10
ETHAN
By the time I reach Aurora’s door, I’m vibrating with fury.
Giving her space wasn’t the best approach, and I knew that, but truthfully, it wasn’t for her.
I needed to sort myself out, and I can’t do that around her and Jax.
They’re my weakness. I fear I’ll give up anything for them, and I don’t want to lose myself. I fought hard for who I am.
I’m frightened by my feelings and where this is leading, and I’m frustrated with myself.
I’m unable to control the violence and panic in my chest when I smell vomit, and I hate myself because of it.
Jax is my player; we can’t walk around openly as a triad.
People won’t accept us, and the attention will make me uncomfortable, as much as I’m ashamed to admit it.
I’m relieved at the thought of Reece joining our little family, but there’s no fucking way he’s replacing me.
I swipe the key card, the light blinks green, and I push into the room, only to be met with the sheer opposite of the dark storm raging within me.
“Jesus, fuck.” I stumble over a pink glitter-filled balloon, then another, as if they’re attacking me. “Did he leave any flowers or balloons for the rest of New York? Damn.”
Balloons completely cover the ceiling, their strings dangling in my face, while pale-pink roses adorn every surface.
Jackson’s over-the-top expression of love is precisely why she’s spoiled.
They eloped or signed a marriage contract or some shit.
I’d expect nothing less from him. If it wasn’t for hockey, he’d probably fly her to Paris.
All justifiable, but how the fuck am I supposed to be angry in this pink explosion of happiness?
Aurora peeks out of the bathroom wearing an altered version of Jackson’s jersey, as always. “Hey, what are you doing here?” She seems excited to see me, with the kindest voice and the cutest smile.
Instead of being relaxed, I’m furious all over again. How dare she try to take her sweetness away from me?
I step around her and into the bathroom, my gaze sweeping the makeup-cluttered counter. “Where’s your phone?”
Perfect brows knit together. “Why?”
Her defensive tone irks me further. “I don’t have time for games. Get your fucking phone.”
With a huff, she removes her phone from her purse and slaps it into my awaiting palm.
“What’s the passcode?”
“I’m expecting a text from the twins.”
“They’re not coming.” I lock eyes with her. “Passcode.”
“Am I going to the game?”
Her voice is jittery, and I almost feel bad. Almost .
“Aurora, don’t fuck with me right now. What’s the fucking code?”
“My birthday. August twenty-third?—”
“I know your birthday,” I cut her off.
I punch in the numbers and open the Messages app to find her texts with Reece.
He sent her a few today, none of which she’s answered.
The last one asks if she’s okay. I read through them, my heart drumming louder with each word, a frantic whooshing in my ears.
His intentions to have her are clear, but I see no evidence she’s replacing either of us—fucking Jackson.
“Didn’t I tell you to stop texting him?” I pocket her phone. “He wants you, and you’re encouraging him.” I grab the back of her neck, possessive and firm. “Did you think I was joking?”
Hands on her hips, she stares up at me, her chest rising and falling rapidly. “I was mad.”
“You were mad?” I lean in, our noses inches apart. “Let me show you mad.”
In a single, fluid movement, I spin us, and careful of her stomach, I bend her over the bathroom counter. She catches herself, bracing with her forearms.
I snag her gaze in the mirror. “Don’t move, or I’ll bind your wrists with a fucking balloon string.”
She rolls her eyes. “That’s why you’re here? Jealousy?”
“Keep running your mouth, baby. I’ll take care of that later.” I lift the jersey to find a scrap of black lace. “Unless you’re no longer mine, it’s not jealousy. Remember?”
“What I remember is you not coming home, so maybe I’m not yours.”
I disregard her snide remarks and unbuckle my belt. “You agreed to hand over complete control to me.”
“And you agreed to be there.”
With a sharp snap, I yank my belt free. “My lack of presence doesn’t give you permission to entertain someone else.” I make a loop, holding the ends of the leather together.
