13 - the taste

"No…"

"Please...leave me alone…"

And then screaming. I woke up to find Chloe sitting straight up in the bed, eyes closed, ear-piercing screams tumbling from her mouth as she appeared to still be asleep. I gathered her in my arms, but she struggled against me, arms flailing. "Sugar, it's me. Wake up," I urged her gently.

Her eyes snapped open and she collapsed against my chest. She clung to me desperately as she began to softly sob. I smoothed her hair slowly, pressing kisses to her temple as I did. "You're safe now. I'm right here."

I eased us back, lying on our sides, facing each other. She kept her arms wrapped around me, holding me just as tightly as I held her. "You're okay, baby," I shushed as she quietly cried.

I nodded and smiled as her cries decreased, her breathing evened out, and her grip on me loosened. I held her just as tightly, listening to her soft stuttered huffs of air as she breathed and drifted back to sleep. I stayed awake. I thought about what had her waking up screaming. I didn't ask her, because I already knew. It was him. The one that hurt her. The one I made her talk about.

And now he's back in her nightmares.

Somehow I drifted off too. I woke up to the bright sun pouring in through the cracks of the curtain. I could hear the sounds of nature outside; birds, squirrels, the wind whistling through the trees. I stretched and spread my arms across the sheets. "Chloe?"

I shot up from the bed, my gaze snapping to the bathroom door. The light was off, door open, so not much chance she was in there. I struggled to detangle myself from the sheets, tripping once as they seemed to follow me from the bed. I padded out to the living room, smelling coffee, bacon, something sweet.

I sighed a deep breath of relief when I found Chloe standing at the island, humming to herself, stirring something in a bowl. She glanced up at me as I approached. "Morning, sleepy head."

She smiled sweetly as she offered me coffee and a plate of bacon. "Morning," I replied shyly, feeling silly that I was so worried about her. We were safe here.

"Cinnamon rolls are almost done. And I didn't know how you liked your coffee, so it's black, but we have cream and sugar…"

I cut off her speech with an open mouth kiss that she returned eagerly. "You're in a good mood," I observed playfully after breaking off the kiss. I held Chloe close to my chest and inhaled her sweet honey vanilla scent.

She nuzzled her nose into my neck and nodded. "I felt like baking. I hope you don't mind."

"You taste sweet," I told her, wagging my eyebrows softly and earning a playful punch to my bicep. "Seriously, what are you baking?" I asked when I released her and returned to my bacon.

"Cookies, brownies. I was in the mood."

I hummed thoughtfully as she swept around the kitchen, placing bowls in the sink, removing a tray from the oven and finally returning to me. She swiped a fingertip full of icing and held it to my mouth. "Taste?" she offered.

Her innocent request was doing some awfully sinful things to my body. I held her wrist in my hand, letting my tongue flick out to catch the chocolate trickling down the length of her index finger. I held her gaze intently as my tongue swirled the digit, sucking the sweet confection before releasing my grip on her wrist.

I watched as she brought that same finger to her own mouth, tasting it with a dark, lustful look in her eyes. I yanked her body to mine, chests crushing as my lips captured hers. She whimpered as I began pulling at her clothes, freeing her of those tiny knit shorts. I cleared the island of my plate, coffee cup and the bowl of icing.

The oven timer dinged and she scrambled to remove a tray and pan before returning to my side. I sandwiched her body between mine and the island's edge. I attacked her neck with soft nips, loving every sharp intake of air she experienced. So responsive.

I lifted the hem of her tank top and pulled it over her head. She stood before me naked and shaking visibly. I lifted her body onto the island, placing her hands to her sides, spreading her thighs, legs dangling over the corners. She watched me in nervous anticipation as I circled the entire island, dragging one finger over her body so softly, never stopping in any one spot for too long.

"Paul…" she sighed as she pulled her knees together.

I swiped a little more of that chocolate icing onto my fingers and began painting her body with it. A little on her lips, a small trail down her cleavage, a dab on each nipple, a circle around her navel. Her legs fell open again, she spread them as she sucked in a deep breath, her gaze locked on mine.

I lowered my head to taste her lips, tongue flicking as I removed every drop of chocolate from her sweet mouth. "Mmmm, Sugar. Do you remember what I told you… about why I call you Sugar?"

She nodded quickly as leaned over to clean the icing off from between her breasts, hovering above her nipples as I waited for a response. Her eyes were squeezed closed in anticipation. "Do you remember?" I prodded as I dipped closer and blew on her painfully erect nipples.

"Ummm…" she whimpered. "You said I was sweet… and addicting."

I smiled at her response, waiting for her to look at me before sucking a chocolate covered nipple into my mouth. Her hand drifted up to grip the back of my head as I sucked hard, earning me a sexy moan that had me gripping the edge of the island to maintain control.

I let her nipple go with a pop before sauntering to the other side to give it's twin the same attention. I edged my way down the wooden surface until I neared her midsection. I let my tongue as I around the chocolate design I had painted there. When I moved to the end of the table, I slid my hands hands under her knees, Chloe sucked in a deep breath. I yanked her body to the edge and began trailing kisses down her inner thigh, one and then the other.

