Chapter 30
Trust Me
Theo
Idon’t dare move as I cradle Ollie’s sleeping form against my side, unable to tear my eyes away from her.
What she gave me tonight is a gift. It’s not just the way she fell apart for me as I fucked her with my fingers—which will forever be seared in my mind—but the trust she put in me.
For the first time since we met over ten days ago, she didn’t run or hide.
Instead, she lowered the walls around her heart and bared herself to me.
She’s so fucking strong; stronger than I think any of us give her credit for.
The things she’s endured and the way she constantly pulls herself out of the pit of despair and terror pressing down on her is awe-inspiring.
And she does it all while retaining her fire, loyalty and a delightfully twisted sense of humour.
If I wasn’t falling for her before, I am now. There’s no doubt in my mind that I want this woman to be mine. And if tonight is anything to go by, at least some part of her wants me to be hers.
Now I just have to convince the other two stubborn idiots that the four of us together will work.
I carefully shift my shivering body to find a more comfortable position while trying not to jostle Ollie too much and wake her.
Unfortunately, the hard, cold shop floor offers little comfort or protection from the freezing temperature in the air.
I could move and go back to my own sleeping bag, but I don’t want to.
Ollie needs the sleep more than I need to be warm and comfortable right now.
“Here,” a gruff voice says to my left. I jerk my head over to see Rhys standing above me, my sleeping bag and inflatable pillow in his hands. “Lift your head.”
I do as he says, and he slides the pillow underneath, offering me at least some comfort and support while I continue to hold Ollie. “How long have you been awake?” I ask him with a sigh as he drapes my sleeping bag over me.
“A while. You two weren’t exactly quiet.” His amber eyes flick down to Ollie, telling me without words that he watched me finger fuck her.
Interesting. “I didn’t realise you’d picked up voyeurism as a kink.” Rhys has never sat back and just watched. He always had to be the one running the show, so this passiveness is new. I’m not sure I like it, especially if he’s using it to keep his distance and deny his mutual attraction to Ollie.
Rhys grunts as he sits down on his sleeping bag, his eyes still on Ollie’s sleeping form. “Neither did I.” His hands twitch on his thighs, almost like he’s stopping himself from reaching out to her. “She’s something else.” I can hear the awe in his voice.
I smile softly down at the sleeping woman in my arms. “Yes, she is. I take it you heard her confession, then?”
He nods, his eyes still intent on her, like he can’t bring himself to tear them away. I don’t know how he can cling to his denial when he looks at her like she’s his entire world.
“Did she know?”
“I don’t think she knows I listened to her, but she knows I watched.” He smirks smugly at me. “She came when I told her to.”
I chuckle. I bet his dominant side is practically giddy at that, especially with how much Ollie likes to push back against his orders. “Ah. I did wonder what sent her over the edge.” It seems our princess is not only submissive, but a bit of an exhibitionist. Alex will be pleased.
Rhys rubs his jaw, his fingers scratching at the dark stubble dusting his tanned skin. “Maybe she’s not as much of a brat as I thought she’d be.”
“Or she’ll only be a brat for you since you two like to wind each other up. Maybe it’s something to explore at a later date.” I shoot him a knowing look.
The amusement dies on his face and he grimaces. “I’m not so sure about that.”
Not this again. I sigh. “Rhys…”
He shakes his head. “You know as well as I do that no one has been interested in me since that damn IED, so I doubt a woman as beautiful as Ollie will be.”
I snort. “That’s bullshit and you know it.”
His face hardens. “How is that bullshit? It’s the truth.”
And here I thought Alex was the obtuse and difficult one of the two.
“First off, Jerri is a bitch and you should take any words out of her mouth with a bucket load of salt.” The muscle in his jaw jumps, but he stays silent.
“Second, the only reason you think no one is interested in you is because you’ve refused to put yourself out there and hide behind your surly mask—”
“I don’t hide behind a surly mask,” he grumbles with a scowl, proving my point.
“Sure you don’t,” I deadpan. “You’re totally not doing that right now.”
His scowl deepens. “Fuck off.”
“Ollie wants you, Rhys, just as much as you want her.” He shakes his head, but I don’t let him get a word in.
“Don’t try to deny it; I’ve seen the way you look at her and the way she looks at you.
She came for you earlier. I may have been the one touching and kissing her, but she listened to your command.
” I know he sees it; he can’t be that stupid.
