CHAPTER 59

CHAPTER 59

EZRA

The moment we stepped out of the hall, everyone scattered like hungry pigeons.

“I’m starving,” Lily whined, rubbing her stomach. “If I don’t eat soon, I’ll faint and they’ll have to drag my body across the stage for round two.”

Jordan rolled her eyes. “You had breakfast, Lily.”

“That was gum.”

I laughed. “Same thing.”

“Bite me,” she said, elbowing me.

We found a small cafeteria near the venue, packed with other choir groups, everyone in their shiny robes and holy smiles. The smell of rice and fried chicken filled the air, and honestly, I could’ve kissed the chef right there.

We managed to grab a table near the window. Ryan immediately ordered two plates like he hadn’t eaten in years.

As we were eating, a tall guy from another table turned and smiled right at us — or more specifically, right at Lily.

“Hey,” he said, walking over. He had that soft, easy charm — curly hair, dimples, voice like melted butter.

“Uh, hi?” Lily blinked, caught off guard.

“I just wanted to say,” he said, hand over his heart like he was reciting a poem, “you have the most amazing voice I’ve heard all day.”

Lily turned crimson. “Oh my God, thank you.”

Jordan raised an eyebrow. “All day? You sure you’ve been listening to everyone?”

The guy chuckled, unfazed. “Well, I might’ve zoned out a few times… but I definitely heard her.”

I smirked. “Wow. Smooth.”

“Eros-level smooth,” Ryan muttered, earning a laugh from me.

“I’m Caleb,” the guy continued, holding out his hand.

“Lily,” she said, shaking it shyly.

I noticed Jordan’s jaw tighten just slightly. Her smile didn’t reach her eyes.

I cleared my throat. “And I’m Ezra.”

He turned to me and smiled. “Nice to meet you, man. Your choir’s pretty good.”

I grinned. “Thanks. Yours too. You guys were—”

“Fifth performance, right?” Lily cut in, smiling a little too brightly.

Caleb nodded. “Yeah. You watched?”

“Hard not to,” she said. “You guys were really good.”

Jordan stayed silent, picking at her food.

He looked at her next. “And you are…?”

“Jordan,” she said flatly. No smile. No handshake.

He blinked, still smiling. “Nice to meet you.”

She just nodded once and looked away.

Oof. Awkward.

Trying to break the tension, I said, “So, Caleb, are you performing in the solo rounds too?”

“Yeah,” he said, rubbing his neck. “Tomorrow, actually. What about you guys?”

“Lily’s leading the first one,” I said proudly.

“Then I’ll definitely be there,” he said smoothly, eyes twinkling.

Lily giggled, and I swear Jordan’s fork bent a little in her hand.

I leaned back, sipping my drink, whispering, “Oh, she’s mad mad.”

Lily elbowed me without even looking. “Stop.”

I mouthed, never.

Just then, someone called from behind, “Baby!”

We all turned.

An insanely beautiful girl was walking toward Caleb — tall, perfect curls, glowing skin, expensive everything.

Jordan froze. Her tongue poked the inside of her cheek — her tell when she was pissed.

Caleb’s smile faltered for a second. “Hey, babe.”

“Babe?” Lily echoed.

He coughed. “Oh, uh—everyone, this is Clara. My girlfriend.”

“Girlfriend,” Jordan repeated under her breath.

Clara gave us a dazzling smile. “Hi! You guys were amazing on stage. Especially her.” She pointed at Lily.

Lily smiled awkwardly. “Thank you.”

“Anyway,” Clara continued, sitting down beside him like she owned the place, “Caleb’s been bragging about how good our church did.”

“Oh yeah?” Ryan teased. “Fifth place energy, huh?”

She laughed. “Exactly!”

Jordan just stared at her plate like it was personally responsible for her heartbreak.

“Anyway,” Caleb said quickly, “you guys wanna exchange numbers? Maybe hang out after the competition?”

Lily blinked. “Uh, sure.”

He passed his phone around. When it got to Jordan, she just typed it in wordlessly and handed it back.

