Just Between Us (The Kings)

A harsh glare from the ring light seared into my eyes. I blinked and pressed two fingers into my eye sockets. Exhaling, I clipped my phone into the holder and pushed aside the growing number of user comments that had been nagging me for days.

My foray into content creation for Pulse used to be a thrill. I enjoyed the fact that I could lean into my dominant side. Users came in droves to tune in for me to tell them what to do but also allowed me to be loving and supportive after I coaxed them into some of the best orgasms of their lives. I liked knowing there were people out there whose sex lives were improved because I helped them unlock the formula for their own pleasure.

It was a performance, and a part of that role was being the tattooed daddy with the big dick. I liked being a tease, making them want more, but lately I struggled to come up with any kind of engaging content ideas. Every concept I considered felt lackluster. My motivation was . . . meh at best.

Something strange was going on with me.

Maybe I just needed to get hyped. I bounced on my toes and rolled my neck.

They’re all waiting for you. Let’s go, man.

My hand ran down the front of my black jeans, waiting for the inevitable thrill of recording to get me hard. I exhaled and glanced down at my cock.

Nothing.

What. The actual. Fuck.

I rubbed myself again. Focus. I just need to get my head in the game.

Chalking it up to stress, I unbuttoned and unzipped my pants. I slipped my hands beneath the waistband of my black boxer briefs and slid them down.

Cool air hit my hips, and I stared down in disbelief. My cock hung lifeless between my thighs. I jostled it once, hoping something—anything—would happen.

“What the fuck, dude?” I stared down at my flaccid penis, half expecting it to talk back. “You’re just sitting there like a bald guy in a turtleneck. Let’s go.”

A half-hearted twitch was all he could muster. Exasperated, I sighed and pulled my underwear and jeans up before flopping onto the couch with a frustrated groan.

This is what I paid for?

I think I fell asleep.

Who does this guy think he is? We came for more!

I used to love scrolling the comments on my videos. It felt great knowing I’d unlocked someone’s secret kink or given them the confidence to try something new with their partner. Recently I had been inundated with comments about how the shift in my content was lacking.

How I was lacking.

My jaw flexed. This was a hell of a lot easier before Veda sailed into my life. I had looked forward to posting content, wondering whether she had figured out I was secretly talking to her.

Veda and MsBlackCat were the same person, so why was I suddenly having second thoughts about posting? What difference did it make?

I glanced at my lap. Clearly it counted for something, because the mere thought of anyone else having this piece of me felt oddly wrong.

I stared at my phone, cradled at the center of the ring light.

I could always make a video for Veda first . . .

I had never done that before. Typically I would create whatever mass content would be delivered to the subscribers. Once I was finished with work, I would record something just for her and upload it to the private channel only we shared. Sending her something explicit was like my reward for appeasing the masses.

I swallowed hard and closed my eyes, resting the back of my head against the couch cushion. Her face filled my mind—thick black hair and how easy it would be to grip its length in my fist. Piercing jade-green eyes. Dark, thick lashes that would flutter closed as my cock slipped between her pillowy lips.

Blood surged between my legs, and my cock went rigid. My eyes opened, and I stared at my lap in disbelief. “Well, I’ll be damned.”

Excitement raced through me, and I leaned forward, turning on my phone. I opened the video recording app, deciding to capitalize on this moment and record something just for Veda.

I settled back into the couch. The red light blinked, and I stared straight into the camera. “You know, I was thinking about you.” One hand flicked open the top button on my shirt, then the next. I continued to unbutton as I spoke. “I remember seeing you on the street. You had just gotten a coffee and were rushing to work, but, damn, you looked good.” I licked my lips as my shirt fell open.

“I liked the sass and fire in your eyes.” I chuckled, adjusting my hips as my cock got harder. “You didn’t like that I was making you late for work, but I couldn’t help it. I like taking up your time.” My hands moved to the sides of my cock, showing off its shape beneath the fabric of my pants. “Fuck, look what you do to me.”

