CHAPTER 22
LANDRY
“How about spin the bottle?”
“That’s not very Christmas-y!” Olivia responded, the pitcher of eggnog in her hand as she made her way around the living room offering refills.
It was the first weekend of December, and we had a pretty decent group over for Olivia’s Christmas party, around thirty of us comfortably fitting in her living room.
We had just gotten done playing the Elf drinking game, where we put on the Will Ferrell movie and all drink any time the word ‘Santa’ is said. It wasn’t rocket science, but it sure was fun, and safe to say that the eggnog was definitely flowing.
Courtney had been invited, and I had to pat myself on the shoulder for my five-star ‘totally unaffected’ performance as she had used the shortage of seating to make her way onto Cashton’s lap for the entirety of the movie .
After my panic attack on the side of the road two weeks ago, he had gone back to ignoring me. Always so hot and cold that man, and face always so impassive that it would take a college degree in Cashton to figure out what was going on inside of that head.
I had decided that he wouldn’t get an ounce more of my energy, and had been actively working on completely erasing him from my mind. It was easier said than done though, especially when my traitorous body wouldn’t get on board. It didn’t take more than one look from those devastating green eyes to make my body come alive, something that I hoped would pass with time.
One thing was for certain, though, and that was the fact that I was totally and completely done trying to be any type of civil with the asshole. I would tolerate his presence for the group’s sake, but that was the most he would ever get from me from now on.
I wasn’t the type to get even, or really the confrontational type at all, but I was also done letting him walk all over me. Fighting fire with fire had never been my mantra, but clearly whatever I had been doing to attempt getting into his good graces had been severely failing. And so, if he came after me again, I would stand up for myself.
I had been a doormat for the majority of my life, letting people walk all over me left and right, but he had sparked a fire in me and then proceeded to fuel it every chance he got. And he would soon learn that there were only so many times you could poke a wild animal before it decided to fight back .
Not that I was a wild animal, by any means. I was typically calm-mannered, actually. More like a house pet. But he awoke something in me, and she was ready to push back.
Did it matter that he was the best sex that I had ever had in my life? That I constantly thought about him, and wondered about what he must have endured in life to make him so bitter? No, it did not. I was completely over Cashton Astor. Or at least, I would be soon. Maybe.
“How about spin the bottle, but with holly?” Zayn suggested, throwing a wink Olivia’s way.
“That’s…” she started, ready to chide him for the ridiculous idea, but coming up blank. “That’s actually not a horrible idea. It’s festive, after all!” she laughed.
“Spin the bottle it is!” Nate called from across the room, the rest of the party cheering in agreement.
Kaptan rolled his eyes, muttering something about us all being childish before getting up to grab another drink.
“Hey you ass, don’t hate on spin the bottle! Like Olivia said, it’s festive. Get in the Christmas spirit and come make out with some people under the holly,” Zayn yelled after his brother, looking almost offended.
“Well, we don’t actually have holly, but I’m sure we can find something that works,” Olivia laughed, making her way to the kitchen.
Some of Nate and TJ’s lacrosse buddies helped us move the coffee table to the side of the room, clearing the floor so we could all fit in a circle. Bexley and I exchanged questioning glances, something along the lines of ‘ Are you actually down to do this? ’ and ‘ I guess so, you? ’ and ‘ I’m in if you’re in ’ exchanged in the looks .
To be completely honest, I didn’t think Bexley had ever even kissed a guy. Not that I was calling her a prude, but she had openly admitted to me that not only was she a virgin, but she had never had a boyfriend, or even been on a date for that matter. Never even fooled around with a boy. But as long as she was comfortable, I wasn’t about to stop her. There was also still the overlying mystery of where she had spent the night on Halloween, so maybe things had changed after all.
“No holly, but would basil work?” Olivia asked as she walked back into the living room.
“Same thing!” TJ called, the group bursting out into laughter.
I was surprised the two were down to participate, but according to Olivia, it wasn’t uncommon for them to indulge in some fun with others every once in a while. ‘ As long as we’re both there and both in agreement, and as long as it never crosses the line. Nothing below the pants, ever .’ she had said during one of our girl’s nights. I hadn’t judged, actually admiring the trust. Their relationship was solid, and they were each other’s best friends and greatest supporters. I knew that Olivia could get a bit wild, and I was just happy that she had found her match. Someone that kept her wild and free, never trying to dim her light, but accepting her for it and loving her all the more.