“Cool,” Caleb said, trying to sound casual. “See you guys later?”

“Yeah,” Lily said brightly. “Good luck tomorrow.”

“You too.”

They stood up and left. The second they were gone, Jordan muttered, “God, men.”

Lily giggled nervously. “You okay?”

“Fine,” Jordan said, stabbing her rice. “Perfect.”

“Uh-huh,” I said, side-eyeing her. “Totally fine.”

Ryan snorted. “She’s two seconds from throwing holy water.”

“Shut up, Ryan.”

We all laughed, and slowly, the weird tension faded.

After lunch, we wandered back toward the hall for the results. Everyone was buzzing, half-anxious, half-hyped. Choirs grouped up, murmuring prayers or gossip — sometimes both.

Lily was bouncing beside me. “Okay, okay, okay. Ninth place or better, right? Manifest it.”

Jordan muttered, “You and this manifestation thing.”

“Don’t jinx it!”

I chuckled. “Maybe we just pray this time.”

“Manifesting is prayer,” she argued.

The MC stepped up on stage with a mic, clearing his throat. “Alright everyone, thank you for your patience! We’ll be announcing the top ten choirs moving on to the next round.”

The crowd went wild.

I could feel my pulse in my throat.

Genevieve had her hands clasped, serene as ever. Dorian looked unreadable, though I noticed the faint twitch in his jaw.

The MC began.

“In tenth place…”

My hands clenched around my robe.

“…Saint Peter’s Choir!”

Polite applause.

“Ninth place…”

My breath hitched.

“Saint Maria’s Parish Choir!”

We screamed. Like actually screamed.

Lily jumped into Jordan’s arms, Ryan was hollering, and I think Genevieve almost smiled.

“We did it!” Lily shouted, spinning. “We actually did it!”

Jordan laughed. “Manifesting worked, huh?”

“Told you!”

Dorian even clapped once — small, but it counted.

My cheeks hurt from smiling.

As the MC continued announcing the rest, I glanced around and saw Caleb’s group cheering too. Fifth place. Figures. He turned around, caught my eye, and gave a thumbs up. I returned it politely.

Lily muttered, “He’s cute, but taken.”

Jordan huffed. “He’s not even that cute.”

“Lies.”

“Okay, fine. But still.”

I grinned. “So, you were jealous.”

“Ezra.”

“Okay, shutting up.”

The rest of the announcement went by in a blur. The top church got a standing ovation, but honestly, I didn’t care. We were in.

When we filed out of the hall, everyone was laughing, shouting, singing bits of random hymns. The sky outside was already turning gold.

Back on the bus, Lily collapsed beside me, smiling into her phone. “My mom just texted me. She said she screamed when she saw the livestream.”

“Aww,” I said, chuckling.

Jordan leaned her head back, sighing. “This is only the beginning. We’re gonna win this thing.”

“Yeah,” I said quietly, staring out the window as the mansion came into view again. “We are.”

The bus stopped, and as we climbed out, Genevieve called, “Dinner in thirty minutes! Don’t be late!”

“Yes, ma’am,” we chorused automatically.

As I walked toward the big house, I glanced at Dorian. He was talking to Father Barnes, expression tight again. Probably still thinking about the senator.

I sighed and followed the others in.

Tomorrow was another day. Another battle.

But for now? We’d made it.

We’d actually made it.

Dinner was loud. Like, “somebody-turn-down-the-volume-before-Genevieve-passes-out” loud. Everyone was still riding the high from qualifying, and Ryan wouldn’t stop replaying our performance on his phone.

“Bro, listen to that harmony,” he said, shoving his phone into Lily’s face.

“I can’t hear anything except you screaming in the background,” Lily said, pushing it away.

“That’s called passion,” Ryan replied proudly.

“More like noise pollution,” Jordan muttered, sipping her juice.

Genevieve clinked her glass with her fork. “Alright, choir, finish up quickly. We’ll be practicing one more piece tonight before bed.”

Everyone groaned.

