Page 18

Jackson

“Is everything okay?” Matty asked as he spotted me on the bench. A vein was about to pop in my neck as I pushed up the heaviest weight I’d ever lifted. My arms were shaking, my face was flushed, but I didn’t care because the mounting pressure in my head was taking my mind off all the other things going on.

“I’m fine,” I gritted out. I would lift this stupid weight if it was the last thing I ever did.

Matty chuckled before wrapping his hands around the bar. “Yeah, you know what? I think we’ve had enough of that.” He wrestled the weight out of my hand before racking it.

I gave him an annoyed glare and rolled my eyes.

“Dude, do you really think I’m going to let you kill yourself? I’m your spotter.”

“Should have asked Aiden,” I muttered, even though I hadn’t seen that idiot since he kicked us out of his house. I couldn’t blame him. If I had Lyss on tap, I’d probably do the same thing. But then I thought about it instead of just saying shit in my head. Would I? Lyss was a nice girl, but she wasn’t for me. Much like Britt, she wasn’t my type. Thea was.

I swiped the towel from the floor and wiped my sweat-soaked face with it, scrubbing until it hurt. The pressure in my head was mounting, and I wanted to think about anything other than Thea for at least a minute.

“You know Aiden would’ve let the weight fall on your face.”

“Exactly. That psychopath needs to go to jail. What a perfect way to get him caught.”

Matty chortled. “You know perfectly well that Aiden’s daddy wouldn’t let that happen. Somehow, your death would be your own fault, and your parents would be paying compensation to his for the rest of their lives.”

“Good point. I never want to hear him complain about his father again.”

I stood, blew out and breath, and shook my arms while bouncing on my feet. Why wouldn’t the thoughts go away?

“Are you worried about the draft?”

I turned and glared at my floppy-haired friend. “You mean the one I’m not entering because I have to repeat my junior year?” The words sounded bitter, but I wasn’t. I had no intentions of making a living out of getting knocked in the head. My ambitions were different, and even an expert hacker wouldn’t get it. At least, that was what I’d say to make myself feel better at having no draft potential. I was a mediocre player at best, and being around Tanner only emphasized that fact.

“Oh, yeah. Forgot about that.”

“Yeah, so while you’re following Britt around and she builds her career as one of the best broadcasters sports have ever seen. I’ll still be here. With Thea.”

“Don’t sound so happy about it.” Matty took a seat next to me on the bench as he drank from his water bottle.

“How can I be happy when she’s driving me crazy?”

“What’s she doing this time?” He eyed me, waiting for a response, which was becoming harder and harder to articulate.

“Everything. Nothing. I don’t know. She’s just there.” I raised my hands in front of me, trying to give him a sense of the chaos in my brain. He didn’t get it. That gold band on his finger was mocking me and my inability to get the girl I wanted.

“Well, that makes sense.”

“It doesn’t, though. She kissed me last night.”

“Wait, willingly?”

I whipped my head in his direction. “Yes, willingly. Who do you think I am?”

“Well, I don’t know. Last I heard, she wanted to fry your balls or something. I didn’t think you’d be able to get to kissing any time soon.” He looked up and laughed. “I guess Britt won the bet.”

“Britt hasn’t won anything. Thea and I are not sleeping together. She was wrong.”

“So, you kissed her, then what?”

“She kissed me,” I corrected. “And just as I thought we were going to get to the good stuff, she ran out of the room and didn’t come out until this morning. Her hair was a mess, she looked exhausted, so I’m guessing she didn’t sleep much last night.”

“Did you kiss her this morning?”

“I offered.” I left it at that since explaining where I offered to kiss her might’ve earned me a slap upside the head. I wasn’t used to wooing girls, and my actions with Thea were only proving that point.

“And she didn’t accept?”

“Not exactly. She asked if she could finish the breakfast I’d made her first and then claimed she was late for class.”

“You made her breakfast? Was it something other than toast?”

“It was eggs, bacon, and hash browns, I’ll have you know.”