Olivia handed the basil to TJ, offering him a broad smile and a quick kiss as he made his way outside to find a ladder, then tying the bundle of herbs to the center of the chandelier. This entire thing was comical, but yet the grin on my face was plastered in place as I soaked in the joy around me.
“Okay, everybody get in a circle! Who has a bottle we can use?” Olivia ordered, her blown out ash brown hair bouncing over her shoulders as she made her way to grab the empty beer bottle from a male on one of the large sofas.
She ushered all of us onto the rug, the group forming a wide circle. About half of the people remained standing on the outskirts, not wanting to play but none the less excited to observe.
Bexley and I took up places next to each other, shoulders bumping as we glanced at the males in the circle. To my horror, Cashton took a place across the way, Courtney clinging to his side as she slid in next to him.
I ripped my eyes away, leaning my head on Bexley’s shoulder as she placed a hand on my outstretched leg in comfort. She hadn’t said much regarding the situation, being more of the quiet listening type, but she was fully aware of everything that had passed between him and me. The small act filled me with a small sense of comfort knowing that I wasn’t alone.
“Who’s first? First round is girls’ spin only. Guys, just sit back and wait!” Olivia asked, her voice carrying over all of the conversations taking place around the room.
“I’ll go!” announced one of the girls to my left as she crawled to the center of the circle and spun. The bottle pointed across the way, to a beautiful dark-haired guy wearing a tacky Christmas sweater similar to mine and Bexley’s matching ‘naughty’ and ‘nice’ ones. The group cheered as she made his way to him, a blush creeping across his dark cheeks as she leaned forward and offered him a sweet kiss. I lifted my drink in celebration, cheering alongside everybody else.
The game continued, some offering hesitant pecks while others dove in for the full thing. Olivia had offered a quick peck to a few of the guys around the group, TJ at ease by her side as he sipped from his beer. Nate had landed on a tall blonde girl near us, offering us quite a show as he stuck his tongue down her more-than-willing throat.
I hadn’t failed to notice all of the hopeful glances in Cashton’s direction, each of them making me sick to my stomach. And after the first few kisses tainted his lips, I got up to excuse myself for another glass of eggnog. I was an idiot to imagine that anything could have been different with us, the proof right in my face as he let the girls devour him, one after the other.
My jaw became so painfully tight that I knew it would be sore in the morning. Fuck him. I loathed that he was able to make me feel this way. Insignificant and un-special.
I took my turn next, making my way to the center of the circle and grabbing the clear bottle between my fingers as I spun it hard. My heart thudded as it slowed, trying to predict where it might land. And as it came to a halt, I refused to look up, knowing exactly who sat in the direction it was pointed. Because of fucking course, it had landed directly between Cashton and Courtney. Why wouldn’t it have? The universe loved to fuck with me, after all.
Taking a moment to decide how I wanted to play this, I finally straightened my shoulders and crawled my way towards Cashton on all fours. I could have tapped out of the game, but that would have been too easy. He wanted to play? I was going to show him that I could play right back.
His eyes stayed locked onto mine as I made my advance, his tall form leaning back on his hands with legs outstretched directly in front of him. The man oozed confidence. I watched as his dark hair fell slightly into his eyes, those green irises darkening as a dare passed through them, his lips quirking in the slightest. I continued until I reached him, crawling over his long legs as I planted my arms on either side of him, hovering my mouth over his. Lust clouded his hooded eyes as they lowered to my lips, his face turning slightly more serious.
“Get,” I whispered against his mouth, our faces mere centimeters apart. “Fucked.”
His eyes snapped to mine as the group burst out in a chorus of ooooh ’s and burn ’s. A cruel smile curved on my face, his jaw clenching as the vein in his neck pulsed. Wrath burned in his hardened features. But I didn’t take a moment to acknowledge any of that, as I slipped off of him and turned to his right, grabbing Courtney’s stunned face with both of my hands and slamming my mouth over hers.
I shoved my tongue down her throat, her lips parting for me as I threw a leg over her lap, straddling her and grinding my body against hers. She didn’t fight me back, her entire body frozen in shock for a moment before she lifted a hesitant hand and weaved it through the back of my hair. I put on the performance of my life, devouring her mouth before dragging her bottom lip through my teeth, letting it out with a pop.
