20. Kaylani
Chapter 20
Kaylani
T he steam curls around me as I step out of the shower, the bathroom air thick with warmth. Droplets cling to my skin, cooling in the draft from the open door that leads into Hux's bedroom. I wrap a towel snugly around myself, absorbing the comforting softness against my damp skin. After the morning I’ve had, I really need this.
I brush my fingers through my hair, catching sight of my reflection in the mirror. Determination sets my jaw, though worry lines my brow. I know I can't hide out in here forever. Taking a steadying breath, I let the towel fall to the floor and slip into Vaughn's t-shirt, his rich chocolate scent helping settle my nerves.
I step into Hux's room to find Creed sprawled out on the love seat in the corner of the room. My gaze travels from the slope of his nose, over his plush lips that puff slightly with each exhale, down the curve of his strong, smooth chest to where the blanket is draped over his middle. From here, I can't tell if he's wearing anything, and my breath catches in my throat. He's truly beautiful, and for a moment, I stand there and stare at him. I don't know what it is with me and these men, but when they fall asleep around me, I become a creeper. I can't help myself, I tiptoe closer to get a better look at the V that disappears beneath the blanket.
"Hi tiny," Creed says, his voice thick with sleep. He stretches, a deep groan rumbling his chest, sending heat straight down to my core. My cheeks flush as I avoid looking at his form sprawled across the couch, chewing on my bottom lip.
"It's okay, you can look," he teases with a small laugh.
I raise my eyes to his, looking through my lashes, and giving him my best glare. The smirk on his face widens, showing me his perfectly pearly white teeth, his tongue snaking out to lick his lips as his eyes travel down my body. It's then I realize that I'm in nothing but Vaughn's T-shirt.
Oh God.
"When did you get here?" I stutter, trying to change the subject because those eyes roaming all over me, the way he's doing something to me. I'm not ready to face how I feel about that quite yet.
"Candi texted me she had to come get you," he explains. "What happened Kay?" he sighs, pushing his hair back from his face as he sits up, the blanket pulling around his middle. "You shouldn't have gone alone."
The good feelings from a moment ago dissipate, and I quickly become defensive. "Who are you to judge me?" I snap, arms crossing over my chest as I suddenly feel extremely vulnerable in nothing but the shirt.
Creed puts his hands up to placate me. "Not judging, I swear. Just concerned," his voice softens, and I exhale, the anger dissipating completely. I rub my hands across my eyes again in exhaustion.
"I know. I'm sorry," I admit, finally looking back up to meet his beautiful green eyes. Even if he and his brother share some similarities, the one thing they don't share is the kindness and compassion I see in Creed's gaze. While Adam's eyes are void of all emotion except rage and obsession, Creed is the opposite. He's playful, fun, and he brings out a side of me that makes me want to be better, to be goofy.
"Come here, tiny," he says, opening his arms and moving the blanket. I can't help but wonder if he's completely naked underneath those blankets, and when I see he's wearing a pair of boxer briefs, my lip sticks out in a slight pout. I'll admit, I'm a bit disappointed. As if Creed can read my mind, he chuckles.
My eyes shoot back to his.
"What?" he questions. "It's written all over your face. You're disappointed. It's okay, tiny. If you wanna see my cock, all you gotta do is ask. I did promise you that we would test that theory on if coffee was as good as an orgasm, remember" his voice darkens with lust. "Spoiler alert: the orgasm I can give you is better," he says playfully, winking at me.
I laugh, shaking my head good-naturedly as I collapse onto the couch next to him. Instinctively, his arm wraps around me and pulls me into his chest. Suddenly exhaustion overtakes me, and my heavy eyelids close.
For a moment, we sit there in silence—a comfortable silence—as Creed's fingertips trail up and down my arm, my hand splayed across his chest as I snuggle in deeper under his arm.
With my eyes closed, I find myself speaking a truth I didn't think I would say out loud normally. I'll blame it on being so exhausted, but it slips out of my mouth anyway.
"Thank you for being here," I whisper. Creed's trailing fingertips briefly stop moving at my admission, before they continue stroking up to my hair and pushing it away from my face. Slowly, I look up at him, and his brows are pinched.
"If you haven't realized by now, tiny. I'd do just about anything for you."
I break eye contact first, as my heart stutters at his words. I can't understand why these men constantly have all the right things to say. I've never had someone treat me like they do. It's refreshing, and terrifying as hell.
Bex's words play through my head, "You just need a pack to love you, bond or no bond. You deserve that."
And for the first time, as far as I can remember, I agree with her. Which means I need to break my bond with Adam. There are only two ways to do that: Adam says the words to break our bond, or one of us dies.
Creed's cellphone chimes, jolting me from my thoughts, and he snatches it up, his demeanor shifting as he answers.
"Yo," he says, but the response on the other end sends a wave of tension through him, stiffening his entire frame.
