Page 57 of Single Mom's Undoing
We’re back at the Vanguard Mansion in the residential wing. Jodie’s got a handle on the event, and after I briefly explainedwhat happened, she insisted that she could manage on her own. Lenora’s got Shiloh and Matty for the night back at Damon’s cabin, checking in with us every other hour via texts and photos.
We’re in Carter’s bedroom, a sprawling space with lacquered floors and giant windows. Off-white curtains filter out the setting sun as the evening sets over Blackthorn Falls with shades of deep pink and purple. The bed reigns in the middle, sturdy with four imposing posters and dark sheets of silk.
My core is ignited while my heart aches and throbs, the guilt and desire so quickly intertwined.
Damon and Jace prowl around us, moving slowly with hungry looks in their eyes as they take their clothes off. They lose the shirts first, revealing ripped muscles, dark tattoos, and several scars. The pants are next, showing off thick thighs and twitching erections, hard inches eager to fill and stretch me beyond the realms of madness.
“Is this supposed to be my punishment?” I whisper, my cheeks burning red as I look up at Carter.
“I don’t want to punish you, Clara. There’s no fixing what you did, there’s no undoing the lies you told. The only way now is forward. You said you never intended to be a part of my life again, but it’s too goddamn late for that. So I intend to show you just how much of a part of my life, of our lives, you are.”
“You’re mad.”
“I’m hurt. But it’ll pass. Undress.”
Slowly, I do as I’m told, my body shivering as I remove my dress and heels. Left in nothing but matching pink lacepanties and bra, I wait for Carter to tell me what to do next. But he doesn’t say anything. He just looks at me, desire burning in his eyes while Damon and Jace get slightly closer.
Carter’s fragrance is whiskey and a vanilla-twisted edge of tobacco, and it invades my senses as he takes a step forward. “Take it all off,” he finally says.
“Yes, sir,” I reply, hoping to appease him.
“That’s a good girl,” he says as he edges closer.
The anticipation blends with a fiery wanting that has liquid heat gathering between my legs. By the time I remove my panties, they’re already soaked with my desire, my core clenching with every breath.
“Now, undress me,” Carter commands, and I am eager to oblige.
Damon and Jace quietly watch as I take his jacket off first, then his shirt. I let my fingers brush over his sculpted shoulders, his rippling pecs, and his taut abs before I reach the silver-plated belt buckle of his pants.
I spring him free and kneel before him, my mind doused in sinful thoughts.
Carnal despair rushes to drown my guilt, to wash away the lies I’ve told.
But Carter won’t let me off that easily. That much I can tell from his devious expression. “No. Get up,” he says.
“Yes, sir.”
“Clara, do you see us?” he asks.
“I do.”
I see them so clearly. Tall, dark, and all-consuming. Hard bodies and fierce souls. Strong hands and noble hearts. I feel unworthy of their affection, of their grace, of their protection, yet I long for it. I breathe for it.
“Whatever happened before you came back to Blackthorn Falls was your cross to carry, your burden to bear,” Carter says. “The minute you set foot in this town again, however, the minute I saw you, Clara, that part of your life was over. Do you understand?”
“I do.”
I desperately want to believe him, but my past isn’t done with me yet, and I can’t bring myself to tell him why.
“You are ours,” Carter says. “No more lies, no more secrets.”
“No more secrets,” Jace agrees.
I give him a glance, the weight of his words crushing my very soul. Tears fill my eyes as he cups my cheek and feverishly kisses me. I melt against Jace’s lips as Carter’s hands explore my body, his fingers tracing and memorizing every inch of skin.
Then Damon takes over my mouth, his tongue eager and playful as Carter trails kisses down my neck. His lips close around my nipple, and I whimper in their grasp, my body soft against the three of them.
“Ours, Clara. Body and soul,” Damon whispers in my ear.