“Wow.”

“Don’t sound too shocked.”

“Umm, I’m sorry, but I’m allowed to be surprised over that. I didn’t think you could cook.”

“That might’ve been something I told everyone so I didn’t have to.”

He laughed. “Oh, man. You’ve got it bad.”

“No, I don’t.” I did. I just didn’t want Matty to be right.

“Do you want my advice?”

“I have a feeling you’re going to give it to me even if I say no.”

He slapped my shoulder, pushing me forward. It was painful, but I didn’t let him see it on my face.

“You’re coming on too strong.”

“That’s rich coming from Britt’s lap dog.”

Even though Matty’s smile dropped, it didn’t stop him from continuing. “And that’s why I can give you this advice. You’re too eager. Too desperate. You need to take a breath and really just try to relax and think about it from Thea’s perspective. Yes, you’ve been thinking about her constantly for a few days now. However, before that, you were berating her.”

“I never berated her. We just have banter.”

“Whatever you want to call it. You’ve been the nomad of the group since you started here. Always arriving at parties solo, never leaving empty-handed. I don’t think anyone ever expected you to find someone who could hold your attention for longer than a few seconds. The fact that it’s suddenly your best friend’s sister feels a little suspicious.”

Although he was being delicate with his accusation, I was still offended. “Thea’s not a passing phase. She’s there, front and center. I can’t get her off my mind, and believe me, I’ve tried.”

Matty threw me an awkward smile. “Oh, yeah? Did you speak to her about Grace?”

“Yes. She knows Grace was a mistake. One I owned up to and have been trying to apologize for. I didn’t kiss or sleep with her. Thea’s the only person I want.”

“Understood, but my point still stands. You need to let Thea ease into the idea of potentially dating you instead of humping her leg into submission.”

“I wasn’t the one doing the leg humping.”

“I don’t want to know what you mean by that. Just listen for once in your life. Stop chasing. Wait for her to come to you.”

Wait for her … I nodded. “Okay. I can do that.”

Tonight, when we were both home, I’d wait it out.

Stupid Dick. My dick got hard when I opened the door to the apartment. Although, it wasn’t entirely his fault. Thea was sitting on the couch in the same spot as when she mounted and then dry humped me last night.

Ease Thea into the idea of dating you. Don’t hump her leg like a dog.

Matty’s words played in my head as I shut the door. I could act cool. I didn’t have to run into the room and kiss her.

Her hair was up in a bun, and I was quickly losing my resolve. Sure, it was easy for Matty to say those things. Britt had been in love with him since the day she met him. I was working with a girl who preferred to insult me than kiss me.

She didn’t look up from her book, too engrossed in it to care about what I was doing. I turned my cap around, hoping it would have the same effect on her as this morning. I saw it in her eyes. Internally, she was fighting it, and I would not make it easy for her to ignore me. Not anymore.

When I walked farther into the room, she finally looked up, her gaze sweeping over me, and I felt proud of myself. With a tight white T-shirt, gray sweatpants, and a backward baseball cap, I was a walking thirst trap. At least that was what Liam was wearing in all those posts Thea referred to last night. I was still ticked off she’d described him like that.

“Jackson. H-hey.” Wispy. Hopeful. Horny. She sounded all those things, and I tried my best not to seem smug about it.

“How’s it going?” I asked, walking past her with confidence. I felt her gaze on me the entire time. When I snuck a look at her, a teeny-tiny amount of pre-cum seeped into my boxers because, fuck, she was so fucking hot.

She made a few stuttering noises, the words getting caught in her throat. I’d rather she choke on my dick, but I could see how that would be considered a little forward, so I didn’t pounce.

Let her come to you.

Never in my life did I think Matty would become my internal Yoda, but here I was.

“It’s good.” Glad she finally settled on an answer. “How are you?”

I grazed my hand across the marble countertop, remembering how close I was to eating her out last night. Even this morning, I thought there was potential. If I just did it, then maybe I’d be able to loosen her up enough that she’d talk to me. It would also stave my appetite. A win-win.

