Vega: Book Four of The Stardust Series

by Autumn Reed

  “But, you looked so angry.”

  “Yes, at Theo. He never should have mauled you like that in public. He knows better.”

  When we returned to the loft, Knox disappeared to his room without another word, leaving me and Theo alone. Before he could jog up the stairs, I asked, “Why did you kiss me in front of everyone?”

  “Because I wanted to.”

  “So, it had nothing to do with Drew?”

  “Okay, yeah, maybe a little.”

  I stared at him, unimpressed. “Why do you care what he thinks?”

  “I don’t, but after his comment about finally convincing you to date me, I couldn’t resist showing off. I’m sorry.”

  “Did your friends really think you were into me this entire time?” I avoided repeating the term obsessed.

  He chuckled. “I can’t believe you have to ask that question. You’re beautiful, kind, smart, fun, sexy . . . the whole package. You’re my dream girl,” he added in a softer voice. “Have been since the day I met you.” His gaze drifted to the floor. “I don’t deserve you.”

  My heart plummeted into my stomach. “Theo,” I said, inching closer. “How can you say that? You’re amazing—I’ve never met anyone like you. Don’t sell yourself short, okay?”

  He nodded, and my earlier anger vanished. Despite all of Theo’s confidence, he had his doubts, too. And, considering it was his birthday, I decided to give him a pass. “Just don’t put me in that position again.”

  His hazel eyes met mine. “I won’t. You are more important to me than anyone, anything, else.”

  I pressed my lips to his. “I’m going to change. I’ll be up in a minute.”

  “You’re still going to spend the night with me?”

  “Of course.”

  I got ready for bed while Theo headed upstairs to do the same. Knowing he liked my short shorts, I put a pair on, along with his vintage Coca-Cola T-shirt, and crept upstairs.

  His door was mostly closed, but through the opening I saw him unbutton his shirt. I couldn’t look away, even though I knew I should. When he removed his pants and turned to the side, I could see his defined abdominals, as well as the bulge in his boxer briefs. On the verge of sneaking back downstairs and hiding in my room, the sound of Theo’s voice stopped me in my tracks. “Enjoying the show?” he asked, pulling on pajama pants.

  Intending to make a smart comeback, the words died on my lips when he turned to face me. Still shirtless, his pants hung low on his hips, and the dim lighting in his room made shadows dance across the lean muscles of his chest. I caught sight of the elusive tattoo he attempted to show off in the hot tub, but only the top of it was visible, and I couldn’t make it out without closer inspection.

  He pulled me inside, shutting the door behind us. I’d been in his room a million times, but tonight was different somehow, and I twirled the drawstring on my shorts, unsure where to sit or what to do with myself. Spotting a book on his nightstand, I picked it up, busying myself with the synopsis. Although I felt Theo watching me, I couldn’t force myself to meet his eyes, and I waited anxiously as he moved to stand behind me.

  “You’re very quiet. Are you still upset about what happened earlier?” He pulled my hair to the side and kissed my neck.

  I shook my head firmly, allowing him to lead me to the bed. He pushed me back gently so that he was leaning partially over me, then pressed his lips to mine. I curled my hand around his neck and held him to me, opening my mouth to let him in. I felt my body relax, despite the excitement coursing through me.

  He kissed my lips, then moved to my cheek before proceeding to tease the edge of my ear with his tongue. “So, where are the rest of those tattoos?”

  I sucked in a breath, imagining him discovering the one on my side, the one at the top of my thigh.

  “Hmm. Is there one here?” He kissed his way down my neck until he reached the barrier of my T-shirt. “Nope. Guess I’ll have to keep looking.”

  “I guess so,” I said lazily, feeling pleasantly dazed.

  He planted kisses down my shoulder to my forearm, and it tickled when his lips brushed against the delicate skin. “Found one,” he said triumphantly when he rediscovered the bike tattoo. “I wonder what else I’ll find.” He lifted my other hand to his mouth, kissing my palm before working his way up that arm.

