Page 110 of The Pact

Thea shifts, getting more comfortable. Each time she does, my cock angrily screams at me for not fucking her senseless. I can’t even get up to rub one out.

The scent of her all over my face isn’t helping. She tasted so good. I can’t wait to see my marks on her tomorrow. There aren’t nearly enough, but it’ll do…for now.

She surprised me tonight. First by taking charge, then by scratching and biting me. And I could tell she didn’t do it to please me. Thea liked it. More than that, it turned her on. Maybe I’m underestimating her. She could have it in her. Hope swells in my chest at the thought—I push it back down. It doesn’t matter, at least not right now.

It’s Sutton’s turn. Technically, I shouldn’t have been between her legs tonight. It was my brother’s idea. That’s what I love about Sutton—he’s all for Thea’s pleasure, no matter what. And today he must have sensed that she needed what I had to offer.

Sutton’s always been the giver and the peacemaker. Damian is the hot-headed leader. Cole…well Cole’s changed a lot.

In school, he flew under the radar. He never did exceptionally good or bad, so teachers never paid much attention to him. That led to a whole set of problems that Damian, Sutton, and I had to deal with. We took it upon ourselves to keep him in line and it worked…for a while.

After culinary school, he felt lost. He’d taken out thousands in loans to pay for his training and working for a local bakery frustrated him to no end. That led to some fucking stupid decisions, ones that we’re all still paying for, some of us more than others. The consequences were enough to straighten him out and give him some direction. Damian invested in Cole’s bakery—the rest is history. So now, Cole’s the reliable one. We can always count on him being there whenever we need him.

I settle into the couch, getting comfortable. Kissing my beautiful blue eyes on the head, I close my eyes. It’s too quiet and my thoughts begin to taunt me. She’s just like Victoria. She’ll leave. They always leave you. I don’t want to believe them, but what if they’re right?

38

THEA

“Ugh…Do I have to go?” I bury my face in Cole’s chest. We’re surrounded by a sea of dark fabric. The first time I saw his room, I was surprised. It’s completely the opposite of what I imagined.

Matte black covers his walls, it matches the silk comforter pulled around us. Accents of silver and charcoal hardly stand out against all the darkness. It was shocking at first as I tried to match the moodiness of his room with his warm and sweet personality.

I still can’t find a connection between the two.

I’m surrounded by his enticing scent of cinnamon and amber. The picture on his nightstand, of him hanging up his culinary diploma at the bakery, makes my heart swell. His socks next to the hamper, rather than in it, makes me roll my eyes.

The colors might not be Cole, but everything else is.

“Not if you don’t want to,” he expresses softly. His arm pulls me closer to him. Although the words are a quick comfort, they’re far from the truth.

I have to go into the studio today. Thankfully, not for any boudoir clients—just to pick up some supplies for the mini watermelon truck shoots I have scheduled.

Cassie and I have barely seen each other since our argument. I think she expected me to apologize or cool down at the very least. She’s sadly mistaken. I’m not backing down. If anything, she owes me an apology.

The day after I told her about the break in, I filed the police report and sent her a quick text with Detective Santos information and what the next steps would be. They would conduct their investigation, keeping us updated on any leads. Cassie simply texted back, “K”. That was enough to make me not want to reach out again.

For four days, I’ve been avoiding work. It’s been easy since my mini sessions fall on the weekends. Now it’s Saturday and I’m still not prepared to see her.

The distance these last few days should’ve made me feel better, at least a little. However, each day feels worse than the last. This morning, my anxiety hit its peak. I’m sick to my stomach. My heart is racing and I have a massive migraine.

I want to hide from my problems in Cole’s bed, but that isn’t an option when I need the money.

“I should start getting ready,” I groan, pushing myself up. Cole pulls me back down. “C’mon,” I laugh. “I have to get to the studio.”

Cole levels his gaze at me. “I’m serious, love. You don’t have to go in.”

My face scrunches. “I really do. I have clients scheduled for later and need my props.” He holds me tighter.

“If it’s money you’re worried about, I can take care of you.”

The words hit me like a ton of bricks. That familiar anger I felt with Damian when he offered to buy the property pulses to life. At least with Damian, the offer was on par. But Cole…he knows I’d never want that. Photography is my life, it makes me happy. I could never give it up to be a…I don’t know, a stay at home girlfriend. I recoil at the thought.

I pull myself from his grip. This time, he lets me go.

Picking up the trail of clothes I left on his floor last night, I get dressed. I pull my shirt over my head, finally turning back to him, I bite out, “How could you think this is just about money? How could you be okay with me taking yours? Living off of you? Is this some kind of test to see if I’m a gold digger or something?” The possibilities of why he suggested it race through my head.

Cole pushes himself up in the bed. “Of course I don’t think you’re a gold digger. You didn’t even want to burden us with staying here after the flood.” He runs a hand through his hair, clearly frustrated. “I hate that Cassie is causing you so much trouble. Every day, you’ve been stressed thinking about going back to work. You’re exhausted. I want you to be happy.”

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