19. Olivia #2
His fingers brushed over my arm, barely there, and my whole body betrayed me with a shiver.
“I forgot how easy you are to read,” he said, voice dropping an octave.
I tilted my head up to meet his intense gaze. He was watching me, but not in a way that was demanding. I could tell he was giving me space to make the next move or to pull away.
Damn him.
I didn’t pull away.
His lips brushed mine, light and teasing. Once, twice. Testing. Then I kissed him back, sinking into it, pressing against his chest. His hands slid to my waist, firm but careful, like he still wasn’t sure how far I’d let this go.
I already knew how far I wanted it to go.
I pulled back, breathless. “Chloe’s home.”
Brett’s thumb traced my hip. “Chloe’s asleep.”
“Her room is on the second floor.”
“Mine’s on the third.”
I narrowed my eyes. “And?”
“And she’ll never know if I take you there.” His mouth skimmed my jaw, then lowered, and suddenly, I was the one making the next move—dragging him off the couch toward the stairs, cursing myself the entire way.
We didn’t even make it to the bed before we ripped each other’s clothes off.
Brett grabbed my arms and pinned them behind my back as he kissed my eyelids, down to my cheeks, across my lips, and down my collarbone.
When he made it to my breasts, he let my arms go so he could maul them with his fingers and lips.
Shivers traveled up and down my spine in sheer appreciation of what he could do with his mouth.
He lifted me onto the bed and followed me, kneeing my legs open so I could receive him fully. He moaned against my skin. “I need to be inside you.”
“I need you there.” I could feel heat pool between my legs, ready and waiting for him to slide inside and fill me up with his erection. He laced his fingers with mine and pushed in as deep as he could.
We rocked together in perfect harmony, staring into each other’s eyes like we were afraid to look away. I could feel him throbbing there, ready to explode, as I squeezed on him ever so tightly.
“Olivia, you drive me mad.” He cupped his hands underneath me and pulled me in tighter. I arched my back in response as he stopped moving so I could feel his pulse strong and fast. “I can’t hold on.”
“Then don’t,” I said, my voice ragged. My nails dug into his back as he began moving again with an urgency that defied any desire I could ever imagine. We rode wave after wave, stopping and starting to prolong the last crash of hunger and passion until neither of us could anymore.
All reason left me as we came together in a blissful shedding of inhibition, clinging to each other in a pool of sweat. Afterward, we lay in each other’s arms until our hearts and breathing slowed back to normal.
“You are out of this world,” Brett sighed against my breast as he sat up. I joined him, and he kissed me softly. “I don’t want you to leave.”
“I don’t want to either, but it’s getting late.”
“I forgot you turn into a pumpkin at midnight.”
I shook my head and rolled my eyes. “No, but Mystic will claw my eyes out if I don’t get home soon and spend some time with her.”
“She doesn’t sound very nice.”
“She’s plenty nice but deserving of my time.”
“I get it.” He gestured to the door. “I know Phoenix is right outside the door moping because she can’t be in here. It’s hard on them when their routine changes. I’ll let you go, but this isn’t over. When I see you next, I expect your I-hate-Brett facade will no longer be there.”
“Brett—”
“Just go home and get some sleep. We’ll talk tomorrow.”
“I will, but we still have a lot of things to figure out.”
Brett sighed but didn’t argue. Instead, he pulled on his pants and led me to the stairs. Just as we reached the second-floor landing, Chloe’s door opened.
She stood there, her mossy-green eyes locking onto me, then Brett. Her gaze went back and forth between us, taking in my slightly messy hair and makeup and the way Brett was just a little too close. Realization crashed over her face.
“I hate you!” she yelled.
The words cut through the air like ice shards. Before either of us could respond, she stormed back into her room and slammed the door so hard the walls rattled.
Brett exhaled, looking stunned. “Damn.”
I crossed my arms. “I knew this was a bad idea.”
I turned, heading down the stairs. Brett caught my wrist. “Olivia?—”
“Not now, Brett,” I said as I tried to free myself.
His grip loosened, but I could see it in his face—he wouldn’t let this go. I needed space, though, and some time to think. Because whatever this was, whatever we were doing, it wasn’t just affecting us.
“Let me go.”
He did, and I made my way to the front door. I put on my shoes and said, “Please just give me some time.”
“Olivia.”
“Good night, Brett.” I reached over and kissed him quickly before disappearing out the door.
I drove home, my stomach twisting. Mystic was waiting when I walked into my condo, immediately launching herself onto my lap the moment I sat on the couch.
“At least you still love me,” I murmured, scratching behind her ears and under her chin.
My phone vibrated. Brett.
Brett: I’m sorry.
Brett: Talk to me.
Brett: Please.
I stared at the messages, my fingers hovering over the screen, but I didn’t reply—not yet. Not until I knew what I wanted to say.
Mystic purred, curling into my side as I shut off the phone and closed my eyes. I didn’t know what to do next, but I knew one thing for sure.
Chloe hated me.
And I didn’t know if I could come back from that.