I closed my eyes, groaning as I leaned my head back. I imagined it was Veda touching me. My hand stroked down the sides of my cock and squeezed. In my mind, she was on her knees in front of me, tits out and looking at me with wide-eyed desire. The ache inside me pulsed, and I got fully hard just imagining the fun we would have if she were really there.

Primed and ready, I freed my cock, making eye contact with the camera as I let her see exactly how much she turned me on. Stroking its length, I continued: “I wish you were here to spit on it. Oh, Precious, the things I would do if you were here.”

I hummed and continued stroking. “I carried your bag to work. You deserve someone who takes care of you.” With that, an idea sparked for my main content page, and I tucked it away, too lost in this moment to worry about anything else.

My forearms flexed as I brought myself closer and closer to the edge. I hissed and stroked, and before long the image of Veda on her knees in front of me was too much. I came hard—long, hot ropes of cum painting my tattooed stomach as it flexed. My breaths were haggard as my eyes opened. I stared into the camera and shook my head with a wry smile. “I think you’re going to be the death of me, Precious.”

I leaned forward and stopped the video. After opening Pulse, I uploaded the video to the private channel I shared with Veda. I stood and moved to the bathroom to shower. With a white towel wrapped around my hips, I returned to the living room and fired up the video recording app once again.

It blinked to life, and I sat on the couch with a sigh. It was oddly reassuring knowing that Veda had already received the best I had to offer and everyone else was left with her scraps. Anyone viewing would be getting measly leftovers.

Still, I spoke again as if I were talking directly to her. “Hey, Precious. Don’t be surprised when people show up for you. I know it’s easy for you to be the boss and take charge, but sometimes? Sometimes it’s okay to let someone else take the reins for a while.” I sat back, confident the towel covered me but that the viewers would be satisfied enough with my post-orgasm, post-shower glow. “Maybe that someone could be me.” I shrugged and stopped the video before posting it to my main content channel.

Amped up, I flicked through my notifications to find her username. The green dot indicating she was online sent a heady zip through my bloodstream.

Mr.Right.Now:You’ve got mail.

MsBlackCat:I see that. Two videos? Busy bee.

Mr.Right.Now:Did you watch them yet?

MsBlackCat:Eh . . . I’m thinking about it.

I chuckled and imagined her aloof shrug while also stifling a soft smile. Bubbles popped up and disappeared as she continued to type.

MsBlackCat: Hmm, so what exactly would you do if I was there? You left that part out.

A smug smile pulled at my lips.

Mr.Right.Now:So you did watch it.

My fingers itched to video chat with her. I needed to see her face, but I didn’t want to scare her off again. It seemed as though she found it easier—safer—to banter behind the safety of a screen.

Mr.Right.Now:Come out with me tonight. Maybe I’ll show you what could happen.

Minutes passed and it felt like hours. Enticing Veda was a delicate dance of push and pull. She needed coaxing, but I also wanted her to want more to happen. Yet it was impossible to think that whatever this attraction was could be one-sided.

Or maybe she’s only attracted to Mr.Right.Now.

I swallowed past the lump that formed in my throat. I hadn’t considered the possibility that Veda had no interest in me outside of what I provided online. A sick, oily feeling pooled in my gut.

MsBlackCat:Can’t. I have a meeting with the Bluebirds.

A relieved sigh whooshed out of me at the fact she’d already had plans.

Mr.Right.Now: Don’t cats eat birds?

MsBlackCat: Byyyyyeeeee.

Chuckling, I checked my dashboard and could see Veda had saved the private video. I grinned.

Mr.Right.Now:If rewatching that message doesn’t do it for you, I’m happy to make you another.

MsBlackCat:I usually use them to fall asleep, so I’ll let you know.

Mr.Right.Now: Ouch. You wound me. You know, you probably shouldn’t talk with weird men on the internet.