“I’m good too. Just finished training.” Leaning against the counter, I bit my bottom lip. Yeah, okay, I wasn’t being subtle, and the move would’ve earned me a slap upside the head from anyone watching. Luckily for me, no one was.

“That’s good,” she squeaked out, and I wanted to laugh at how many times we’d been able to say the word “good” in this conversation. We were just good. I could guarantee a fantastic time if she’d let me.

“What did you do today?” This was the most civilized discussion I’d ever had with her, and for that, I was proud. Especially when you considered the only question I had for her was “Can I eat your pussy now?”

“I, uh, had lunch.”

“With Britt?”

“No. I had lunch by myself.”

“Why?” She was wearing a thick Covey U sweatshirt, but hiding her delectable body would do nothing to deter me.

“You could have called me. I’m still starving.” She ignored my painfully obvious innuendo.

“I’m good.”

“Couldn’t you have messaged some of your friends?”

She groaned. “Are you really trying to make me feel bad right now?”

“What did I say?” I raised my hands.

“You know I don’t have any friends here, and having it pointed out makes me feel pathetic.”

“You have friends.”

She gave me a sorry glare. “I have Aster and Britt. Two people who I love, but I’m not sure they would bother with me if I wasn’t Tanner’s sister.” She didn’t give me time to refute that. “The sorority doesn’t speak to me since they think I’m the main reason their house is being rebuilt, and Grace is their new leader.”

Fuck. I really did mess up with Grace, didn’t I?

“Tanner’s teammates only speak to me because they have to.”

“Not true. I’d rather talk to you than your brother any day.”

She waved, sinking back into the couch and doing a great job of ignoring every compliment I threw her way.

“It’s fine. I’m used to being a loner at this point. The best part about having no friends is that you can’t disappoint anyone and no one can disappoint you.”

What an extremely sad statement from a girl who was the sole focus of every room she walked into.

“What about friends from back home? Got any of those?”

She shook her head, dropping the book onto the cushion. “Nope. I, uh, seem to have a habit of becoming the pariah of school.”

“Is this the incident you and Tanner always talk about?”

“It’s not really an incident. I was arrested.”

“You were arrested?” That statement surprised me but didn’t at the same time.

“Yeah. No one wants to be friends with the girl who’s being investigated.”

I raised my hand. “I volunteer as tribute. Fucking badass.”

She gave me a small smile as I took her in. If I didn’t want to fuck her into oblivion before, I certainly wanted to now.

“You wouldn’t be saying that if you knew what happened.”

“What’d you do? Cut a dude’s dick off?” I mulled it over. “Nah. If you’d have done that, there’s no way Tanner would be so overprotective.”

She flittered her hand in my direction. “It was a misunderstanding with one of the guys in my class.”

“I have a lot of misunderstandings with people. None of them lead to an arrest. Shit, I wish they did, though. What does the inside of a cell look like?”

“Cold, damp, and lonely.”

Ugh. Images of Thea gripping onto the cell bars while I fucked her from behind came to mind, and I had to stop myself from grabbing my dick in front of her. She was so unintentionally hot, it was frustrating.

“How long were you locked up?”

“Just a day.”

A day. I could think of a hell of a lot of things to do in that cell for a day if I was given the opportunity to join her.

“Come on. Tell me. What’d you do?”

She sunk her teeth into her bottom lip and shook her head. “I really don’t want to tell you.”

“Why not?”

“You’ll look at me differently.”

“Is that your way of telling me you want me to keep looking at you like this?” I took the chance and unabashedly checked her out again. What I wouldn’t give to be that couch right now.

She rolled her eyes, the first time acknowledging any of my questions. At least that confirmed it wasn’t in my head.

“Maybe if you tell me, I’ll stop thinking about what your pussy might taste like.”

“Jackson!”

“Thea!”

“You can’t say that.”

She looked around as though there were people in our walls listening to our conversation. As boring as I think a vacation with Aster and Tanner would be, I did not believe they’d spend their time hidden in the walls to hear Thea’s and my conversations.

