Chapter Eighteen
Emerson
T heon was nice enough.
He wasn’t my typical type, but he was hot enough for me to take a chance on something different. He was the kind of man who, once you took a moment to notice him, you’d see possessed an understated charm that felt both familiar and intriguing.
Dark brown hair framed his face in soft waves, and his brown eyes were kind with a glint of mystery in them. Olive skin from his Greek roots and full lips; he was definitely attractive. Not as gorgeous as Orion, but there was an undeniable magnetism to his appearance, a quiet confidence that drew me in enough to keep my mind busy.
And I needed it to keep busy.
After we arrived, a whirlwind of conflicting emotions had been swirling within me, each fighting for dominance over my thoughts and feelings.
Orion had snapped and given into his feelings, even if only for a brief, fleeting moment, and as guilty as I should have felt, the intensity of the desire and passion in the moment we shared had me fully consumed by him.
Atlas and any consequences had been damned .
When Orion’s control splintered, it felt as if a dam had burst, unleashing the floodgates and drowning us in what we’d been fighting against for the last month.
Feeling his lips, his hands, his body. It was euphoric. Intoxicating. Exhilarating. His touch was addictive. Like heroin to a drug addict. I couldn’t get enough.
And then, in an abrupt shift, he pulled away and reality crashed over me like a devastating, destructive tidal wave, stripping me bare and leaving me with nothing but my own humiliation and mortification.
The withdrawal stung like a bitch, creating a hollow ache in the pit of my stomach as he turned over to sleep and I was left in the darkness of the night with a gray cloud of confusion hanging over my head.
Had I done something wrong?
I couldn’t exactly ask him either, considering each morning when I’d woken up, he was long gone. Just like I expected.
Orion didn’t talk . He avoided. So once again, we found ourselves locked in another battle of silence. And I was intent on winning this round.
And my method had been simple: drive him crazy.
I’d put on the sexiest bikini I could find, knowing how much he’d hate my lack of clothing but would refuse to show weakness by making a scene.
It worked. So, I did it again.
But, despite a battle won, in some respect Orion was right. Anything that happened between us would hurt Atlas, and that was the last thing I wanted. But unfortunately, that didn’t stop a voice from lingering in my mind, despite how hard I tried to ignore it. Atlas and Avery.
So, when Theon asked me to go for a drink with him tonight, I said yes. Not necessarily because I was interested in pursuing anything with him, but because I needed to leave this mess with Orion behind and this felt like as good a start as any.
As I do a once-over in the mirror, a flutter of nerves mingled with a sense of determination danced in my stomach as the date loomed ahead.
I’d chosen my lucky black dress. Strapless, with a cinched waist and freefall skirt that fell just above mid-thigh, paired with some strappy black heels.
An outfit which exuded enough charm to compensate for my lack of interest. I hope.
Beneath my fa?ade of readiness, there was a tinge of reluctance and a whisper of doubt, but I forced the feeling down and applied my statement, bold, red lip.
I fussed over my appearance one last time, smoothing out imaginary wrinkles and forcing a smile that didn’t quite reach my eyes when the door to my room suddenly swung open and interrupted my fidgeting.
Orion stood in the doorway in all his glooming glory, his presence electrifying the room and injecting it with a vitality that was absent just a moment ago. Even with a face like thunder, he managed to steal the breath from my lungs .
My heart rate quickened, relentlessly pounding against my chest, betraying my composed exterior when his jaw ticked, and a rush of emotions married within me.
Excitement, longing, anxiety, irritation.
He looked royally pissed. But what is new?
His hazel-gray eyes found mine, and for a brief moment, the world around us seemed to stand still in the shared glance that spoke a thousand words.
A silent acknowledgment. A recognition of the desires that lingered between us. A forbidden flame seduced the heavy tension around us.
It was only when I heard the door shut behind him that reality charged back into the air, clearing the heady fog that seemed to starve the oxygen from my brain.
Expecting his usual scowl to flitter across his features, I saved myself the disappointment and returned to my reflection.
“Where are you going?” his rough voice reverberated off the walls, washing over me like a blanket of seduction and wrapping me in its silky embrace.
I turned back to face him, crossing my arms over my chest. Now he wants to speak . “Out with Theon.”
He didn’t respond straight away, instead, his eyes dropped to my chest, and his eyes darkened as they continued down over my stomach and bare legs. Slowly, he took in my dress, and I found myself yearning for some kind of approval from him.