MsBlackCat: Then stop messaging me, weirdo.

With a laugh, I tossed my phone beside me and sighed. I had a few clients on the books but nothing planned for after those tattoo appointments. I’d be open to a few drinks after the Bluebirds’ meeting. I tapped a finger on my thigh before scooping up my phone and firing a text off to my sisters.

Let’s cause some trouble tonight.

Sylvie

Can you feel my heavy sigh via text?

MJ

Sorry, we’ve got book club.

Oh yeah? What book are you discussing?

Sylvie

Bonnets of the Bay.

MJ

Dark Cannon.

Ha! I knew you didn’t actually discuss books. Come to the Grudge after. We’ll have a King sibling soiree. Syl, you can even invite the brute and his blood relations.

Sylvie

You mean my HUSBAND and his SIBLINGS?

Yeah, you can bring them too, I guess.

MJ

I’m in.

Sylvie

I’ll see what I can do.

Maybe even invite that new girl out . . . to be nice.

Sylvie

You mean the poor woman you’ve been salivating over?

MJ

Why don’t you ask her out yourself?

I tried. She turned me down to go to your book club.

Sylvie

She’s so much smarter than you.

That’s why I have you two. Help a brother out.

Satisfied that my meddling littlest sister wouldn’t be able to resist inviting Veda along, I set my phone aside and tucked the ring light into the corner of the room. I cleaned up all evidence of my online persona and whistled while I did it.

The Grudge Holderwas a bar and dance hall at the far edge of Main Street. It was housed in one of the oldest buildings in downtown Outtatowner. Over the years it had gone through several different owners, but they always kept its namesake. The Grudge Holder was an homage to the King-Sullivan rivalry that was legendary in our town.

Recently the rivalry was hanging on by a thread.

For as long as I could remember, the Grudge was a bar divided. The Kings on the east side and the Sullivans on the west. Tourists were oblivious to the divide, but for townies, the line was clearly and permanently drawn in the sand.

That was, until Duke Sullivan decided to fall in love with my sister. Color me surprised when we all found out they were not only secret friends, but they had gotten pregnant.

Behind closed doors, the divide became a cavern, and we were forced by my father to choose—turn our backs on our sister or make peace with the Sullivans.

To his dismay, we had chosen to stand with our sister. His intense stare and clenched jaw spoke volumes. We all understood that an unhappy Russell King was a ticking bomb waiting to blow. No one knew where or when it would happen, but the fallout would be inevitable.

His recent absence put us only more on edge.

Entering the Grudge, I scanned the east side, and apart from a few cousins and locals who had always sided with the Kings, I didn’t spot my siblings.

“Hey, Roy!” My head whipped around to see Lee Sullivan grinning from a high-top table in the middle of the bar and waving an arm over his head like a fool.

I groaned and rolled my eyes.

Part of Sylvie and Duke’s fetal collaboration apparently meant making nice with all the Sullivans. I shook my head and walked toward the center of the room, where Lee had his arm slung around Annie.

“Yo, Roy!” he called over the crowd, pointing to the table. “We’re all sitting right here!”

Curious glances swept our way. I quirked an eyebrow as I approached. “Really? Roy?”

Lee smiled. “Aww, I didn’t mean to hurt your delicate feelings, Royal. I could always call you Dw⁠—”

I cut him short with a single look as I pointed my finger. “Don’t fucking go there.”

He grinned and raised both his hands.

Annie elbowed him in the ribs. “I promised the girls you would behave.”

“That was a silly thing to promise.” Lee glanced down at his fiancée, his eyes brimming with affection. “Come on, I’m gonna take you for a spin on the dance floor.”

She beamed up at him and hopped off the high stool. It would be only a matter of minutes before they were tearing up the dance floor like they had done since high school. He was a cocky bastard, but I think we had all breathed a collective sigh of relief when he pulled his head out of his ass and saw what was standing right in front of him.

