My heart breaks in my chest as she takes another drink, tears spilling down her cheeks while she stares off into some memory that must feel like a living hell. No wonder she’s so withdrawn and close to the vest; she’s been through hell. That also explains why she’s so mature; she had to grow up young. Not that it excuses anything I’m doing or thinking.
“God, Chloe, I’m so sorry.” I clear my throat. My words feel so hollow and empty. The need to feel myself around her is so strong, but I don’t dare touch her.
“Thanks,” she whispers, as if her throat is raw. “After…my brother and I went to live with my aunt, but she got sick a few months ago. Rather than let them put me in foster care, I ran away. That’s how I ended up here.”
“And your brother?” I ask softly.
She smiles sadly. “I hear from him from time to time, just to know he’s safe. I keep waiting for that phone call, you know?”
I nod. I know that feeling better than anyone. For years, every call, I wondered if it was about Rachel, but it never was.
“Thank you for trusting me with your story,” I tell her.
My hands clench tightly into fists as anger churns in my stomach. I’m angry for all she’s had to suffer through. I know what loss feels like, I’ve lived it, but what I’ve been through is nothing compared to what Chloe has endured. God, this poor girl has been through so much. She’s lost every single person close to her in her short life.
At least I still have Kelsie. For now, anyway.
“I just wish there was more I could do to help you,” I mutter.
“Are you kidding?” She laughs, her eyes damp with tears. “You’ve done more than anyone else in my life ever has. I really can’t thank you enough. Just having someone to talk to makes all the difference in the world and having a warm place to sleep is everything.”
She leans closer, putting her free hand on the inside of my thigh. I jolt at the contact, though it's not with revulsion. I shift as my pants constrict, the thought of anything like that ever happening, something I can’t even think about. Not because I don’t want it to, but because if I get that image in my head, I might never be able to get it out.
I open my mouth to set her straight, but nothing comes out. My tongue feels too thick and too heavy in my mouth. Something doesn’t feel right, but my head is too unstable to figure out what it is.
“I really should get going,” I finally manage to say.
“Will you stay?” Her dark eyes plead with me, tugging at places in my heart I never knew existed. “I still feel woozy, and I’m worried I might pass out,” she hurries to add. It’s like she can sense I’m faltering.
Shit. This is such a bad idea.
The reality of the situation hits me as I stare at her sitting on her bed. I should not be here. I should’ve kept my distance and called someone who can actuallyhelpthis girl. Hell, even my wife is more qualified to help Chloe than I am.
I have to get out of here.
I go to stand up, but Chloe’s voice stops me in my tracks. “Let me repay you for being so nice to me, Mr. Reid…” Her hand slides farther up my thigh, her smile wide, lashes low.
She's coming on to me.
I need to get up and diffuse the situation by leaving.
But…I can't.
I can’t doanything.
My head starts to spin, way faster than even alcohol would affect me. Chloe takes my drink from my hand as I force myself to my feet. Stumbling forward, my body hits the bed and I pass out.
* * *
“God, fuck yes,”I murmur.
Warm, wet pressure surrounds my dick. I must be dreaming because Marissa definitely never sucked me off this well, this greedily. I feel like I'm balls deep in the best fucking throat imaginable, a warm tongue wrapping around my shaft, the sound of loud and wet sucking rousing me further into consciousness.
Unbidden, I go to slip my arm down, wanting to hold that tight heat still and fuck up into it. But my hands don't move. I feel pressure around my wrists and can't move my arms at all. I force open my eyes to see Chloe, naked as the day she was born and perched on the bed, over my legs, her plush, red lips stretched tight around my cock.
“What—?” I groan, clenching my jaw as she looks up at me. Our eyes lock as she sucks harder. “What thefuckare you doing?” I demand. I try to yank on my arms again, looking up to see that she took my tie and wrapped my hands around one of the slats in the headboard so I can't move or get away.
She pulls out with a slick popping sound and grins at me.