My breathing instinctively picked up, the hairs on my neck rising and my nipples hardening when his gaze landed between my legs. Goosebumps sprouted along my skin, while heat curled in the pit of my stomach and an ache developed in my core. The air thickened, making it difficult to breathe which just seemed to make my breasts bounce as I sucked in a deep breath.
Will he just say something?
His eyes narrowed into slits when they reached mine again, fury carving savage lines into his face. A muscle pulsed in his jaw and his lips thinned. “No.”
I raised my brow at him. He was clearly delusional if he thought he had any kind of authority here. “I didn’t ask for your permission.”
“Yet I’m still saying no.” Contradictory to the anger bubbling in me, my thighs still clenched at his authoritative, smoky tone.
Oh, this bastard.
“If I was meant to be controlled, I’d have come with a remote,” I recoiled, and the corners of his lips tugged slightly, mocking me.
“I don’t care. You’re not going.”
“Watch me,” I challenged, a surge of confidence rushing through me that I’d surely come to regret.
He stepped into me, his body filling my space and the darkness of his aura clogging the air. A smile slashed across his face, vicious enough to plant a seed of doubt in my composure. “Try me, Tesoro. If you go on a date with another man, you’ll find he’s dead by the end of the night.”
A shiver ran down my spine, his words settling on my skin. I had no doubt that he would follow through. The dark, menacing glint in his eyes just proved he was crazy enough to do it. It wasn’t a threat; it was a promise. A deranged, fucked-up promise that only seemed to stroke the raging inferno he'd awoken within me.
At this point, I determined there was definitely something wrong with me.
I sucked in a shaky breath when he reached out, taking a strand of hair and tucking it behind my ear. His fingers gently brushed my skin and I shivered at the contact. I licked my lips, my throat parched, and Orion’s gaze zeroed in on my mouth.
Get it together, Fields.
I lifted my chin defiantly. “You said it yourself, nothing can happen between us, which means I’m free to go out with whoever I like without you getting all murder happy.”
I almost smiled at the flare of surprise in his eyes. His thick, dark brows lowered, and his lips curved into a sinful smirk. “Wanna test that theory, Emmy?”
Something had changed. I didn’t know what exactly, but his expression was lacking the usual pained restraint he wore every time we’d gotten close. Like he’d been holding onto his self-control with everything he had. Now… it was gone. An obvious weight lifted from his shoulders.
“Theon will be here in five minutes, Orion.” I pressed my hands against his chest, ignoring the contours of his firm body—or trying to—and attempted to push him out of my way, but he leaned into me instead, making my attempt futile .
So, I stepped back, trying to keep space between us because my common sense seemed to dissipate in his closeness, but he took another step into me. It was an unspoken game between us, one I didn’t sign myself up for, but I found myself a willing participant anyway. I stepped back again, he stepped forward, a silent dance until my back hit the wall and now, he was closer than ever.
Accomplishment flickered in his stunning stormy eyes, and he positioned his hands on either side of my head, caging me in, and his sandalwood scent invaded my senses. My head spun, my nipples tightened, and my pulse throbbed through every part of my body.
“Atlas—”
“Is no longer an issue,” he cut me off coolly, his minty breath fanning my cheek.
I frowned. I didn’t have the time to unpack that right now. We’d circle back to it though, after my date.
“I’m going on this date, Orion,” I demanded, though I wasn’t entirely sure why I was demanding. It wasn’t as if I was actually interested in Theon. Guess my stubborn streak runs deeper than I thought . I’d argue Orion just provoked it out of me with his authority complex. “The sooner you learn I don’t take orders from you, the easier your life will be.”
The corners of his lips turned up, and the ice pools in his eyes melted into a blazing inferno that heated me head to toe. He shook his head while making a tsk sound. “ Fine, we’ll play it your way, Tesoro .”
I swallowed, my tongue heavy and mouth awfully dry. “So, you need to move.” I licked my lips, waiting for him to release the space between us.
Instead, a hand came out and wrapped around my throat, his grip firm and steady. A surge of panic instinctively rushed through me, plummeting me back to four years ago in a single movement and my dark thoughts threatened to overwhelm me, looming dangerously overhead as I waited for his hold to tighten and cut off my air.
My heart thumped in my chest as I anticipated the next move, but his grip remained as it was. Not too tight, but not too loose. Strong enough to challenge and dominate, but weak enough to let me break myself free if I wanted to.
And surprisingly, I don’t want to…
Because beneath the immediate fight or flight response, every part of me was consumed with the knowledge that Orion wasn’t Miles.
