25
THEA
The third floor of Sutton’s bookstore is something out of a fairytale. One wall is lined with bookshelves with all of his favorite stories.
While the rest of his store is packed full, with walkways and hallways serving as shelving, this room is a sanctuary. A carefully curated collection that’s a peaceful escape from the chaos below.
Sutton and I both have a flair for the creative. So I’m not surprised by how he’s chosen to decorate. A faux tree art installment with wide reaching branches and realistic leaves hovers over the center of the room. Beneath the tree sits a loveseat and mismatching oversized armchairs positioned around a rectangular, low coffee table.
Large paper lanterns hang from the tree, emitting a soft glow, while strings of fairy lights hang against the wall opposite the shelves.
The reading room, as I’m now fond of calling it, has various other accents, like wicker candle holders—with LED remote controlled candles, of course. Thick knitted blankets and faux potted plants tie the room together.
Once I discovered the reading room, I told Sutton that this would be my home away from home and that he should get used to seeing me a lot more. He didn’t seem too disappointed by that. This is where I’m sitting now, working or at least trying to.
My calendar for the month is light. No more cancellations, however, very few bookings. Marcia changed her review to three stars once she got her free album and saw the photos. That did little to cheer Cassie up.
Damian installed the cameras yesterday and if anything else goes haywire, at least I’ll have the proof that I’m not fucking up. I can show her I’m being sabotaged. It won’t do much for our business, although I hope it will mend that part of our friendship.
I don’t want to be a sitting duck, so I created a duplicate calendar on my phone where I record all of my appointments. This one isn’t attached to my booking software, any changes need to be made from my phone. I’ll keep an eye on both calendars to see if any more dates get swapped.
“Coffee?” I hear Sutton call out as he ascends the stairs. He comes into view and it’s the same every time. I don’t get butterflies with him. Instead, it’s as if my whole body calms down.
He’s wearing black jeans that are ripped at the knees, a black tee, and a black and white plaid long sleeve shirt over it. I can’t help but admire his handsomeness.
The connection alone that we have would be enough for me to be attracted to him. Aside from that, he’s gorgeous. His skin under this light glows a rich brown.
“Why are you looking at me like that?” He laughs as he asks.
I realize I’ve been silently staring a little too long. I could lie and say I spaced out, although I don’t. “Have you seen yourself?” I sweep my gaze over him appreciatively.
Sutton gives himself a once over. “You like what you see?”
I roll my eyes playfully. “Who wouldn’t? Now give me that coffee. I’m so tired.” I let out a fake yawn and take the familiar cup in my hands.
“My favorite.” I smile widely. “When did you get this?”
“I asked Cole to bring it by.” I take Sutton’s hand and thank him. “Getting a lot done?”
I sigh. “Trying. I’ve created some content. I’m pushing some ads to those who live around our area, and I’m trying to think of ways to generate more interest. It’s difficult when there are tons of photographers and boudoir isn’t typically the go-to for most people.” I take a sip of my coffee. “It’s all about weddings, family photos, and maternity. Maybe I chose the wrong niche.” It’s more of a thought to myself.
“Hey.” He sits down next to me on the sofa. “You’ll make this work. I know you will. If this is your passion, then you need to stick it out.”
I know he’s right, however, sticking it out doesn’t pay the bills and I can’t rely on Damian to financially support me—that doesn’t feel right, even if he says it makes him happy.
“I don’t think I told you how I ended up owning this place.” He settles in and pulls my legs into his lap. “When I graduated, I came home, feeling like I was missing something. Damian, Wesley, and Cole had already made their way back and connecting again felt great, but I was directionless. I was living with my parents and didn’t have any idea on what I wanted to do next.” Sutton’s hands run over my bare legs, sending a shiver over me. “I saw the help needed sign in the window of this bookstore.”
“Wait… someone else owned this place before you?” He nods. “I don’t know why I assumed you bought or rented the location and built it up.”
“No,” he chuckles. The soft light from above hits the metal of his glasses. “That would’ve been too expensive. The man that owned this place before me couldn’t find an assistant who would stay longer than a few months. He made a promise that if I worked until he retired that he’d let me buy the place for a reasonable price. I didn’t believe him. It seemed far-fetched. He underestimated my love for books. The day he retired, he told me what he’d like to sell it for and told me he could have the papers drawn up if I felt like it was a fair deal.”
“Was it a fair deal?”
“Didn’t matter. I wanted it and I would have paid three times as much as I did. Well, not me. Damian.” I sit up straighter at the comment.
“Damian paid for this… for you?”
Sutton gives me an incredulous look, arching a brow. “That’s part of the pact. Damian’s an investor in our businesses. That’s why we share assets and finances. He helped Cole get his bakery. He invested in Wesley’s adventure guide business. And he helped me buy this place. As our businesses profit, we pay him back for his upfront investment. We all share in the profits after that.”
