my breasts as he licked and sucked the alcohol from my body.The feel of his tongue on my skin is burned into my brain.

I instantly get wet, picturing his head between my thighs dreaming of feeling his silky hair and beard brushing between my legs as his tongue and mouth make me come.

One hand slides down under my loose pajama pants, finding myself wet for a man who will never be mine.

I thrash on the bed.

It’s not enough.

I’m horny—all the damn time.

I’ve got to be the only virgin left in town.

Throwing my covers off the bed, I open my dresser, finding the vibrator that I hid stuffed inside. I climb back into the bed pinching my nipples. I lift my shirt letting the cold night air tease them into tight buds.

Switching the vibrator on, I kneel in the center if the bed and slip it in. Throwing my head back, closing my eyes—I imagine that I’m riding Duke Masters. With one hand gripping the vibrator, my other works my nipples and clit until I come. Falling forward, I grab a pillow and bite down; stifling the sound of his name as I scream, coming alone.

But in my mind, it was him, doing this to me. I’m entirely spent, letting the last spasms of my climax roll through me, before sliding the vibrator out and chucking it to the floor in disgust.

I can’t believe I just got myself off thinking about him.

The powerful orgasm that ripped through me leaves me sated and tired. I pull my thick comforter up, letting sleep take the pain away from having everything that I’ve worked so hard for, ripped away by a man who pisses me off as much as turns me on.

Tina’s opening the bar and working lunch today, so I don’t have to be in until six. Groaning, I pad across the floor to my bathroom, hoping another shower will help clear the fog of fatigue from my brain. Because I need to study today, not be wet and aching for a man I can’t no—won’ttouch again.

He's bad for me. So bad,but damn it felt so good.

I turn the faucet on, rinsing the pans before setting them in the sink. The view from the kitchen window brings a smile to my lips. No matter how upset I might be, the wild hills outside of town are beautiful.

The leaves on the trees have just started to change. Their colors making the world come alive.

As much as Duke pissed me off last night, I think that if it’s true that he, in fact, does own a piece of my business—it might be for the best. I feel guilty about leaving Pops, but he's stubborn, insisting he'll die in this house. He won't move to California with me when I graduate, and maybe Duke could buy us out. I want to be here for Pops, I really do. But the longer I stay in this same old town I feel like my life will be frozen... on pause and onlyby leaving can it truly begin.

He doesn't understand and it's a sticking point for us. He blames me for being too much like Mom, wanting a glamourous life above the hills of Hollywood.

I don't want that.

I just want to experience new things and have a normal life. Hell, I had afreakin’bodyguard for most of my childhood when the MC was in its prime and Dad was on the take. He thinks I stilldon't know. But I know plenty. Thankfully, it's been years since he laundered money through the bar.He did that stuff back in the day before everything was digitalized. He'll never get caught, and I'm relieved. There's no way he could survive jail in his frail state.

"Is that eggs and bacon, I smell?"

He walks into the kitchen with most of his weight supported by his cane, while rolling the tank of oxygen next to him with his other hand.

Turning away from the sink, I greet him, "Good morning. How are you feeling today?" Reaching for a mug, I pour him a full cup of steaming coffee. He sits down at the table with a grunt. He’s still as proud as he always was and will never admit to being in pain.

Pops was always a big man. When I was a little girl, he was the protector from my fairy tales. I always knew that no one would ever hurt me, or Pops would kill them.

Literally.

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