21. Olivia
CHAPTER 21
Olivia
I ’m not sure what wakes me up, but it’s dark when my eyes open, and I feel wide awake like I slept a year rather than probably just the few hours I’ve been asleep. I also register that Bax once more carried me to bed without waking me and that his body is mostly under mine with his hand on my bottom, his other wrapped around my wrist, keeping me locked in place with my leg tucked between his.
If I were home and this happened, which it sometimes does, I would read until I was tired again, but I don’t want to wake the sleeping man lying beneath me by getting up and searching for my Kindle in my bag. As I lie awake, my eyes adjust to the darkness, and I force my hand free from Bax’s hold and slide it down his chest to his abs, then lift my thigh higher over his to get more comfortable.
As I’m moving, my knee brushes against his very obvious erection and my breath stills in the back of my throat. Of course, I know a guy getting hard even in sleep is completely normal and that it has nothing to do with me, but that doesn’t stop my body from responding.
Shifting my hips to ease the sudden ache between my legs, I feel my fingers twitch as I try to think about anything other than his erection. And I’m working so hard at trying not to think about it that I don’t realize he’s awake until he slides his hand down my arm and captures my wrist to move my arm down his stomach. I hold my breath as he places my hand over his erection and feel his cock jump in response.
He’s huge. I thought I had an idea of his size this morning when I saw him adjust himself, but as I move my hand under his boxers and wrap my fist around him—or at least try to—I know I was wrong. He’s thick and long, and he feels like silk over steel as I pump him from the base to the tip in a slow stroke that makes him groan. Wanting to hear that sound again, I slide my hand back down his cock, then gasp on the way back up when my hand is shoved away, and I’m rolled to my back, with his heavy weight settling between my legs.
“Bax,” I whimper against his mouth as it covers mine, and his hand cups my breast over my tank. I arch into him, wanting more, and he gives it to me by pulling his mouth from mine and nipping down my throat to my breast, yanking the material down and pulling my breast into his mouth. Latching onto his hair, I lift my hips into his, and with barely anything between us, I can feel him press right up against me.
He moves to my other breast while his hand slips between us and under the waistband of my shorts, then down between my legs.
“Oh God,” I breathe, pressing my head back against my pillow when he circles my clit, then slips lower to fill me with two fingers.
Letting my breast go with a pop, he comes back to my mouth but hovers just out of reach. “I need to taste this.” He emphasizes this with his fingers sliding out of me and back in.
No words come out of my mouth, but my body responds by tightening around his fingers while a moan I can’t control climbs up the back of my throat. Sitting back on his heels, he pulls his hand from between my legs, then grasps the waistband of my shorts, tugging them down my hips. Lifting my legs to one shoulder, he pulls them off.
“Get your top off, Oli,” he orders, grasping both my ankles but only moving one to his opposite shoulder.
Somehow, I manage to do as asked, even though it feels like I might come undone at the seams and my heart might pound out of my chest.
“Good girl.” He slides his hands down my shins to my thighs, then up to cup my breasts. With my bottom on his lap and my ankles still on his shoulders, I’ve never felt more exposed or more turned on in my life. Grasping the blanket, the only thing I can cling to, I wait, wondering if the anticipation of his touch might kill me. Letting my breast go, he leans over me, pushing my knees back to my shoulders, and takes my mouth in a deep kiss as his hands move to the backs of my thighs, then down, and he presses his hips into mine.
“Bax,” I whimper against his mouth.
“I like that.” He smiles against my lips, then I feel the scruff on his jaw scrape against my skin as he moves his mouth down my throat, between my breasts, to my belly.
I can’t see much in the dark, so when his hands spread my legs open and I feel his breath against me, I lose touch with reality. Digging my head into the pillow beneath me, I lift my hips to press my center against his talented mouth. Using his hold on my thighs, he spreads me open wider and eats me like a man starved—licking, sucking, nipping every part of me available to him.
When his thumb slides inside me, that tight knot coiled deep in my belly starts to come undone, and a tingle of pleasure spreads from my scalp down my spine and thighs. I chase the release I know is coming, grinding myself against his mouth and rolling my hips. I detonate on a gasp, moaning his name as my legs shake and stars fill my vision, even though my eyes are squeezed closed.
I’m panting for breath, and my body falls limply atop the bed as I feel his chin scrape against my thigh. I open my eyes when his body comes back over me, then lean up as he kisses me softly, and I slide my hand down his chest to his abs and over the front of his boxers.
“No,” he hisses against my mouth while capturing my wrist. “You touch me, this is over.”