“Why not? It’s just us,” I said to emphasize the point. “If you don’t tell me what you did, then I’ll just have to think of different ways to get it out of you.”

“Getting it out of me,” she repeated, then shivered. I couldn’t hide my smile with that one. “Fine. I broke some guy’s arm, okay? You wanted the truth, well, there it is in all its glory.” Still watching her, the only thing I could do was grin because she was so flustered by the answer, but she didn’t know my dick was now throbbing over it.

“I was right all along. You’re a fucking queen, you know that?”

“No, I’m not. I just don’t stand for sexual assault.”

Well, that confession changed the vibe. Did it change the way I looked at her? Certainly, but not for the reason she thought. I now got it. The reason Tanner was so protective of his sister. All I wanted to do was learn the guy’s name, find him, and break every other limb on his body for thinking he could touch her.

“He was an idiot. He told the cops he was sloppy drunk, and I attacked him out of nowhere.” She laughed bitterly. “He was the one who dragged me into a bedroom and tried to stick his hand under my skirt. I wasn’t down for it, so my self-defense training kicked in, and I twisted his arm until I heard a crack.”

She shivered at the memory, and my adrenaline was pumping. “That is one of the sexiest things I’ve ever heard.”

“It’s not. Believe me. If anyone ever tries to tell you that spending the night in county jail is sexy, then they’re wrong. It stinks, and the mattresses are wafer thin.”

“If you’re looking for a more comfortable bed, then I’d suggest mine.”

“That misdemeanor is part of the reason I couldn’t get into Covey U initially.” She looked up and shook her head in this cute way. “Well, that and my grades. Grades were easy to work on, but I spent nine months trying to get that expunged from my record. Sexual assault is hard to prove, especially when the door is locked and everyone thinks I wanted it. It ended up being his word against mine.”

I was angry for her and pissed that the system failed her.

“Didn’t Tanner do something?”

“Of course he did.” She bit her bottom lip, her cheeks flushing. “He threatened to beat the living shit out of the guy. His coach told him if he retaliated, then he’d be expelled.”

“You’re kidding?”

She shook her head. “I told him to let it go, but he still verbally threatened the guy. After that, they were excluded from each other’s classes to avoid another incident. Then one day, the guy left class early and we were told he switched schools due to harassment.”

“Of him?”

“Oh, yeah. He loved it. Everyone feeling sorry for him with his camo-colored cast.”

“So that’s why you don’t have any friends back home?”

“Yup. It’s an awful moment when you realize your friends don’t believe you.”

“How could they not? That seems crazy to me.”

She pressed her lips together and let out a little hum. “Is it, though? It’s not crazy to think that I’m an attention-starved sister who wanted to call herself a victim.”

“You’re anything but a victim.”

“You’re right. Screw all of them. I worked my ass off, and look where I am now.”

“Right where you’re supposed to be.”

With me.

“Did you ever get it expunged off your record?”

“No.”

“Then how’d you get into Covey U?”

Her lips turned flat, and she blew out a breath. “We did something we weren’t proud of.”

“We?”

“Tanner. He said part of the stipulation for him accepting a place here was for me to join him. As long as I got my grades up, I’d meet the requirement for entry.”

“Tanner blackmailed Covey U?” I couldn’t believe it. The golden boy of the college might not be so golden after all.

She shrugged. “Not really. Our parents called it negotiations, and it worked. I’m not proud of having to ride on the coattails of my much more talented brother, but I needed out of that place.”

“Understandable.”

“So we did it.”

Her gaze dropped to her hands, and I felt this awkward tension in the room. I knew what she was thinking without her telling me. Shame. That was why no one knew about the incident. Once again, she felt like she didn’t belong here, and all these assholes not talking to her was proving that.

Well, she couldn’t be more wrong. She’d just opened up to me and revealed something no one else knew, and I needed to show her what that meant. I wanted her closer. I needed her to know she had a friend in me … if she wanted it.

