Page 9 of Forbidden Obsessions

She arches and writhes on the kitchen floor for several more minutes. The pleasure she’s giving herself is such a beautiful thing to witness. She catches my gaze, giving me a piercing look. Even with half-closed lids, it says so much.

“Tomas,” she whimpers, before fully collapsing against the kitchen cabinets. I pull her onto my lap, our pulses equally erratic.

“Olivia, I know it’s your anxiety talking, and there’s likely nothing I can say to make you fully believe me, but you are the most stunning creature I’ve ever witnessed. There is nothing Vanessa can do that you can’t do better. There isn’t a single fucking thing Vanessa could offer me that I would want. You’re beautiful, kind, smart, and funny, and you have my entire being wrapped around your finger. I want you forever.”

Olivia looks at me skeptically. “Forever’s a long time, Tomas. After the experience I’ve had with exes like Julian, I don’t know how I can trust big promises like that.”

“Well, you better learn how to, apple. I made us both a promise, and I don’t break my promises,” I warn before shutting her up with a kiss.

I know Olivia loves me, but I don’t know that she believes that I’d go to the ends of the earth for her. Maybe it’s the news about Maura. Maybe it’s remembering my grandmother’s dying wish, who I loved so dearly. Maybe it’s because I’m aging. All I know is I’m desperate to show Olivia how much she means to me, and I know how I’m going to do it.

Chapter Four

Olivia

“Good morning, beautiful,” Lex sings next to my ear. It’s criminal to be that chipper this early in the morning.Wait, why the fuck is she here?She shakes me again. Curious, I finally relent and open an eye.

Lex sits on the edge of the bed while Mia opts for the chair across the room. “You two look like clones. What’s going on?” They both shrug innocently. Hiking boots, leggings, and those cute little puffer vests that make me look like a marshmallow? Something is most definitely up.

“Not that I’m unhappy to see both of you, but what the fuck?” My oldest friend, Alexandria, mostly known as “Lex” pounces on me with a hug and slides into bed next to me.

“You’ll see,” she offers, biting back a devious smile.

When the pair of them met last semester, I wasn’t sure how they were going to get along. I guess they must be forming a friendship if they’re both here without my involvement. I’m happy about it, though, since Lex is moving in with me and Mia next semester—although it might just be with Mia.

“Mia, are you gonna stay in the cuck chair or join us over here?” Lex nods at the empty spot next to her. She gives Lex a sly smile before sauntering to the bed. Lex slides over, giving Mia some room, but not much. The two of them lay together, bodies flush, with Mia being the big spoon. I suddenly feel like the outsider amongst the three of us.

“What are you both doing here? Is something wrong?” I ask, sitting up slowly.

“Nah, babe. We’re leaving. Get your bags,” Mia says coolly.

“Leaving where?” Lex and Mia share a glance with wide eyes. “What aren’t you telling me? Where’s Tomas?” The tightness in my chest returns. Lex holds her hands out.

“Tomas is fine. He packed you a bag. We just have to get that, your coffee, and you into the car,” she enunciates calmly.

“Okay,” I sigh in relief, sagging against the headboard. I am so sick of waiting for the other shoe to drop all the fucking time. Between trying to heal from Julian, and now imagining Nathan is lurking around every corner, my anxiety hasn’t really been improving.

The girls scurry around the house, working efficiently and quietly to get us out of Cambridge. Lex ushers me into the back seat of my SUV as Mia slides behind the wheel.

“Mia, how the hell did you get my keys? Is this a kidnapping or what?” I ask.

“Obviously, bitch,” she says, looking back at me in the rearview mirror.

“Was this his idea?” I ask.

“Yep,” they say in unison, each with identical cheesy grins. Butterflies form at the thought of what he has waiting for me. My blood heats, knowing there’s probably more from what we started last night. Why he would go to these lengths is beyond me.

“Do you know what he has planned?” I ask.

“No,” Mia says with pursed lips.

“Kind of,” Lex admits with a smile. Mia shoots Lex a glare, promptly elbowing her to hush. She blushes under Mia’s gaze, quickly turning her head.

“What’s going on with you and Matt?” I ask, suddenly.

“Nothing,” Mia responds flatly.

“Nothing, as in?” I prompt.

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