“I-I didn’t realize. Does Damian come from money?”
He scoffs. “No, not at all. That’s probably why he’s so successful. He had nothing growing up. He was at my house for dinner most nights so that he could have a hot meal before bed. Don’t tell him I told you that—he’ll kill me. He made his money after college, sold his first software program for a pretty penny, bought the land where the house is and built it with the hope we’d eventually all come back.”
His words strike something in my heart. It’s slowly clicking into place—who Damian is, why he is the way he is. While I’m sure there is so much more to his story, I can tell that his need to take care of others must be because he wasn’t taken care of. That afternoon in the kitchen when he read me like the back of his hand makes sense now. He saw right through me, saw how I was neglected because he saw a part of himself in me.
His fixation with me being a princess and taking care of me because it makes him happy leaves me wondering if he only feels worthy when he can provide for others. Does anyone take care of him the way he takes care of others? I’m curious to know what he needs to be happy, providing aside.
Sutton’s touch brings me out of my thoughts. This, I realize, is part of the balancing act. I can’t let myself dwell on one of the other men while I’m spending time with another. I smile sweetly at Sutton. “I’m so happy that this all worked out for you. You deserve it and I hope my dreams work out just as well as yours did.”
“They will, I have no doubt,” he says reassuringly. “Now why don’t you take a break from work and let me read to you a little.”
I put my laptop on the table and lean back, sipping my coffee while Sutton begins a story I’ve never heard—enjoying the sound of his soothing voice.
Sutton reads for a long time and although I’m not a huge reader, I love the story he’s picked. I even agree to take it with me to continue where we leave off.
It’s a quiet day at the bookstore—we haven’t been interrupted once. My thoughts wander as he skates his finger over my legs. He’s always been respectful, sometimes too respectful.
Damian mentioned Sutton talking about me after he graduated and moved back home. I was the one that got away, according to him. So why did he never tell me how he felt?
In the safety of this reading room, as I’m stretched out across him, I feel brave enough to ask.
“Why didn’t you ever make a move on me in college?” His movements pause momentarily. “Damian said something… I mean, I thought maybe you weren’t into me after two years of waiting.”
Sutton’s amber eyes slide over to me. “What did Damian say?”
I try to remember his exact words. “Something about not being able to get me out of your head and other things.” I look away, feeling shy all of the sudden.
His fingers leave my leg and I think he’s about to get up. Maybe that’s too sensitive a subject. Instead, he runs his hand over his head.
“I was such a fucking coward back then. I hate myself for it. Things could have been so different if I would have…” Studying him, I watch the regret play out on his face.
Taking his hand in mine, I echo those feelings. “I’ve felt the same thing over the years. I never stopped thinking about you. I wanted to call, but after I started dating Gavin… I knew that it would be selfish to bring you back into my life. So, I stayed away.”
A bittersweet smile pulls at his mouth as his gaze holds mine.
“And fate brought you back to me in the most unconventional way.” The air feels tense with the millions of things we want to say.
I want to reminisce about the nights I would pretend to fall asleep on his chest, just to listen to his heartbeat for hours. I want to tell him that there were moments over the last twelve years where I would stop in my tracks and suddenly think about him, wondering if he was thinking about me at the same time. Although more than anything, I want to act on all those missed chances from our past.
He must feel it too because he doesn’t let the moment slip by like he would have back then. Sutton’s leaning towards me, making my heart thunder in my chest. The pounding reaches my ears until it’s all I hear. His hand cups my neck, as he pulls me to him.
“Sutton…” I’m not sure why I say his name. Maybe I need to know this is real.
His lips brush mine as he asks, “Do you want me to stop, Thea?”
That’s the last thing I want. “No, never.” A sob catches in my throat. This is finally happening.
“Good.”
His mouth is moving against mine with a fierceness I didn’t know he possessed. Sutton doesn’t waste a minute nudging my lips open. His hand slides up the back of my head and he gently tugs my hair backwards, opening me up to him.
As his tongue slips in, the feel of the two piercings in his mouth sends a jolt of heat right to my core. I squeeze my thighs together, trying to contain the years of desire flooding me.
I need him closer.
Pushing up, he pauses. “You okay?” I don’t answer, instead I climb into his lap and continue kissing him. His scent of lavender and sandalwood consumes me.
Sutton slips his warm hands beneath the hem of my dress. Little shivers dance over me as he lightly makes circles over my thighs. “I’ve wanted this for so long,” I admit as I pull back momentarily.
His mouth devours my neck. He’s licking, kissing, and sucking every inch of it. “Tell me,” he requests. It surprises me, but I’m so comfortable with Sutton that I don’t second guess what comes next.
SUTTON
I listen intently for her to continue her confession. She tastes amazing. I can’t keep my mouth from her.