When I glanced up at her, I could see her hands gripping the edge tightly, her knuckles white from the pressure of holding on so hard. "Should I stop?" I asked with an amused look on my face. I pressed a soft kiss to her already slick lips as I waited for her response.

"No," she gasped. "Don't stop...please."

I lowered my head, but kept my eyes on her. "You sure? Because we could always do something…"

"Paul!" she scolded before lifting her head to glare down at me. "Please...you're killing me."

I rested my chin on her mound and smiled. "If you're sure."

Chloe growled. "Dammit, Paul!" I laughed at her frustration and heat flashed in my body with the knowledge that she wanted me. She wanted me bad enough to dig her heels into my shoulder blades and jerk me forward. I slid my hands under her ass and lifted her right into my mouth.

Her back arched as I lowered her body back onto the wooden surface. Immediately I sent one hand to her breast, with the other, I slid two fingers inside her as my tongue circled her clit. I felt the softness of her breast in contrast with hard, pebbled skin around her nipple. I plucked it with my thumb and forefinger, loving the way she shuddered when I did it.

My Sugar was so vocal; panting, moaning, whispering expletives like there was no tomorrow. I knew from her hot tub confession yesterday, that if she hadn't orgasmed with anyone else, then she definitely had orgasmed this way. Her legs started to shake when my fingers curled inside her and I found her special spot.

"Oh, Paul," Chloe cried, reaching for my head and finding my hair. She pulled hard, forcing me to place more pressure on her clit, which I was all too happy to do.

I could feel her climax building from inside her slick walls. More pressure on her g-spot with each thrust of my fingers, paired with finding just the right spot near her clit sent her teetering over the edge. Her thighs slammed shut around my face, as her entire body bowed under my tongue. She clenched my fingers tightly as her orgasm flooded us both. I kissed and licked and sucked my way up her body, once I was able to dislodge my head from her tight grip.

I climbed above her, my knees between her thighs. I had to see her post-climax expression. It didn't disappoint. I hovered above her, smiling down at her sweet face. "You are so beautiful," I gushed as a smile crept across her face and she sighed contentedly. "My beautiful Sugar."

Chloe's eyes opened only slightly. She was still struggling to take in air when she reached for my face and pulled me down to her. "I don't want to crush you," I laughed as she clung to me.

She pressed her lips to my neck and kissed her way up to my ear. "That… was so fucking… incredible," she sighed and my heart soared with pride. "You really know what the hell you're doing," she gasped.

I raised my head slowly and kissed her mouth softly. "You're poking me," she mumbled against my lips.

I chuckled and climbed down off the island, pulling her to sit up on the edge as I did. I held her hips gently, noticing the way she squeezed her eyes shut. "Are you dizzy, Sugar?"

She swayed a little and nodded. "Help me down?"

Her eyes snapped open when I wrapped her in my arms and held her against my chest. "I think I can stand on my own," she laughed as I cradled her in my arms.

"You sure?" I asked in a low, growly voice. I loved the way her arms clung to my neck and honestly, I didn't want to let go.

"I'm sure," she whispered softly.

Begrudgingly I placed her back on two feet. She leaned up to kiss my jaw and then slipped away from me. I watched as she strolled over to the refrigerator and gulped some bottled water down. "Want some?" she offered after drinking about half.

I nodded absently as she moved across the kitchen and came to stand in front of me. I watched a few errant drops of water slide down her chin, her neck, finally landing between her breasts. She noticed the way my eyes trailed down her body and she seductively took another gulp of water, allowing a little more liquid to dribble down her chin.

She handed me the bottle, but I just continued to stare. I gasped when she slid her hands into my shorts and sent them to the floor. I noisily gulped the remainder of the water as her eyes roamed over my naked body. "On the table," she ordered.

I blinked quickly and nodded. I hoisted up and situated myself on the island just as I had down with Chloe earlier. My knees were bent, legs dangling over the end, cock standing straight up in the air. My body tingled everywhere as she lightly kissed me. She paused to brush her lips over my forehead when she reached my face, but she didn't kiss my lips. I growled and gripped the sides tightly as she continued to explore my body.

Her mouth worked it's way down my chest and over my stomach. When she avoided my dick and refused to give it any attention, I was suddenly regretting teasing her so badly. "Anxious?" she smirked when I wrapped my fingers around my erection and tugged once.

"I feel like I'm dying," I ground out through clenched teeth. "Please?"

Chloe brushed my hand away and snickered. "Please what?"

I went back to squeezing the edges of the island as she leaned over me, her erect nipples brushing my hip. "Please...put your mouth on me? Suck me? Please, Chloe?"

I groaned when she moved away from me. I lifted my head to find her at the end of the table, climbing up and stalking toward me like a predator. Oh fuck. She knelt between my thighs, forcing them wide, her nails digging into the soft flesh there. I sighed when I felt her kissing my skin and her long wavy hair sweeping over my body.

