Page 66 of Pick Me

“Look, I’m sure you’ll be fine. You stood up for Aster through all the bad stuff that happened to her last year. She’ll come to her senses and listen to you soon. All you need to do is just breathe. Focus on what you’re going to say to her, and why.”

“Okay, good point. Thanks, sis.”

With that, we hung up, then I was met with the darkness of the room again. Nothing was in here except my intrusive thoughts.

I kissed Jackson.

Okay, understatement of the century. I humped Jackson’s crotch, and he chased me right after. I had no idea how I would handle the next few days, but I needed to prepare myself for the worst because I was no doubt screwed.

Chapter Sixteen

Thea

Waking up felt like a nightmare. Everything ached. My back. My neck. My head. Far from a pleasant night’s sleep. I woke up still in darkness… Wait a minute. I elbowed the fabric behind me, only to realize it was a suitcase and I was still crumpled up in my closet.

I didn’t even remember falling asleep. Kicking the door open, I used the frame to pull myself out of the closet, falling into my bedroom with a thump.

I felt like I’d been hit by a train, and my lips were still beating from last night. Biting down on them, I tried to replace the memory of Jackson’s kisses with the pain of this morning, but nothing could erase that from my mind. Hot, heady, dare I say, sexy. Even with the clarity of sleep and the sun shining into the room, I had no idea what to do about Jackson. How would I even leave this room without him seeing me? After last night, I needed to shower. Without him.

“What time is it?” I mumbled to myself, looking around the room for anything that would tell me. Then I remembered tossing my phone into the abyss of my closet last night and went back in there to find it. After throwing all my clothes out of the way, I found it in the corner with his name plastered all over it.

5 Unread messages from Baseball Cap

Baseball Cap:I’m outside. Wanna talk?

Baseball Cap:Okay, I get it, you’re freaked out over how good that was. Honestly, Pyro, I was expecting greatness from you, but I didn’t expect that.

Baseball Cap:Just gonna leave me unread?

Baseball Cap:What are you doing in there? I haven’t heard you moving in a while.

Baseball Cap:Maybe I need to break the door open and find out.

Welp, that last message was sent at eleven last night and my door was still intact, so it seemed Jackson managed to hold himself together and not break into my room. I padded over to the door and pressed my ear against it, listening for any noise from Jackson. Honestly, my head was pounding so loudly a car could’ve driven through the wall, and I’d still have trouble hearing the crash.

I needed a drink. Not alcoholic, but maybe some fresh orange juice to clear my head, so I took the plunge.

Opening the door, I stilled…Was that bacon?

I poked my head through the opening, trying to be inconspicuous as I glanced into the kitchen. My mouth watered; my clit throbbed. Jackson was out there in nothing but a pair of gray sweatpants and his hat on backward. Did he know those were all things that pushed my buttons?

He was facing the stove, giving me ample time to watch his back muscles move as he tended to the bacon. I sunk my teeth into my lip, hoping that would satiate my need for him.

It didn’t. All it did was remind me how good he tasted last night. A pounding desire pumped through me, because for some asinine reason, my body believed Jackson could give me something no one else ever had. An orgasm.

And I wanted one.

“I know you’re there.” Jackson’s deep voice shocked me, and when he looked over his shoulder, I nearly peed my pants. Busted. I was caught checking him out, so I tried to play it cool.

“I just got up,” I said with my usual grouchy tenor.

He turned around, throwing me a relaxed smile as he leaned against the kitchen counter.

“Well, then come over here and get your breakfast like a good girl instead of making me chase you.”

His chest muscles flexed, and it took everything in me not to stare, so I threw a barb his way instead. “I think you might get arrested for indecent exposure if you were walking around like that.”

“Come out, Pyro.” His voice was so commanding I had no other option than to follow it. I trudged out of my room until I reached the kitchen counter. Popping my hip out, I relaxed against the counter and folded my arms.

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