Letting my wrist go, he brushes his lips across mine, then reaches across me, and suddenly, the light is on. I hear a drawer open. When he comes back with a condom, I lean up on my elbows and watch him first kick off his boxers, then rip the condom open with his teeth before sliding it down his length. My heart pounds, and my fingers tangle in the sheets as he moves back up my body and settles between my thighs.
“Is this okay?” he asks, pressing his chest against mine while he slides the head of his cock up and down through the wetness he’s created.
“Yes.” I squirm, lifting my hips, then I moan when he begins to sink into me slowly. Oh so slowly.
Wrapping my legs around his hips, I relish in the feel of him and slide my hands down his biceps, savoring it as his muscles bunch and release.
“You’re so fucking tight,” he groans, sinking in impossibly deeper. “Can you take more?”
There's more?
Oh God, it already feels like I’m so full.
“Can you?” He swirls his hips, and my nails dig into his arms.
“Yes,” I hiss, and he slides out, then back in gently, giving me more.
After three more slow strokes, he finally bottoms out, and his eyes lock on mine.
“So fucking perfect.” Dipping his head to the side, he takes my mouth in a deep kiss while finding my hands and bringing them up over my head, locking them there as he rocks into me. His pelvis presses against my clit on each thrust, sending me closer and closer to the edge, which shouldn’t be possible.
Letting my mouth go, he picks up speed and pounds into me. My neck arches, and his fingers lace with mine still pressed into the mattress above my head.
“Oh my God.” I gasp for air when I feel myself start to pulse around him. Squeezing my eyes closed, I let my orgasm wash over me and soak in every second, every detail, as I come apart beneath him. Then, before I even have a moment to recover, he lets my hands go and flips us over to fall to his back, somehow never leaving me. Wrapping his hands around my waist, he slides them up to my breasts as I blink my eyes open and look down at him.
“Ride me,” he orders.
I lick my lips as I move my hands to his chest for purchase as I lift my hips, then fall down his length. In this position, he feels even bigger somehow, but it doesn’t take me long to adjust and start riding him hard and fast. I moan, my head falling back to my shoulders as he slides one hand between my legs. As he circles my clit, I hear him groan when I tighten around him, my body oversensitive and still on edge from the two orgasms I’ve already had.
“Fuck, Olivia, you’re going to be the death of me.” He takes his hand from between my legs when his words make me clench, and he grabs my ass, pulling me up and down on his length so hard that my breath hitches, and I come once again.
He fucks me through my orgasm, never letting up, then his hand wraps around the back of my neck, and he yanks my mouth down to his, kissing me hard as he finds his own release.
Breathing heavy, I fall limply against his chest, and his arms wrap around me, holding me tight as his chest heaves against mine, and both our hearts pound.
I close my eyes, completely out of breath and utterly exhausted, feeling his lips rest against the top of my head.
“You okay?” he asks after a long moment, and I nod, too tired to even speak. “I hate to leave you, but I need to take care of this condom.”
“Okay,” I murmur, and as he rolls me to my side, I instantly miss the feel of him inside me as he slides out.
“Be right back.” He kisses me softly, pulling the blanket over my shoulder before leaving the bed.
Half out of it, I hear the tap turn on in the bathroom, then frown when I hear what sounds like sirens cutting through the quiet, which seem to be getting closer.
Bracing my hand on the bed, I sit up to listen better. Yes, it’s definitely sirens, and they are getting closer.
“Is that the police?” I whisper to Bax when he steps out of the bathroom, wondering if it’s them or an ambulance.
“Sounds like it.” He grabs his boxers and puts them on, then picks up his pajama bottoms. Tossing back the blanket, I start to search for my clothes while he goes to the window, opens the curtain, and peeks out the blinds. I don’t have to ask him if the police are next door because I see the red and blue lights flashing through the window.
Dread fills my stomach as I hurry to find my clothes to get dressed.
“I’ll be back.” He stops in front of me with a T-shirt in his hand as I find my shorts tangled in the sheet.
“I just need to get dressed.”
“I want you to stay here. After I find out what’s going on, I’ll come and get you.”
“Bax—”
“Just stay, baby.” He wraps his hand around the back of my neck and presses his mouth to mine, kissing me hard right before he disappears out of sight while pulling on his shirt.
Putting on my shorts, I tie them at my waist, then search for my tank top that got shoved up under my pillow. Dressed, I grab my sweater and jog to the living room, finding Gemma sitting at the door where Bax obviously told her to stay.
Opening the door, I lean outside and notice three police cars parked on the street and two officers standing on the lawn with Bax and Kourtney. After slipping on my shoes, I wrap my sweater around me and step outside, making sure Gemma doesn’t get out. Like he senses me, Bax turns my way, and his jaw visibly hardens. I ignore him and look at Kourtney when she turns to face me, fear etched into her every feature.
