36 RHEA
I can’t stop staring at him, touching him, kissing him.
The way he handled himself back at the bar, the way he saved me—it’s all I can think about.
My heart’s still racing, not just from the chaos but from him.
From the way his jaw tenses when he’s focused, the way his hands flex like he’s ready to take on the world.
I feel safe with him, which is ridiculous because I barely know him.
But here we are, in my apartment, and I can’t help myself.
“Sit down,” I say, my voice firm, though it wavers just enough for him to notice.
He raises an eyebrow, that infuriating smirk tugging at his lips.
“Bossy much?”
“My house, my rules,” I shoot back, crossing my arms over my chest like it’ll somehow make me feel more in control. It doesn’t.
He chuckles, low and deep, and it sends a shiver down my spine.
But he listens, sinking into the couch with that effortless grace of his.
I step closer, my breath catching as I straddle his legs, one knee on either side of him. His hands instinctively go to my waist, steadying me.
“Take your shirt off,” I say, my voice softer now, almost a whisper.
His smirk grows, but he doesn’t argue. He pulls his shirt over his head in one smooth motion, and I’m suddenly face-to-face with a canvas of ink and muscle.
Tattoos stretch across his chest, winding down his arms, each one telling a story I’m desperate to learn.
My fingers hover over his skin, tracing the lines like I’m mapping out a new world.
“You’re staring,” he says, his voice rough, but there’s a hint of amusement in it.
“Yeah, well, you’re distracting,” I mutter, my fingers brushing over the intricate designs. His skin is warm under my touch, and I hear his breath hitch as I lean closer.
I yank my own shirt over my head, tossing it somewhere behind me. His hands tighten on my waist, pulling me closer, as he tenses beneath me. He kisses my chest, his lips soft and deliberate, and I let out a shaky breath.
“Take this off, let me see you baby,” He says, while fingering the straps of my bra.
“You’re making this really hard for me to stay in control.” I say with a smug grin.
He leans back, hands up in defeat. “By all means baby, do your thing, lead the way.” I unhook my bra and it falls in his lap between us.
“You’re fucking beautiful, you know that?” He praises.
“Thank you,” I whisper, my fingers tangling in his hair. “For tonight. For everything.” He looks up at me, his hazel eyes dark, and there’s something in his gaze that makes my stomach flip. “You’re worth protecting, Rhea,” he murmurs, his voice so low it’s almost a growl.
And just like that, the last thread of control I’m clinging to snaps.
I stare down at him, my thoughts raging. “Pull down your pants,” I say, my voice steady despite the storm raging inside me.
He raises an eyebrow, that infuriating smirk playing on his lips.
“You don’t have to, this Rhea.”
“I want to,” I insist, my voice firm. I need this. I need to see him, to feel him, to know that I can unravel him just as much as he unravels me. “I need to taste you.”
“Fuck me…. Rhea. You’re killing me here.”
He gingerly lifts me off his lap as he stands, towering over me for a moment before he unbuttons his jeans and lets them drop to the floor.
His boxers follow, and there he is, completely bare.
My breath catches in my throat. He’s... magnificent, and for a second, I’m frozen.
He sits back down looking like a God on a fucking throne.
“Like what you see?” He says with a salacious grin.
“Let’s see how much boasting you’ll be doing in a few seconds.” I reply. Then I drop to my knees, my hands resting on his hips as I take him into my mouth.
His sharp intake of breath is music to my ears.
“Mother fucker, that smart mouth is to die for.”
I hum my approval as I move slowly at first, savoring the taste of him, the way he feels against my tongue.
His hand tangles in my hair, not pushing, just holding me there.
I look up at him through my lashes, and the sight of his head thrown back, his jaw clenched, only spurs me on.
“Fuck, Rhea, such a good little slut.” he growls, his voice trembling.
His words spear me on, the vibration making him curse again.
My hands wander, one gripping his thigh while the other teases the base of his cock. I can feel his muscles tense under my touch, the way his breathing grows ragged. He’s trying to hold back, I can tell, but I don’t want him to. I want him to let go.
