Page 111 of The Pact

Defensiveness flares in my chest as he puts the blame on Cassie. I push it down, knowing it’s my fault. I might have gone a little overboard when venting about the situation. Cole’s heart is in the right place, although the execution is entirely wrong.

“Yes, work will sometimes be stressful. Cassie and I will have a fight or two. I’d never stop doing what I love because things are hard. This stress is temporary and I’m fine with that. You need to be too.” Cole looks unconvinced. “Tell me, if I took you up on your offer, what would I do? Hang out here all day?”

I can tell he hasn’t thought of that. “Well, sure. You could lie by the pool. Read. Go on hikes. Go shopping. Hang out at the bakery or the bookstore. You could do whatever you wanted.” He says this as if I wouldn’t be stir crazy after a week or two.

I don’t see how this is going over his head. He’s at the bakery all the time because he’d go crazy not working. I’m the same. I can’t do this right now.

Buttoning my jeans, I walk to his side of the bed.

Leaning down, I kiss him, not wanting to leave on bad terms. “I know you’re trying to help, but giving up on the studio and my business because of an argument or stress isn’t the right thing to do. I made a commitment, also this is my passion. Trust me, you wouldn’t want me home all day. I’d bug the shit out of you from being bored out of my mind.” Cole smiles as I try to end the conversation on a lighter note.

He takes my hand and pulls it to his mouth, brushing his lips across my knuckles. “She’s in the wrong and needs to make amends. Please consider my offer. I know you hate asking for help or depending on people, but nothing would make me happier than making you happy. And you wouldn’t bug the shit out of me.”

I don’t want to argue, so I tell him I’ll think about it. It’s a lie. I can brush off his initial misstep, however, the fact he keeps pushing it doesn’t sit right with me.

Heading out for the day, I hope that this is something that dies off quickly. Cole has otherwise been perfect. Maybe I need to be more forgiving.

I’m completely exhausted by the time I finish my shoots for the day. My trip to the studio was uneventful. Cassie was busy with a client, so I didn’t even see her. All of that worrying for nothing.

Pulling into an empty spot near the bakery, I head inside. Cole isn’t working today, so I get to avoid having to revisit the conversation from this morning.

Grabbing two coffees, I walk to Sutton’s bookstore.

I’ve been consumed with Cole lately, often sleeping in his room. Now, I’m finding myself wanting to spend time with the others. Wes is still keeping me at an arm’s length physically. The one night he gave in was a momentary lapse, I guess.

Now, I get kisses—that’s it.

Damian barely gives me the time of day. He’s been too engrossed in some business drama, according to Wesley. All I get from him is the occasional princess and good girl. I wonder if he’s still mad that I went to see Cassie when he told me not to.

I push all of this from my mind, wanting to be in a good mood when I see Sutton. I feel a rain drop just as I walk through the door. He’s sitting on the countertop, book in hand, of course. Staring up, his amber eyes glint in the warm light of the store. He has something moody and acoustic playing through the shop’s speakers.

He looks especially good today. The tan ribbed shirt he’s wearing hugs his arms enough for me to see the slight bulge of his muscles. He’s in black jeans again—I swear it’s the only color pants he owns.

“Well, this is a pleasant surprise.” I hand him his coffee and he gives me a quick kiss.

“These are pretty,” I mention, eyeing the potted tulips sitting on the counter.

He smiles. “They’re for my mom. I’m bringing them to her later.”

It’s been so long since I’ve seen his parents, but I can still remember their kind faces. “Tell her I say hi.”

“I will. I’m sure she’d love to see you again.” He hops down off the counter. “So what brings you by?” He questions with a glint in his amber eyes.

I shrug, playing coy. “Just wanted a little one-on-one Sutton time.” I side eye him and give a playful smirk.

“Oh really?” He takes a sip and sets the cup down. “As I recall, the last time you were in here, we were causing a bit of trouble.” My mind flashes back to us on the couch in the reading room—me grinding against his cock and coming as we confessed our fantasies.

I put some distance between us and circle around until I’m behind the counter. He follows, cornering me. I have no escape and the knowledge excites me. Sutton eyes me up and down. I’m wearing a dress again, knowing how much he likes seeing my legs.

“Maybe I’m here to cause some more trouble,” I tease in a sultry voice.

That draws a smile from him. He wets his lips and I see the flash of the two piercings on his tongue. I think of the cool metal against my nipples and then on my pussy. I press my thighs together as a rush of desire makes me throb.

Sutton lightly drags the back of his hand over my dress. Starting on my thigh, he moves past my belly until he reaches the underside of my breast. I breathe in his lavender and sandalwood scent, it’s intoxicating and fuels my desire.

Leaning in, he pulls my bottom lip into his mouth, letting his teeth graze me before pushing his tongue inside. Sutton’s muscular, yet lean, body presses into me. His erection rubs against my hip.

I need him now.

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