“I can’t believe you have a game room, a bar, and a gym back there,” Saint says. “I’m beginning to agree with this idiot.” He nudges Caz out of the way with a smirk. “Maybe we should just stay here and never leave.” He snatches the plates from my hands, taking them over to the table.
My eyes skim over the open-plan kitchen, dining, and living room area, looking for the others. “Can you grab glasses from the cupboard there?” I ask Caz, pointing behind his head, as I walk to the refrigerator and grab a large bottle of water. Rummaging in my purse, I find the pill bottle, washing a couple tabs down with water. Then I fill a fresh glass and walk into the living area where Galen is lying on the couch. Theo sits across from him in my dad’s chair, tapping away on the tablet perched on his lap. “Hey.” I sit on the floor at Galen’s side, reaching out to brush strands of his dark hair off his brow. “You look like you could use these.” I open my palm, revealing the pills.
“Thanks.” He takes them from my hand, and a jolt of electricity zips up my arm when his fingers brush against my skin. I hand him the glass of water, watching his throat work as he swallows, wondering why I find it sexy as hell.
“You should go up to bed,” I suggest. “You look beat.”
“I’ll doze here,” he says, resting his head on the fluffy cushions.
Theo puts his tablet aside, walks to my side, and helps me to my feet. “You should be resting too.”
“I’m fine.” I shoot Galen a cheeky wink. “Guess I have a higher pain threshold than pretty boy here.”
“You’re not human,” Galen grumbles, his green eyes flickering open and shut, but there’s no heat behind his words.
“Damn straight.” I flash him a grin. “I’m a goddess among men.”
Theo smiles adoringly at me, and time stands still. His hazel eyes hold hidden depths I’m dying to get lost in. His hair is down, just how I like it, all shiny and glistening, framing his gorgeous face. I thread my fingers through the strands, and he hums, leaning his face into my palm. “Theo,” I whisper, feeling our connection all the way to the tips of my toes.
He pulls me close, tenderly and carefully slanting his mouth above mine and drinking from me. There is no urgency to this kiss, and he takes his time worshiping my lips, but there’s a tinge of desperation I don’t understand.
When we break apart, I rest my forehead against his. “What’s wrong?” I whisper over his mouth. “And don’t say nothing, because I know you. I can tell you’re upset.”
“I—” He bites down on his lip, looking over his shoulder at the others. “Can we talk later? In private?”
“Of course, and I know just the spot.” I tug on his hand, leading him to the table.
Galen sleeps on the couch while we devour the sandwiches, and after we’ve finished eating, Caz and Saint take off to explore the grounds.
“Come with me,” I say, leading Theo into my father’s study. I had intended to take him out to the little seated area at the edge of the garden for our chat, but I don’t want to leave Galen here by himself, in case he needs something, and there’s no point in wasting this opportunity.
Closing the door, I gesture toward the two large armchairs in front of the fireplace. I ease myself into the chair while Theo kneels before the fire. Wood is stacked in the open grate, something Dad always did, and my heart throbs behind my chest as I watch Theo light the fire. We don’t speak, and I sense he’s preparing to unburden himself. When he’s done, and flames are flickering in the hearth, he sits across from me, sighing. He runs his fingers through his hair in a familiar nervous tell.
“You know you can tell me anything, Theo. I’m a judgment-free zone, and whatever you tell me will stay between us.”
“You’re the best secret-keeper, Lo. I already know that. This is hard to say because then it’s making it real and…”
“And?” I prompt after a beat of tense silence.
“And I have to confront it, only I’m not sure I’m ready.”
“This is about Caz, right?” I softly ask.
He nods.
“Did something happen last night between you?”
He worries his lip between his teeth.
“You know it’s okay if it did?” I reassure him. “I have zero issue with you two hooking up.”
“It wasn’t like that,” he blurts. “Fuck.” Groaning, he leans forward on his elbows, burying his head in his hands. “I’m a mess, Lo.” He looks up at me, and my heart hurts when I see the conflicting emotions written all over his face.