“The first time we met, I felt this pull to you. Those two years were excruciating. Every time we touched, I wanted more. I wanted your hands all over my body.”
My hands slide up further and I grip her wide hips, pulling her against me. Thea gasps as her pussy rubs against the hardness in my pants. Damn, nothing’s ever felt this good.
“Did you ever think about me while you were alone?” I’m curious if she touched herself back then, like I had most nights. The thought that she had sends a rush of excitement through me.
Thea doesn’t answer right away. Instead, she kisses me, sucking then biting my bottom lip. I groan against her mouth. “Fuck baby, you’re killing me.”
“More times than I can count,” she finally answers. I reach my hands around and cup her perfect ass, arching my hips into her.
I need to know more. Her confirmation isn’t enough for my greedy heart. I have to know that she craves me as much as I crave her. “When’s the last time you touched yourself while thinking about me?”
She stills against me and I’m sure I’ve ruined it. Too far. I look into her deep blue eyes, but it’s her blushing that draws my attention. Oh…recently. My cock twitches at the knowledge. Thea tries to distract me as she kisses along my jaw and up to my ear. She nips at me. It almost works. Almost.
“When, baby?” My tone is a mix of pleading and demanding. I don’t know which she’ll respond to.
She sighs. “A few nights ago.”
Jesus, she might actually kill me with her honesty. My heart is pounding too fast and I’m lightheaded. “Tell me about it, please.” She might be reluctant to share these inner thoughts. However, I want her to know that she can trust me. I’m a safe space for her. “Please.” She rocks her hips against me at the plea. I’ll fucking beg for her for the rest of my life if that’s what she wants. She can have all of my dignity if it means she’ll give me her deepest thoughts and secrets.
I feel her relax into me. C’mon, tell me your desires. I will her to feel my need for the knowledge.
“I was thinking about that day at the pool, when the three of you walked in on Cole and I.” The memory comes back to me clearly. Catching them was entirely unexpected. Seeing her back arched up, completely vulnerable with Cole’s mouth making her moan, made me hard instantly.
“You looked so good with his head between your legs,” I encourage her. I want her to know that the thought of her with another man doesn’t intimidate me. That’s all I want for her—to feel every ounce of pleasure this world has to offer—by any means necessary.
Thea lets out a moan in response. She pushes her tits into me. I can’t help kissing over her collarbone, then the curves of her cleavage. My eyes flick up to see that hers are closed. She’s out of her mind with lust. That’s my girl.
“I imagined we didn’t stop, that Cole kept going, pulling my bikini bottoms off and burying his face in my pussy.” She rocks her hips in a steady rhythm, back and forth over the ridge of my cock. Her breathing picks up. She’s hitting the right spot. I don’t move a muscle, scared I’m going to throw her off. All I want is for her to come. “You came over to us, watching as Cole’s mouth worked my clit and his fingers dipped inside of me.”
I urge her to keep telling me. “What did I do, Thea?” When she bites her lip, I have to restrain myself. All I want to do is fuck her until she’s seeing stars while screaming my name.
“You took your cock out. I needed it in my mouth.” I’m surprised, I don’t know why. It’s not what I was expecting to hear. The thought of her needing to suck me off makes my dick strain against my pants almost painfully.
She picks up her pace, moving faster. I scoot down on the couch some and push up into her. “Ohhh,” she moans out.
“Did you get what you wanted?” I coax.
“Yes… yes. You stroked yourself watching us and then pushed yourself into my mouth. It felt so good, having you fill me up.” My eyes roll back as I imagine her fantasy coming to life. I can almost feel the wet warmth of her mouth and her full lips sliding over me. She’d be looking up at me with those big blue eyes and they’d be sparkling like they do when she’s excited.
“Then what, baby?”
Thea’s panting and can barely get the words out. “You fucked my mouth and when Cole made me come, you came right after. I swallowed every drop of you.” Jesus, at this rate, I might come before she does.
“Tell me what you need. I want you to come.” I need to know every single thing that brings her pleasure and then I want to discover all the things she doesn’t know she likes yet. I want to spend an entire day making her orgasm as many times as possible in as many ways as possible.
Thea’s hands slide between us. She pulls at the button on my pants. She needs me inside of her. I close my eyes in frustration. I’ve already gone farther than I should have. Kissing is the limit, at least until Cole fucks her.
Reluctantly, my hand stops her. “I want to take it slow, baby.” I hate that I’m lying to Thea. I hate that I can’t bury myself deep in her pussy, giving us both what we’ve wanted for years. The rules of the pact are clear. I’ve crossed one boundary today that I’ll get shit for. If I fuck her… I don’t know if I want to find out what those consequences will be.
She sighs, disappointed but respectful of my decision. “Did you ever think about me?” Thea asks almost timidly, as if she isn’t grinding against my cock right now. She’s so goddamn cute.
