Page 18

Chapter 16

Stella

L evi gets up from the couch, where his friend Quinn sits on Miles’ lap, giggling and playing with his hair while the two of them talk as if they’ve known each other for years, in the way I now know him.

It makes me sick watching this happen, even though we knew this was nothing. Even though he established we were just friends.

Friends don’t have to explain their choices to each other.

Although, his choices are making me want to go on a murder rampage right now. I stand there, staring at the two of them from the kitchen, arms crossed and a drink in one hand, when Levi approaches me.

“Need a refill? You look like you could use something to take the edge off.”

“Sure,” I say, watching as he grabs me another beer, leaving it closed as he hands it to me. Miles must’ve said something. Damn him and his ability to be sweet while still pissing me off.

“So, how long have you and my man Miles been fucking?” Levi asks, cocking his hip up onto the table, a beer in one hand and a grin that tells me I can’t even attempt to lie to him.

“Uh, we haven’t.”

“Alright. How long have you and Miles been eye-fucking each other, which I can only assume has led to some sort of extracurricular activities between the two of you.”

I roll my eyes, his persistence annoying yet effective. “Whatever it is, it’s only been very recent, and it hasn’t been…everything.”

“That doesn’t matter when you’re you,” he says, taking a drink. His eyes flick to the couch, where they’re slowly getting more and more cozy. His hands still aren’t exactly touching her, more just resting against her, but I still hate it.

At this point, I want him to push her off his lap and make his way over to me instead. Sorry, Levi, not a fan of your friend.

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“You’re Stella Lockwood, right? Rex’s little sister?” Levi says, and I nod. What the fuck does that have to do with the price of bread right now?

“I’ve heard about you ever since Miles joined the team in New York. After he met you, he was enchanted by you. I remember he used to talk about you over the years, always bummed that you were off limits because he said you were the coolest girl he’d ever met.”

His words hit me, and the picture becomes clearer with this new information. Yet somehow, I’m even more frustrated with Miles now.

“So, you’re telling me that the man on the couch has been infatuated with me for years, and he’d still prefer to have a blonde bimbo on his lap instead of me?”

He eyes me up and down, his gaze narrowing in confusion.

“You’re blonde, sweetheart,” he laughs.

“Yeah, but I’m not a bimbo,” I snap.

His arms go up with a laugh, his shirt lifting just enough for me to see he has the same sort of abs as Miles, the kind you’re used to seeing on an athlete. The type of body that takes dedication to build and craft over time.

“No. You’re definitely not. And I don’t exactly know what he’s doing if the two of you have been messing around. I mean, he came all the way here with you. What happened after you two hooked up?” Levi asks, his tone is serious now, no longer poking fun at me as he waits for my response.

If it’s true that Miles told him about us, that tells me a couple of things. First, Miles trusts this man. He’s never breathed a word about this to any of the guys. If he had, either Rex would know, or one of them would say something to me.

This also tells me that I’m not completely crazy about my feelings for Miles.

It was one fucking night. ONE. NIGHT. Yet, that one night made me feel a sense of peace and happiness I’ve been searching for ever since. I felt electric, the kind of happiness that I felt the first time I perfected a recipe, all from an evening with a man I’d just met.

“I don’t really know. After we were done, he made a comment about how we were good friends. It was dumb, really. I know he was trying to make a joke because we’ve been telling ourselves we’re just friends when there’s obviously something more going on. But between that comment and the way he drew the line in the sand because of my brother, I’m over it.”

“Well, yeah, that’s obvious. But I don’t get why that’s so bad?”

“Telling me you don’t want to be with me because of loyalty to my brother just tells me your loyalty isn’t with me . And that’s not always an easy pill to swallow.”

“Oh?” he says, his eyes still bouncing between me and the living room, while mine avoid that direction.

“Yup. He said we were friends who had fun, but that’s all we could be. And if I couldn’t handle the heat, I needed to get out of the kitchen.”

“That doesn’t sound like him.”

“I know. But something like that definitely came from his mouth. Between that and what he’s doing with Quinn right now, I think he’s making it clear that we’re done.”

“Or maybe he’s trying to see if you’ll break first.”

“Why would he be doing that?” I ask, glancing into the living room where I can see the two of them. Her eyes are on him, while his are on Levi and me. Thankfully, he can’t quite see me, so I’m able to watch as he stares at me much longer than necessary while her legs start making their way over his lap.

“A man who regrets letting a woman go often isn’t the best when it comes to decision-making. He doesn’t want to admit he fucked up, so he’ll try to make you jealous enough that you give it one last shot.”

“That sounds ridiculous.”

“Want to put it to the test?”

I eye him suspiciously. “What does that entail?”

“We could make him jealous. See which of you snaps first.”

