120. Thea
Chapter 120
Thea
I had to stay out of sight while Finn followed the prospects on the beach. He ambushed them near the dunes and got them to drop their guard long enough to tell him that their clue was about sandy blue castle peaks, which is why they were at the beach. They got distracted by the bikinis, then decided the beach was too damn big to scour for treasures.
I think the clue is a dud, but Holden’s searching for anything remotely similar to blue castles, blue sand and blue peaks. LJ’s cramming for a test, which leaves me sitting in the circle with Pax.
Mel said I’m part of her beachside family, and that got me wondering who Pax considers family. I’ve made assumptions, but I’ve never asked what the dynamic in his family is truly like.
“I know you’re trying to respect Finn and Holden’s decision to help me. But are you really okay with all of this?” I ask as we watch Finn toss the football with Connor and Austin.
“You mean okay with the possibility that we’re not really who we say we are?”
“That, and my plans to make your father pay for what he did to me.”
“He needs to be stopped, Thea, and this is the only way to do that.”
“Agreed, but he’s your father, and you don’t need to be a part of it.”
He stares at me, eyes taking in every inch of my face. “You’re trying to give me a way out?”
I shrug, looking left and right to make sure no one’s standing close by. “I’m not big on family. I didn’t grow up with any notion of it, but all of you did, and I realize the complexity of the situation this puts you in. I can appreciate how hard this must be, especially for you. You can choose not to be a part of this. I’ll respect that as long as you don't interfere.”
“It’s not hard or complicated, Thea. What’s hard is pretending that I don’t want you. That I don’t want to be with you. This . This is the easiest decision I’ve ever made, and I’m willing to do whatever it takes to make that happen, including destroying my father and losing my position in town.”
“You’re willing to stand up in front of the council and denounce him?”
“Without question. What else?”
I turn my head slightly, casting a furtive glance at him, and ask, “What do you mean?”
“What else can I do to prove myself to you?”
“If I was gonna test your willingness to comply, it would look a lot like me taking your man card and turning you into my bitch.”
“I am whatever you need me to be.” He angles his body towards me, scooting closer. “Soldier or sex slave. Doesn’t matter to me.”
“Whatever.”
“Do you need my fists or face, Nem? My entire body is at your disposal.” Placing his hand on my thigh, he asks, “Do you want me to prove it? I can get you off right here and now.”
He settles his knee between my legs, pressing right up against my clit. I shift away from the contact. “There are people around.”
“Are there?” He reclaims the space, hand resting on the outside of my thigh. “I hadn’t noticed.”
I say, “This doesn’t feel like you following my lead.”
“What does it feel like?”
I squirm away from the hand moving inward. “Like a buildup to a big letdown.”
“Then take control, Nem. Make me beg.”
Before I can respond, Eloise appears looking seven shades of pissed off, and yells, “Get your hands off of him!”
I lift my arms, showing my hands are full, with the cellphones the guys asked me to hold. “I’m not touching him. He’s touching me.”
“You just can’t help yourself, can you? You have to push and flaunt the rules, don’t you? I hope you’re prepared for the consequences.”
“Every chance I get, but just out of curiosity, which rule and consequence are you referring to?”
She’s not looking at me. Her attention is on Pax. Wait. Is she threatening him ? The rhythmic pressure against my clit has stopped. His body’s rigid and he’s holding his breath. For the first time, I’m seeing just how hard this must be on him. He’s a pawn in all this, too.
Grabbing his hand, I get to my feet, pulling him up with me. “You know that control thing we were just talking about?” He gives a small nod, and I say, “Let’s get out of here.”
I drag him towards the dining hall, and after placing my food order, I instruct, “Wait here for my food. Do not take your eyes off of the person preparing it and bring it to my table.”
I sit in my usual seat. When he comes over with my food, I take a page out of his book and point to an empty spot. Let’s see just how much shit he’s willing to take.
“You missed a spot.” I point to the crevice of the hubcap where a small patch of dirt remains. You can barely see it unless you get down on the ground, which is exactly what I’ve done, inspecting every single inch of the cars on the lot. My friends and I made sure to get our cars extra dirty before bringing them here for the football team’s charity car wash.
Pax has been out here all day, scrubbing away, with his t-shirt clinging to his body and the impression of his dick just barely hidden behind his basketball shorts. He’s done a good job, so I have to look extra hard to find something to criticize.
When he stoops down, I put my hand on the back of his neck, pushing his face closer to the tire. “See it?”
“No.”
I crouch down next to him and hover my finger over it. “Right here.”
“Oh, this?” He asks, pointing to something nowhere near where I’m indicating.
“No wonder men can’t find the clit.” I mumble, as I place his hand right on top of the spot of dirt.
“I don’t know who those men are, but I know exactly where your clit is, how it likes to be touched, licked and sucked.”
“Yesterday’s pleasure is today’s irritation, so I wouldn’t go making any wagers on that.”
He shifts his shoulders, somehow boxing me in against the car. I keep forgetting just how big he is. “Sounds like I need to sign up for a late night study session. Do you want to tutor me at your place or mine?”
I shove him hard, trying to knock him on his ass. He teeters backwards and pulls me with him, so I wind up in his lap. Trying to wiggle out of his grip, I huff, “You’re getting me all wet!”
His smile is slow and cocky. “That’s not how I meant it,” I groan. He gives my nipples a pointed stare before pulling me even closer. The outline of his dick is way more pronounced now.
“How can you be getting hard right now?”
“I’ve got the girl of my dreams in my lap, and she’s wet for me.”
“Wet because of you is not the same thing as wet for you...”
“It can be.” Our bodies touch, my breasts are smooshed against his chest, our breaths rising and falling together.
I tell him, “Stop spreading your legs.” He doesn’t listen, and I sink further into his lap, his semi-erect cock cradled between my thighs. His hands cup my ass. “Don’t do it.” I warn, seconds before he rocks me against him.
“Afraid those little moans will slip out?”
“Afraid you’ll ruin the detailing on the car.”
“I bet I can get us both off without ever touching the car.”
“Doubtful.”
“Is that a challenge?”
“Pax…”
“Nem...”
Neither of us says anything else as we stare each other down. He backs down first and releases me. I get to my feet and tap the wheel. “Get back to work. “