The entire party went wild, cheers coming from every direction as I finally pulled back, not sparing a glance at Cashton as I stood up and walked back to my seat, swaying my hips in the process.
That had felt absolutely amazing, my confidence skyrocketing and the adrenaline giving me a euphoric high as I made it back to my spot and offered Cashton a saccharine smile. He grabbed his Dos XX, a generous sip making its way down his throat as he shot me a vicious look, letting me know that I had won this round. And oh, did it feel good.
—
I made my way upstairs, finding Olivia and TJ’s master bedroom and digging through the closet until I found a cream cashmere sweater. One of Zayn’s drunk friends had spilled nearly an entire cup of beer down the front of my sweater, the stench nauseating as I remembered Conner and Levi’s hot breaths in my ear that night.
Making my way to the master bathroom and locking the door, I tore off my sweater and dampened one of the hand towels, using it to wipe down my skin until it no longer felt sticky. Pulling the oversized sweater over my head, I adjusted it to where it hung off of one shoulder before giving myself a quick once-over and heading back out into the bedroom.
But as soon as I pulled the door open, I ran directly into a hard chest, Cashton shoving me back into the bathroom and closing the door behind him. Oh shit.
His eyes hadn’t calmed in the slightest since the spin the bottle incident, and I was suddenly beginning to regret my decision to humble him in front of the entire group. It didn’t take a rocket scientist to decipher the look on his face, the intense gaze promising retribution. I audibly swallowed, my head tilting back as I held his gaze, refusing to cower down.
This man had already seen me vulnerable on more occasions than I wanted to admit, and I was done letting him do so. If he thought he could scare me, he was dead wrong. Or at the very least, I would no longer let him see the impact he had on me. Game on.
“Hey, Cashton. Lovely seeing you here. Now if you don’t mind, I have a party to get back to.” I smiled sweetly, patting him on the chest and attempting to make my way around him.
A rough hand grabbed my hair, yanking me back into the bathroom before forcing me towards the marble counter and slamming my upper body face down onto it. His hold on my hair didn’t relent, my cheek pressed down on the cool surface as I struggled to free myself.
“That was a cute little act, princess,” he spoke, his voice low and menacing. “Quite the show.”
I whimpered as his grip tightened, the burn in my scalp causing tears to prick the backs of my eyes. Heat flooded between my legs, my traitorous body instantly aroused by the domineering presence at my back. I couldn’t remember at what point my body and mind decided that they loved things rough, but I must have missed the memo because the revelation was new to me.
“You can play all you want, but you need a reminder whose game you’re playing,” he threatened, before reaching a hand down to cup me between my legs, his rough palm rubbing over the material of my leggings.
A soft moan slipped through my lips before I could stop it, and I could practically feel him grinning behind me at the sound. I would be revolted at the thought of anybody else touching me like this, but something about the fact that it was him made it oh so pleasurable .
“You like it, don’t you princess? When I take control of your body? When I own you like this?”
I forced my lips shut, anger and lust shooting through me at his words. I struggled harder, but he didn’t so much as budge as his hand continued rubbing me. I needed more, needed to feel him inside of me.
“I bet if I pulled these leggings down right now, I would already find you soaked and ready for me,” he challenged, and my body stilled, knowing that he was right.
In one swift motion, he grabbed the waistband of my leggings and pulled down, the cool air immediately brushing my exposed skin. Goosebumps ran down the backs of my thighs, my pussy throbbing as it awaited his touch. His fingers reached down to slide across my entrance, swirling the wetness over my clit, before bringing them up and holding them in front of my face for me to see.
“Just what I thought,” he let out a dark chuckle. “Already dripping for me.”
I squeezed my eyes shut, embarrassment coursing through me.
“Such a pretty little pussy.”
A loud smack rang through the room, pain spreading through my butt cheek as his hand came down to meet it. I let out a gasp, the sharp pain shooting straight to my center. Another slap rang through the bathroom, my other cheek stinging this time. My pussy throbbed, clenching around nothing but air. I needed him to fill me, needed the feel of his cock inside of me or I would go mad. As if reading my mind, I heard his belt unbuckle, the sound echoing through the spacious bathroom.