“Come sit in front of me. I need to touch you.” I should’ve waited to have this conversation someplace more intimate where I could console him.
He drops to the floor in front of me with his back against the legs of the chair and his knees tucked into his chest. I place my hands on his shoulders and begin kneading. “What are you afraid of?”
“I’ve spent years imagining what it would be like to be with a man, and now it’s within reach, I’m terrified, Lo.” He looks back at me, and I brush my fingers across his brow and down over his cheeks. “What if it’s not what I want after all? Or what if I’m no good at it? Or what if I want something more and he doesn’t? I don’t want to mess up my friendship with him or the others, and I don’t want anything to come between us or for anything to damage our relationship.” He grabs my hand, struggling to contain the heightened emotion in his tone. “And what if Galen and Saint hate me for this? Or they think I’ll hit on them next or—”
“What exactly happened?” I ask, interrupting him on purpose before he gives himself a heart attack.
He squeezes my hand before letting it go. “We were talking one minute, and then we were kissing, and it felt great, fucking amazing actually”—he looks back at me again, and his eyes are alive, sparkling with happiness, until his mouth drops and the mood changes—“but the instant he put his hand on my thigh, I freaked the fuck out. Told him to get out, and I pretty much haven’t stopped freaking since,” he admits.
“Why do you think you freaked out when he touched you?” I ask, continuing to unknot the boulders in his shoulders as we talk.
“I don’t know.” He sighs heavily. “Maybe I’m not ready. Maybe that’s why I’m so fucking terrified.”
“You need to talk to Caz, Theo. You need to tell him what you told me. He will understand.”
“What if he doesn’t?”
“You won’t know unless you tell him how you are feeling. He’s probably confused too. I’m guessing it was a big deal for him as well.”
I know Caz has been with guys before, which is probably why he was the one making the move, but I don’t mention that as Caz told me it in confidence and I’m not sure if Theo knows or whether it would help or hinder. All I know is I love both these guys, and I see the attraction between them, and I want nothing more than for them to figure it out.
It’s tempting to interfere. To act as the middleman. But I can’t get dragged into this. They need to figure this minefield out for themselves, and if Theo is truly scared, then he needs to find his courage to go after something he’s desired for years or work out whether his desires have changed. I can’t make that choice for him.
“He’s angry with me,” Theo says.
“It could be hurt,” I suggest.
“I don’t want to hurt him.” Theo twists around so he’s facing me. “That’s the last thing I want.”
“Just talk to him.” I wind my fingers in his hair. “You know Caz. No matter what the outcome is, he’ll be cool with it. But he needs to understand what’s in that beautiful head of yours. I have faith you two will work it out.”
“And you’re truly okay with this?” His voice elevates with his disbelief.
“Are you kidding me?” I laugh a little. “You’re mine and Caz is mine, but the thought of the two of you together?” I fan myself. “That is seriously fucking hot, and it makes me horny as hell.” I squirm on the chair as need pulses in my groin.
“You really mean that.” H
e blinks profusely.
“I really do. And as much as I love thinking about you two getting down and dirty, there is nothing hotter than seeing you finally get your heart’s desire.”
CHAPTER 7
“HAS ANYONE SPOKEN with Diesel?” I ask later that night as we watch back-to-back scary movies in the living room. It’s Halloween and the first time in years I’m not out partying up a storm. I’m lying lengthways on the big couch with my head on a cushion on Theo’s lap, and my bare feet are resting on Saint’s thighs. A soft blanket covers my body, and I’m toasty warm and content.
“Granddad called the instant I messaged him the day of the explosion,” Saint says, rubbing my feet under the blanket.
“He was freaking out,” Caz adds from his spread-eagled position on the other couch. Galen caved to his pain and went to bed a couple hours ago after popping some more pills. “I could hear him shouting down the phone at Saint.” He chuckles, reminding me they are such assholes when it comes to my trainer and friend.
“He blames us for not keeping you safe. Not that I fault him for that. You got injured on our watch, which should never have happened,” Theo says.
“Don’t do that!” I snap, instantly losing my temper. I glare up at him. “This is not your fault. The only person responsible is that conniving cunt Taylor, and I refuse to let her occupy any more of my headspace.”