“Ah-ah, must we?” Ryan said, mouth half full of rice. “I’m tired!”

“Then sing from your spirit,” Genevieve said sweetly.

Ryan sighed. “My spirit’s also tired.”

“Mine too,” Lily added dramatically, collapsing against the chair.

But of course, none of that mattered — five minutes later, we were back in the large sitting room that had been converted into a mini rehearsal space.

Ryan and Jordan were leading tonight. Lily whispered to me, “They bicker too much to sound good together.”

“Yeah, well,” I whispered back, “if they don’t kill each other, they might just win.”

Ryan stretched his arms. “Alright, people, let’s show them why we’re the best church here.”

Jordan smirked. “Says the guy who almost fainted during vocal warmup this morning.”

“I was saving my voice.”

“You were dehydrated.”

“Semantics.”

Genevieve clapped her hands once. “Start, please.”

The pianist played the opening chords, and when Ryan started singing, I swear, every conversation died.

His voice filled the entire room — low, smooth, and powerful. Jordan joined in at the second verse, their voices blending in a way that made goosebumps run down my arms.

Okay. Fine. They were good.

When they finished, there was stunned silence for a second before everyone started clapping.

“Damn,” Lily breathed. “Ryan’s hot when he sings.”

Jordan turned her head, eyes narrowing slightly. “What did you say?”

Lily blinked innocently. “I said his voice is hot.”

“Mhm.”

Ryan grinned. “Thank you, thank you. Compliments are always accepted.”

Genevieve nodded approvingly. “Well done. Both of you. That was… surprisingly pleasant.”

“Surprisingly?” Jordan repeated.

“Yes,” Genevieve said. “Considering how often you two argue.”

That got everyone laughing again.

Then our phones dinged at the same time.

“What the—” Lily frowned, checking hers. “It’s from the competition board.”

“Mine too,” I said.

Ryan read his aloud dramatically. “‘Attention choirs: The final round will include a twist that will be announced after round two.’”

We all looked at each other.

Jordan crossed her arms. “A twist? What kind of twist?”

Ryan gasped. “Maybe it’s a singing duel!”

“This isn’t The Voice,” Lily said, rolling her eyes.

“Or maybe,” I said, leaning forward, “they’ll make us swap songs with another choir. That’d be chaos.”

“That would be evil,” Ryan said, looking way too excited.

Jordan muttered, “Watch it be something like ‘each church must compose their own original song.’”

Lily groaned. “Noooo. I can’t do that in two days.”

Genevieve, who had been reading her phone silently, finally spoke up. “Whatever the twist is, we’ll be ready. For now, get some rest. Practice is done for the night.”

Ryan threw his hands up. “Amen!”

Everyone started packing up, still whispering about what the “twist” could be. I helped fold some of the sheet music, and Lily kept yawning beside me.

“Go sleep, grandma,” I said.

She elbowed me lightly. “You too, choir boy.”

I smirked. “You’re just jealous I look cute while practicing.”

“You look like you’re fighting invisible demons.”

“Still cute demons.”

“Whatever you say, Ezra.”

We laughed softly as we packed up. Dorian was still talking to Genevieve at the corner of the room, looking impossibly serious as always. For a split second, his eyes caught mine — that steady, unreadable gaze — and I felt that flutter in my chest again.

Focus, Ezra. Focus.

By the time I managed to shower, everyone was either asleep or pretending to be. My body ached all over from standing too long, singing too long, thinking too long.

I barely made it to bed before I collapsed face-first on the pillow.

Just before sleep took me, I thought I felt something soft — a brush against my forehead. Like a… peck?

Probably a dream, I told myself, smiling faintly.

But when I woke up, the first thing I felt was warmth. Solid warmth. Something — someone — pressed against my back.

My eyes fluttered open.

Oh my God.

Dorian’s arm was draped over my waist. His breath was steady against the side of my neck, his chest pressed against my back like we’d done this a hundred times.

My brain blanked.

“Father—” I whispered, but the words died on my tongue.

He shifted slightly, pulling me closer, murmuring something I couldn’t make out.