I had to fight the urge to push her head down and when her mouth finally got so close I could feel her breath, I moaned her name loudly. She slid her fingers around my erection, smoothing her encircled fist up and down a few times before lowering her mouth to kiss my pulsing flesh. "Is this what you want?" she panted.

"Please...yes...Sugar, I want you," I sputtered like an idiot, barely able to string a sentence together.

"Want me to what?" she teased, even as her tongue flicked out to taste my skin.

"Make me come," I growled.

And with that, her warm mouth engulfed me. Her head bobbed in time with her strokes and I fought to hold on. When her tongue swirled the tip, my whole body spasmed. She lifted her mouth and continued to stroke me, her gaze never leaving mine as I watched her pleasure my dick all the way to a powerful climax. She angled me down to ejaculate on her breasts. Fuck, that was hot.

She hummed as she raised up off me and climbed down first. I rolled my body off the island, taking care not to smack my head in the counter, I was that weak. "Shower?" I gasped as I slid my arm around her waist and kissed the top of her head.

"Oh yes," she murmured as we stood and moved across the room. "That sounds so good."

That was hands down the best shower I ever had. After staying in the shower so long that we used up all the hot water, Chloe and I climbed out and stood kissing each other before finally drying off. I fell back onto the bed, feet on the floor and elbows propping me up. I watched Chloe fumble through the dresser drawers for a t-shirt and shorts. She slid on a pair of panties, skipped the bra and continued to dress. "Are you going somewhere?"

She slid her shirt over her head and smiled at me. "I was just going to frost those brownies and put the cookies away before they get dried out. Plus, I have dishes to do."

I looked up at as she stood between my legs. She smiled when I sat up and pulled her into my lap, holding her close and inhaling her wet hair smell. "Are you okay now?" I asked gently.

She encircled her arms around my neck and nodded. "Yeah why?"

I sucked in a deep breath before commenting, "You were pretty upset after that nightmare."

She cast her gaze to the floor and sighed. "It felt very real," Chloe admitted softly, her eyes still not meeting mine.

I hugged her tightly to my chest and sighed. "I'm so sorry I forced you to talk about him. I hate that it's giving you nightmares now," I whispered near her ear.

She nuzzled her nose safely in the crook of my neck and shook her head. "That's not what I dreamt about," she murmured against my skin.

I pulled back to look into her eyes. "Then what was it about?"

"You," she gasped with tears in her eyes. "Jack was holding a gun on us. I screamed when he shot you. You were lying there bleeding and dying and all I could do was scream."

I laughed as once again held her tightly to my chest. "Oh, Sugar. He can't hurt me. There is only one person capable of hurting me and it's not that bastard."

She sniffled and cupped my face in her hand. "And who's that?"

"You," I sighed.

"How would I ever do that?"

"If you rejected me," I began as I smoothed a hand up and down her thigh. "If you went back to him and left me alone. Honestly I don't know what I'd do without you, Sugar."

She blinked quickly and nodded. "But Jack is dangerous, Paul. Maybe he's not a threat physically, but I've seen how he deals with business associates that piss him off. He's ruthless. He will go to any lengths to hurt someone who makes him mad."

"I'm not afraid of him anymore, Chloe. There was a time in my life where that man scared the shit out of me on a daily basis. But those days are over. He can't hurt me. Regardless of what you've seen him do, he's already done worse. He made my life such a living hell when I was a teenager, that I couldn't live in the same house as him."

Her eyes were wide with fear. I noticed how loud my voice was and the way my body shook at the memories. Quieter, I continued. "Jack Lahote is a piece of shit. The only thing I'm concerned about now is you."

"Me?"

"You can't go back to him...or be alone with him. I don't trust him not to hurt you. He'll be furious about our relationship and he'll want to punish you for it. I've been on the other end of those punishments, Chloe. Right now, all I can think about is keeping you safe. Safe from him and safe from any repercussions of what happened when your foster dad hurt you. I'm trying to keep it together and not worry, but it's really killing me to think I might lose you."

Chloe nodded and rested her head on my shoulder. I held her tightly as we sat together and did nothing but breathe each other in. "I'm not scared," she whispered after a long silence.

"How can you not be?"

She raised her head slowly, held my jaw with one hand and forced a small smile. "I have you. God, I wish I had met you first. I wish I'd spent the last 11 years knowing you instead of him. If only…"

I cut off her train of thought with a kiss. A soft, gentle brushing of the lips that quickly turned urgent and heated. I tried to focus on her lips, her mouth, that amazing tongue. I didn't want to think about what would happen...what could happen when we returned to La Push.

Part of me knew that this could be the last time I would have Chloe to myself. That thought had my wolf howling in pain. I had to make sure we would have a forever.

I had to.

...

A/N: another heavy chapter but at least I worked in some lovin' lol I hope you enjoyed the update. Let me know if you did. Thanks!