"What's going on?" I ask, sitting up, suddenly alert. Creed's gaze flicks briefly to mine before dropping to the floor. He rises, holding the phone to his ear with his shoulder as he pulls on his pants.
"We'll meet you downstairs," Creed replies, ending the call and sliding the phone into his back pocket. He turns back to me, attempting a reassuring smile.
"What's happening?" I press, my patience waning.
"Vaughn's downstairs to pick us up," he informs me, his eyes avoiding mine as he speaks. I sense he's withholding something, and it gnaws at me.
"Creed," I snap, firmly. "You can trust me. Tell me what's going on. I don't want to be treated like I'm fragile. Whatever's happening, I want to know," I assert, my guilt for keeping secrets surfacing.
"We are planning on looking into the Hounds today. To see if we can get any intel on them," he says. "But if you want to stay here you can." his gaze roams all over my body. "You look exhausted."
I let out a long breath. "Yeah, after everything that happened at my apartment with Adam I'm pretty tired," I admit, scanning the room. "He had no right! " Creed growls, stepping closer, his hand coming to rest on my cheek, forcing my gaze to meet his.
He searches my eyes, finding something that only fuels his anger. "Fuck that alphahole , I'll take care of him tiny, I swear it."
My stomach flutters, not with fear, but with something darker, something I hesitate to confront. I shouldn't crave his protective instincts, his willingness to go to extremes for me—especially against his own brother—but I do.
Yet I refuse to play the damsel.
"What did he want?" Creed demands, breaking my train of thought.
"He wants me, he still thinks I belong to him," I admit.
Creed shakes his head vehemently. "No, no fucking way. He needs to learn his place, and my family needs to be held accountable for the shit they’re doing. What Adam did to you, what he's still doing. No, this has to stop."
Creed begins to pace around the small living room, looking like a caged animal ready to strike. He tugs at the strands of his hair roughly, and I hate how vulnerable he looks.
"Creed," I say, loudly to get his attention. Finally, he stops, looking up at me, his green eyes wild and frenzied.
"You can't do anything right now," I urge.
"The hell I can't," he snaps.
We stare at each other for a long moment, neither one of us backing down. We both startle when Vaughn's voice interrupts. "What's taking you so long?"
Vaughn obviously feels the tension in the room, and his gaze bounces between the two of us. "What's going on? What is this?" he asks, pointing between us.
"Kay doesn’t want us to go after Adam, even after he came after her again today." Creed answers in a low growl.
Both men take a step towards me. But it isn't intimidating; it's comforting knowing that they’re coming closer to surround me, to protect me. But at the same time, I want to do this for myself. I need to take him down and get revenge for Bex.
When I come back from my thoughts, the guys are arguing about how to handle the situation, and I cut them both off. "Vaughn," I say, as his dark gaze settles on me.
"Yes, doll?" he pushes my hair behind my ear. It’s like these guys have to touch me every time they see that I’m unsettled. I take strength in that.
"I need you to do something," I say.
"Anything," he says immediately, without hesitation, and a small smile tugs on my lips because I believe him.
I lift my chin. "Teach me to fight, I want to be the one to make him pay," I demand, and his brows rise to his hairline.
It's not very often Vaughn shows emotion, and being able to catch him off guard and surprise him makes my stomach flip excitedly.
A growl escapes Creed, igniting a mix of nerves and desire within me. Vaughn's eyes darken, his primal need evident, and I feel empowered. "Our girl is so hot when she's threatening murder and mayhem," Creed muses, a dark smirk playing on his lips.
"I'm not yours—" I begin, but Creed's knowing smile silences me. It's dark and delicious, and does something to me that I can't quite explain.
"No?" he challenges, prompting my gaze to falter.
Silently, Vaughn encloses me, his lips hovering near mine, anticipation crackling between us. He moves with purpose, his touch igniting a fire within me. Creed's hands explore, adding to the sensations coursing through me. Their proximity overwhelms me, heightening my desire.
Creed pushes up behind me, both men surrounding me in their scent—dark chocolate with hints of sickly sweet caramel. I am instinctively aware of how close they both are, their body heat surrounding me. Vaughn also presses closer, and I tilt my head back to look up at his massive frame. I'm so small compared to him that my head hits Creed's chest as I look up, not breaking eye contact with the dark and dangerous beta before me. I know what he can do and what he's capable of; I saw the damage he inflicted on Adam.
I thought he was going to kill him.
"Are you going to teach me or not?" I murmur.
A growl rumbles in Creed's chest, and my stomach flutters with nerves, heat shooting down to my core. Vaughn's nostrils flare, and his eyes travel down to my lips, asking permission. I tilt my head just slightly more, and Creed's hand travels up my arm and across my chest, pulling me closer to him. The contact makes my blood run hotter. I can feel the hardness through his jeans, and again, I'm reminded that I'm only wearing a t-shirt—a fact that Vaughn won't let me forget.
"Are you wearing my shirt, doll?" he questions, his lip ticked up into a smirk of satisfaction. "Not that I mind," he says, "you look good in my clothes."