And just like that, I forgot how to breathe.

Dorian’s arm was heavy across my waist, his fingers splayed over my stomach like he owned it. His breath was warm against my neck, slow and deep, and—oh God—his hips were moving.

Not awake. Not yet. Just… grinding.

Slow, lazy rolls of his hips against my ass, his hard cock dragging along the seam of my pajama pants with every unconscious thrust.

My brain short-circuited.

He’s asleep. He doesn’t know. But fuck—fuck—

I could feel every inch of him. Thick. Hot. Pressing right between my cheeks like he was trying to burrow inside me even in his dreams.

I bit my lip so hard I tasted blood. My own cock was already leaking, pulsing against the sheets. One more grind and I was going to lose it.

“Dorian…” I whispered, barely a breath.

His hips stuttered.

Then—snap—his eyes opened.

Dark. Stormy. Instantly awake.

I didn’t think.

I kissed him.

My mouth crashed into his, desperate and sloppy, tongue shoving past his lips like I’d been starving for it. Spit slicked between us, dripping down my chin as I sucked on his tongue.

“Fuck—Ezra—” he growled against my lips, voice rough with sleep and lust. “You little brat.”

I moaned, grinding back against his cock. “You were humping me in your sleep.”

His hand shot up, wrapping around my throat—hard. “And you’re already soaked for it, aren’t you?” He squeezed, making my head spin. “Dirty little boy, waking up Daddy with that greedy ass.”

I whimpered, nodding frantically. “Please—need you—”

He flipped me onto my back in one move, pinning me beneath him. His mouth attacked mine again, swallowing my moans as his free hand yanked my pajama pants down. My cock sprang free, slapping against my stomach.

“Look at you,” he rasped, smearing the pre-cum over my tip with his thumb. “Leaking like a fucking faucet.”

I bucked into his hand.

SMACK.

His palm cracked across my ass and I yelped, the sting blooming into heat.

“Quiet,” he hissed, spanking me again. “You want the whole choir hearing how much of a slut you are for Daddy’s cock?”

I shook my head, biting my lip. “No—please—just you—”

He ripped his own shirt off, then mine. Clothes flew—pants, boxers, everything—until we were skin to skin.

“Up,” he ordered, lying back and pulling me on top. “Sit on my face. Now.”

My legs shook as I straddled his chest, scooting up until my knees were on either side of his head. He gripped my hips, yanking me down hard—and then his tongue was on me.

“Ahh” I cried out, hands flying to the headboard as he ate me out like a starving man. His tongue fucked into my hole, wet and filthy, slurping loud enough to make me blush.

“Ride my face, baby,” he growled between licks. “Use Daddy’s mouth.”

I did. I ground down, rolling my hips, chasing that tongue as it speared into me. My cock bobbed untouched, leaking onto his chest.

But then—he grabbed my hips and flipped us.

Suddenly I was on my back again, and he was hovering over me—cock in my face.

“Open,” he commanded.

I obeyed instantly, mouth watering as he fed me his cock. I sucked him deep, gagging as he hit the back of my throat. He groaned, hips thrusting slow and shallow.

“That’s it—suck Daddy’s cock while I tongue-fuck this pretty hole.”

We shifted—69—and I was gone. His mouth on my ass, my lips stretched around his dick, spit and pre-cum dripping everywhere. I moaned around him, the vibrations making him buck into my throat.

He flipped me onto my knees, chest pressed to the mattress. “Beg.”

“Please, Daddy—fuck me—need your cock—please—”

He lined up and *slammed* in.

“AH—FUCK!” My eyes rolled back instantly—his cock speared my prostate on the first thrust, lighting me up like a firework. “DADDY—RIGHT THERE—”

He grabbed my hips and pounded.

“Take it—take every inch—fuck, your hole’s sucking me in—”

I screamed into the pillow, drooling, eyes rolling as he hit that spot over and over. “*Yes—yes—harder—spank me—choke me—”

SMACK. His hand cracked across my ass.

SMACK. Again.