  Moving to my legs, he started with my right foot and progressed slowly, inch by inch. The anticipation was killing me, and I had forgotten about his quest for my tattoos until he said, “Aha.” He ran his finger over my skin, slowly circling the tattoo on my upper thigh. “A camera. I love it.”

  I raised my head and found him poised at the hem of my shirt, his expression questioning. I nodded my consent and felt breathless with anticipation as he lifted my, well his, shirt, his lips trailing behind. They were soft against my skin, and his breath was hot, turning me into an inferno.

  Suddenly, he stopped and asked, “Do you think I should grow a mustache?”

  I stared at him, flustered by his seemingly random question. “Why do you ask?”

  “I discovered a mustache tattoo on your side. How do you think I’d look?”

  “You can pull off any look.”

  “Thank you! You didn’t really answer my question, but I think I’ll pass, anyway. I hear it’s not very pleasurable.”

  “Not very pleasurable?”

  “Umm, well, for certain activities.”

  “Like kissing?” I was curious now, despite his abashed demeanor. “Because I can imagine it would either tickle like crazy or hurt.”

  He buried his face in my stomach, and his voice was muffled when he spoke. “Yeah. Like kissing, just kissing a different body part. A more, um, intimate body part.”

  Oh. Oh.

  He resumed kissing me, and I wanted to give in to the feeling of his lips on my stomach, but I was turning into a ball of worry. I saw the way Theo, and the other guys, looked at me, and while I was sheltered, I wasn’t clueless. Plus, he was taking a class on sex, and he knew, well, stuff.

  “Does my lack of experience bother you?” I blurted, regretting my words almost immediately.

  “What?” Theo shook his head, lifting it to look at me. “Jiminy Christmas, why would you think that?”

  I wished I could duck my head beneath the covers. “I don’t know.”

  “If anything, it makes you even more desirable, at least to me. Where’s this coming from?” He tipped my chin up to meet his eyes. “Hmm?”

  “I guess seeing your friends tonight, being at the jazz club, reminded me of Kenzi.”

  He groaned.

  “Let’s take her as an example. I mean, she was sending you suggestive photos, and I’m sure that could’ve been just the beginning, if you wanted.”

  “Where are you going with this, songbird?”

  “I’m trying to acknowledge that there are a million girls out there who you wouldn’t have to go slow with, you wouldn’t have to . . .”

  “Share?” he offered.

  “Yes,” I whispered, thankful he could say the word I couldn’t.

  “I don’t want to rush through these moments.” He tucked a strand of hair behind my ear, cupping my face and forcing my eyes to meet his. “It’s my first time to experience everything with you—kissing you, touching you, pleasuring you.”

  My heart fluttered madly beneath my ribs. “But, what about . . .”

  “The others?” He finished my sentence again. “It doesn’t bother me.”

  “How?” I thought again of the two girls talking with Knox and Jackson at the bar and how I wanted to rip off their heads.

  “I don’t know, it just doesn’t. And, no matter what you eventually decide, I’ll always adore you,” he said simply, as if it was the easiest thing in the world to remain friends with someone after breaking up. Somehow, I believed him.

  “Come here.” He lay on his side and pulled me into his arms. Facing each other, we fell asleep intertwined.

  Girl Talk

  I stuffe
d my laptop into a tote and grabbed my phone off the nightstand, noticing a new text message.

  Liam: You are evil.

  I smiled at his response to the photo I’d sent from Theo’s birthday and quickly tapped my reply.

  Me: You asked for it.

  Liam: You looked even better than I imagined.

  Me: Thank you. Are you having a good time in Dallas?

  Liam: The office is full of a bunch of wankers.

  Me: Takes one to know one.

  Liam: Ouch, gorgeous.

  Me: Just kidding. I miss you.

  Liam: You have no idea how much I’ve missed you. Please tell me you’re free this weekend for our stargazing sleepover?

  Fingers poised over the keyboard, I hesitated. As much as I wanted to say yes, I already promised Chase I’d be home and we could hang out.

  Me: What about next weekend?

