Page 17

Thea

Waking up felt like a nightmare. Everything ached. My back. My neck. My head. Far from a pleasant night’s sleep. I woke up still in darkness … Wait a minute. I elbowed the fabric behind me, only to realize it was a suitcase and I was still crumpled up in my closet.

I didn’t even remember falling asleep. Kicking the door open, I used the frame to pull myself out of the closet, falling into my bedroom with a thump.

I felt like I’d been hit by a train, and my lips were still beating from last night. Biting down on them, I tried to replace the memory of Jackson’s kisses with the pain of this morning, but nothing could erase that from my mind. Hot, heady, dare I say, sexy. Even with the clarity of sleep and the sun shining into the room, I had no idea what to do about Jackson. How would I even leave this room without him seeing me? After last night, I needed to shower. Without him.

“What time is it?” I mumbled to myself, looking around the room for anything that would tell me. Then I remembered tossing my phone into the abyss of my closet last night and went back in there to find it. After throwing all my clothes out of the way, I found it in the corner with his name plastered all over it.

5 Unread messages from Baseball Cap

Baseball Cap: I’m outside. Wanna talk?

Baseball Cap: Okay, I get it, you’re freaked out over how good that was. Honestly, Pyro, I was expecting greatness from you, but I didn’t expect that.

Baseball Cap: Just gonna leave me unread?

Baseball Cap: What are you doing in there? I haven’t heard you moving in a while.

Baseball Cap: Maybe I need to break the door open and find out.

Welp, that last message was sent at eleven last night and my door was still intact, so it seemed Jackson managed to hold himself together and not break into my room. I padded over to the door and pressed my ear against it, listening for any noise from Jackson. Honestly, my head was pounding so loudly a car could’ve driven through the wall, and I’d still have trouble hearing the crash.

I needed a drink. Not alcoholic, but maybe some fresh orange juice to clear my head, so I took the plunge.

Opening the door, I stilled … Was that bacon?

I poked my head through the opening, trying to be inconspicuous as I glanced into the kitchen. My mouth watered; my clit throbbed. Jackson was out there in nothing but a pair of gray sweatpants and his hat on backward. Did he know those were all things that pushed my buttons?

He was facing the stove, giving me ample time to watch his back muscles move as he tended to the bacon. I sunk my teeth into my lip, hoping that would satiate my need for him.

It didn’t. All it did was remind me how good he tasted last night. A pounding desire pumped through me, because for some asinine reason, my body believed Jackson could give me something no one else ever had. An orgasm.

And I wanted one.

“I know you’re there.” Jackson’s deep voice shocked me, and when he looked over his shoulder, I nearly peed my pants. Busted. I was caught checking him out, so I tried to play it cool.

“I just got up,” I said with my usual grouchy tenor.

He turned around, throwing me a relaxed smile as he leaned against the kitchen counter.

“Well, then come over here and get your breakfast like a good girl instead of making me chase you.”

His chest muscles flexed, and it took everything in me not to stare, so I threw a barb his way instead. “I think you might get arrested for indecent exposure if you were walking around like that.”

“Come out, Pyro.” His voice was so commanding I had no other option than to follow it. I trudged out of my room until I reached the kitchen counter. Popping my hip out, I relaxed against the counter and folded my arms.

“You know, you might want to wear an apron, don’t want any fat splattering on all of that.” And by all of that, I meant the washboard abs that I really tried to not look at too much.

Six, seven, eight. How did he have so many abs on show when he was just so … burly?

“Sit down.” He pointed to the counter, and much like earlier, I felt like I had no other option than to comply. I moved around the counter and propped myself onto one of the barstools so I could watch him plate up the food.

He slid a plate in my direction, and I gasped. Bacon, eggs, homemade hash browns; Jackson had made me a breakfast suited for a queen.

“I thought you couldn’t cook?”

“That’s something I tell people so they won’t make me cook. Now, eat.” Another firm command which I followed almost instantaneously. Grabbing my fork, I picked up some eggs, shoveled them into my mouth, and chewed. I closed my eyes, letting their delicious fluffy texture melt on my tongue.

So, so good.

When I opened my eyes, I stopped chewing because Jackson was staring at me.

“It’s really good,” I said, hoping that would divert attention from the moans. He kept staring, his eyes tracking my features in a way that felt disconcerting. “Everything okay, Baseball Cap?”

“We need to talk.”

I took a drink of the orange juice, which I assumed was left out for me, and swallowed, taking my time to answer.

“Do we?” My high-pitched, squeaky voice ruined any cool-girl fa?ade I had.

Jackson chuckled, and it was the first time I’d heard it. As in really listened to it. Low, deep, and oh so hot. Everything about Jackson was turning me on, and I didn’t know how I felt about it.