Looking into Miles’ eyes felt like I was staring into a black hole that swallowed everything beautiful in the world, leaving me flooded with nothing but cold emptiness in a world painted in gray.
But with Orion? I was cocooned in the silky, hazel blanket of his protectiveness that promised to keep me safe.
As if picking up on my internal conflict, Orion dipped his chin to level with me. “Is this okay?” His voice was unusually soft.
“Yes. ”
His tongue traced his lower lip, while his eyes fixated on mine. “Good, because we have a few minutes yet.” His voice dropped to a dangerously low decibel. “And I intend to use them wisely.”
All of a sudden, everything was hot. “Orion.”
My breaths were shallow and quick, making my head light with every sensation coursing through my body. And just when I went to suck in a deep breath, his lips slammed against mine, stealing the little air left within me.
I melted into him, my body instinctively molding into his like it was meant just for him as a content moan escaped me.
My arms snaked around his neck, drawing him closer and my brain seemed to forget I was pushing him away just minutes ago. My resistance had completely shattered. Right now, I didn’t want him to ever let go. Kissing Orion De Luca was like a drug, setting fire to my skin in a way that made me want to burn alive with him forever.
He traced his tongue along my lower lip, demanding access and I granted it immediately, desperately craving to give him what he wanted like I was a puppet and he was pulling the strings. The hand wrapped around my throat slithered behind my neck, pulling it back with a rough yank so he could deepen the kiss.
He kissed me with such raw desire and need, it was utterly overwhelming, and I knew I was going to agree to whatever the fuck he wanted from me.
All I could do was be consumed by him, let him devour me in any way he pleased, a helpless prey accepting its fate. He was the seven deadly sins all wrapped in one Prada-clad package, but it was hard to care when falling from grace had never felt so good.
A reluctant moan pulled from my throat when his lips left mine, only for them to lean into my ear. He took my lobe in his mouth and drew on it between his teeth, making a shiver run down my spine. “You don’t know how long I’ve wanted this.”
My pussy started pulsing as his hands trailed down my neck. He roughly pulled my dress down my chest, and his hand slid over a sensitive breast, forcing a gasp from me as he slapped the side of it. I whimpered at the sting, a shot of electricity running straight to my core.
A chuckle ruptured from his chest, knowing despite the shock of the action, it had the desired effect. I leaned my head back against the wall, another moan abandoning me as he pinched my hardened nipple, a sharp but pleasurable sting blitzing through me.
“Orion,” I breathed out. Just as I was about to tell him we should stop this, his hand on my breast lowered to my thighs and up between my legs. His fingers softly ran over the material of my thong, and my knees weakened, trembling beneath me and surrendering to him.
“Shh, Tesoro.”
My head was spinning, clouded with blinding desire, and coherent thoughts gave up on me. His hazel-gray eyes were on fire, studying me so intently it made my stomach flip at how much he wanted me. And how much I’d give him if only he asked .
“I tried to stay away from you,” he growled, the gruff noise heightening my arousal. “I tried to ignore the pull begging me to take you. But you’re everywhere. In my thoughts. In my home. In my nightmares. You’re. Always. Fucking. There. I can’t resist you anymore. I’m done fighting it. Do you know what that means, Emerson?”
“What?” I somehow managed. My breathing hitched when he dug his fingers into the top of my thong and slid it down my trembling legs.
He trailed his lips down the side of my neck, and I tilted my head to the side to allow him better access, while his hand returned between our bodies and found my pussy. “It means this is mine.”
I breathed heavily through my nose, his other hand still firmly gripped behind my neck while the other gently massaged my clit.
“You’re mine , Emerson.”
I moaned as he spread my folds and slid a finger inside me, forcing me to lift on my tiptoes.
“And no one will stop me from having you.” He bit down on my neck, sucking on the skin hard enough to surely leave a hickey, and my body pushed into him while I cried out his name. “Your mouth is mine. Your ass is mine. Your pussy is mine. You’re fucking mine.” He licked up the side of my neck into my ear. “No one else touches you.” He thrust in a second finger, his thumb circling my clit at the same time, and my legs started to frantically shake.
I moaned, pushing my hips deeper into him, my body humming with pleasure.
“Do you understand, Tesoro?”
I nodded as he pushed his fingers inside all the way to his knuckles, and it hurt so good. My hands tightened their grip on his shoulders, holding onto him like he was my lifeline when in actuality he was the one forcing me to drown.