Then his hand wrapped around my throat from behind, pulling me up until my back arched against his chest.

“Look at you,” he growled in my ear, thrusting brutal. “Riding Daddy’s cock like a desperate slut.”

I turned my head, kissing him sloppy—tongues, spit, teeth. He swallowed every moan, choking me just enough to make me dizzy.

“Gonna gonna come—” I whined, grinding back on him.

“Not yet,” he snarled, pulling out and flipping me onto my back. “Want your face.”

He straddled my chest, jerking his cock fast and filthy. “Open your mouth—stick out your tongue—”

I did, eyes locked on his. “Come on me, Daddy—paint my face—please—”

He groaned, hips stuttering. “*Fuck—Ezra—*”

Hot ropes of cum splattered across my face—my cheeks, my lips, my tongue. I moaned, licking it up greedily.

At the same time, my own cock erupted—untouched—spraying across his abs, his chest, his hand. “DADDY—YES—” I screamed, body shaking as I came harder than ever.

He collapsed forward, licking his cum off my lips, kissing me deep and dirty. “Good boy,” he murmured, voice soft now. “Such a good little slut for Daddy.”

I panted, clinging to him, cum sticky between us.

Dorian’s laugh rumbled against my back, low and warm, the kind that made my stomach flip even when I was already a boneless mess. His arms tightened around me, cum still sticky on my face and chest, and I could feel his cock—half-hard again—twitching inside me like it had no intention of leaving.

“Jesus, Ezra,” he murmured, lips brushing my ear. “I never should’ve taken your virginity. Look at you—insatiable little monster.”

I rolled my eyes, cheeks burning even as I grinned into the pillow. “It’s not my fault you’re addictive.”

“Addictive?” He snorted, shifting his hips just enough to make me gasp. “You’re the one who kissed me first, remember? Woke me up grinding on my dick like a needy puppy.”

“You were the one humping me in your sleep!” I shot back, voice muffled against the sheets. “I was just… reacting.”

“Reacting,” he echoed, amused. “Sure. That’s why you begged me to choke you and spank you raw.”

I hid my face in the crook of his arm. “Shut up.”

He laughed again, softer this time, and pressed a kiss to my temple. “Never. You’re too fun to tease.”

We stayed like that for a minute—just breathing, tangled, his cock still buried deep inside me like it belonged there. The room smelled like sex and sweat and us, and I never wanted to move.

“You okay?” he asked quietly, fingers tracing lazy circles on my hip.

I nodded, turning my head to nuzzle his chest. “More than okay. You?”

“Never better.” He tilted my chin up, thumb brushing my lower lip. “You’re glowing, you know that?”

“Shut up,” I mumbled again, but I was smiling. “You’re just saying that ‘cause I’m covered in your cum.”

“Partly,” he admitted, grinning. “But mostly ‘cause you look wrecked in the best way. My fault.”

“Your fault,” I agreed, then—without thinking—leaned down and flicked my tongue over his nipple.

He hissed, hips jerking involuntarily. “Ezra—”

“What?” I said innocently, doing it again.

“Little shit,” he growled, but his hand slid into my hair, holding me there. “Keep going. See what happens.”

I did. I sucked his nipple into my mouth, swirling my tongue, grazing it with my teeth just enough to make him groan. His cock thickened inside me and I moaned around the sensitive bud.

“Goddamn,” he rasped, voice rough. “You’re gonna kill me.”

“Worth it,” I mumbled, switching to the other nipple. “You taste good everywhere.”

He laughed breathlessly. “Flattery will get you fucked again, you know.”

“Promise?” I teased, grinding down slowly—just a roll of my hips, taking him deeper.

His eyes darkened. “You’re playing with fire, Ezra.”

“Good thing I like getting burned.”

That did it.

He flipped us—slow this time, careful not to let his cock slip out—and suddenly I was on my back again, legs spread wide, his body caging mine. He kissed me deep and lazy, tongue sliding against mine, tasting himself on my lips.

“Still so tight,” he murmured, pulling out just an inch before pushing back in.