Page 8 of Deadly Obsession
It was obvious to everyone in the group’s Discord server that something had developed between me and James. We didn’t disclose anything to the group because we didn’t realize how immediate our connection would be.
“Don’t worry about it. Danielle was in on the entire thing, actually. Had to make sure she didn’t decide to come up early, being your best friend and all. Only thing she doesn’t know is that she won’t be staying in the main bedroom with you.” He took a final bite of his food and began cleaning up.
“What do you mean? That was the plan,” I said, watching James wash the dishes in the sink, the veins in his tattooed forearms seeming to bulge as he scrubbed one of the pans clean.
What was it about strong men in white T-shirts doing chores that was so sexy?
“You’re right. Thatwasthe plan. Plans change, though. I’m staying in the main bedroom with you.” He answered my question, only glancing at me for the briefest of moments.
“But what will Danielle say? What will the others think?” I felt my cheeks heating up for a second time in a matter of minutes.
“I don’t give a damn what they feel or think on the matter,” he said, pausing his chore and looking over to me with those piercing emerald eyes. “I’ve waited for this trip for so long. I’m going to spend every night fucking you till you have to stand the entire flight home. We’re going to need that large bed for everything I’m going to do to you, Sera.” His eyes looked me up and down once more before that dangerous smirk crossed his lips and he returned his focus to the dirty dishes.
He did it again.How could someone doing an innocent task such as washing dishes, after cooking me a nice simple breakfast, turn around and say something so filthy and so attractive in the same instance?
Just when I opened my mouth to respond, the front door opened with athudas it hit the inner wall.
“We’re here, bitches!” a peppy female voice called out, followed by the unmistakable sounds of luggage bags rolling over and being dropped onto the hardwood floor.
Spinning on my bar stool, I caught sight of Lola, Danielle, and Jade—Brian bringing up the rear with a sheepish look on his face. Lola was standing front and center, and despite what some would call agothicorheavily-alternative appearance, she was clearly the source of the overly-cheery announcement.
With the all-black clothing, facial piercings, and tattoos scattered all over her body (including the front of her throat) most would likely be intimidated by Lola at first glance. Find her off-putting. However, this five-foot-six goth bat made a beeline for me, wrapping me in a hug before I was able to do more than stand up from my seat. Soon, the other two girls were joining in, and I was consumed by a massive group hug, the excited voices all blurring together.
“Oh my god, this is amazing!” Lola squealed.
“I can’t believe it! You’re beautiful!” Danielle chimed in.
“Let’s start drinking already!” Jade blurted out, the scent of something cinnamon already on her breath.
FIVE
JAMES
As the ladies attacked Sera, it was hard not to laugh. Even harder not to cover my ears at the high-pitched tones of each of them squealing and trying to talk over one another. Reminding me of the effect you get when you pour the slop in the pigs trough at feeding time. The thought created a funny image in my head—not one I’d ever voice out loud, though.
I moved around the gathering of women, towards Brian with an outstretched hand. Brian stood a bit shorter than I was, just under six feet with crimson hair and an average build. Judging by the look on his face, I could tell the ride up here from the airport with the ladies was likely torture.
“Welcome to America,” I said, giving him a firm shake. I glanced over at the girls. They all seemed giddy until I noticed Sera managing to pry herself loose to catch her breath.
“James, good to be here. Though I’m regretting the travel arrangements we’d made. Wouldn’t you know my noise-canceling headphones would die on the plane before we even landed. The entire drive up, I just listened to the ladies go on about one book man or another. Not that I mind typically, of course, but I couldn’t get a word in edgewise, even if I’dwanted to.” He let out a sigh and a soft chuckle, looking like a man who had just been rescued from a bad storm.
“Sounds like you’re in need of a beer, my friend.” I laughed, clapping him on the shoulder and gesturing to the fridge, where I grabbed us each a Budweiser and popped them open. “To good times,” I said, passing him his and tapping our bottles together before taking a long swig.
It was five o’clock somewhere after all.
The sound of the bottles clinking was all it took to break up the chatter.
“James! Hello, handsome, are you going to serve us ladies too?” Lola cried out, peeling off from the group and over to me.
Smiling up at me, she reached around my waist, her body flush with mine as her nails dug into my back. I set my beer down on the counter and gently placed my hands on her forearms, freeing myself from her grip and quickly opening the fridge. Brian’s face visibly cringed, but with his back to the group, I was the only one who seemed to notice.
Prior to Sera arriving, I’d stocked not only this fridge but the icebox out on the porch with enough food and drinks to last the entire group for the duration of the stay. The cabin was fully stocked with a mix of beers, liquors, and hard seltzers. I grabbed four White Claws and passed them to Lola, who smiled and snatched them from my hand. After she distributed them to the other girls, each one took their turn coming over to hug and greet me as if suddenly aware of my presence.
After a brief post-trip conversation, Sera went with the girls to show them their rooms, and I escorted Brian to his.
“So, mate, what time did you get in? Surprised you beat us here. Get on with Sera all right so far?” he said, tossing his bags on the bed he’d claimed for himself.
The room featured a full-size bunk bed and a couch off to the side that could be pulled out into a small sleeper. Theoriginal idea had been for the three guys to share the largest room, apart from the main bedroom upstairs.