  Liam: Nope. Too far away. I’ll just have to take you to dinner before then.

  Me: I think I can handle that.

  I slid my phone in my purse and walked to the kitchen to fill my water bottle.

  “Where are you off to, snickerdoodle?” Theo craned his head to look at me over the back of the couch. He’d been in the same spot, studying, all afternoon.

  “Kara’s.”

  “Ooooh, girl talk. Can I come?”

  “You wish.”

  “Will you be home for dinner?”

  “Why? Are you cooking something tasty?” I teased, knowing that would never happen.

  He laughed. “I’ve mentioned the time Liam attempted to teach me, right? He threw his hands up and admitted defeat after I set off the smoke detector. I’d probably be more successful with you as my teacher.” The way he said “teacher” sent a jolt of excitement through me.

  “Okay, I’ll make you a deal. You show me how to use your camera, and I’ll help you with cooking.”

  “Deal.”

  “And, to answer your question, I probably won’t be home until late. Kara’s helping me with some of my training materials.”

  “Why didn’t you ask me?” He sounded hurt.

  “She offered, and I knew you had an exam coming up.”

  “Fine, but I still think it’s a cover for girl talk,” he said brightly.

  Knox passed through the living room, intent on the kitchen. “Did Theo tell you the good news?” Having just emerged from the basement, his skin was slick with sweat, and his shirt clung to his broad chest.

  I sat next to Theo on the couch before my knees buckled. “What news?”

  “We caught Wilson.” Knox gulped down a glass of water and leaned against the kitchen counter. He lifted the hem of his shirt to his forehead, showing off his drool-worthy abs, and brushed away perspiration from his forehead.

  “When?” I hadn’t heard any updates since the brunch last month, but I honestly hadn’t expected the guys to keep me posted on the outcome.

  “After he attempted to transfer the money this weekend, we took back our client’s three million, then anonymously turned almost everything over to the FBI. He was arrested within forty-eight hours.”

  “And, Marilyn’s money?”

  “Safe and sound in her bank account,” Theo added.

  “That’s great news.”

  “Yep. Have fun at Kara’s,” Knox said abruptly, disappearing down the hallway to his room.

  I moved to stand from the couch, but Theo’s hand wrapped around my wrist, and he pulled me back down.

  “Yes?”

  “I need a kiss.” He tugged me closer.

  “Oh, you need a kiss, huh?”

  “Mhmm,” he hummed against my lips. The kiss was short but sweet. “Have fun.”

  When I arrived at Kara’s, she seemed out of sorts and remained withdrawn while we reviewed my training materials and even through dinner.

  “Are you okay?” I finally asked when we moved to the couch. “I know you were frustrated with Logan last night.”

  “You can’t even imagine, Haley. I’m beyond pissed at him.”

  “Did something more happen after Theo’s party?”

  “Ugh.” She rolled her eyes and flopped back on the cushion. “He wanted me to be his date to the party. Said it would be a low-key occasion to come out as a couple. Then, even after I said no, he spent the evening following me around and trying to touch me. He knew how I felt about it, and he still tried to force our relationship out into the open.”

  I frowned, relating to Kara’s predicament. Secret relationships were difficult enough when everyone was in agreement.

  “When we got home, our disagreement turned into a yelling match, which led to angry sex, and then he was gone before I woke up this morning.”

  I couldn’t help it, my mouth formed an “o” shape. Angry sex? Of the few sexcapades Jess had mentioned, none involved angry sex, mostly just good or bad sex. And, even then, she hadn’t had that many partners.

  Kara appraised me. “I’m not sure how to ask this, other than to come out and say it. Are you a virgin?”

  I nodded.

  “But,” she sputtered, “but, you’re dating five guys.”

  “And?”

  “And, well, five guys. Five super-hot guys. You’re seriously telling me they’re all keeping their hands to themselves?”

  I shrugged. The guys had been very respectful and seemed hesitant to go too far. Plus, there was the not-so-inconsequential matter of my lack of experience. Apart from Chase, I was positive none of the other guys were in the same position.