“What happened?” I ask as she walks my way.
“Someone was in the house.”
“What?” I whisper, my own fear making my voice and chest tight.
“I woke up, and there was someone in the house. I didn’t see them, but I heard them. I… I locked myself in my bathroom and used your phone to call the police.”
“Oh my God.” I wrap my arms around her. “Are you okay?”
“No.” Her body shakes. “I can’t believe someone was just… inside.”
“I can’t either.” I look at Bax when he walks up to join us.
“Let's get you two over to my place.”
“Don’t we need to wait to see what they say?” Kourtney asks, and he shakes his head.
“The cops are searching the house, and it’s too cold for you two to be out here. They’ll come next door when they’re ready to talk to you.” He takes my hand, and I take Kourtney’s.
When we get into the house, I lead her to the couch in the living room and take a seat with her, wrapping her in my arms as Bax goes to the kitchen. Having caught a glimpse of the time earlier, I know it’s way too early for coffee, but I still hear him making a pot. I can also hear him on the phone a couple of minutes later. I don’t know who he’s talking to, but he sounds angry.
When he comes out of the kitchen, I follow him with my eyes as he turns on the fireplace and the TV before he focuses on me.
“Cobi is on his way. I’m going to meet him outside.”
“Okay,” I say quietly, and he walks around to the back of the couch and leans over it, cupping his hand around my lower jaw before touching his lips to mine.
“Stay inside. I put coffee on, and it should be done soon.”
“Sure,” I whisper as he lets me go. A second later, I watch him walk out the door after he once more tells Gemma to stay. Feeling Kourtney’s hand tighten around mine, I squeeze her fingers. “It will be okay.”
She doesn’t agree, and I don’t blame her. Having someone throw a brick through the window while I was asleep was enough to scare me for days, so I can only imagine how she feels, knowing someone was in the house with her while she was so vulnerable.
The two of us focus on the TV, playing some mystery show from the ’70s. The quality is grainy, but it’s a good distraction from what is happening outside.
“Do you want some coffee?” I ask Kourtney when I feel her shiver despite wearing more clothes than I have on.
“Sure,” she says quietly, so I get up off the couch and go to the kitchen.
I normally wouldn’t drink coffee this early in the morning, but I don’t imagine I’ll be going back to sleep anytime soon, so I make myself a cup as well, carrying both back to the living room. I pass her one of the mugs and start to sit back down as the front door opens, and Bax walks in with Cobi and a uniformed police officer.
Ignoring the other men, I focus on mine and scan his face. I can’t read anything in his expression except anger, which worries me.
“Olivia.” Cobi dips his chin and then motions to the man next to him. “This is Officer Heart.”
“Hi,” I greet the other officer as I take a seat sideways on the couch close to Kourtney, and the men come to stand on one side of the living room.
“You must be Kourtney,” Cobi says gently, holding out his hand to her. “We spoke a couple of days ago over the phone. I’m Detective Mayson.”
“Nice to meet you.” She takes his hand and then gives the other officer a small smile.
“So we just finished a walk-through of the house and found that the two rooms in the back, one a bedroom and the other an office, were the only rooms that seemed to have been gone through.” My heart pounds as my eyes fly over to meet Bax’s. “We’re not sure if anything was taken. There were two computers, a TV, and some jewelry on top of the dresser in the bedroom out in the open.”
“So they didn’t take anything?” I ask, and Cobi shakes his head.
“I’m not saying they didn’t. The rooms are destroyed, and stuff is everywhere, so things could be missing. But the obvious items you’d take in a robbery are still there.”
Oh my God. I press my hand against my stomach.
“Bax said neither room was like that the last time he saw them.”
“They weren’t,” I confirm. “So what were they looking for?”
“We don’t know. We also don’t know how they got in since there were no obvious signs of forced entry into the house.” Cobi looks between Kourtney and me. “Did one of you leave a door unlocked?”
“I…” Kourtney shakes her head and looks at me. “Did you lock the door when you left?”
“Yes, when I left to come over here to Bax’s, I made sure to lock it, and then I double-checked it since you would be home alone.”
“What about the back door?” Officer Heart asks, and my stomach sinks.
“I don’t know. I… I didn’t even think about checking the back door. I never go into the backyard.”
“What about your friend?” Kourtney asks, and I chew the inside of my cheek.
“Again, I don’t know, but I guess she could have gone out there at some point.”