A myriad of emotions play out on his face; surprise, hope, trepidation and arousal before he settles on denial like the scared, stubborn idiot he is. “It didn’t mean anything, just a heat of the moment thing. I’m sure she’d have enjoyed it just as much—if not more—with Alex.”
God, do I want to punch him. Maybe then he’ll see the truth that’s right in front of him.
“Of course she’d have enjoyed it with Alex; she finds him just as attractive as she does you.
Hell, her pussy was soaked at the idea of you watching or joining in.
So sort your shit out and stop letting fear and your past ruin your chances of happiness with her. ”
He clenches his hands into fists in his lap as his eyes drift down to Ollie, who’s still sleeping in my arms. His face tightens and a look of vulnerability sweeps over his features. “What if you’re wrong and I’m not good enough for her?” he asks softly, hesitantly.
I hate seeing my confident, resilient friend look so broken and afraid. That bitch did a real number of him, just like Ollie’s ex did to her. But if she’s willing to let down the walls around her heart after everything she's suffered, then so can Rhys. And I intend to help him do just that.
“I’m not wrong, Rhys. Not on this,” I say with as much conviction as I can muster. “And the strong, amazing and beautiful woman in my arms is worth overcoming your fear for. Trust me.”
I can’t help but gaze down at the woman in question and brush a strand of hair from her face. She looks so damn peaceful and relaxed despite the dark circles around her eyes that highlight just how much she’s struggled with her nightmares.
No more. I refuse to allow her to fight her demons alone any longer.
Out of the corner of my eye, I see Rhys shift, a pained expression on his face as he watches me with Ollie. I say nothing, allowing him to work through his tangled, fear-driven thoughts in silence until finally, he speaks.
“I’ll think about it.”
With a sigh, I tighten my arms around Ollie. It’s not the answer I’m looking for, but it’s a step in the right direction. Now I just have to work out how the hell I’m going to get through Alex’s thick skull.
Olivia
Weak February sunlight streams through the windows of the corner shop and straight into my eyes, dragging me from the depths of my wonderfully dreamless sleep. I groan and roll over, snuggling into my hard and warm pillow to shield my eyes.
Wait…
I pull back and blink up to see an equally sleepy Theo gazing down at me. He looks sexy as hell; his strong jaw and chin dotted with dark stubble, and his curly hair mussed.
“You okay, princess?” he asks in a thick, tired voice as he reaches up and brushes calloused fingers across my cheek. Goosebumps break out across my skin at his touch, and a shiver dances down my spine.
I stare at him, confused as to why he’s cuddled up to me.
Shouldn't he be on guard duty? And then the memories of what happened last night hit me like a train; my confession, the kisses we shared, his deft fingers plunging into my pussy and Rhys’s molten honey eyes watching me as I came apart on his command.
Oh fuck.
I can’t believe I did that. Or that I liked it as much as I did. While I’m no prude, I’ve never done anything sexual in front of anyone other than my partner and I always assumed public displays were not my thing. Apparently, I’m wrong, because I really enjoyed Rhys watching me last night.
My cheeks flush and I hide my face in the soft fabric of Theo’s shirt while wishing for a hole to open up and swallow me whole. None does, so I’m left cuddled up to him as my cheeks burn with mortification.
“I’m going to take that as a yes.” His chest vibrates as he chuckles and cups the back of my head with a large, warm hand. “There’s nothing to be embarrassed about, baby.”
I shake my head. “There is,” I mumble, my words obscured by the fabric of his shirt.
Rhys, the grumpy asshole, has seen my ‘O’ face.
He watched as I orgasmed on his orders. I’m never going to live that down.
Maybe I can just hide here until we need the execute the plan tonight so I don’t have to see Rhys or Alex.
Oh God, Alex…
A tidal wave of guilt sweeps away my mortification.
I told Alex that we can only be friends, that whatever was developing between us should stop.
And yet, not only did I kiss Theo, I begged him to make me come while Rhys watched.
That’s so far out of the friend-zone it’s in a different fucking universe.
“I’m such a shitty person,” I groan. “We shouldn’t have done what we did.”
“What? Where did that come from?” Theo asks, confused.
I don’t reply. I’m too busy throwing myself a pity party.
“Ollie, talk to me.” He tugs at my hair, trying to pry my face away from his chest, but I resist. He sighs, grabs either side of my head and wrenches my head upward, forcing me to meet his silver eyes. “Ollie…”