  “Okay, let’s rewind,” she said. “You don’t have to answer if you don’t want to, but how long have you been dating them?”

  “Since I returned. But, it’s temporary.” Her puzzled expression encouraged me to continue. “I couldn’t choose one of them, so they thought this would help me get to know each of them better first, before making that decision.”

  “Mhmm.” She sounded skeptical. “And, they what? Just mentioned this idea in passing?”

  “Not exactly. Theo presented it to me when he and Knox came to Portland.”

  “Is that the real reason you left? Drama with the team?”

  “Partially. What I told you about Douglas was true, but I was afraid I’d tear the team apart if I stayed.”

  “I know the feeling.” Her tone was morose.

  “Would you ever consider going public with your relationship?”

  Kara’s expression was so forlorn, my heart ached for her. “I love Logan.” She paused, appearing almost shocked by her admission. “But, I can’t. It’s too complicated.”

  “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to make it worse.”

  “It’s fine.” She sighed. “Can we talk about your boy drama instead? It’s much more interesting.”

  I laughed. “If you want. I don’t really have anyone to talk to, so it’s nice to finally be able to share.”

  “What about Jess?”

  Guilt pinged through me. “I can’t bring myself to tell her.”

  “I thought you talked to her almost every week?”

  “I do.” I hung my head. “I feel terrible keeping this from her.”

  “You don’t think she’s figured it out?”

  “No. Thanks to a lifetime of training from my dad, I’m very careful about what I say. I keep our conversations relatively short, and I don’t mention the guys unless she asks.”

  “You know her best, but I think you should tell her. She might surprise you.”

  I hesitated, hoping I wouldn’t regret asking my next question. “It doesn’t bother you?”

  “I have no idea how in the world you juggle all five, and I have questions about the logistics. But it’s your life. Live it the way you want to.”

  I exhaled, relieved by Kara’s support. And, now that I had someone to talk to, I felt like spilling everything. Theo was right—although I’d never admit it to him—tonight was about girl talk. “Ask me anything.”

  “Is there a schedule? How do they know when you’re available?”


  I laughed. “Not that I’m aware of. Although, knowing Jackson, there may be. They ask me out just like anybody else.”

  “Do you ever say no?”

  “Not unless I already have plans.”

  “Isn’t it exhausting? I can barely keep up with one boyfriend, let alone five.”

  Boyfriend. There was that word again. “No, I love spending time with them. Even more so after all the months we were apart.”

  “Best date so far?”

  “They’ve all been fantastic.”

  “Nope, that’s a cop out.”

  I glared at her playfully. “Fine. Between us . . . if I absolutely had to choose . . .” I thought back, knowing how much I enjoyed every single date. But, there was one that stood out. “My first date with Jax. He took me to the aquarium, which was great, but it was more that. He’d always kept me at a polite distance, but that night, he let his guard down. It was the first time I realized how good things could be between us.”

  She watched me with a dreamy smile on her face. “You’re one lucky girl. Jackson Hart is panty-melting sexy.”

  “Kara!” I threw a pillow at her.

  “Sorry,” she said, laughing. “So, what happens when you’re all together—do you designate a boyfriend of the day? Ooh, and wear corresponding days of the week underwear with their names on it?”

  “Let’s not get carried away.”

  “Why not? Monday for Jackson, Tuesday for Liam, Wednesday for Theo, Thursday for Chase, and Friday for Knox.”

  “What about Saturday and Sunday?”

  “Select at random? Wear plain underwear?”

  I laughed, amazed that Kara was being so cool about this and wishing I’d talked to her sooner.

  “Has anyone ever caught you kissing someone else?”

  I scrunched up my face. There was the time Jackson saw me kissing Liam and the time Liam saw me kissing Jackson in the hot tub and joined us. Was I forgetting anything?

  “I’ll take that as a yes. Are you going to tell me who it was?”

  I shook my head. “A girl’s gotta have some secrets.”

  “Fine,” she huffed out. “Don’t they get jealous? Especially, if, for instance, they catch you kissing someone else?”