Chapter 49
CHAPTER
FORTY-NINE
EMERSON
Colter’s smiling face greeted me when I exited the bathroom. He eagerly pulled me into his arms, kissing me deeply. His body was hard beneath mine and naughty thoughts invaded my mind.
“This dress looks incredible on you, sweetheart,” he breathed, his lips ghosting over mine.
“Thank you, handsome.” He grinned, and my heart skipped. I loved this man so much.
“I wish I could steal you away and show you how hard you’ve had me all night, but Holden would murder us for leaving him out this time.”
I giggled. “True. Let’s see if we can leave, then.”
“You have the best ideas.”
Colter wrapped his arms around me, and we walked back into the ballroom. People continued to stare, but it didn’t bother me anymore. Or at least not as much. Believing in myself made some of the anxiety disappear.
Tables had been moved away for a dance floor, and soft music played over the speakers. The dance area was filled with older couples, the parents of the players, and previous alumni. Hope and our parents were no longer at our table, and Taylor was flirting with two guys at the bar, leaving Holden alone. Except he wasn’t exactly alone, considering he was surrounded by almost the entire team. Colter and I shared a look before picking up our pace. This didn’t look good.
“What’s going on?” Colter asked, pushing through two big guys. Holden glanced up from his phone, his face hard.
“It’s nothing. Thanks, Pierce. I’ll handle it.”
I spotted Cody; his features were just as solemn as those of the rest of the team. I lifted my brows, and he nodded for me to step away from the group. When we were a few feet away, he leaned in to whisper.
“The Royals posted some videos on their socials, trying to stir shit up.”
“What kinds of video?”
Cody hesitated, telling me all I needed to know. It was bad. “Most of it is smack talk, but there were some allegations against Holden.”
“Allegations? What?”
“They’re saying he cheats and dopes. It’s bad, Peanut. Rumors like that can ruin his chance to be drafted.”
“But they’re just rumors. It’s not true!”
“I know, but perception is a big part of a player’s image. The Royals are trying to get in his head, so he’ll screw up tomorrow and lose. The team’s worried it’s possible without Colter on the field.”
“They should have more faith in him. Holden’s a rock!” I argued.
“Even rocks shift with enough force.”
“Not Holden.”
“You should remind him of that tonight.” Cody winked, and my cheeks flushed with heat.
“Rivers, you trying to steal my girl again?” Arms wrapped around me, and a body pressed into me from behind.
“Nah, Cap. Peanut’s all yours. Later.” Cody kissed my cheek, not caring that Holden’s arms surrounded me. Holden growled, but Cody only laughed as he walked off. Colter shook his head as he came around and blocked me in.
“How about we get out of here?” Colter suggested. His eyes shifted up to Holden, and I knew he’d been filled in on the rumors, his worry evident for his best friend.
“Best idea all night,” Holden said.
“Let me check on Taylor.”
Holden grunted, but let me go. “Meet you in the hallway. I can’t be here a moment longer.”
I nodded and headed for Taylor. The two guys were hanging on her every word, looking at her like lovesick fools. I couldn’t tell which one she liked better. Her eyes lit up when she spotted me.
“There’s my bestie!” She threw her arms around me.
“How much have you had to drink?”
“Just one glass. I swear I’m fine.”
I checked her eyes, finding them alert. “We’re headed out. You good?”
“Yep.” She nodded.
“Which one are you going home with?”
“I decided to take a page out of your book. I’m not choosing.” She smirked.
“Do they know that?” I asked, lifting a brow. Taylor turned, throwing her arm around my neck.
“How do you boys feel about a Taylor sandwich?”
They gulped and then looked at each other. The taller one shrugged and then gazed back at Taylor. “I’m game.”
“Me, too,” the shorter one rushed to add.
“What’re your names?” I asked, my protectiveness surging .
“I’m Dillion, and he’s Eric,” the taller one said for them both.
“Taylor’s my best friend, so if you hurt her or do anything sketchy, you’ll answer to me. And you both know who I’m dating, so if I don’t scare you enough, they should. But just so we’re clear, I’m a whole lot scarier. Capeesh?” Their eyes widened, and they gulped before nodding, almost in sync.
“Babe, I can take care of myself,” Taylor protested.
“I know. Doesn’t mean I can’t help.” I kissed her cheek. “Text me their address when you’re there and when you’re headed back. The parade is at noon.”