Shifting her attention off me, she focuses on the officers. “I’ve been out of town, and Olivia had a friend visiting when I got home this evening. Maybe she left the back door open, and that’s how someone got into the house.”
“Perhaps,” Officer Heart says, and I wrap my hands more tightly around the mug I’m holding.
“Do you two mind coming next door with us and just checking out the rooms to see if you can tell if anything is missing?” Cobi asks, and I shake my head, placing my mug down as Kourtney gets up off the couch.
As we all file out the front door, Bax waits for me and captures my hand. I can feel the tension coming off him in waves, and I get the feeling that if he could stop me from going into Kourtney’s house, he would.
As we walk through the door, everything looks exactly like it did when I left last night. Or… it does until we get down the hallway. Stopping outside of the office with Bax, I watch Cobi, Officer Heart, and Kourtney go into the room that is an absolute mess, with papers and things tossed around, and drawers open.
But like Cobi said, the big things that someone could take and sell are still right where they were yesterday. Kourtney’s brand-new computer is still plugged in, along with the printer, and there is a large jar of coins on the desk in plain sight that hasn’t been moved.
As Kourtney is looking around, I attempt to release Bax’s hand but end up dragging him with me to my room. My heart sinks when I see that all of my clothes have been pulled out of my closet and dresser and tossed around the room without care. The mess is bad enough, but when I step over the threshold, actually enter my bedroom, and pick a small piece of lace up from the floor to figure out what it is, it becomes obvious that whoever was in the house has a personal issue with me .
Scattered among the clothes everywhere are cut-up pieces of my underwear and bras.
Looking around, I quickly scan the top of my dresser. The cash I had in my pocket the other night and left there is all gone. But my laptop is still sitting on the side table next to my bed, with my iPad charging on top of it. As I look around, a shiver slides down my spine, and I feel violated in one of the worst ways.
“Do you notice anything missing?” Bax asks me softly, and I shake my head.
“I had some money on the dresser, but nothing else that I notice.” I pick up a strap from one of my bras that is hanging off the side of my bed. “Who would do this?”
“Someone who’s sick,” he answers quietly.
He’s right. Whoever did this is sick.
“Kourtney doesn’t think anything is missing from the office,” Cobi says, stepping into my bedroom through the bathroom that connects my room and the office. “Do you recognize anything that is missing in here?”
“Some cash.”
“How much?” Cobi asks.
“I think about fifty dollars.” I shake my head, letting the material in my hand fall to the floor.
“Anything else?”
“Not that I notice.”
“Alright, we’re going to dust for prints and see if we get anything,” he says, then looks over at Kourtney. “Where are you staying tonight?”
“Can’t I stay here?” she asks, looking around the room. “I doubt whoever did this will be back tonight.”
“You’re not staying here,” I whisper, horrified by the idea and shocked because there is no way I’d even think about staying here after knowing someone was in the house with me while I was asleep.
“I don’t have a lot of options unless I get a hotel,” she says quietly, hugging herself, and that guilt I’ve felt since she brought up Rebecca, possibly leaving the back door open, wraps tighter around my insides.
When we were in middle school, Kourtney’s younger sister, Beth, died in a freak accident, and that loss changed her. She started avoiding connecting with people and stopped being the funny and fun outgoing girl she once was. The only reason she didn’t push me away is because I never let her. She doesn’t have any close friends besides me, and her parents both moved away years ago, trading the seasonal summer heat of Tennessee for the year-round warmth of Florida.
“You’re going to stay next door with me. Bax doesn’t mind.” I tip my head back his way. “Right?”
“I don’t mind,” he says gently.
“Are you sure?” she whispers, looking uncomfortable. Actually, she looks like she might cry, which makes me feel worse than I already do.
“I’m sure.”
“Okay,” she agrees.
Thank God, because if she insisted on staying here, I'd have to stay here too, since there is no possibility I’d leave her in this house by herself.
“How about I help you get your stuff together?” I suggest, stepping toward her and linking my arm with hers, leaving the guys behind.
It doesn’t take very long for her to pack. She just adds some more clothes to her suitcase that is open on the floor in her room from when she came home yesterday. When we’re done, Bax walks the two of us over to his house, then lets us know he’s returning next door to wait while they finish dusting for prints.
I offer for Kourtney to hang with me in the living room, but she insists she’s tired, so I get her settled in Bax’s guest room and then take a seat on the couch with my book.
Before long, Gemma gives up waiting at the door for Bax to come home and joins me as I read. Not that I get much reading done, with my mind constantly drifting to what happened next door. I don’t want to think about what could have happened if I had been there tonight when someone broke in, but it’s in the back of my mind, and the thought is terrifying.