Chapter 26 #2
With my fist and jaw both clenched, I roll off of the door frame and turn back toward my bedroom. I get there in just three soft strides and step inside, pressing the door closed quietly enough to put even more of a barrier between us.
Standing there, I press my palm against my jeans, hoping to ease the ache building where it hasn't in so long. I don't even remember what it feels like to be this hard.
My pulse pounds in my ears as I pace the length of my room, trying to decide what I do now.
I can't act on this. But I can't ignore it either.
I dip into my bathroom, bracing myself on the sink and hanging my head between my arms. Splashing some cold water—everywhere—might be the only thing that helps.
But then the buzzing starts again.
For a second, I think I'm imagining it—that my brain is torturing me with the reminder of what I know Tessa's doing right next door to me. But as my grip grows tighter around the white porcelain in my hands, it hits me.
My head rolls toward my navy blue towel hanging off its hook on the wall—the same wall that separates Tess's room from mine.
I twist toward it, my feet moving before I can stop them.
As I pin my ear to the drywall, the same panting from earlier greets me and brings with it that same heat below my belt.
I know I should leave it. I should force myself to bed, shove a pillow over my head, and pretend this never happened. Even relieving myself to the image feels like dangerous territory—one I'll never want to leave. But God damn it—I also need more of her.
Just like I always do.
Before I realize what I'm doing, I reach into my pocket and pull out my phone, scrolling to her number.
I hit the call button before I can talk myself out of it, and snap the phone to my ear, adrenaline rushing through me like it never has before.
A gasp cuts through the steady noise behind my head when Tessa's phone really does vibrate this time—two long, painfully slow pulses pouring out before the previous hum finally stops.
I picture Tess freezing, one hand on her phone, the other still between her thighs. In my mind, she's looking at my name flashing across the screen, still touching herself—maybe more now—as she tries to decide what to do. Fucking torture.
My cock throbs under my jeans as I hold my breath. When the line rings once more, I think she might decline the call.
But then, the phone connects.
"Liam, hi," she answers, her voice high but her breathing labored.
The sound of my name paralyzes me.
"Hell—"
"What are you doing, Tessa?"
An image of her lying in bed resurfaces, her legs sprawled, her hands on her pussy, her mouth now open in an O shape thanks to her surprise.
My dick grows harder underneath the strain of denim, and I exhale the gnawing frustration that comes with it.
The next words pour out of me as if I have no control—like I'm outside my body.
Is this what she does to me?
"Answer me, Tess."
"I, uh… " She struggles to hide the truth, which only makes my cock twitch. I was right.
"Fucking hell," I breathe before she can make something up. My hand finds the back of my neck, massaging away the tension there as the pull to go to her increases. I blow out a heavy breath, knowing what I need to do. What she needs to do.
"Lock your door."
"What?" she asks quickly, clearly surprised.
I inhale again. "I said… lock your door."
"Wha—why?" she stutters, but the faint creak of the bed tells me she's obeying, and the thought only turns me on more—making this more necessary.
"Just do it," I beg. "Please."
The line goes silent, a light click rattling off the walls within seconds. And knowing I can't run to her eases something in me I've never needed help calming before. "Done," she says timidly.
"Good."
I pull the phone away from my ear, palming myself with my free hand, still fighting one internal battle. Do I hang up now or force her to paint me a goddamn picture?
This isn't me. I've spent more than a decade dodging temptation like this.
But that's the problem.
Nothing before has ever been like this.
Attraction? Of course.
Desire? Sure.
But need? Never. Not this raw.
Another beat of time passes before I hear my name pour weakly from the receiver.
"Liam…" I bring the phone back to my ear after another heavy silence settles. "Why did I have to—"
"I'm home, Tessa."
A quick breath in is all she offers.
"I'm in my bedroom."
I hear her swallow—her only answer.
"Just tell me," I growl, needing to know. My chest heaves as I drop my gaze to the floor, my body begging for release—begging for her. "Were you thinking of me?"
My eyes fall closed as I wait for her answer, holding on to every passing breath.
It's not lost on me that she hasn't tried to end the call, and the thought alone tempts me to test that lock.
But I can't.
"Yes."
Even if I really fucking want to.
The guttural sound that escapes me surprises both of us as Tess sucks in air.
"You have no idea what you're doing to me," I groan, closer to the edge than I thought was possible without even a sight of her—a touch, a taste. "Where did you come from?"
"Liam, I—"
"Don't say my name," I beg, my voice about as desperate as I feel. For her.
"Okay," she answers softly, but the way the word trails off leads me to think there's more she wants to say.
I bite the back of my hand, knowing I have to end this. "I'm hanging up now," I blurt more as a reminder to myself than a warning to her.
"Liam," Tess throws back.
My whole body stills, waiting.
"Maybe you should… listen."
My lips part as my cock leaks through my jeans.
"What?" I grind out.
She swallows hard as if she's gearing up for something bold.
But then the line goes dead.
And the humming starts again.