I look at him for a moment, the realization of what he means sinking in. He wants to flirt…get handsy, to make Miles jealous.

Could I do that?

When I glance at Miles, I see Quinn’s lips against his ear as she whispers to him, her teeth nibbling the lobe before she leans back.

Looking back to Levi, I feel a surge of stress. “I want to. But I don’t think I know how to do that.”

With a grin, Levi sets his beer down and steps toward me.

“Leave that part to me. The only thing I need from you is to trust me. Tell me if we’re taking things too far, and I promise we’ll stop.”

“How do I know this isn’t your way of getting into my pants?”

“Because the girl your man is touching right now? I’ve been in love with her since I was nineteen,” Levi whispers, heartbreak lacing his words. I want to hug him, but instead, he hooks his finger in my belt loop, pulling my body into his as he gazes down at me.

“No offense to you, Stella. You’re a beautiful girl, but you’re just not my girl. I’ll take this as far as you want, as far as it takes, but if it doesn’t work and you don’t want to do anything with me, you won’t hurt my feelings.”

“Thanks,” I tell him, appreciating his concern, but I’m not a prude. I’ve had my handful of one-night stands, and I even had a threesome once with a boyfriend and his roommate I met during my brief stint in college.

I wish I could say it was memorable, but they had no idea what they were doing, so it was a little awkward.

This situation doesn’t bother me at all. Maybe it should, but right now, it seems like the best way to force Miles to quit playing games. Or, on the flip side, it might show me that he doesn’t care and that it’s time for me to move on. Either way, it’s a win-win because I’ll have my answer soon.

“Right now, though, I’m damn near willing to do whatever it takes to make that man crack.”

“Anything?” he says, his tone making me question whether I should really be saying anything…but at this point, I think I’d ride him right here in the kitchen where the two of them could see if it would snap Miles out of this.

“Yup. Just tell me what I need to do—I’m a good listener.”

“I see why he likes you,” Levi says with a chuckle, and I get the feeling there’s an inside joke there.

Grabbing my hand, he pulls me into the living room, where I see Miles standing up and leaving Quinn in his spot as he makes his way to the kitchen. She watches him the entire time, her eyes twinkling, and it makes me so mad I could punch her.

I could do it, and I wouldn’t even break my knuckles in the process…this time. Rex taught me how to punch when we were little, and it might finally come in handy.

Levi sits down in the loveseat across from the couch where Miles and Quinn were just cuddling, pulling me onto his lap with my legs draped to one side of him. My tiny jean shorts ride up even higher, but with one big hand wrapped around me, he grips my ass, ensuring nothing is visible.

My eyes widen, but he tenderly pushes a strand of my hair behind my ear, leaning in to calmly whisper, “Relax, Stella. Act like you want this, and it’ll drive that man crazy.”

Nodding, I do my best to pull myself together, my body struggling against his in a way I’ve never felt with Miles. With Miles, it’s natural—like two puzzle pieces that fit together perfectly.

Glancing toward them on the couch now that Miles has returned, I immediately regret my decision as soon as I see her straddle his lap. Only this time, she’s kissing up and down his neck, his hands on her hips, and I want to cry. The only reprieve is that I can see the hesitation in his movements, the apprehension in the way he’s touching her, and the intensity of his stare on me hasn’t wavered once.

Looking back to Levi, I throw all inhibitions to the wind and lean in to kiss him. He’s cautious at first, letting me set the pace, until I swing my leg over and straddle him, grinding against his lap where he’s sporting a semi.

I don’t blame him. He’s hot, and kissing him feels nice. His kisses are different from Miles’ but not bad—strong, yet tender. I feel myself getting worked up, but every time I remember what’s happening behind me, jealousy creeps in.

Nipping at Levi’s lip, I let out a soft whimper when he bites back. His hand finds my throat, pushing me away.

“Ready to play, sweetheart?”

I take a quick breath, trying to process what’s happening. Something in his eyes tells me I may not like what’s about to unfold, but I can still trust him.

“Let’s play.”

“Remember. Just tell me if I take it too far,” he whispers, and I nod.

Yanking me back in, he kisses me one more time, this time more aggressive and dominating than before. But as quickly as it begins, he pulls away, leaning against the loveseat, arms stretched out, grinning up at me.

“On your knees, sweetheart,” he says louder than necessary, and I hesitate for only a moment before immediately complying, sinking to the floor between his legs. His hand cups my chin as he looks down at me tenderly. “He wasn’t lying. You’re such a good girl.”

I kneel patiently as he caresses my face, his thumb rubbing along my bottom lip, and I already know where this is headed. Am I willing to take it this far? Am I willing to do this in front of people…especially Miles?