“Come here.” I beckoned her with my finger, and after a little hesitation, she moved slowly toward me. Why did I like the little control I had over her so much?

Her eyes were glued to mine as she closed the distance between us. When she stood next to the countertop, I shifted to face her.

“Thea,” I said, standing toe for toe in front of her as I took her in. She was a short thing but curvy in all the right places; her stupid sweatshirt was covering it, though. “You’re incredible.”

She shook her head, pushing me lightly. “No, I’m not.”

I fell back into place. “Yes, you are. You not only blackmailed an institution and got away with it, but you also broke a guy’s arm. It is by far the sexiest thing I’ve ever heard come out of a woman’s mouth.”

Speaking of, she was wearing a deep-red lipstick tonight and looked powerful as fuck. How I yearned for her to overpower me.

“What’s with you? It’s like you’re trying to sweet-talk me.”

“And it’s like you’re willing to tell me every one of your secrets just to stop me from asking about last night.”

She sucked in a harsh breath. “You’re talking nonsense.”

I shook my head, stepping forward and gauging her reaction as I did. “I’m just telling you the truth. I want you, and I think you want me too.”

“What makes you think that?” She leaned in to me.

“Plenty of things. First, you aren’t hiding away in your locked room. Second, you told me a secret you’ve been guarding since you got here. Third, I tasted it last night when you kissed me.”

Her gaze dropped to my lips, and I wished I could figure out what she was thinking. I wouldn’t do it. I wouldn’t push her until she asked me to.

“You really think you know all about me, don’t you?”

She was inching her way closer so slowly if I weren’t concentrating on her every move, I probably wouldn’t have noticed.

“I do now, Pyro. The only question I have is, are you going to take some time and get to know me?”

She sucked in a sharp breath, her chin tipping up. We were close enough that I could cup her cheek and kiss her like I did last night. I wasn’t going to do it. Matty was right.

Let her come to me …

Without warning, she wrapped her arm around my neck and pulled me in for a kiss.

Well, that was easy.

Punishing and frantic, her kiss caught me off guard. Last night, she was so tentative, and it was only after her hips started rocking that I realized she was into it. Tonight was different. Tonight, she was making a point. She was showing me who was in charge. As if I didn’t know already. Her hands slipped through my hair, tugging at the strands. I loved it. The fire between us, the electric energy. It was crazed. It was frenzied. It was us.

Gripping onto her hips, I lifted her onto the countertop and backed away enough to throw her a questioning glare. I knew what I wanted to do, but I had to wait for her.

“Why’d you stop?” Her lips were red and puffy, her eyes dark. I dragged my fingers over the silky boxer shorts she was wearing, toying at the edge.

“Because I’m starving.” My body burned with want as my fingers tickled the edges of the boxers. The only thing keeping me away from her.

Thea pulled her sweatshirt over her head, revealing a thin tank barely covering her breasts. Her chest heaved as she watched me take her in.

Everything.

I wanted everything from her. To own and know every little part of her.

She pushed her chest out, but my hands didn’t waiver from her shorts. There was only one place I wanted to go.

“Then what are you waiting for?” she asked, her voice low. “Eat.”

Yes! Matty was right. Waiting for her to come to me—literally—was the best idea he’d ever had, including marrying Britt. That asshole knew what he was doing.

My hands shook as I peeled off her shorts, and she shimmied her hips to help ease out of them. After flinging them across the room, I opened her legs and rested my body between her perfect, warm thighs.

“Is this okay?” I asked, wanting to be careful, not only because Matty told me to, but because she’d had someone take away her right to choose before. I would not do that. When she nodded, I planted my hand on her thigh. “What about this? Still okay?”

“You got my consent to eat my pussy when you perched me on this counter, Jackson.” Her voice was so bland for the fiery words behind them.

I wasted no time flattening my palms against her thighs and opening her up a little wider. To my dismay, she still had pink panties on. I thought I’d gotten rid of all the barriers when I pulled those shorts off. I licked my lips before glancing at Thea, who had this crazed, drunken look in her eyes.