“I want to hear you beg for it. ”
His voice was gravely and low, control radiating through the words. I kept my lips pressed together, refusing to give in to him. A finger ran over my reddened behind, making its way down my thigh painfully slow as I shivered from the touch. But still, I refused to speak, forcing my mind to remain in control over my body. My core throbbed, the cool air grazing my clit as I bit back another moan. I wasn’t sure how much longer I could hold out, needing reprieve. His hand continued to press my face down into the counter, my body immobilized.
“Tell me how badly you need to be fucked, Landry.”
I whimpered at his crude words, needing him like I needed air.
“Cashton—”
“Beg.”
I was going to give in. I couldn’t take it anymore, the cool air across my exposed center causing me to grow wetter by the second, his tall form at my back making me shiver with desire. I mentally cursed myself as my body betrayed me, a small “Please” whispered through my lips.
He slammed inside of me, his cock impaling me as intangible noises made their way out of my mouth. He hit so deep that my eyes threatened to roll back, sheathing himself to the hilt as he began mercilessly pounding into me. My upper body slid back and forth on the cool countertop, the violent thrusts jerking my body.
“Fuckkk…” I moaned, my orgasm already nearing as he continued to hit that sweet spot inside of me over and over again. The hand in my hair yanked my head up, my back forced to arch as I looked up. Our gazes locked in the mirror, his eyes shooting la sers at me as his jaw clenched. The sight of him alone was enough to make my knees weaken.
“Eyes on me, princess. I want this ingrained in your head.”
A few more thrusts and I shattered. My eyes never leaving his, I came apart as the flood washed through me, my fingers gripping onto the counter for dear life, muscles going slack. Cashton’s gaze devoured me, a deep groan leaving his throat as his thrusts continued to quicken.
My body went limp in his hold, euphoria passing through every inch of me. He jerked out suddenly, the emptiness causing a whimper to slip free as he spun me around to face him and used his hold in my hair to yank me down.
“Get on your knees.”
I did as he asked, my knees meeting the cool bathroom tiles. My head was swimming with lust, still dazed from the mind-blowing orgasm he had just ripped from my body.
“Open,” he commanded, his tone fierce and leaving no room for argument. I stared up at him, my mouth falling open as I took in his towering form, his size even more intimidating from down here.
Fisting his cock, he guided it to my awaiting mouth, the hard length coated with my orgasm as it made its way past my lips. He grunted, the sound filled with pleasure as I forced my throat to relax so I could take him in further.
My hands lifted, planting themselves on his thighs as I dug my nails into his skin. Tears pooled in the backs of my eyes as his cock hit the back of my throat, the size causing me to gag.
“Do you taste yourself on me, princess? You look so good choking on my cock. ”
I moaned, the vibration causing Cashton to suck in a hard breath. His grip on the back of my head tightened, his movements growing more demanding as he drove into me faster and harder, tears running down my face as he used my body to take his pleasure. I tried to keep up, the intensity of his thrusts growing harder to take as I let him take complete control, my jaw aching at his assault.
Without warning, he exploded inside of me, his warm cum salty on my tongue as I swallowed it down my throat. His head fell backwards, eyes closing and a light sheen glowing over his golden skin. Cashton was breathtakingly beautiful.
He slowly pulled his cock out of my mouth, my lips leaving it with a small pop. The hand in my hair loosened, turning into more of a gentle caress as his other hand lifted to cup my face. He looked down at me with a heavy gaze, his thumb rubbing some of the tears off of my face as we both panted heavily. My mouth fell open slightly as he brought his thumb to his mouth.
“My beautiful little brat. Your tears taste so sweet.”
His words did something to me, lust coursing through my insides.
Something flipped a switch in his expression and he patted my hair like a dog, a cruel smile curving on his lips. Without so much as another word, he let me go, placing himself back into his pants before buckling his belt and walking out of the restroom.
He didn’t so much as offer me one last glance before making his way through the door, not bothering to close it behind him as he left me there on my knees. The lust quickly turned into anger, humiliation washing over me. Real tears pricked at the backs of my eyes, threatening to come down as I stayed on the ground, eyes still remaining on the empty doorway.
Why had I let him use me like this again? I had to stop letting this happen. Cashton Astor was ruining me.