“The perv’s been checking on you daily,” Saint supplies, ignoring my little outburst. “He’s overseas doing whatever the fuck he does. He has no update on that DEA agent, but he said he’ll be all over it once he’s back on US soil.”
“I texted him this morning, but I haven’t heard anything from him yet,” I admit. I had a few worried messages from him when I powered up my cell, so I’d expected him to call me ASAP, but he must be knee-deep in his latest mission.
“I’m sure he’ll call when he can,” Theo assures me, bending down to kiss my cheek.
I guess I drifted to sleep at some point during one of the movies because the next thing I’m aware of is waking up in my bedroom with a heavy arm around my waist, sweating like I’m in the midst of a raging inferno. Heat rolls off Caz in waves, and he’s suctioned to my back, like an overheated electric blanket. I glance at my body, grinning when I spot the Pearl Jam tee I’m wearing. It’s one of Caz’s favorite shirts, and I love that he put me in it.
I’d like to stay here, secure in his strong arms, inhaling his comforting spicy, masculine scent, but he’s too fucking hot, and his shirt is already stuck to my back like glue. Beads of sweat have plastered hair to my brow, and I need to cool down before I spontaneously combust. It takes mammoth effort to extract myself from Caz’s embrace without waking him, especially with sore ribs, but, somehow, I pull it off.
I pad into the en suite bathroom and run the shower, setting the temp to low. The cold, fresh water soothes my inflamed skin as I step under the showerhead, tilting my head back and letting rivulets trickle down my face. When I’m sufficiently cool, I adjust the temperature so it’s a little warmer and wash my hair and my body.
“Babe.” A gruff, sleep-drenched tone booms in the silent room. “You okay?” Caz asks, stifling a yawn.
“I was too hot,” I admit, turning around as the shower door opens. “I didn’t mean to wake you.” I’ve no clue what time it is, but it’s still dark out, so I’m guessing it’s the middle of the night.
“Well, I’m definitely awake now.” He grins, stepping into the shower, fixing me with a lust-laden look.
My gaze lowers, roaming over his broad chest, sculpted abs, and the line of dark hair that runs down to his hard cock. My libido instantly rouses, and I shoot him a matching grin as I wrap my fingers around his shaft. “You sure are.” I pump him in slow, measured strokes, wishing I could drop to my knees and blow him, but my stupid fucking ribs won’t let me. I nip at his jawline, grazing my teeth along the layer of stubble on his chin and cheeks. “And I’m wide-awake too, so what are you going to do with me, stud?”
“Turn around and face the wall. Hands on the tile. Ass up in the air, babe.” He lightly swats my butt as I put myself in position. My ribs ache a little, but the pain is bearable. I hear him lowering to his knees, and my pussy clenches in anticipation. I cry out when his hot tongue licks a path along my slit, moving from my pussy to my ass, and my cunt clenches with pure need.
I need this, him, so fucking bad.
He pushes two fingers inside me, slowly stroking my inner walls, and fireworks explode behind my retinas. I move my hips, riding his fingers, desperately needing more. He alternates between his fingers and his tongue, working my pussy and my clit until I’m dangling from dizzy heights. Suctioning his mouth over my cunt, he ravishes me with his wicked lips and his naughty tongue while his fingers ease into my ass.
I come apart instantly, shattering blissfully, screaming and whimpering, as my climax rips through me.
“You okay?” he asks in a deep voice as he stands, brushing my wet hair to one side so he can nibble on my neck.
“I need you inside me.” I reach back, grabbing his ass cheek, feeling his throbbing erection pressing against the seam of my butt.
“You sure, babe?” Caz’s hands round my body, moving up to cup my heavy breasts. He continues kissing and sucking on my neck as his fingers roll my nipples and knead my sensitive flesh, and I ache down below, needing him to fill me to the hilt.
“Yes. I need to feel you moving inside me.”
He lines his cock up with my entrance, slipping into my greedy pussy little by little until he’s fully seated inside me.