“Speak up, Tesoro . Where did all that confidence go, hmm?” He slowed down his rhythm, taunting me while my stomach wound tight with need.
“I’m yours,” I moaned, my voice so strangled it hardly sounded like my own.
“You’re mine .”
I groaned in frustration when he removed his fingers, only for anticipation to spike in my blood when he dropped to his knees. He lifted my left leg and rested it on his shoulder, while his hands scrunched up the hem of my dress to my waist and his fingers dug into my skin, holding me firmly in place.
My body was trembling. My pussy was dripping wet, craving his domination. Craving him .
And then his warm, wet tongue ran along my aching core. “Oh, God.” I pushed my hips into him as I became desperate for more.
His growl of approval vibrated into me, rocketing pleasure up my spine. “Your lips can cry for God all they like, Tesoro, but your pussy weeps for me .”
I swore Ialmost came undone from his words alone. “Orion. ”
“That’s it, baby, scream my name.” He thrust a finger inside me while his mouth sucked on my clit, his tongue relentlessly flicking against the sensitive bundle of nerves until I could no longer breathe.
He added another finger, curling them inside me and sending blinding pleasure racing throughout my body. “Fuck, Orion.” I was barely able to stand as he picked up his pace.
“Good girl,” he praised.
My eyes rolled to the back of my head, my stomach feeling so tight I could explode. His mouth continued to suck on my clit while his fingers repeatedly hit that spot inside me, making me squirm as I buried my fingers in his hair and arched my back.
The pressure built as his tongue swirled with the perfect amount of pressure, and I suddenly wished I had tape over my mouth to hide the sound of what he was doing to me.
A loud, throaty moan left my chest at the chaos he was conducting inside of me, the pleasure more intense with every stroke of that skilled tongue. “You taste so fucking sweet,” he groaned into me. “A fucking delicacy.”
And then, I lost myself to him.
I sucked in a sharp breath, a shattering cry pouring out of me as the earth stopped spinning on its axis and shockwaves rippled throughout my body while I fell over the inevitable edge.
Orion thrust a third finger inside me just as my orgasm rocketed through my body. The bliss was catastrophic, and I no longer cared to hold back the sharp screams as euphoria consumed me.
Breathless moans wracked my throat, my pussy pulsing when I felt his answering groan. His hand clutched at my thighs, prying them apart so he could continue his assault between my legs, riding out my orgasm for way longer than my body could possibly handle.
His fingers continued fucking me while he reluctantly pulled his mouth away from my core. His free hand set my leg on the ground before he wrapped his arm around my waist, holding me in place.
He stood to his feet and slammed his lips against mine, swallowing my moans as his fingers continued working me. He growled deep in his chest, his approval rippling into the kiss as he forced me to taste myself on his tongue. He removed his fingers, and I whimpered when he slapped my sensitive clit.
He pulled away from the kiss, leaving me a breathless mess, and wrapped his hand back around my throat, pressing me firmly against the wall while he stared down at me with a frenzied look in his eyes.
“Now go on your little date, Tesoro , but don’t you dare clean yourself up,” he ordered, his voice rough and demanding, sliding over my sensitive, heated skin. “You’re going to sit across from him and let him think he’s lucky as fuck to be dating you, completely unaware of the pretty mess you made for me sliding down your thighs.”
I gulped, staring back into his challenging eyes as a fire ignited in me, pushing me to play his fucked-up game to please him. Despite the absurdity of his demand, the thought turned me on as much as it horrified me. The corners of his lips tugged up into a devilish smirk when I didn’t argue. “And if you let him touch you, baby, I’ll crack his fucking skull.”
Theon sat across from me, a glass of bourbon in his hands, with a genuine smile lighting up his face with a warmth that reached his eyes.
As the sun started to set, casting a warm glow over the azure waters of the Aegean Sea, his chocolate waves caught the light in subtle golden hues that added a touch of warmth to his complexion.
Sunlight played along his bronzed skin, accentuating the contours of his jawline. Dressed in the simplicity of a crisp white shirt and linen trousers, he screamed a casual elegance that spoke volumes.
Guilt coiled in my stomach. He had made an effort, and it was wasted on me.
Why couldn’t I be attracted to him instead? Theon was handsome, charming, and un complicated. Basically, he was everything I could want. Instead, I was strung out over a guy who the word complicated was invented for. For all I knew, this could all be just one big game to Orion. I could just be a piece of forbidden fruit he was too tempted by.
