NINETEEN
DAKOTA
I lifted my hand to knock but decided otherwise last minute.
The sky rumbled and goosebumps rose on my skin. “Just do it, Dakota.”
I took a deep breath in and shook my head. No, you’re okay. You’ll be perfectly fine. I turned to leave right as the thunder clapped and instead of knocking I burst through his door, shutting it behind me. I pressed my back against the wood with a heaving chest.
His room was dark and I saw his silhouette rise as he lifted himself to see who had entered. It was too dark for either of us to see each other, but I already knew he wasn’t happy. It was almost two in the morning and I had just interrupted his sleep.
The thunder boomed and I couldn’t contain the frightened expression that took over my face. “Please, can I sleep with you!” I blurted out, pressing my back harder against the door. “I promise I’ll be quiet. I won’t make a sound.”
His voice was deeper than usual. “Are you afraid of the thunder?”
I swallowed a lump of fear down my throat. “Yeah…” I nodded.
“Come here,” he said, pulling back his sheets and I rushed over, climbing in next to him.
He pulled my back to his chest, allowing me to lay on his right arm while his left snaked around me. I snuggled into him, feeling comfort in his warmth and he kissed my shoulder.
A sense of relaxation and calmness washed over me.
Feeling safe and protected in his arms wasn’t anything new when it came to him. I always found myself searching for him when I felt threatened or in danger. Like he was the one person who could protect me no matter the circumstances. Like he’d do anything for me.
Soon enough, I drifted into the most comfortable sleep ever.
* * *
I woke up with my head on his warm chest and my leg thrown over both of his. Slowly, I pierced my eyes open with a quiet little yawn.
He kissed the back of my hand, my knuckles then entwined our fingers.
I smiled, watching him run his thumb over the back of my hand.
I wasn’t aware that his voice could go deeper than it already was. “I know you’re awake,” he said before kissing the top of my head and my smile grew wider.
I lifted my head, burying my face in the crease of his neck. He smelled like heaven.
“Can I please stay home with you today?” I murmured, kissing his neck.
“I won’t give you permission to skip your classes.”
“Please?” I sighed. “I only have two classes today. One of them is with Logan and he’s not even here.”
Both Chase and Logan, along with some other professors, had to go out of town for two days so it had just been Kaden and I.
After I woke up yesterday morning in my own bed, I knew he was pissed off at me for being drunk. He spent most of the day either at the gym or at work, and wasn’t even home for dinner so I ate by myself, showered and got into bed.
Then the universe forced me into his bed this morning using the thunder.
When he stayed silent, I lifted myself and climbed on top of him. My eyes dropped to his shirtless and dangerously inked chest.
“Wow, you’re really hard,” I pointed out, pressing my thumb into each of his abs. The definition of rock hard.
He lifted his hips underneath me and I sucked in a quick breath.
“Oh,” I breathlessly whispered, shifting on his lap. He dropped his eyes to my chest and slowly my nipples grew hard against my little tank top.
“What did I tell you about wearing these,” he asked, lifting his hand to mold my breast in his hand and I whimpered at the contact.
“Not to wear them…” I murmured, slowly rocking my hips against the bulge in his pants to soothe my aching clit. “Unless I want you to fuck me,” I finished my sentence.
He lifted his hand, wrapping it around my throat and I grabbed his forearm.
“In my defense…” I began. “I didn’t know that I’d find myself in your bed this morning.”
He seemed to have given me a pass this time, and I couldn’t help but smile. “But back to me staying home.”
“No.”
“Kaden!” I protested, and he gave his head a slight shake. “You’re being mean.”
“And you were disobedient.”
My brows knitted together in confusion and when I opened my mouth to argue, I immediately shut it.
“I thought we made ourselves clear. No alcohol.”
A pang of guilt hit me like a truck. “Kaden, I don’t know what happened,” I shook my head. “I swear I didn’t drink any alcohol that night.”
“Dakota, you were drunk.”
“I know but…” I trailed off, gathering my thoughts.
“Do you remember what happened?”
Heat crept up my neck and I glanced down feeling shy all of a sudden. “Yeah.”
He tilted my chin up with his fingers. “What happened?”
My cheeks flushed crimson. “We had sex.”
He seemed pleased that I remembered, but disappointed at… both of us.
“I know I was wrong too, but Dakota—”
“I wasn’t drunk when we had sex, Kaden,” I cut him off. I remember vividly what happened. I woke up on his lap feeling hot and bothered, and when I glanced up at him I couldn’t resist. A ball of panic lodged in my throat. What if… “Do you regret it?”