My heart beats faster in my chest as Creed grinds against me, my shirt lifting slightly, revealing that I'm not wearing any panties. The coldness of the room washes over my legs, making me hiss at the added sensation.
"You smell so good, tiny," Creed murmurs into my ear, and I tilt my head slightly as his nose finds the crook of my neck. Creed is clean-shaven, and his smooth skin against mine sends a shiver down my spine as his lips trail soft kisses along my collarbone and shoulder.
My body hums, shaking with adrenaline and need. All I want right now is to erase Adam's hands from my body.
"Vaughn," I murmur, and his gaze snaps back up to mine. His pupils are blown, and his dark eyes appear demonic, his need for me possessing him. It makes me feel powerful. "Make me forget," I say, "erase his touch."
"With pleasure," he purrs. He slowly leans down, his lips a hair's breadth away from mine, and I'm practically panting as his lips finally grace mine.
He moves his lips, soft and languid against mine, his five o'clock shadow adding roughness to the soft texture. I melt into Creed's hold, his arms wrapping around my waist and chest, flattening me against him and supporting all of my weight as Vaughn deepens the kiss, his tongue dipping in and out of my mouth. I suck it deeper, showing him exactly what I want to do to him, and he groans.
Creed adds to my pleasure, his hands trailing down and lifting the hem of the shirt higher, his fingertips trailing along my stomach and onto my breast as he slowly flicks his thumb over my nipple, shooting pleasure straight down to my clit.
"Those sounds you make," Creed groans. "So fucking sexy." He grinds his hips into me for emphasis.
Vaughn breaks apart from our kiss, panting. His eyes connect with Creed's over my head, some silent conversation passing between the two of them. For a second, I wonder if they've shared someone before.
"Where did you go just now, doll? Your scent is all over the place," Vaughn growls.
My cheeks heat with embarrassment. I shouldn't be jealous of them having another girl between them. I've never been jealous of the two of them together, but the thought of them being with someone that isn't me makes me furious—it's irrational, but I can't help it.
Creed chuckles from behind me as he slowly lets go of me and takes a step back. I whimper at the loss, the cool air washing against my skin, replacing the heat he had been providing behind me.
"I'll tell you exactly why our girl is upset," Creed chuckles darkly. "She wants us, and she's jealous."
"I am not," I snap, breaking eye contact with Vaughn to look at Creed over my shoulder.
That sexy smirk tells me he doesn't believe me, and it's the most infuriating thing ever.
"No?" he questions. "You're not jealous that you might not be the first woman we've shared?"
I don't answer as I step out from between them. But Vaughn comes up behind me, his massive form curling over my shoulder as he peppers kisses along my jaw from above me.
"Stop teasing her, love," he murmurs between kisses, before pulling back and turning me to face him. His large palm rests on my chin, fingers sprawled out on either side of my jaw as he tilts my chin up to face him. "For the record, doll, we've never shared anyone, and I don't want to unless it's you."
The hormones in my stomach flutter, and a new form of slick travels down my legs, pooling at my center. A breathy moan escapes me and Vaughn's hands grip each of my ass cheeks in his colossal hands, lifting me like I weigh nothing. He pulls me to him and my legs instinctively wrap around his large body, the stretch of my thighs as they fit around him is deliciously good. His fingertips press into my cheeks tighter as he forces me to grind down on his erection. His zipper hits my nub deliciously, setting a jolt of pleasure through me. My head falls back as I let out a long, breathy moan.
"You're not wearing any panties, doll?" he chuckles, and my eyes snap open to his. It's not often you get to hear Vaughn laugh, and the deep guttural sound sends another jolt of pleasure through me.
At this point, I'm so desperate to be filled by both of them, fantasizing about all the possible things they could do to me. But once again Creed's phone chimes and everyone goes still for a moment.
"Don't answer it," Vaughn says, as he forces me to grind against him again.
The ringtone stops abruptly, and I think that he’s silenced it, but then I hear him greet whoever it is on the phone, and a growl bubbles up in my chest in frustration.
"I swear, if I don't get off, I'm going to combust," I murmur. My heat suppressants should be helping maintain my hormones, but between both of my guys all I can think about is their hands all over me.
Vaughn begins to work me harder, his zipper hitting my clit with each stroke. Whatever Creed is saying on the phone is drowned out by my need and the sensation that's rising higher and higher with each stroke.
But it's still not enough.
I am aching inside, empty, and I just want to be filled and stretched deliciously. I groan in frustration, and Vaughn chuckles.
Seems the only way I can make him laugh is if it's at my expense. I frown at him, but the anger doesn't last long, as he continues to expertly bring me closer to release, painting my body flushed with need. My eyes roll back into my head and my back arches. I don't fear that I'll fall. The way he's holding me against him; I know that he's got me. My hands find his shoulders as I close my eyes and embrace the wave of pleasure that crashes through me.