“Unbutton my jeans and take my cock out, beautiful,” he says, his eyes flicking somewhere behind me, and I silently follow his lead. Reaching forward, I undo the button on his jeans and start to slide the zipper down.

“Stella, if you fucking touch his dick, I’ll spank your ass raw right here in front of everyone,” Miles says, his voice drawing closer with each word. Glancing over my shoulder, I see him standing above me, his eyes dark with fury as he glares down.

“I wasn’t aware that my friends had a say in whose cock I suck,” I challenge, turning back to Levi, who looks almost nervous. But he doesn’t flinch as I start working his zipper down again.

The next thing I know, I’m hauled off the ground. Miles’ strong arm wraps around my waist as he carries me the five feet to the couch. He sets me down on the floor in front of him. Quinn, who was just here, is no longer in sight.

“If you’re desperate to suck a cock, you take mine out,” Miles says, and I can tell he’s serious. “Not his. Do you understand that, baby?” he adds with a hint of desperation in his voice, his golden eyes pleading with me.

“No,” I whisper, moving my hands firmly to my lap. His eyes narrow at my refusal, the innocence and vulnerability from a moment ago now gone.

“Why don’t we show Levi exactly how good of a girl you really are ? What do you think, baby? Should we show him just how good you are at sucking my cock?” he says, his voice growing more unsteady, his control almost snapping as his gaze intensifies.

“You said we were just friends. That means I can suck whoever’s dick I want,” I protest weakly.

“I guess I lied,” he growls, his voice thick, as his thumb brushes across my cheek, sending a shiver down my spine. “Now, take my dick out.”

I slide my hands up his pants and pop the button before pulling down his jeans and boxer briefs, allowing his thick cock to spring free, a bead of precum glistening at the tip.

Glancing toward Levi, I see Quinn has made herself comfortable beside him, leisurely stroking his dick. His head is leaned back as her hand glides along his shaft, both of them watching us. I swallow, then turn back to Miles’ cock and lean in, licking the bead of precum before taking as much as I can into my mouth. His hand quickly moves to my hair, but it’s different this time. Instead of being forceful like he has been in the past, he’s tender, almost apologetic, as his fingers caress me.

I look up at him, and as our eyes lock, I slide him out of my mouth before taking him back in completely. His eyes darken more, and his hand grips my hair, pulling me off slightly. With the tip of my tongue, I tease him, tracing the long veins to his swollen head. My fingers struggle to wrap around his entire shaft, but I do my best. As I move to take him deeper again, I’m surprised when he abruptly pulls me off. Before I can react, I’m immediately lifted into the air and tossed over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes.

“Whatcha, doing?” I ask casually, as if being pulled up from giving a man a blow job in front of his friends is a normal, everyday event.

“Doing what’s necessary to not fuck you in front of Levi and Quinn. Although, it looks like they’ve beat us to it.”

Looking back as we head toward the bedroom, I see Quinn on Levi’s lap, her skirt around her waist as she bounces up and down. Good for them. Sometimes, it’s too difficult to wait, and you just have to go with the flow in the moment. I know I just did with Miles…hell, and with Levi, but I don’t think that ever needs to be mentioned again.

“And that is?”

“Taking you to the bedroom to fuck you there. At least there, they can’t watch you.”

“You don’t like voyeurs?” I ask with a playful giggle as he steps into the room and kicks the door closed behind him.

“I don’t mind people watching me. But you? I don’t want anyone else’s eyes on you but mine.”

“But…I thought you sai—” I start.

“Fuck what I said,” he snarls, tossing me down onto the bed, his cock still out of his jeans before he quickly slides them off along with his briefs in one go. “You’re mine.”

“Am I?”

“Yes, and based on that little performance you decided to put on, I think you were expecting this reaction from me—or at least hoping for one like this. Now, take your clothes off.”

“It was Levi’s idea.” I shrug, sliding off my top and bra, followed by my shorts and panties, tossing them into a pile on the floor.

Laying on the bed, completely naked, I feel Miles’ gaze on me as he pulls his shirt over his head. It feels like the first time we saw each other this way, only this time, I know damn well it’s going to be perfect.

“Well, good. Now he can be forced to listen to your screams, but he won’t see the way your eyes roll back every time I make you come, or the way your legs wrap around my head while I eat you out. No one else gets to see that but me—especially not him.”

“Miles, what changed? Just earlier, you were telling me this was nothing and that we’re just friends.”

“I saw him touch you and snapped. The thought of another man bringing you pleasure, rubbing your back, or even just getting you a cup of water…damn near drove me insane right then. I knew in that instant that I couldn’t allow you and Levi to hook up. He’s too good of a friend, and honestly, I’d miss him if I had to kill him.”

“So what now?”

“You’re mine.”