Her eyes widen, her lips part. “You’re not spanking me with your hand? Don’t I need a safe word?”
“You don’t need a safe word with me. You tell me to stop, I’ll stop. It’s that simple. Understood?”
“Oh my God. I stopped texting him,” she backpedals.
She moves to stand, and I tighten my grip on her nape to hold her in place.
“Understood?”
“I’ll talk to whoever I want!”
The leather whistles through the air. Smack .
“Ethan!”
It’s fast, not cruel, nothing more than a sting on her fine ass, and I’m instantly rock-hard.
I raise a brow, belt poised. “Try again.”
“Okay, I understand. I won’t text him.”
“Pull your underwear down.”
She hooks a finger in the waistband and tugs her underwear to her mid-thigh. An unmistakable wet spot darkens the center. “How many?” she whines.
“Do you like Reece paying attention to you?”
“At least someone does,” she says under her breath, then adds, “When you’re not.”
“That fucking mouth. You enjoy pissing me off, don’t you?” Smack. The leather slaps her ass harder, and her skin blossoms a glorious shade of red that makes my cock throb. “Answer me. Do you like him paying attention to you?”
Her eyes sparkle with mischief, a taunting dare glinting within their depths. “Maybe.”
I shake my head. This fucking girl. I slap her other ass cheek, alternating sides, and she bites her bottom lip.
“You wanna repeat that? Do you like him paying attention to you?” Silence. Smack . “You gonna tell me?” Smack. “Tell me how much of a spoiled fucking brat you are.” Smack.
“Yes!” she finally yells, cheeks flushed. “He makes me feel better.”
Her answer is no surprise. Reece is yet another man who lives to spoil her. I guess it’s my job to add some control and discipline into this dynamic.
I rip her panties down to the floor, helping her step out of them. “Spread your legs.” Of course, she refuses. Smack . “Goddamn it, Aurora. Spread. Your. Fucking. Legs.”
She obeys, and I get a full view of her bare, glistening cunt, wetness slicking her upper thighs. Unable to resist, I drop the belt and slide two fingers through her soaked slit. Her head falls to the counter, and she whimpers.
“Always so wet.” I circle her swollen clit. “Do you like being punished by me?”
“No,” she replies through clenched teeth.
My stubborn girl.
I flash her a wolfish grin and slap her pussy. “Your dripping cunt says otherwise. Try again. You like it when I redden this ass?” I caress my palm over her heated skin.
She hides her face in the crook of her arm. “Yes,” she mutters.
“Look at me.” I release her neck to wrap her ponytail around my fist and force her gaze to mine in the mirror. “Do you like it when I redden your ass?”
“Yes, Sir.”
Even with her sarcastic tone, my cock is about to burst through my pants.
“Good girl.” I return my fingers to tease her clit. “Who’s in charge here, Aurora?”
“You.” She rocks her hips. “Ethan, please.”
I circle her clit faster. “What is it, baby girl? Tell me.”
Her breath hitches. “Fuck me.”
I can’t take much more. My dick is jammed so tight against my zipper, I’ll be shocked if it doesn’t have teeth marks. I’m tempted to jerk off and come all over her ass, but my inner caveman urges me to fill her pussy and watch it drip out.
“You gonna be a good girl and listen to me?”
“You gonna be a good boyfriend and give me that cock?”
Despite myself, I smile. That fucking mouth, her and Jackson.
“Brace yourself.” I’m notched at her entrance before my shirt and pants even hit the floor. “I’m taking you hard and fast, filling you with days’ worth of cum, and you’re gonna sit in it while you watch your husband play.”
She places a hand on the mirror and grips the edge of the counter with the other. “You’re nasty.”
I slam into her in one, brutal thrust, and her words trail off into a high-pitched moan.
“And you love it.” I pound into her, a man possessed. “After the game, I’m fucking the attitude out of that mouth.”
“Ethan.” She arches her back to take me deeper. “Don’t stop.”
“No worries, love. I’m filling every hole until you remember who you belong to.”