I hadn’t seen him date even once over the last month. Granted, I didn’t want to see him date, but my gut told me Orion was a for-the-night-only kind of guy and I refused to be another name on a list for him. What if we crossed that line and he lost interest? It was hardly like Orion was begging to be tied down.
Was I prepared to risk the chance of getting hurt?
Theon brought me to the Canaves Lounge, a ridiculously overpriced bar on the coastal front that had become an A-list favorite since its opening.
And it was easy to see why.
The bar itself exuded a relaxed yet chic vibe, with whitewashed walls adorned with vibrant bougainvillea and rustic wooden furniture scattered throughout. Soft lanterns hung from the ceiling, casting a soft, romantic light over the space.
The tables overlooked the sea, creating the perfect spot to soak in the beauty of our surroundings. Despite the exclusivity of the establishment, the atmosphere was laid-back and carefree, with other couples and groups of friends chatting and laughing around us.
It was the perfect first date venue, and if circumstances were different, I would have loved every minute of it, but I couldn’t shake the pang of guilt for leading him on, for wasting his time while Orion’s presence lingered in my mind like an elusive ghost.
It didn’t help that he refused to let me put on any underwear and the reminder of him was still loitering between my thighs.
Which is exactly what he wants , dammit .
“So how did you meet Avery?” Theon asked, refocusing my attention on him. Kind of. It’s then that I noticed his chair seems to have shuffled much closer to mine.
If you let him touch you, I’ll crack his fucking skull.
“I met her when she came over to visit Orion,” I told him, leaning back to put some distance between us. “I haven’t had a chance to speak to Jonah much though.”
Jonah pulled a disappearing act most of the trip so far, often walking off to take business calls and check his emails on his laptop. Much like Orion, he seemed to be a workaholic. Avery didn’t seem to mind though; I think she quite enjoyed having some girl time. I don’t think she had much time with her friends when she was home.
Theon cocked his head slightly. “When she came to visit Orion?” he echoed. “You’re close with him?”
Define “close.”
“He’s my brother’s best friend and boss, I guess,” I clarified, rushing the words off my tongue. Explaining my relationship with Orion was not an approved first-date topic. Or any date really.
“Ah.” Theon clicked his tongue, nodding his head. “I don’t think he likes me very much,” he chuckled, his grin brightening up his face. “Pretty sure he’s planning my death every time he looks at me.”
I laughed, ignoring the warm slickness between my legs as I shuffled on my seat. “That’s just his face.” Which was the truth. Well, at least half of it. The other half was that Orion really was planning his death.
Theon laughed. “Fair enough, he’s not the one I’m interested in anyway.” He set his glass down on the table and twisted his body to face me entirely. “You’ve been a very pleasant surprise on this trip.”
I forced a polite smile. “I’m glad to hear it.”
“You know, when Avery told me there was someone she wanted me to meet, you were the last thing I expected,” he confessed with a lopsided smile, his intense gaze holding me in place. He was looking at me like one would a sunset, eyes clouded with adornment. “But then again, I could have never imagined someone as beautiful as you.”
My mouth dried, and a blush warmed my cheeks. Oh boy. “That’s very sweet of you.” He seemed to be drawing in closer, and even though I had little room to move, I was able to shift back slightly without him noticing.
If you let him touch you, I’ll crack his fucking skull .
His gaze flickered from my eyes to my lips, and I had an awful feeling he wanted to kiss me. Usually, I’d be flattered when a guy like Theon showed an interest, but all I could hear was Orion’s words ringing in my head.
“I’d love to do this again sometime, perhaps when we’re in New York?”
I cleared my throat, an underlying sense of unease crawling down my spine. “The thing is,” I gulped, here goes nothing . “I’m sort of dealing with a complicated situation right now and it wouldn’t feel right to drag you into the middle of it. I thought I was ready to move on from him when you asked me out tonight, and as much fun as I’ve had with you, it’s made me realize I’m not ready to start anything new right now. ”
Theon blew out his breath, leaning back in his seat as he slowly nodded his head. Disappointment flashed across his face, etching into the grooves on his face, but he plastered on a smile anyway, one that lacked the warmth from a few moments ago.
“I see,” he sighed, his voice depleted. “Well, that’s a shame but I appreciate the honesty.”
Another pang of guilt struck me when he got up to pay the tab a few minutes later, but that didn’t stop the breath of relief from pouring out of me when the night finally ended.
At least that part of the night, anyway. God knows what is waiting for me back in the room.