Page 59 of The Pact

I turn back to Cole, mouthing silently, “Do they know?” He nods and I swallow hard. A flood of anxiety pushes through my body. I don’t know how I’m supposed to act. Cole takes the initiative, sensing my unease.

“Might as well address the elephant in the room.” He says it more for me because the four men don’t seem to share an ounce of the same nervousness I’m feeling. “Thea’s decided to give this a try. She’ll set the pace, we’ll take it slow and not pressure her. Most importantly, we’ll respect her boundaries and if she decides that this isn’t what she wants, we’ll let her go.” All four nod in agreement as if they’ve already discussed all of this prior to my arrival.

I need to say something. Cole’s only addressed me, but I want them to know that I’ll respect them as well. “Your boundaries matter to me. Please don’t feel obligated to pursue this if it isn’t what you want.” My gaze travels back to Wesley.

He needs to know that I don’t want him to feel pressured by his brothers to do this. I read his words in the group chat, yet I’m still reluctant to believe that he truly wants me.

“If you’re referring to Wesley, like I said, he’s not an issue.” I scowl at Damian’s words. “Fine, don’t take my word for it. Wesley, give the girl a damn compliment or something. Let her know you don’t think she’s repulsive.” My jaw drops at his bluntness.

Wesley rolls his eyes, although he doesn’t bite back. I’m seeing that Damian is the ringleader here—the alpha. “You have a decent ass, blue eyes.”

The fuck?

Damian chuckles and rounds the island, coming nearer to me. “See, princess, he likes you.” If that is Wesley’s version of nice, I’d hate to see mean. He leans in close, the tip of his nose brushing my ear. “Don’t worry, I think your ass is perfection,” he murmurs in a low, husky voice. Goosebumps spread over my skin and warmth pools at my core. He’s insufferable.

I recoil from him, pushing farther into Sutton. “Jesus, Damian. I’ll take Wesley’s compliment over yours any day.”

“Take it easy,” Sutton warns his brother as he brushes past me and heads into the dining room with Wesley. Cole joins them, leaving Sutton and I alone.

I turn in his arms, giving him my back so I can observe the others from a distance.

After a few minutes, the words slip from my mouth unintentionally. “I don’t know how I’m supposed to do this.” Sutton’s hands knead my shoulders, working out the tension that’s built up over the last few weeks.

“I can help,” he offers, leaning close to whisper in my ear. “Cole likes his women sweet. You know, the girl next door type. Those big doe eyes of yours probably did him in.” I watch Cole as he smiles at whatever Damian says. His blonde curls sway over his forehead. “Then there’s Wesley. He likes ‘em fearless and independent. He loves the chase, but surprise him once in a while.” Wesley’s describing something. His hands arc wide and his warm brown eyes are expressive. God, that big smile of his is breathtaking. “Damian…well he likes to be in control if you couldn’t tell. He’ll want to take care of you and for you to let him take the lead. Although he doesn’t mind a little push back.” I watch as Damian smirks, then his eyes flick to me, smoldering with intensity so that I have to look away.

Sutton is silent for a few moments before I ask. “What about you?” I stare up at him, waiting for his answer. The silver rim of his glasses matches the rings on his lip.

“My tastes aren’t so clear cut. Come as you are. I’m searching for a soul connection.” His hands go still on my shoulders and it’s almost as if I can feel our auras swirling together. A hot electricity builds where our skin meets. “Do you feel that?” He breathes against my neck.

“Yes,” I answer softly. I’ve always felt it. Like something deep inside of us calls to one another. It doesn’t make sense. Still, I can’t deny it.

Sutton’s fingers tilt my chin upwards—he swipes his tongue over his lips. I follow the two silver balls as they disappear back into his mouth before my attention is drawn to the hoops hugging his bottom lip. I wonder what it would be like to kiss him with those piercings. How would they feel on other parts of me?

Leaning down, he softly presses his lips to mine. The warmth of his mouth contrasting against the cool metal makes me shiver. The kitchen fades away and it’s only the two of us. Sutton doesn’t deepen the kiss. He simply enjoys the feeling of what we’ve both wanted for so long.

When he pulls back, I’m acutely aware of three sets of eyes on us, yet I can’t bring myself to meet their gazes. I grab my wine and pour the half full glass down my throat.

“All right boys, I’m heading out. My ride’s here. Sorry again for the late start to—” My head snaps in the direction of the woman’s voice.

At the top of the stairs stands an older woman carrying a bucket of cleaning supplies, staring at me. Her blonde hair is tied messily at the top of her head and her face is flushed. This must be Jessie, their housekeeper.

I give her a wide smile. “Hi, I’m Thea.”

“Jessie,” she offers flatly before looking away.

“Jess took care of sanitizing the kitchen and getting rid of all the gluten shit,” Damian mentions, glancing from her to me.

I don’t know what the issue is, but she won’t even look me in the face. I try for nice again. “Thank you, I really appreciate that!”

“Listen, you boys have a good weekend. Try to keep this place clean so I don’t have to bust my ass too much next week. And tell your girlfriend to throw her towels in the hamper when she’s done with them.”

The room gets eerily silent as Jessie says the last part. She doesn’t seem to notice or care as she walks out the front door. All eyes are on me. I’m still trying to process what the fuck just happened. Did my one towel on the bathroom floor piss her off that much?

Sutton’s arms wrap around me. “Don’t worry about Jess. She’s been with us for years and can be a little overprotective. She doesn’t mean anything by it.”

“She does have a point though,” Wesley chimes in. “Put your towels in the hamper.” He says it with a completely straight face. I can’t tell if he’s serious or if this is his weird way of teasing me.

My scowl makes Damian’s mouth tug into a smirk.

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