He is careful as he starts to move, and it frustrates me to no end, because I could use a rough, hard fuck, but I can’t criticize him because I know he doesn’t want to hurt me. He moves in and out of me in slow, deep thrusts while his hands explore my body and his lips trail kisses all over my back. He murmurs loving words in my ear as he fucks me, and my heart swells with emotion. I didn’t think Caz had this in him, because he’s all alpha in the bedroom, but the longer we make slow love, the more I fucking love it and him.
After a while, he picks up the pace, grunting into my ear as his fingers find my clit and he rubs the tightened bundle of nerves, bringing me closer and closer to heaven, until we’re both ascending at the same time. His hot cum spurts inside me as his cock pulses, and I groan as my body succumbs to pleasure, climaxing again.
Caz pulls out of me, using the shower hose to wash both of us clean, and then he scoops me into his arms, pressing the sweetest kiss to my lips. My head lolls against his chest as he carries me back into the bedroom. I’m exhausted and struggling to keep my eyes open as he tenderly dries me before laying me down in the bed. Getting in beside me, he is careful to keep his warm body away from me. I smile, fighting sleep when he takes my hand, lifting it to his mouth to kiss my knuckles. “I love you, Caz,” I murmur. “Thank you for taking care of me.”
“I love you too, princess. So fucking much.” He leans in, pressing another soft kiss to my lips, and I drift back to sleep with a massive smile on my face.
_______________
The rest of the week follows a similar pattern, and it’s weird to have so much free time to ourselves. Caz and Saint keep themselves busy exploring the property and working out in the small gym. Theo joins them for a daily workout before burying himself in his tablet, trying to decode Dad’s secret files on the dark web. I showed the guys the files on Tuesday, and I spent a couple hours going through my notebook with Theo, explaining the work I’ve done to date. He took over from there, insisting I rest up while leaving the investigative work to him.
I’ve been too tired, too sore, too grumpy, and too melancholy to protest, so I let him have at it.
Galen and I are partners in crime as we sleep, eat, and watch back-to-back movies, taking our meds and giving our bodies adequate rest to heal. He comforts me when the pain of Sariah’s passing returns to torment me, holding me close and showering me with kisses, helping to distract me from my grief
. He doesn’t offer platitudes, and we don’t talk about it, which I’m grateful for, because I’m not ready to confront the maelstrom of emotions just yet.
“I’m bored,” I announce Friday night, when we are all in the living room, finally reaching my breaking point. “All this sitting around is making my skin crawl. I need to be doing something.” I’m an active person, and sitting around doing nothing is driving me insane. I’m well rested, and it’s time to get things back on track. I point at the TV screen. “And if I watch another movie, I’m going to scream.”
“I’m with you, angel.” Galen wraps an arm around my shoulders. “If I see another movie, I’ll puke.” We must have watched twenty movies since we arrived on Monday, and I’m maxed out.
“Want to play with us, princess?” Caz asks, his eyes glinting devilishly as he turns the TV off.
I arch a brow, my fingers moving to the hem of my sleep shirt. “Is that a trick question, or don’t you know me at all?”
Four sets of heated eyes land on mine as I whip my top off, exposing my breasts and rapidly hardening nipples.
Galen cups one of my tits, bending his head to suck my other breast into his mouth. Throwing my head back, I whimper as he skillfully plays with my tits while someone drags my pajama pants down my legs. I haven’t bothered getting dressed all week, and I’ve never been more grateful for my laziness. Easier access has its benefits.
The couch dips on my other side, and my head lifts as Theo takes my face, planting his warm mouth on mine. We kiss as Galen continues working my breasts while Saint pushes my legs apart, running his hands up the insides of my legs. I cry out into Theo’s mouth when Caz’s fingers rub my clit and again when Saint’s wicked mouth lands on my cunt, his tongue instantly plunging inside me.
I orgasm in record time, and if I was any other girl, I’d probably feel embarrassed, but I’m me, and I fucking love how fast my guys can bring me to ecstasy.
The Sainthood : A Dark High School Romance (The Complete Series) Page 61
