CHAPTER 60

EZRA

“Practice,” I gasped, arching up. “Lots of… practice with you.”

He chuckled, starting a slow, deep rhythm—nothing like the frantic pounding from before. This was deliberate. Intimate. Every thrust dragged over my prostate, making me whimper into his mouth.

“Like that?” he whispered, kissing along my jaw. “Slow and deep? Or you want it hard again?”

“Both,” I whined.

He nipped my earlobe. “You feel so good wrapped around me. So hot. So wet from my cum. Like you were made for this—for me.”

I moaned, clenching around him. “Dorian—”

Then he pulled out—slowly—and I whined at the loss, but he was already moving, sliding up my body until his cock hovered over my lips.

“Open,” he said, voice rough. “Want that mouth again.”

I obeyed instantly, tongue out, eager. He fed me his cock—slick with my ass and his cum—and I sucked him deep, hollowing my cheeks.

“Fuck—just like that,” he groaned, hips rocking gently. “Take it all. Show me how much you love Daddy’s dick.”

I moaned around him, bobbing my head, spit dripping down my chin. He tasted like us—like sex and sin—and I couldn’t get enough.

“Look at you,” he rasped, thumb brushing my cheek. “So pretty with my cock in your mouth. My perfect little slut.”

I pulled off just long enough to gasp, “Only for you,” before diving back in, taking him to the root.

He cursed, hips stuttering. “Gonna come again—fuck—down your throat this time—”

I nodded frantically, sucking harder, tongue swirling under the head. My hands gripped his thighs, urging him deeper.

“Ezra here it comes—”

He thrust once, twice—then held my head still as he came, hot and thick, flooding my mouth. I swallowed greedily, moaning at the taste, licking every drop as he pulled out slow.

When he was spent, he collapsed beside me, pulling me into his arms. I licked my lips, chasing the last bits of him, and he laughed—breathless and warm.

“You’re insatiable,” he said again, kissing my forehead. “Absolutely feral.”

I grinned, snuggling into his chest. “Your fault.”

“Damn right it is.”

We lay there, tangled and sticky, his cock finally softening against my thigh. The room was quiet again—just our breathing, the faint creak of the mansion settling.

“You think anyone heard?” I whispered after a minute.

He snorted. “If they did, they’re pretending really hard not to.”

I buried my face in his neck, laughing softly. “We’re so screwed.”

“Worth it,” he murmured, fingers tracing my spine. “Every time.”

I kissed his collarbone. “Every time.”

And as sleep tugged at me again—this time with his arms around me, his scent in my lungs, his taste on my tongue—I let it take me.

We’d deal with tomorrow when it came.

********

If someone asked me what exhaustion felt like, I’d just hand them our choir schedule.

We practiced until our throats hurt, until the piano begged for mercy, until even Genevieve stopped correcting our posture. There was no break—just singing, harmonizing, and more singing.

“Can we please,” Lily wheezed between notes, “get a five-minute break before I die?”

“No,” Genevieve said crisply. “You’ll rest when your pitch is consistent.”

Lily groaned. “My pitch is fine, my soul isn’t!”

Ryan laughed. “Your soul left three hours ago.”

Jordan just wiped her forehead and muttered, “Mine left yesterday.”

I couldn’t even speak. My voice had given up around the fourth “one last run-through.”

Dorian stood near the front, arms crossed, the calm in the storm. He didn’t raise his voice once, but when his gaze landed on anyone, we straightened instantly. It was that silent authority, that don’t-make-me-disappointed-in-you energy.

Lily whispered beside me, “He looks like he eats discipline for breakfast.”

I coughed to hide a laugh. “And you still talk.”

She grinned. “I live dangerously.”

By the time we finally got a lunch break, everyone collapsed at the table like soldiers returning from war.

“I can’t feel my legs,” Jordan said, stretching.

“You sang,” Ryan said, “not ran a marathon.”

“Same thing when Genevieve’s the coach,” Lily muttered, stabbing her food dramatically.

Genevieve ignored her, sipping water. “Chew quietly, Lily.”

Lily blinked. “She heard that?”

“She always hears,” I whispered.