“You’re killing me here,” he mutters, his grip on my hair tightening just slightly.
I pull back just enough to meet his eyes. “Good,” I say, my voice low and dripping with intent. Then I take him deep again, my tongue swirling around him as I feel him shudder. His hips jerk involuntarily, and I take him as far as I can, savoring every second.
He’s unraveling, and it’s exhilarating.
“Enough,” Tobias growls, his voice rough like gravel, his hands gripping my shoulders. “Not your mouth.” I pull back, my lips still tingling, and look up at him. His hazel eyes are dark, almost feral, and there’s that smirk—that damn smirk
—playing on his lips. “Where, then?” I ask, my voice steady despite the storm raging inside me.
He doesn’t answer with words. Instead, he pulls me to my feet, his hands sliding down to my hips, and I feel the heat of his touch even through my jeans.
I yank them off, along with my panties, tossing them somewhere behind me.
His eyes roam over me, and for a moment, I feel naked in a way that has nothing to do with being bare.
I climb back onto him, straddling his hips, and he’s already hard, ready. My heart’s pounding, and hear his breath hitch as I sink down onto him. He’s big, but I take him in slowly, savoring the way he fills me.
“Fuck,” he mutters, his hands tightening on my hips, his fingers digging into my skin. “You okay?” I swallow, adjusting to the burn. “Yeah, just give me a second.” He leans in and takes a nipple into his mouth. His tongue swirling around my hardened bud.
I start to move, slow at first, rocking my hips against his. The sound of our bodies meeting fills the air, mingling with my shaky breaths and his low groans.
“That’s it, nice and slow.” I decide to pick up the pace.
“You’re—” he starts, but I cut him off with a sharp roll of my hips. He laughs—actually laughs—and it’s a sound that sends shivers down my spine. “Bossy,” he finishes, his voice rough.
“You love it,” I shoot back, my hands resting on his chest, my fingers curling into the ink there.
He doesn’t deny it. Instead, he kicks things up a notch, his hips thrusting up to meet mine. His thighs are so strong, he’s damn near lifting himself off the couch, and the angle hits just right. I feel the pressure building, threatening to overwhelm me.
“Tobias,” I gasp, my nails digging into his skin.
“Yeah?” he asks, his voice low, his hands tightening on my hips.
I don’t answer. I can’t. My body’s on fire, every nerve alight, and I’m so close. He feels it too—I can see it in the way his jaw clenches, the way his breath comes in ragged gasps. His thrusts grow harder, faster, and I’m spiraling, falling over the edge.
“You know that I’m going to want to fuck you for the rest of my life now right? You’ve gone and got me goddamn addicted.”
“Ohhh, fuck.” His declaration and the vulnerability in his voice does me in.
“Rhea, I need you to come for me. Now.” he growls, his voice trembling, and it’s the last thing I hear before the world shatters around us.
I collapse on his chest, listening to the steady sound of his heartbeat.
The shrill ring of my phone cuts through the heavy silence, jolting me from the haze of what just happened.
Tobias and I freeze, our eyes locking for a split second before I scramble off him.
I grab my phone from the floor, Corey’s name flashing on the screen.
I swipe to answer, my voice wavering more than I’d like.
“Hey,” I say, trying to sound casual and failing miserably.
“All clear,” Corey’s voice comes through, calm and steady like always. “You two can head back. Everything’s handled.”
“Okay,” I manage, my gaze darting to Tobias, who’s already pulling his jeans on, his expression unreadable. “We’ll be there soon.” I hang up and set the phone down, my fingers trembling slightly.
Tobias doesn’t say a word as he grabs his shirt and tosses it over his head. I yank my own clothes back on, my mind racing. What the hell do you even say after something like that? Thanks for the ride? Nope.
Not touching that with a ten-foot pole.
We move around the apartment in silence, both of us avoiding eye contact. I grab my keys from the counter, and Tobias heads for the door, holding it open for me. I step out into the cool night air, the quiet of the street a sharp contrast to the chaos in my head.