“Yes, I think you dry humping my crotch warrants a conversation, don’t you?”

My jaw dropped. “Um, I believe you’re mistaken. I didn’t hump you.” I winced, knowing that was a lie, but what was I supposed to say? That kissing him rocked my world so hard I didn’t know what to do with myself?

Leaning over the counter so he was closer, he said, “I think I like you, Thea. I was telling myself it only happened after speaking with Britt and Matty. However, the more I think about it, the more I realize I’ve liked you for a really long time. Potentially, since I met you.”

“Oookay …” I took another bite of my eggs, not wanting to say anything, and the food was delicious. Letting it go to waste would be a crime.

He tilted his head, taking me in as though he was undressing me with his eyes. “I can’t stop thinking about you.” A shiver ran up my spine. “Even right now, all I can think about is what you’d look like sitting on top of this countertop with your legs wide open and my mouth in between them.”

“Well, that’s an awfully inconvenient thought,” I said, chewing my food.

“Tell me you’re not feeling the same.”

Oh, I was feeling the same, all right, but apparently, I was a little better at keeping my cool about it.

“I’m good,” I said as nonchalant as possible before taking another bite of my eggs.

“That’s why you kissed me senseless and humped me yesterday, then? Because you’re just good.”

“Are you going to keep mentioning that?”

“Yes, because every time I see you, I feel like I’m about to burst. Did you know I had to finish myself off in the shower last night? Something that’s becoming an alarmingly bad habit of mine.”

“Last night meant nothing.”

“Then why did you moan like you were about to have an orgasm.”

“Orgasm?” I choked out. “You think I was close to an orgasm?”

I could almost feel the heat burning in his eyes when he said, “I know you were, Pyro. I felt it. Your body tensed. Your fingers pressed into my neck; you could barely talk.”

And then something stopped me. The realization that what we were doing was wrong. I hated him … Didn’t I?

He rounded the counter and spun my seat so I was facing him. With his hands on either side of the countertop, he caged me in, watching me with impatient eyes. I tried my best to ignore the rush of electricity coursing through my bones. He made that impossible when he pushed forward, his torso pressuring my knees to open. My body fell in line, and he tucked himself into the small opening, his skin warm and inviting.

“Now, are you going to be a good girl and let me fulfill my fantasy?”

I crinkled my nose, playing dumb. “What was that again?”

“You on this counter while I eat you out.”

Oh.

“Can I have my breakfast first?” I didn’t want to deny him. Hell, I’d never had my pussy licked, and I’d like to know what it felt like, but I needed to mentally prepare myself for that. Agreeing to it while I was eating the best breakfast I’d ever had would be a mistake.

Jackson backed off, returning my stool to its previous position. My eggs stared at me like I’d lost my mind, but I sighed in relief. At least I’d brought myself some extra time and was able to finish my food. Win-win.

As I ate another bite of my meal, Jackson’s breath skated across my shoulder.

“Finish your breakfast, Pyro, so I can start mine.”

My chews slowed, and that was how they remained as I tried to figure out what to do next. Did I want Jackson to do that? His kisses were mind-blowing, and I could only assume they’d feel just as nice down there, but on the kitchen counter? That would unlock a new level of kink for me, and I wasn’t sure I was ready for that.

Last night was just a kiss. This was a hell of a lot more, and if I was trying to avoid talking things through with him now, things would only get worse if I let him eat me out.

This was all too ridiculous. I checked my phone. “Oh, you know what? I’m late for class. I need to get ready.” I scurried past him.

“Sure. Do you want some help?” He smirked when I looked at him. “In the shower. You might have some hard-to-reach places.”

Oh. My. Goodness.

I’d gone too far. A little game of Never Have I Ever had turned Jackson into a fiend, and I didn’t know how I felt about that.

“I’ve been showering by myself for at least fifteen years now, I think I’m good.”

He shrugged. “It’s just an offer.”

“Thanks,” I squeaked out, standing at my door.

“I’m heading out,” he said. I could hear him shuffling behind me, but I was too afraid to turn and see. “I guess we can pick up where we left off tonight.”

“Pick up where we left off?” I couldn’t hide the obvious hesitance in my voice. What happened to Jackson?!

“Yup. Not eating this morning means I’ll be extra hungry later.”

I gulped, immediately averting my gaze.

“I might be a while,” I murmured, trying to make it sound like his words hadn’t sent a thrill through me.

He chuckled lowly, and I felt his towering presence from behind. “That’s okay. I’m patient.”

“I could be all night.”

“That’s okay. I’ll be here tomorrow.”

“I might—”

“You can run all you like, Pyro. Did you forget I’m used to chasing people on the field and I always get my mark?”

Well, shit.

I ran into my room and shut the door.

Things were about to get real deep with Jackson, and I wasn’t sure how to feel about it.