Page 74 of Bound By Obsession

It’s the first compliment Wyatt has ever given me. I swallow down past the lump in my throat, berating myself not to cry right now like a little bitch. The release of emotion, the relief of finally having Wyatt in ways I didn’t dare dream of, it’s all too much but I manage to hold it together as he settles me back down on the floor. My legs threaten to fail me, my body slipping against Wyatt’s muscled abdomen.

Ducking my head, I wash myself down and exit, quickly wrapping a towel around myself. My hair is plastered to my back and as promised, the soreness between my legs runs deep. I abandon my clothes, rushing through Wyatt’s room in an effort not to overstay my welcome. This was perfect, despite the rage simmering beneath Wyatt’s surface. I’m not going to wait around long enough for him to say something to ruin it. I’ll face his gloating tomorrow.

Two steps from the door, a hand grips my hair. I muffle my scream whilst being wrenched back against Wyatt’s chest. True terror shatters my expectations that I could screw Wyatt and escape in one piece. Lowering his mouth to my ear, I shudder at his heated breath.

“Where do you think you’re going?” he growls, pushing his still-hard cock against my backside through the towel. I bite my lip, eyes widening. Wyatt uses his grip on my hair to pull me towards his bed, whipping the towel free from my body.He tosses the clothes onto the floor and peels back the covers, holding me as if I’ll bolt if given the chance. I probably would. This sudden change in dynamic leaves me utterly in his control, not a place I intended to be.

Pulling me onto the mattress, Wyatt’s arm winds around my middle, tugging me roughly into his body. I pant, waiting for him to push himself back inside me, to screw me into the pillows until I cry, but none of that happens. Instead, Wyatt pulls the cover over us and holds me tight, our wet and naked bodies molded together.

“Do you normally make a habit of taking what you want and running out?” Wyatt asks into the darkness. It’s only then I realize how rigid I still am, my thoughts colliding like a battering ram. I’m spooning with Wyatt. How does that notion feel so much scarier than the aspect of him rearranging my organs?

“I-I didn’t think you’d want me to stay.” I frown, more uncomfortable now than ever. There’s a rumble passed through Wyatt’s chest and into my back, something akin to a small laugh.

“I reckon it’s safe to say you don’t have a clue what I want, Avery.” Wyatt’s body softens as he pulls me back to brush his nose against my nape. There’s something muted about his hold now, a vulnerability that wasn’t there before. As his breathing evens out, I stare into the abyss, too confused and wired to rest. This could be a trick. Maybe I’ll wake to binds pinning me down and Wyatt standing over me with a hacksaw. To be fair, if there’s a Ghostface mask involved, I might not be as terrified as I should be. Fuck, I really need to stop reading Dax’s books.

The frat house is alive with a certain buzz this evening, or perhaps that’s just me. I’ve been practically vibrating with the need to get out of here since sundown, barely able to keep my hand steady whilst attending to Avery’s neck.

“Are you sure this is going to last?” she huffs from her stool at the kitchen island, keeping her head stretched to the side. I gently pat the concealer down, blending out the edges so no one would know the difference.

“It’s the highest grade of tattoo covering cream, Peach. Of course it will last.” Tilting her head to the other side, Avery flicks over her mass of hair and holds it out of the way.

“I’ve never even seen you cover your tattoos,” she mutters from beneath her mane. I grin widely.

“Because I don’t. What I do cover is Axel’s hand necklace every time I go a bit too hard so the guys are none the wiser. Big hands and brute strength aren’t always easy to control.” Avery stiffens beneath my fingertips as I continue dabbing the cream into her skin.

She snuck out of Wyatt’s room in his orange hoodie around midday, bruised and ashen, eyes ringed with lack of sleep. I was waiting against the wall for hours just to witness her walk of shame, and it was glorious. I’ve never been prouder.

Finishing with the marks on her neck, I offer to check her body for other bruises but she smacks me and jumps from the stool, rushing off to Dax’s room. He offered to braid her hair like all of the other sorority girls do theirs, and now she doesn’t need to explain who tried to choke her out. I did offer to take the fall like the noble gentleman I am, but she preferred to not address the issue at all.

Left with only myself for entertainment, I start to limber up, swinging my arms in wide circles and lunging across the living area. Excessively pushing Huxley to get back into shape has done wonders for my own fitness, snapping me back from my winter break slump. As soon as Axel is healed up, I’ll be dragging him along too. Our Peach can only be seen with the hottest of men groveling at her perfectly pointed feet.

Speaking of hot men…

“Riot!” I spot the broodiest of us all slumping down the stairs and bound over, coming up short at his attire. It’s a nice suit, the matte black slacks and tie against a pastel purple shirt. Expensive, just like the polished dress shoes upon his feet. “Dude, you can’t play ball in that,” I laugh incredulously. Wyatt’s frown doesn’t shift, his hair gelled back to perfection.

“I’m not. I have somewhere I need to be,” he tries to walk on by. I step into his way.

“Um, have you forgotten it’s Midnight Madness tonight? You’re the team leader,” I give him a rough shake. “We need you.” Wyatt pries my fingers from his arms and brushes down his jacket.

“You’ll manage. You’ve got your pretty little cheerleader to spur you on,” he drawls, his no-bullshit expression weighing heavy. Squinting one eye, I continue to obstruct his way whilst pondering that for a second.

“Just to clarify, are we talking about Avery or Axel?”

“Hey, there’s nothing little about me,” Axel says as Huxley aids his descent down the stairs. I smile warmly at the sight of him, freshly shaven and showered. He’s not even participating tonight but he’s wearing sweatpants and a college sweater, the Waversea Warriors logo printed onto the sleeve. Maybe Wyatt just didn’t get the memo?

I open my mouth to suggest such a thing when Wyatt shoves me aside and leaves, slamming the door behind him. Sadness wells in my eyes, a strange twinge tugging in my chest. Some of the best fun we’ve had has been during this event, running circles around our competitors. We’ve housed the trophy in a spare room for the past few years, not even giving a shit about displaying it. It’s all about the bragging rights.

“Where’s Wyatt running off to?” Huxley asks. I shrug.

“Fuck knows. He wasn’t very chatty.” Slipping into Huxley’s place, I walk Axel over to the front door and help to put his sneakers on. He’s probably more than capable these days, but I reckon he likes the attention. It’s an excuse to maintain the physical touch he loves so much, and a reason for me to shower him with the kind of care he deserves.

What a sappy fuck I’ve become.

Avery and Dax appear hand in hand, her hair styled beautifully in slick braids. Without smearing her cover-up, she’s managed to change into the yellow and black halter top wehad ordered for this very occasion, adamant that she would be supporting our team’s colors throughout the night. On her lower half, a mini skirt that will do nothing against the winter chill has been paired with woolen black leg warmers and suede ankle boots.

The five of us gather in the entrance hall and my excitement plummets into overdrive. “I seriously can’t wait to kick some fucking ass!” I bounce on my heels, beating my fists through the air at some invisible foe. Avery raises a single brow.

“I thought you were just playing basketball?” God, she’s cute when she’s clueless. I sling my arm over her shoulder, careful not to smudge the concealer.

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