We all laughed, and even Dorian cracked the tiniest smile, which made Lily whisper, “He smiled! Witnesses, all of you!”

By evening, dinner was quieter—just tired smiles and sleepy chatter.

Genevieve finally said, “Everyone did well today. Rest early. Tomorrow decides who advances.”

We mumbled a chorus of “yes ma’am” and dragged ourselves to our rooms.

I didn’t even remember climbing onto the bed. One blink later, I was gone.

Morning came too fast.

The bus ride to the venue was quiet this time. No chaos, no random singing—just calm nerves and gum-chewing. The air was thick with focus.

When we arrived, the giant auditorium looked even more intimidating than before. Ten churches left. Ten ridiculously good choirs.

I swallowed hard. Here we go again.

We filed in and found our seats. The other choirs were scattered across the hall—dressed to perfection, voices already warming up. The hum of practice filled the air.

Lily leaned closer. “We’re in the big leagues now.”

Jordan nodded. “No panic. No dumb jokes. We’re serious this round.”

“Got it,” Ryan said, already joking, “no dumb jokes… got it.”

Lily glared. “You just made one.”

“Habit.”

I shook my head. “Focus, guys.”

Genevieve turned around, hearing us. “Exactly what Ezra said.”

We all sat straighter.

“Hey!” someone called behind us.

I turned—and froze.

Caleb and Clara were walking up, smiling like sunshine.

“Hi!” Clara waved, her long curls bouncing. “You guys made it!”

“Barely,” Lily said with a tired grin. “How are you two?”

“Good,” Caleb said. “That last round was intense, huh?”

“Understatement,” Jordan muttered under her breath.

Lily nudged her playfully, and Jordan gave a small half-smile. I could tell she was calmer this time. No jealous side-glances at Caleb—especially now that Clara had her arm looped around his.

Lily whispered to me, “I think Jordan’s okay. She’s finally stopped mentally stabbing him.”

Jordan shot her a glare. “I heard that.”

Lily just grinned. “I meant you to.”

They all laughed, and even Clara joined in.

“Anyway,” Caleb said, “good luck today. You’re number nine, right?”

“Yeah,” I said. “Lucky nine, hopefully.”

He smiled. “We’re number five. So we’ll be cheering for you from the front row.”

“Deal.” Lily gave him a salute.

They left to join their team, and Jordan exhaled.

The competition started soon after.

The MC walked up with this booming, theatrical voice that echoed through the speakers.

“Good morning, brothers and sisters in Christ! Let’s welcome our top ten choirs!”

Everyone clapped, some even whistled.

My hands were clammy. The lights, the audience—it was massive.

“First up,” the MC continued, “St. Peter’s Parish!”

They went up, all confident smiles and powerful harmonies. Their voices filled the hall, smooth and professional.

I found myself clapping before I even realized it.

“Wow,” Lily whispered. “They’re good.”

Jordan nodded. “Really good.”

“Yeah,” I said softly. “But we’re better.”

She grinned. “That’s the spirit.”

One by one, more choirs went up—each one somehow more amazing than the last. Tight harmonies, clean transitions, perfect tone. The crowd cheered after every song.

Finally, the MC said, “Next up, St. Maria's Parish!”

That was us.

My heart jumped.

Genevieve gave a small nod. “Remember, Ezra, not this round. Hold for the final.”

I nodded quickly. “Got it.”

They walked up to the stage, the lights hitting them just right. The crowd hushed.

By the bridge, Lily hit this low note that made people in the audience gasp.

When they ended, there was silence for a beat… and then thunderous applause.

They actually stood up.

Lily looked shocked but kept her composure, bowing slightly.

Jordan whispered, “We did it,” and Ryan grinned so wide it was ridiculous.

I jumped up and clapped like a maniac. “That’s my team!”

Dorian’s lips curved just a little, proud but subtle.

Genevieve nodded once. “Acceptable.”

Translation: amazing.

I grinned so hard my cheeks hurt.

When they returned to our seats, Lily whispered, “Did we just get a standing ovation?”

Jordan grinned. “I think we did.”

Ryan leaned back, satisfied. “We might actually win this.”

I looked at them all, still breathless. “We will.”