Chapter 39
“It’s beautiful, Cal. Congratulations,” Levi says, holding her hand far longer than he should.
I glance at Evelyn, arms crossed tight over her chest, her eyes locked on Ronan. “So this means things are off the table completely, huh?”
Ah. So that explains all the pineapples and the not-so-subtle advances from Evelyn and Levi.
“They were never on the table, Echo Ridge.” Ronan’s gruff voice carries that ‘I hate everyone but my fiancée’ vibe, and honestly? I love it. He’s so possessive of Cal, and it’s kind of hot.
And the tattoos don’t hurt either. Especially the one etched above his eye: SIT.
Really, he’s just hot in general.
Everyone circled here is ridiculously attractive, but Cal and Ronan are like model perfect. It’s why I wasn’t super shocked when she told me Ronan is basically a cam-guy, and they both ‘perform’ for a whopping one million users.
I’ll admit, it was hard to wrap my head around how he was alright showing her off like that, but the more time I spend around them, the more it makes sense. He’s got a strict no-touch policy.
When Ronan steps toward Levi as he goes in for a kiss on Cal’s knuckles, I can’t help but chuckle.
Leaning forward now that there’s space, I admire the ring. “It’s perfect. Congrats, you two.”
“Thanks, Wildhart.” Ronan hasn’t called me Ayden since that first day. I have no idea why, but eh, it doesn’t bother me. At least he doesn’t give me the side-eye like he does Levi.
“Thank you, Ayden.” Cal swoons as she leans into him.
About twenty minutes ago, police swarmed Starlight Ridge, and being the nosy neighbors we are, we all gathered to watch the show. Sanderson Pine has the best vantage point without getting too close.
Honestly, I feel a little weird doing this, but at the same time—it’s kind of fun. I just wish Keoni were here. Of course, it had to happen on his workday.
“Any guesses?” Cal asks.
“They probably found his wife and daughter’s body,” Levi says.
I don’t know much about the case, but a quick Google search told me Mr. Devereux’s—reported billionaire, CEO of Devereux Industries—wife and daughter went missing last Thanksgiving.
The search recently shifted from “missing” to “recovery.” He’s been a recluse ever since.
Not even the media has caught sight of him.
Crazy… and so fucking sad.
“Have you texted… what was her name?” I ask.
“Jayde,” Cal says confidently.
“That ain’t her name. She’s a little liar.” I peek back at Evelyn, who’s fiddling with her braided hijab. When she meets my gaze, then Calista’s, she clears her throat. “She just seems… like she’s lying, that’s all.”
Cal and I exchange a weary look. The more I interact with Evelyn, the more I feel there’s something to her—and Levi, for that matter—beyond what meets the eye.
“Well… this was fun.” Britt, who came with me to spy on the scene, steps up to Cal and gives her a sideways hug. “Congrats again, beautiful. I’m sure I’ll be seeing you soon. I just subscribed. Did you guys see you hit one-point-five million subs?”
“Yes!” Calista’s bright smile radiates genuine excitement as she jumps up and down. “You have to come to the live tonight. We’ve got something special planned.”
“I’ll be tuning in for sure,” Evelyn croons.
Ronan grunts. “I’m going to get Ken to put an IP block on this place.”
“Levi will just hack it.”
The man chuckles.
“What do you two do again?” I ask.
She grins broadly. “Independent contracting.”
“Uh huh…” I murmur, my expression as weary as my words. “Right.”
“Ayden, want a ride back to your place?”
I quickly lean in to give Cal a hug, aware of Ronan watching me. I promised him I wasn’t interested in her—like Echo Ridge is—but it doesn’t stop him from following my hands with his eyes.
“Congratulations again.”
“Thank you, Ayden. Tell Keoni I said hi and to come by. And… can I put in a request for your homemade chicken noodle soup? It was so fucking good.”
“You got it.”
“Just no muffins this—” Ronan’s comment cuts off with a loud oof.
“Ronan Byrne!”
I can’t stop myself from laughing. “It’s alright. I’m terrible at baking. I’m not ignorant to that.”
“Honesty, baby girl. Have we learned nothing?”
I watch her cheeks flush as she tries to hide behind her scarf. It’s adorable. I love it here, and I just know I wouldn’t be happier anywhere else.
Hours later, in the dead of night, I see Keoni’s headlights spill through the bedroom window.
I set my tablet down and throw the blanket off. I’ve been trying to get into reading since I’ve got so much free time. No one in the neighbors chat is very helpful, but at least Cal gave me a vampire book to try.
It’s good, darker than anything I’ve ever indulged in. She warned me to read the trigger warnings first, which I’m glad I did. Prepared me for… appendage feeding.