I kiss over her neck and up to her ear before whispering, “So many times. Do you want me to tell you about my favorite fantasy of ours?”
“Yes,” she practically begs.
I chuckle low as I press my face into her hair and let the smell of vanilla consume me.
“Do you remember that one spring break when we both stayed at school instead of going home?”
“Mhm,” she whimpers, still sliding herself over me to a steady rhythm.
I can’t help myself—I push my hips into her again. “We went to the library to work on your paper. You were wearing a dress, like this one. It drove me crazy. How the hell was I supposed to concentrate on anything when all I could think about was pushing it up and devouring you?”
Thea stills. She pulls back and stares at me. Those blue eyes look even darker in the dim light of the room, her heavy dark lashes framing them. “Really?”
Smiling at her, I nod. “Yeah, these legs are a work of art, baby.” I run my hands over her thighs. “Anyway, there was almost no one at the library and I just remember watching you cross and uncross your legs while we sat at the study table in the corner. I went back to my dorm, wishing I was braver. Wishing I had gotten on my knees in front of you and pushed your legs open.”
“Yeah?” she pants as she rubs against me faster. Her breath is picking up and I know that she’s getting close.
I pull my hands from beneath her dress and slide them up her torso. Running my thumbs over her hardened nipples, I can tell she’s not wearing a bra. Thea’s making this too easy. The straps of her dress easily slide off of her shoulders and I’m pushing them down until her tits are free.
Momentarily, I freeze.
I’ve wanted this for so long and I can’t believe it’s actually happening. Sweet, smart, creative, beautiful Thea is giving her body to me. Younger me would have questioned if I deserved her or would have been too afraid to take this any farther. What a fool.
My hands wrap around her waist. Pulling her close, I lower my mouth and circle her nipple with my tongue. She gasps as the two balls of my parallel piercings glide over her sensitive peak. Moving to the other one, I do it again—taking my time.
I want to remember this moment forever.
I continue recounting my fantasy. “I imagined you weren’t wearing any panties. You hoped I’d make a move and wanted to be prepared. I hooked your legs over my shoulders and let my tongue worship you, sucking and licking your clit. We had to keep quiet so we wouldn’t get caught.”
“Sutton,” she moans out, she’s going to come any minute now.
Distantly, I hear the chime of the bell at the front door. Fuck. Thea hears it too. She tries to scramble off my lap, however, I hold her down and shake my head. “Don’t stop.” I make sure she knows that I’m serious. She’s going to come—it’s up to her how long it will take and if someone will come looking for us before she can finish.
Thea needs to make it quick if she doesn’t want to get caught.
“But, there’s someon—”
“I don’t give a fuck who it is. You’re more important than anyone that walks through that door.” She settles back onto my cock, although I can see the hesitation in her face. I give her some encouragement. “I pushed two fingers inside of you. It was so easy. You were soaking wet for me. Are you wet for me now, Thea?”
That’s my girl. She moves her hips with purpose. “Yes. So fucking wet. I need you.” God, those are the most beautiful words I’ve ever heard. “I need you.”
“I need you too, Thea, more than you could ever know.” There’s too much I want to say, but we need to hurry this up. “It wasn’t long before you were clenching around my fingers, coming on my hand. You whispered my name over and over, trying your best to keep quiet.”
That’s it—I’ve pushed her over the edge. Thea’s head falls back as pleasure racks her body. I pull one nipple into my mouth, intensifying the feeling of her release. My other hand clamps over her lips as her moans become louder.
Her body shudders against me. It’s the most satisfying thing I’ve felt in a long time.
I give her a few seconds after falling limp before I release my hand from her mouth. “That’s it, baby. You did so good for me.”
She whimpers at the words. I smile, realizing that she must like the praise.
“Hello.” A voice calls out. Shit.
Pushing up the sleeves of her dress, I stare deeply into her eyes. “I really don’t want to go.”
Thea brushes her hand over my jaw and leans down to kiss me. “I know.” She rests her forehead on mine, her dark hair shielding our faces from the world. I hate this. I hate that I have to leave her. She says she understands, but what if she feels hurt that I can’t stay?
There’s no time to think about all of this. I need to get downstairs.
I lift us both off of the couch and turn to lay her down on it. My eyes run over the sight of her, glowing and spent. “You look so God damn gorgeous like this,” I tell her.
My hand has a mind of its own and runs over the bulge in my pants. Damn, I feel her wetness over the spot she was grinding against. Her eyes lock in on my hand. She bites her lip as she watches me touch myself.
I suck in a breath and leave. If I stay one more second, I’m going to fuck her and I don’t care who sees us or what the consequences are.
I’m taking the steps two at a time when the euphoria of what just happens fades and a new feeling takes its place. Cole is going to kill me for crossing the line.