Chapter 26 #2
He crawls into the back seat for the second time tonight, inserting himself on my left and effectively separating me from my girl. Lifting her, he shifts, keeping her secure in his arms, then hands her off to Noah, who scoops her up with ease.
Eden exits the truck and brushes off the front of his pants, but both men linger by the open door, watching me.
Irritation floods me. I don’t want them fucking staring.
Apparently I have no problem allowing them to watch and participate in other scenarios.
But bearing witness as I clamber out of the truck—Noah’s truck, on Noah’s property, the literal scene of the crime—sets my nerves on edge and triggers warning bells.
My instincts are urging me to lash out. Or, at the very least, to mask the pain so they don’t see the disadvantageous position I’m in.
But I’m committed to keeping my cool, so I grit my teeth and slowly get out of the truck, wincing when my feet hit the ground.
I need to lie down. I also really need more pain meds. It’s late enough that the pills I took earlier have completely worn off. I’m going to have to suck it up and ask Noah what he has available in his medicine cabinet once I finally make it into the house.
If I can make it.
The path from the parking lot to the massive farmhouse feels impossibly long, the cobblestones uneven and the ground sloping upward.
“Let’s get inside,” Noah says, pivoting with ease while holding Sawyer to his chest.
Her hair is dotted with tiny white flakes. Snow? Damn. I was so focused on my pain and keeping it together that I hadn’t even realized it was snowing.
As if reading my mind, Noah tips his head up, surveying the night sky. With a sigh, he continues along the path toward his house.
Mercer follows.
I tentatively take a step forward, resigned to lagging behind.
Whether he does it for me or not, Noah sets the pace, ambling toward the house with slow, measured steps.
“I didn’t think it was cold enough for it to stick like this. I didn’t salt or do anything to prepare.” He shakes his head, like he’s disappointed in himself. “Careful, both of you,” he adds over his shoulder.
As if on cue, my foot slips and my body lights up with agony. Hissing, I jerkily course correct so I don’t fall.
As I steady myself, my heart hammers against my chest. At least with my adrenaline flowing, the pain won’t be as noticeable.
When I look up to take my next step, both Noah and Mercer are eyeing me, concern marring their faces.
“Walk beside him,” Noah instructs. “The steps will be extra slippery from the snow, and there are a few rotting boards on the porch I’m worried about.”
Mercer silently retraces his steps and stops at my side.
Huffing, I take another step. “Don’t touch me.”
I didn’t ask for help. The last thing I want or need is help from this asshole.
Gritting my teeth, I take another step. Once I’m sure of my footing, I look over to Eden, who’s dutifully walking by my side. “Do you really think I feel safe next to you?”
He scowls. “And just when I thought we were getting somewhere.”
I scoff. “What? You licked my cum off your fingers, and suddenly you think we’re besties?”
Eden strides ahead, turns, and starts walking up the path backward, glaring.
Fucking show-off.
“You loved that, didn’t you?” he snaps. “Her begging for your cock. Being the only one she wanted, despite Noah and me both being right there in the truck with you.”
My heart stutters in surprise.
Sawyer made it abundantly clear she wanted more than just me tonight. As much as I hate to admit it, I couldn’t have gotten her there on my own. But if that’s what the professor took away from the encounter…
“Was it the piercings or the lack of refractory period that made you feel most inadequate, Professor?” I plaster on a smile I don’t feel.
Eden doesn’t take the bait.
But he does stumble when the back of his foot bumps the stairs of the porch.
“Hurry up, you two,” Noah calls from the landing. He’s already unlocking the pale yellow door.
Eden continues to glare. “Please tell me you’re at least smart enough to take precautions with her health. Have you recently been tested?”
Fair question coming from a guy who was all up in my business an hour ago.
But I’m not in a fair mood.
I shrug one shoulder, ignoring the burning sensation in my abs from the gesture, and smirk. “That’s none of your business, Prof.”
“That’s completely and entirely my business, given what transpired tonight.”
God, this guy’s such a pompous douche. Every time he speaks, he sounds like he’s auditioning for the speech and debate team. That’s probably why Sawyer likes him.
He’s up the stairs before I’ve even attempted the first step. The stairs are wide, with handrails on either side, but I’m not entirely sure I could grip a handrail and use it for leverage at this point.
Glaring at Eden, I swallow my pride and tip my chin.
“A little help here?”
His expression turns incredulous, his brow furrowing, though it quickly morphs into a more conniving look, like he’s gearing up to give me shit.
“Merce,” Noah calls in that booming dad voice of his, making me release a sharp sigh.
Mercer walks down the steps, watching his own feet to keep from slipping, then offers me both of his arms. I grip him at the wrists, using the support to steady myself as I take small, controlled steps up to the porch.
When we crest the last step and safely make it to the landing, I release him.
“Thanks.” Straightening as best as I can, I add, “Testing is probably unnecessary. At least until we talk to Sawyer.”
He scowls, making crease marks appear between his eyebrows.
“I’ve never been with anyone but Sawyer,” I explain before he can argue. “And we hadn’t ever had sex until tonight.”
The color and attitude drain from Eden’s face and his jaw drops open. “That was your first time?”
Didn’t I just say that?
“Yeah, Prof. That was our first time.”
As fresh shame and old frustration bubble up, I push past him and take the final steps to the front door.