I looked around and slid into an open seat at the table.

“Wow. Even you’re migrating to the middle?” Our server walked up behind me and leaned against the table.

I shrugged. “Just seeing what the view is like from here.”

She nodded, clearly seeing through my bullshit. “Sure you are. What can I get you?”

I tapped a beat on the tabletop with my palms. “I think we’re waiting on a few more, but I’ll start with a pint of Brewer’s Wife. You’ve got that on the rail, right?”

“Freshly tapped.” She scribbled my order on a pad of paper. “I’ll be right back with it.”

“Thanks.” I settled into my seat and surveyed the bar. The band was deep into their set, and sure enough, Lee and Annie were the best dancers out there. I clocked a few interested gazes sent my way from women I didn’t recognize.

Tourists, most likely. Any other night I might have anticipated a little midweek fun. Instead, my eyes kept wandering toward the large oak door, hoping to see a certain raven-haired bombshell with a mean streak walk in.

As luck would have it, the door swung open, and a group of women spilled through the entrance. Sullivans and Kings intermixed as the women laughed and talked over one another. It was clear they’d already started drinking at their book club. At the center of the gaggle of hens was Veda. True to her nature, her eyes were sharp and assessing as they swooped through the bar.

Behind her, my little sister MJ smiled brightly, and when our eyes caught, she offered a tiny curtsy.

I owed that girl a drink.

Behind the women were their partners, looking like a pack of puppy dogs as they followed behind. Wyatt and Beckett were chatting while Abel and Duke skulked in the background. They both looked like the Grudge was the last place on earth they wanted to be.

I caught Abel’s eye, lifting two fingers as the group surrounded me. The women each took a seat while the men begrudgingly offered grunts and chin raises and acknowledgment.

“This is nice, right?” Sloane looked around and smiled.

Abel stood behind his wife and crossed his arms. “Kind of loud in here, don’t you think?”

I chuckled. Abel thought any place other than his brewery was too loud.

The server returned with my beer and took the orders of the group. A few couples peeled off to dance or chat with friends.

“Where’s JP?” MJ asked.

I shrugged. “Not really his thing, you know?”

MJ sighed, visible disappointment settling over her shoulders. I suspected JP was a lost cause. Too many years being groomed by our father to see Dad for what he really was. MJ was still holding out hope that JP wouldn’t turn out exactly like our father.

Poor kid.

As the music played, I stared at Veda. Her body was intentionally angled toward my sister as they engaged in conversation. My fingers itched to run through the silky strands of her dark hair, so I kept them busy by tracing the condensation on the outside of my pint glass.

It was mere hours ago that she had watched me stroke myself to the thought of her on her knees. It was a dirty little secret that only we shared.

I grinned at the thought.

“The hell are you smiling at?” Lee asked, his pint of beer paused halfway to his mouth. His eyes flicked down, then back up to mine. “Did you fuck with my drink while I was out there?”

I scoffed. “No.”

He eyed his drink and slowly lowered it to the table. I rolled my eyes, reached across the table, and took a big gulp of his beer before sliding it back in front of him.

“Happy?” I asked, wiping the drop from my lip.

He shrugged. “Good enough for me.” Lee swiped his drink up before turning to face the dance floor.

Beside me, Veda said something to MJ before excusing herself from the table and weaving through the crowd toward the bathrooms near the back of the bar.

I polished off my drink and gently slapped my palm on the table. “Be right back.”

“Please leave that girl alone,” Abel warned.

My face twisted. “What? I’m just gonna go say hi to someone I know over there.”

Abel let out a disbelieving noise, but I let it roll off my shoulders.

Despite wanting to run to her like a giddy schoolboy, I sauntered through the crowded bar, stopping to shake hands and make small talk with friends. With one eye on the hall that led to the bathrooms, I watched and I waited.

When her bright eyes and dark hair came into view, I cut her off in her path. “Hey, Precious. You having fun tonight?”