I’m already obsessing over the male main character, and the girl is badass, too.
I jump out of bed and make my way to the living room. I don’t need to make him dinner, Keo already texted me that he ate, but I’m just eager to see him.
And yes… kiss him.
And touch him.
Ugh. I’m so needy.
We haven’t used the things I bought at Bonny Bunny’s, or really touched each other, other than cuddling these past few days. It’s been nice, and I have no complaints—spending time with him in any capacity gives me pleasure.
That being said, I’m hopeful that promise is still on the table.
The moment I flip the light on in the living room, he’s stepping through the front door.
“Evening, Keo.”
“Good evening, sunshine…” He catches my gaze before letting his eyes slowly roam down my body, covered only in boxers.
A low, desire filled groan slips through his lips. “Fuck me.”
“Are you asking?” I say, a slow grin forming on my lips.
I watch him slip off each boot with his toes, doing my best not to squirm where I stand. It’s definitely cold. Under the blankets beside him, this attire would be fine. Standing here alone, less so.
His eyes catch something, and a slow, menacing smirk spreads across his lips. “Your nipples are hard.” He shrugs off his coat, then the sweater underneath, leaving him in a T-shirt and pants.
Tilting his head, he drags his tongue across his upper lip.
Holy fuck. Why is that so hot?
“I can see your cock following suit. Mmm.” The way he groans makes my skin zing. “How’re you feeling?” He moves slowly across the space toward me, each step sending my body temperature up.
“Good… you? How was the rest of your day?”
“Day was okay. I’m amazing now that I’m home with you.”
My heart hammers against my chest.
“And a full two days to follow,” I breathe.
The instant he’s inches from me, I tilt my head back to keep our eyes locked. “Please tell me we don’t have plans.”
He lifts his hand to my throat—his fingers fucking freezing, causing me to suck in a sharp breath.
“None…”
He leans in, grazing his lips across mine, down to my jawline, where he bites.
“Good. I want you all to myself.”
His arm snakes around my lower back, pressing our hips together. He sucks at my skin while lowering his mouth to the curve of my neck, nibbling and dragging his tongue toward my chest.
“No therapy. No neighbors. Just my Ayden and me.”
“Yes, please…” My head tilts back as he slides his hands under my boxers, gripping my ass, squeezing, and grinding me against him.
“I’ll be honest,” he breathes against my skin. “I’ve felt starved these last few days.”
The backs of my thighs hit the dining room table as he presses me against it. Even through his pants, I can feel his hard cock rutting against mine.
“Baby.”
“Mmm, fuck… even better sounding than I imagined.” He moves a hand down my torso, and the moment he’s an inch from my cock, he pauses. “Now—open those delicious lips and tell me what you want.”
I bite my lip to keep from panting. My god, he takes every need I have and sets it on fire. It isn’t just wanting him to fuck me—it’s needing it. I haven’t enjoyed sex in so long that I’m ready to beg for it.
“Fuck me.” I run one hand up through his hair, dispelling the ponytail so I can get a good grip. “I want you to fuck me, Keo.”
He stands to his full height, and the moment his lips meet mine, his fingers wrap around my sensitive cock. Just his grip at the base has my stomach twisting into knots, my legs trembling with need for friction.
His tongue invades my mouth, tangling with mine before he forcefully turns me. He pushes me forward, bending me over the table. The instant he grabs my hips and pulls me against him, I’m flat-out moaning.
“I don’t do safe words.” I can feel him through his pants, pressing into the crease of my ass and grinding against me. “Just tell me to stop if I’m too much, and I will. Don’t say it unless you actually want me to. Do you understand?”
I nod, exhaling. “Yes… yes. I want you so fucking bad.”
He drags his hands over me, one grabbing my cock through my boxers, the other my balls. I swear I come a little from the dual contact. I can feel him rubbing his full length against the spot I’m desperate for him to fill, and I’m honestly ready to start begging.
“I want you too, sunshine, and I’m pleased to say we’re both finally getting what we want.”
His large hand moves to my throat, pulling me up and flush against his back. “Bed, or couch?”
“Bed.” The moment the word leaves my lips, he takes my chin in his hand and directs me to meet his waiting mouth.
I turn in his grip and begin removing his shirt with haste. Feeling each ripple of his abs under my fingertips makes my skin tingle. His body is a masterpiece, and I just want to praise it the way he praises me.
He turns my back to the hall, guiding me backward but never breaking our kiss. The moment his shirt is discarded, I move to undo his belt. It clicks open, and the loud clatter of his jeans hitting the floor coincides with us pausing.
They’re kicked aside, and my greed flares. The few feet to the bedroom feel impossibly long, so I drop to my knees, pulling his boxers down to his ankles in the process.