“Got it. Have a good evening yourself,” she teased before stepping between the two guys. I narrowed my eyes at them before I walked away, reminding them what was at stake. On the way out, I spotted Rose and my dad, so I bid them goodbye. Holden and Colter waited for me at the door and took my hands as we walked out together.
Again, people stared, and this time I stared back. Surprisingly, it wasn’t as judgy as I’d expected. Either they were getting used to the idea of us or were scared of pissing off Holden enough not to say anything. I never thought having a scary boyfriend who was good at football could be so advantageous.
The cold night air sent goosebumps racing over my skin when we stepped outside, so I dropped their hands to rub my arms. Holden tossed the car keys to Colter, then shrugged off his suit jacket, draping it over my shoulders.
“Ah, man. I wanted to be the gallant one,” Colter whined.
“Snooze, you lose.”
Laughing at their back-and-forth, I didn’t notice at first when they both froze. At the bottom of the stairs, a guy with a bouquet of roses stood with a sign that said “Princess.”
Holden looked over my head, telling Colter something with his eyes before taking off down the steps. I moved to join him, but Colter held me back .
“Wait,” he said.
“Why? He shouldn’t be going on his own!”
Colter’s jaw tightened, but he didn’t budge. Huffing, I crossed my arms as Holden approached the guy. We watched as he talked to the man, pointing to me when the guy didn’t hand over the delivery. I imagined Holden was using his scary face when he hesitated again, because the guy shoved it into his arms and stalked off. Holden inspected the bundle, dropping the roses into the trash can. He took out his phone and snapped a picture, then turned his back on the items, blocking my view.
“Let’s go,” Colter said when Holden nodded. I wanted to protest, but these shoes were killing me, and at the reminder of Monsieur Owen still lurking about, exhaustion filled my bones.
Holden didn’t budge until we passed the roses, joining us. I could only guess what was on them he didn’t want me to see. Shuddering, I burrowed into Colter’s chest, feeling a semblance of safety in his arms. The three of us were quiet as we moved to the SUV, and I worried our car wasn’t safe. It was the last thing I wanted to deal with tonight.
“Should we call Detective Jennings?”
“I sent her a text to come and pick them up.”
“Oh, that was smart. Is our car safe?” I looked around the parking lot, wondering if he was there, watching. Always watching.
“He sent someone else, so I’d say he doesn’t know what vehicle you’re in.”
“Could be watching,” Colter said, echoing my thoughts.
“He could. But do you want to wait for another ride on the off chance he is?”
“Not really. I want to go home.” My voice was small, and all the earlier confidence left me at the reminder that we weren’t safe. I wasn’t safe .
“Hey. Look at me, Wildcat.” Holden stepped closer to me. “He’s not going to get you. We’re not going to let him.”
“You can’t stop bullets and bombs, Holden.”
“Wanna bet? I can do anything with you, Wildcat.” The live wire inside me crackled with energy, warming me from the inside out. I wanted to believe in his optimism.
“Okay. Let’s go.”
“Get in the backseat,” Holden ordered.
I did as he asked, and Colter climbed into the driver’s seat. Holden followed me into the back, pushing me to the other side.
“I knew football players took up a lot of space, but two seats is a bit much, Hol.” He chuckled, spread his legs, and then reached over and dragged me into his lap.
“Oof.” His arms wrapped around me, locking me in place. “I don’t think this is safe.”
“I won’t let anything happen to you. I promise.” It was hard not to believe him when he spoke with such conviction.
It was quiet as Colter drove us home, and I relaxed back into Holden’s embrace when the car didn’t explode. We were halfway back when Holden’s hand moved. Starting at my legs, he squeezed and caressed as he traveled up my body. My pulse quickened and desire licked up my spine. Slowly, Holden inched up my dress and dropped my knees over his, spreading me as wide as the material allowed. Which wasn’t very much.
He huffed in my ear. “Why is this so hard?”
“It’s form-fitting.”
“So that means it’s impossible to get off?”
“Basically. But there’s also the shapewear.”
“What now?”
“It keeps all the jiggly bits in place.”
“Hate it. I like all your bits, and I want to be able to touch them whenever I want and make them jiggle. Don’t wear it ever again. ”
“Sorry, but it doesn’t work that way.”
“What? Why?”
“You can’t tell her what to wear,” Colter added from the front. “But you don’t need it, sweetheart.” His eyes lifted to the rearview mirror. “That’s how you say it.”
“I don’t see any difference! I said I hate it.”