A disgusted sound rattled from her throat. “I bet women fawn over how special you make them feel.”

Playfulness danced under my skin. “Are you saying I make you feel special?”

Her sharp eyes flicked to mine. “Hardly.”

Her arms folded. It was clear her guard was up and her frosty exterior was a defense mechanism. No way in hell anyone would approach a woman like Veda Bauer and leave with their balls intact.

Odd thing was, I kind of liked that fire.

The challenge in her eyes was invigorating. Her body language screamed back the fuck up, but she hadn’t made a move to rejoin our group yet. I knew from our online conversations that a funny and complex woman was hidden beneath her hard exterior.

It was a side of her I was certain that very few were privy to.

I leaned in, dipping my voice low so only she could hear: “Hey, Black Cat, you’re safe here . . . with me.”

Her eyes shot up to mine, but her hands dropped to her side with an exhale. I was rooted to the ground, pinned into place by her arresting beauty.

Her voice was small but strong. “You’re probably the most dangerous person in here, Mr.Right.Now.”

Hearing my username tumble from her lips sent heat straight to my cock. Oh, the depraved things I wanted to do with her to show her how good she could feel if she allowed someone else to take control.

I wanted to chip away at her armor and show her the queen she had learned to lock away beneath it . . . but she had to want it.

I swallowed hard at the realization. “We should probably get back.”

She nodded.

I took one step forward before my hand reached out, gently capturing her forearm and stopping her progress. “You like winning, right?”

A surprised eyebrow crept higher on her head, but I continued, “You like to show everyone that you’re the best, that you’re in control.”

She stayed silent.

I crossed my arms. “Tell me I’m wrong,” I challenged.

Pink flushed her cheeks as her lips parted. With her shoulders set she looked up at me. “I always win, and I don’t back down from a challenge. I’m here to do a job and I plan on doing it.” Her eyes moved over me. “Without distractions.”

My blood hummed and my stomach bunched. “I want to offer you something . . . a little challenge of sorts.”

She paused, her eyes melting down to my lips before her tongue darted out to wet her own. “I’m listening.”

My biceps flexed. “If you win, I’ll leave you alone and let you do your job. When I win, you let me teach you how to let go a little bit.”

A disgusted noise rattled in her throat. “When you win?”

I grinned. “Exactly.” I leaned in to whisper. “I don’t play to lose, either, Precious.”

Veda rolled her lips as she considered it. “What’s the challenge? Brains or brawn?”

I rubbed my palms together. I was making this shit up on the fly, but it had to be perfect. “A mix of both—so you have a fair shot.” And then the perfect idea hit me. I grinned. “How do you feel about paintball?”

Her dark eyebrows rose. “Paintball? Like, running around in the woods and shooting each other?”

“Sure.” I shrugged. “You can use that pretty little brain of yours to strategize, and I can use the physicality of it to my advantage. Seems pretty fair to me.”

Veda gestured between us. “You want me to challenge you in a paintball match?”

I could barely contain my excitement. I gestured toward the table of Bluebirds. “It’ll be a group outing. I can tell my sisters we’re all bonding. They’ll eat that shit up. Unless . . .” I lifted a shoulder. “You’re too afraid to lose.”

Fire danced in her green eyes at my challenge as her jaw flexed. “You’re on.”

Her hand jutted out between us, and I captured it, tugging gently so her body was flush with mine. “I can already imagine how pretty you’ll look when I’m gazing down at you . . .” My words dripped with innuendo, and heat flashed in her eyes. Her lips parted as I stared at them. “When I’m looking down from the winner’s podium. Obviously.”

Veda’s nostrils flared. I laughed and sauntered toward our group before I stopped to look over my shoulder. “Are you checking out my ass right now?”

She was, and heat flooded her cheeks. With a shake of her head, Veda breezed past me, bumping my shoulder as she went by.

Game on, Precious.