48. Hayden
The end credits rolled on the movie, but I barely saw them. The Exorcist was one of my favorite movies, but I’d hardly seen the film playing across the screen.
I’d been too distracted. Thinking about Maddox. Feeling the heat of Easton and Cillian next to me. Just knowing that I was surrounded by four of my mates.
My skin felt too tight for my body. My muscles felt twitchy, like I needed a good, long run. And I was not a runner.
Easton shifted, turning to me with a furrow in his brow. “You okay?”
I nodded my head slightly maniacally. “Yup. I’m good. Great. Thanks so much for a movie night.”
The furrow only deepened. “You sure?”
“Yup.” I clambered to my feet and started picking up detritus from the evening and stuffing it into an empty bag.
Knox sent Cillian a questioning look, but Cillian just shook his head as if to say, don’t ask.
Knox sighed and got up. “I could use a workout. I’ve been cooped up too much today. Anyone want to fly or spar?”
Cillian rose. “We should stick close tonight. Let’s spar.”
I straightened and turned to Cillian. “You don’t have to stick close because of me.”
His mouth thinned. “There’s a lot going on right now. The cops. The Corbetts. It would be better if we stuck together as much as possible.”
My gaze dropped to the bag in my hands. I wanted to believe that Cillian’s concern really was for all of us, but it was more likely that he was trying to protect my feelings.
Frustration flared. I didn’t want to be the weak one. The one who couldn’t properly protect herself.
I’d felt the animal within me stir as we’d flown this morning. I was ready for her to surface. God, I hoped she was fierce.
Easton got to his feet and gently took the bag from my hands. “I’ve got this.”
I nodded. “Thanks. I’m going to get a little studying done.”
I headed for the door before any of them could stop me. But I didn’t head for my room. I went in search of Maddox.
He needed to know that he didn’t have to be stuck with me. I could request a different advisor. I didn’t want him to be forced into anything.
My bare feet padded along the floor. The only sound was them hitting hardwoods or rugs, depending on where I stepped. It didn’t take long for me to reach Maddox’s office.
The door was open, but the room was dark, no Maddox in sight. Still, I took a moment to take it all in. The light from the hall was enough to make out most things.
Like his bedroom, books dominated the walls. But there was less of a mix of genres here. The titles all seemed to have to do with science of some sort.
There was a tufted leather couch against one wall. The pillow on one side had a divot that made me think Maddox might nap there or at least recline while he read. I could picture it so easily, yet I couldn’t paint his expression. The Maddox I’d seen was never completely relaxed.
He wore a mask that made it hard to tell what he was thinking, but that fa?ade was always a touch formal. I wondered what it would look like to see him completely at ease, carefree even.
I frowned as I backed out of the space. To see that, Maddox would have to completely let down his shields around me. And that had only happened for brief moments at a time.
Heading back down the hallway, I made my way to the stairs. I took them two at a time, relishing the burn in my thighs. I moved toward Maddox’s room and stopped at the closed door. Taking a deep breath, I knocked.
There was no answer.
I knocked again.
Nothing.
Annoyance flickered. Could he hear me and was just ignoring me?
I reached for the knob and twisted. Surprisingly, it was unlocked.
I opened the door to find the lights on but the room empty. I stepped further inside and frowned. There was no sign of him.
Finally, I heard the strains of water. I crossed to the bathroom door that was slightly ajar. I opened my mouth to call out but stopped dead as I caught sight of something in the mirror. Not something but someone.
Maddox’s large frame was reflected in the mirror. His tanned skin pulled taut over defined muscles. Muscles that were bowed and flexed as he moved his hand up and down his shaft.
I needed to leave. Watching Maddox when he wasn’t aware of my presence was beyond wrong. But I couldn’t get my feet to move.
Maddox’s fingers curled around himself, working his dick. Saliva filled my mouth as I wondered what he would feel like inside me. Moving in and out, thrusting deep.
My core convulsed with need.
Maddox tightened his hold on his cock as his hand picked up speed. He braced one hand on the tiled wall as he worked himself harder, faster.
My own breathing came quicker now as heat and wetness gathered between my thighs.
Maddox’s mouth fell open as cum spurted against the wall. And there was only one word on his lips.
Hayden.