Holden sounded so put out that I laughed. “Yes, but you were all growly, like saying, ‘Don’t wear it again.’ And that is more of a command versus Colter’s version, where he compliments me when he said I don’t need it, implying it’s unnecessary.”
“It’s the same thing!”
“Nope.” I shook my head, smiling.
Holden growled, attacking my neck with his mouth and sucking. I gasped and then groaned, forgetting what we were arguing about. He pushed my legs further apart, the seams of the dress groaning at the force. His hands skimmed over my lower half. Despite the shapewear, I could feel his touch everywhere. When he finally got my legs as far as he wanted, he swiped a finger up my center and then froze.
“Wait, it has a slit in it?”
“Yeah. So it’s easier to go to the bathroom. Once it’s on, it’s not coming off until the night is over.”
“I take it back. I don’t hate it as much anymore. Still rather be able to touch you, but this will do.”
“What—” My words were cut off as he found the slit and plunged his finger in. I groaned, my head falling back to his shoulder. “Fuck.”
“Goddamn, Wildcat. You’re so wet for us already. I bet I could fuck you right now while Colter drives, and I wouldn’t have any problem sliding in and out of you. Your pussy is dripping, baby. You’re gonna drench my suit pants at this rate.”
I squirmed on his lap, wanting and needing more. He rocked his hard length up, nudging my ass as he continued to thrust his finger.
“Look at Colter, baby. He’s dying up there.” I glanced up to the rearview, finding Colter’s eyes hot on me for a second before he glanced back at the road. I kept my gaze there, finding him looking every chance he could. His pupils were blown, and I knew he was enjoying the show Holden put on for him.
“When we get back, we’re both going to fill you up so much you’ll have trouble walking tomorrow.” He sucked on the other side of my neck, leaving a new mark. I moaned, my eyes closing as Holden picked up the tempo and thrust in two fingers. Colter jerked the wheel, and my eyes opened.
“Careful!” Holden shouted.
“Sorry, but you try to drive when that’s going on in the backseat.”
My breath sawed out of me; Holden’s finger paused in my pussy. I wiggled, but he kept it still. Gritting my teeth, I shoved my hips forward, but his free hand clenched on my hip and held me still. Whimpering, I tried to get more friction, but Holden didn’t budge.
“If you’re not going to touch me, then move your hand. I’ll do it myself.”
“You think you can do a better job than me, Wildcat?”
“Yes!”
He withdrew his fingers, sucking them into his mouth, and then gripping my other side. “If you touch yourself, then I’ll have to punish you.”
“You’re punishing me now!”
“Believe me, baby, this is nothing.”
I tilted my head back and met Holden’s eyes. His pupils were blown, but he didn’t relent. With a stubborn glare, I moved my hand and placed it over my empty pussy. Holden didn’t say anything, but his nostrils flared, daring me to go further .
I flicked my clit, my body shuddering with need. Holden’s eyes heated, his jaw twitching as he watched me. I eased my finger down and swiped up, parting my folds and gliding my finger through my wetness. His eyes promised a punishment if I continued, but the threat didn’t scare me. If anything, it enticed me to see what he’d do. This I could control and everything else left my mind.
Pushing in deeper, I trembled at the fullness and moaned. Holden’s hands quivered on my hips, his fingers digging into my skin. I kept going, riding my finger and squirming on his lap as my orgasm approached. I was so lost in our battle of wills that I didn’t realize the car had stopped.
The next second, the door was flung open, and Holden grabbed me into his arms and carried me inside. Colter disabled the alarm and reset it while Holden carried me, neither answering my protests. When we got to the kitchen, Holden sat me on my feet. I spun, my hands on my hips and glared.
“You stole my orgasm! Twice!”
“You have sixty seconds, Wildcat. I wouldn’t waste them arguing if I were you.”
“What?” I asked, but Holden didn’t respond, only glanced at his phone. He set it on the counter along with his wallet. He took off his tie, then his shoes.
“Better run, Mer. Time’s almost up.” Colter smirked, laying his stuff next to Holden’s on the island.
Adrenaline surged through me at the implication, and I quit arguing. Spinning on my bare feet, I took off. My heart pumped hard as I ran through the house. Time seemed to disappear as I rounded corners, trying to find a good hiding place. I made it to the stairs when I heard their feet. Deciding to take my chances, I pulled the sheer layer of my dress off and tossed it up the stairs, hoping to lure them in the wrong direction .
With quiet feet, I padded down and went to the one place I hoped they wouldn’t look—my studio.