Just Like That (The Kings)

“Here are the keys to the skoolie if you need anything. It’s got a full tank of gas. Teddy has all of his stuff, but you never know.” I wrung my hands in front of me.

I still couldn’t believe Teddy had chosen to stay with Abel and Sloane instead of flying with JP and me to Italy.

I guess that’s kids for you.

JP handed Abel an envelope. “There’s a few thousand in there for incidentals. It should cover anything that comes up.”

Abel tried to refuse the money. “Get the fuck out of here.”

“Take it.” He tipped his head toward me. “She’ll feel better knowing it’s all taken care of, and so will I.”

Abel begrudgingly accepted the cash. In the background the kids were already screaming and giggling as they tore through Abel and Sloane’s house.

Something clattered to the ground, and I grimaced at the noise. “Are you sure you’re okay with this?”

Sloane beamed. “More than sure.” She bumped her shoulder into Abel. “Besides, we’ve been talking about adding a few more, so this will be a little test run to see how we do when we’re outnumbered.”

Abel grinned down at Sloane, and my heart fluttered at how obviously in love with her he was. If she wasn’t careful, she’d likely get a whole gaggle of kids that looked just like Abel.

JP stuck out his hand to his brother. “We’ll be back in a few days. Thanks again.”

Abel nodded and shook his hand as I pulled Sloane into a hug.

“Just have fun,” she whispered.

I called over her shoulder. “Okay, Teddy, we’re leaving!”

His laughter drew closer as he squeezed past Sloane and slammed into my legs with a hug. I bent down to squeeze him back. “Be good. Have fun. Nothing⁠—”

“Nothing super illegal. I remember,” he answered with a giggle.

I cupped his face and squished it. “I love you, kid. See you soon.”

“Love you too.” He grinned at me and then turned toward JP. “Love you too, Dad.”

My eyes whipped to JP’s as his brow furrowed. He curled himself over Teddy to return the hug, and my heart wanted to explode. “Love you too.”

His voice was thick, and Sloane’s quick intake of breath was nearly my undoing.

Before he could realize what a moment he’d created, Teddy was gone—off chasing Tillie in another round of tag.

We quickly said our goodbyes and turned toward JP’s car. He reached for my hand and gripped it. JP lifted my knuckles to his lips before opening the passenger-side door. “Get in. You’re all mine now.”

“You do realize this is not how normal people travel, right?” I raised an eyebrow at JP and smirked.

He wiped the corner of his mouth with the cloth napkin and placed it beside his plate. “I never promised you normal.”

I grinned back at him. It was only an hour into the flight and we’d been served an appetizer—goat cheese with a fig reduction that was to die for—and an entrée that looked more expensive than the ones at most restaurants I’d visited.

“The last time I flew on a plane this small, there was a crate of chickens in the back. It was terrifying.” I smiled, recalling the rickety flight I’d once booked while traveling in Belize. It had been so shaky from turbulence that I’m still shocked the pilot had been able to land it with both wheels intact.

“A private plane is more efficient. Plus, it’s much more comfortable.” The ease at which JP carried himself was reassuring, and I sighed into the plush leather chair.

“A girl could get used to this,” I warned as I stretched my legs, rubbing my calf against the outside of his leg.

“That’s the plan.” A wicked grin spread across his face, and a tingle raced up my back.

The buttery leather chair was smooth under my palms. The wood paneling gleamed, and the ceiling was tall enough that neither of us had to awkwardly duck to move around. There was even a king-size bed near the back, already made up with the fluffiest white duvet I’d ever seen.

I glanced at the bed over JP’s shoulder as highly inappropriate thoughts about the mile-high club danced through my brain. Across from me, JP sat in silence. As though he could read my every thought, his knowing eyes moved across my body.

“Ready for dessert?” he asked.

I wasn’t sure whether he was talking about actual food or himself, so I simply nodded.

I’ll take both, thank you very much.

He pressed a call button near the armrest of his chair and immediately a flight attendant appeared.

“Yes, Mr. King. How may I be of service?” The woman who had introduced herself as Joan was an experienced attendant with dark-brown hair pulled tightly into a slick bun.

“I think we’re all done here. We’d like dessert in the back and then to be left in private. About an hour before we land, we’ll take breakfast and coffee. Otherwise I’ll ring if anything is needed.”

The attendant nodded and began clearing our plates.

I leaned forward to whisper, “Does everyone always do what you tell them to?” One eyebrow lifted to my hairline.

JP reached under the table between us and slid his hand up my thigh. “Usually.”

“And if they don’t?” I lifted my chin, my stomach bunching in anticipation.

He moved forward, leaning across the small table that separated us. “Then there are consequences.”

My blood tingled and pressure built between my thighs. “I’ll have to keep that in mind.”

The attendant finished clearing our dinner and moved down the hallway with a bottle of champagne and a plate covered with a metal cloche. She set the plate beside the bed and uncorked the champagne before setting it into a chilling bucket with ice. She didn’t speak another word before enclosing herself inside her own private quarters.

JP stood, holding out his hand for me. “We have a long flight, but it’s overnight. We can get some rest and arrive in Italy in the morning, local time. Less jet lag that way.”

I slipped my hand into his as we made our way toward the back of the luxury aircraft. With every step, my body hummed. I stared at the bed as JP closed the door behind us. When the lock clicked, I leaned back against him. JP’s hand fisted at the nape of my neck, tugging gently so my head lay back and he could capture my open mouth.

I shifted, turning into him as his hand tangled deeper in my hair and the other gripped my ass. “Fuck. I can’t get enough of you.”

I moaned against him as I palmed his cock through the fabric of his slacks. He was already hard, and excitement danced through me.

His hand moved across my collarbone, gliding over my breasts and down my belly. He stopped between my legs, teasing my clit from the outside of my clothes.

The entire day had felt unreal—the date, the plane, his attention. It was like I was living another life.

JP’s voice was silk rippling over gravel. “You’ll do as I say.”

The air escaped my lungs, but my defiant streak had come out to play. “Or there will be consequences. I remember.”

His jaw flexed. “That’s right. On your knees.”

Without breaking eye contact, I lowered myself to the plush carpeting. Beside me, the world was dark beyond the window, cocooning us in our own world. JP may be the kind of man who was used to being in charge, but I had a secret.

On my knees, the power was mine.

With a wicked grin, I undid his belt and lowered the zipper to his slacks. JP hissed as I freed him and ran my tongue along his shaft from the base to the tip.

He was under my spell and I reveled in it—a goddess bathing in the moonlight of her own sensuality. My nails dug into his hips as I slowly pulled him to the back of my throat. With every moan, I went deeper until I could feel my gag reflex start to kick in. My pussy clenched, knowing it was only a matter of time until he’d fill me.

I hummed in anticipation when his hands gripped my shoulders. I looked up at him, lips stretched around his cock, eyes watering.

His finger stroked down my face. “You are so fucking beautiful.”

To my surprise, he gently pulled himself from me and swiveled toward the bed, taking me with him. His hands slid up my thighs, pulling my dress off and dropping it in a pile on the floor. A finger hooked into my underwear as he dragged them down my thighs. I stepped from them as he sat on the bed to take in my naked body.

His hand slid between my legs. “You’re soaked.”

My nipples pinched into hard points. His rough words during sex never ceased to ratchet my desire even higher.

He moved farther up the bed. “Sit on my face.”

My eyes went wide. “I’ll smother you.”

His grin widened. “God willing.”