A deep crease settled between his eyebrows. “Of course I don’t.”
I smiled. “And neither do I,” I reassured him, leaning down to snuggle into his embrace.
It took him a second but he inevitably kissed the top of my head and wrapped both arms around me.
* * *
When I got home from campus the guys weren’t home yet, and I couldn’t decide if I was relieved or if it just amplified my nerves.
I got undressed and skipped downstairs in nothing but my underwear.
Turning up the volume, I blasted I Love It by Icona Pop throughout the house to distract myself whilst cooking up a feast for lunch.
I had a few hours of alone time before the guys got home, and I was going to make the most of it. I wasn’t sure what punishment awaited me, but I’d be damned if I let that ruin my day.
I sang my heart out, floating around the kitchen.
After cooking lunch, I got comfortable in the living room in front of the TV with my white furry blanket. I turned on my favorite reality TV show—Geordie Shore—and couldn’t get enough of the drama.
Having the most discipline ever, I turned off the TV and got started on some schoolwork and assignments that I was dreading.
Eventually, my phone rang, and Solace’s name popped up on my screen. I subconsciously smiled, excitedly falling back on the couch as I answered.
“Dakota’s phone.”
“Oh good,” she sighed in relief. “I think I had too much to drink but correct me if I’m fucking wrong, you left with a man?” she yelled into the phone and I winced, pulling my phone from my ear. “Dakota Faye King— when— what— who is this man?”
I couldn’t help but chuckle, covering my mouth with my hand.
“And most importantly of all, that man was covered in ink—don’t even get me started on the muscles! Is that him? Mr. Illegal?” she beamed in excitement.
“Maybe,” I answered, dragging out my vowels and she shrieked on the other end.
“No way! Tell me more! I need details— where did you meet? Oh my God, did you guys do it yet? Was it good? Are—”
“Solace!” I cut her off. “Breathe and please slow down with the questions.”
Her apology was gentle. “Sorry.”
I cleared my throat. “We met through a friend, and…” I trailed off, shifting a little on the couch.
“Oh my God! You guys did it!” She yelled, making my hand fly to my forehead
“Shout it from the rooftop, why don’t you.”
Solace continued her in-depth interrogation and I couldn’t stop laughing at every question and every reaction to said question.
“It’s my turn to ask the questions now,” I started off, still feeling confused. “Lacey, did I drink at the party?”
There was a brief moment of silence before she burst out laughing. “I think that answers your question.”
“No, I’m serious. I didn’t want to drink and I don’t remember picking up a drink. All I had was some of the punch and—”
“Woah woah, woah,” she cut me off. “D, the punch wasn’t regular punch.”
I face-palmed myself.
“But Asher said—”
“And that’s your first mistake. Listening to Asher. D, it was a celebratory college party. Unless the drink is sealed, it’s going to be mixed with alcohol.”
Oh crap… That makes so much more sense. I chewed my bottom lip, thinking of how to explain this to the guys. I don’t think they’ll be very happy with me being irresponsible.
After our conversation, our call ended, and I headed upstairs to grab my yoga mat. I needed to release some tension, and with cheer season being over, it was up to me to continue staying fit and flexible.
After setting everything up in the living room, I started easy with the lotus pose. I tried my best not to think about anything, but it was extremely difficult knowing that I’d be in trouble for drinking.
Not to mention, a lot of people probably saw Kaden that night, and they might have recognized him since he’s visited Chase and Logan on campus before.
I could feel my heart rate picking up in fear at the thought of everyone finding out. What would happen? How would it all go down— No.
I tried taking a calming deep breath in before slowly exhaling.
I changed into the downward dog position, taking a deep breath in as I stretched as far as possible.
Footsteps approached the living room, and when I looked down—between my legs— I watched Chase enter, slowly rolling up the sleeves of his white dress shirt to his elbows.
His steps came to an immediate halt in the doorway, and innocently, I smiled at him. I watched his head slightly tilt to the right as he stared at me before he continued inside.
“Well, good afternoon to you too,” I mumbled, lowering myself into a side split before reaching forward to touch my toes.
His reply was emotionless. “Good afternoon, Dakota.”
He found himself on the couch, opening his laptop and grabbing some of his scripts along with his red pen.
I lifted my head, sitting upright, and he seemed enticed by his work, so much so that he didn’t spare me a glance. Not once.
I sighed, resting my hands on my hips. “You’re still mad about the game?”
He simply shook his head, eyes glued to the script in front of him. “No.”
I watched his red pen scribble along the page, and I got up, walking over.
“Chase.”
“Do you need me to leave and give you some privacy?”