Judge of Hell (Hell Night 3)

Locking my knees in place, I glide my other hand through her thick mass of hair, gently guiding her movements. When I try to pull her head back, afraid of going too far, she sucks me in deeper. The sound of her gagging and the tightness against the head is my undoing. My balls draw up and electric pulses start at the base of my spine.

“Shit, shit,” I chant. “I’m gonna come, baby,” I warn, giving her the chance to pull away before I release in her mouth.

Instead of pulling back, her lips lock tighter around my cock, and that’s it. I’m fucking gone. My abs tighten, my fingers lock into her hair, and the cords in my neck strain. Every molecule in my body detonates as my release slams through me and into the delectable warm depths of her mouth.

Panting and with my heart racing an erratic beat, I untangle my fingers from her strands, grip her under the arms, and haul her up. I take her lips in a bruising kiss. She matches my passion and gives her own. My arms bind around her waist, anchoring her to me more than just physically.

This woman is my life. She’s mine to protect, mine to cherish, and mine to worship. I plan on doing that until I take my last breath.

Chapter Twenty-Five

ELLIE

“WHEN ARE YOU PLANNING to return home? Not that I’m trying to rush you,” I tack on the end so he doesn’t think I’m pushing him out the door. I’ve enjoyed having Declan here, and I’m already dreading him leaving.

He shifts in his seat, sliding one ankle from his knee, only to lift his other to put on his other knee. His hands fidget as he runs them down his thighs. I hold in my smile at the apparent nervousness, a sneaking suspicion forming in my mind.

“Well.” He clears his throat. “I was actually thinking about sticking around for a little while. A couple of weeks, maybe.”

I hold one hand out in front of me, nonchalantly looking at my nails, and side-eye him, one corner of my mouth tipping up.

“And does this decision have anything to do with a pretty redheaded nurse practitioner?” I ask casually.

His gaze snaps to mine and narrows. I’m not fooling him any better than he’s attempting to fool me. I look at him head-on, foregoing my aloof curiosity and showing my happiness.

“Don’t get ahead of yourself, Ellie. Susan and I are just talking.”

“Yeah, but you really like her, don’t you?”

Declan’s in his late forties and doesn’t have any kids, hasn’t ever been married. I’ve asked him why, and he just says he’s never found the person he wanted to share his life with. I think it’s incredibly sweet and romantic that he’s waiting on the perfect woman, but I worry he’ll wait too long and life will pass him by and he’ll die alone.

I don’t know a lot about Susan, and I’ve only talked to her the couple of times I’ve brought Maisy in for appointments at Trouble’s office, but she seems like a nice lady. A thought comes to mind of Judge telling me that most people in Malus have horrific pasts, and I wonder if Susan is one of them. The possibility sends a pang of sadness through me.

Declan rubs his hand over the back of his head, his expression turning thoughtful.

“I do. But I’m sure she doesn’t want an old man like me.”

I scoff. “Don’t be ridiculous, Declan. Any woman would be lucky to catch a good-looking man like you. Besides, you’re not old. You could easily pass as being in your mid-thirties.”

He chuckles, relaxing back in his seat. “You think so?”

I smile. “Definitely.”

His expression sobers, turning serious. “You think Judge would mind me staying here for a week or two? I’d grab a hotel, but well, you know….”

Yeah, Malus has no hotels, because they don’t encourage outsiders to stay. And now I understand why. The thought crosses my mind that Judge may not be kosher with Declan staying, given the way they handle certain issues here, but I push it away. He’ll just have to deal with it. Declan is my family, the only family I have left besides Maisy and him. There’s no way I’ll ever make him feel unwelcome here.

“I’ll talk with him, but I’m sure he’ll be fine with it.”

“Great.” He slaps his thighs and gets to his feet. “I’m supposed to pick Susan up in twenty minutes. We’re going to The Hill for dinner.”

I stand and go to him, wrapping my arms around his middle for a brief hug. Pulling back, I get to my toes and press a kiss against his whiskered cheeks.

“I’m happy for you, Declan. I really hope it works out between you and Susan. You deserve this and so much more.”

His eyes crinkle at the corners as he smiles. “So do you, honey. You and Maisy, and I th

ink that happiness is here in Malus.”