Oh, I loved this. She wanted me.

“Are you wet for me, Pyro?”

“Why don’t you quit yapping and find out.” Her commands were making me harder than the marble she was sitting on. I might just love being controlled by her.

I slid my hands up her thighs until my thumb was tracing the edge of her panties. So close to her clit but still not touching her. She flinched as I moved my thumb, her hips wiggling toward my hand, begging me to touch her.

Pushing the wet fabric to the side, I traced the seam of her tight little pussy with my thumb, taking in how beautiful she looked offering herself up to me. “Fuck. You’re perfect. Have I told you that already?”

Her breath hitched as she thrust forward, plunging my thumb inside her. So tight. Thoughts of being inside her raced through my mind, making my dick throb. I wanted to squeeze it and jerk myself off as I ate her out, but this was the only opportunity she would offer me, and I needed to make it count.

Pushing my thumb all the way inside her, I dropped to my knees and placed a gentle kiss on her swollen clit. Her legs trembled as she closed her eyes, and I frowned. I wanted her to watch me, to know it was me pleasuring her.

Without warning, I backed away, leaving her open and ready.

She opened her eyes, shock filling her beautiful face. “Watch, or I stop,” I commanded. She might like giving orders, but I did too.

Her teeth pressed into her bottom lip as she nodded. Pressing forward, I dragged my tongue from her ass to her clit, circling the small bud of nerves as I drove a finger inside her. “Didn’t waste any time,” she groaned, watching my tongue’s every flick, and damn did that sight turn me on.

“I’m just taking on feedback,” I retorted, my breath fanning her pussy as my finger moved inside her. She threaded her hands through my hair, guiding me back in place. Her hips rocked against my mouth as I flicked my tongue across her, lapping in one direction and then changing.

She slowly rocked closer to the edge of the counter. Not wanting a fall to end the most delicious meal of my life, I placed her legs over my shoulder and pulled her forward. Pussy. My face was covered in Thea’s pussy, and I didn’t think there was anywhere else in life I’d rather be.

I flicked my gaze up, connecting my eyes with hers.

Good girl. Glad to see she was still listening. I didn’t hold back and devoured her pussy. I licked her clit so fast her breath hitched, and her center got so slick I could easily add another finger.

“Fuck,” she moaned. It was tortured and harsh, and I smiled against her heated flesh. Her cheeks were flushed pink, her lashes looking heavy.

“Do you like watching my fingers fuck you, Pyro?” I wasted no time darting my tongue out and tasting her again. She gasped, and her hands clawed my shoulders, desperate to control this.

I wouldn’t let her, though.

I circled her clit with my tongue, tasting her essence and gorging on it. So good. She tasted better than anything I’d ever had before.

Her breathing became erratic, and I didn’t let her catch her breath before I added another finger.

With quick and sharp movements, I continued to let my tongue work her clit. The only thing I wanted to see again was her falling apart. Yesterday was magical, and the fact she hadn’t run to me asking for more made me realize I needed to show her she couldn’t live without me, without this, ever again.

Her hips rocked against my hand, and her fingers dug into my shoulders. It was a sharp pain, but I would take it if it meant I got to kiss her again.

Thea’s screams got a little louder, and judging by the vibration in her legs, she was holding back. Not something I wanted her to do. We were in the apartment on our own, after all.

“I could eat you all day,” I said into her pussy, and my hot breath against her sensitive flesh was enough to send her over the edge.

Her hips moved faster, and her pussy tightened around my fingers. Slowly, I lapped at her clit, letting her come down from her high.

With her hands sprawled across the counter, she watched me like I was a wolf about to pounce. Didn’t she see I’d just had my meal? I was satiated … for now.

“Thanks for that, Pyro. Just let me know if you want some more.”

It took everything in me to walk away from her and to my room, but Matty’s words reminded me I was doing the right thing.

Let her come to you.

She’d find me, and I’d be here waiting for it.