Page 22 of Freestyle
“Check out these pictures I snapped of her,” Nix says, chuckling. “You have to see these.” He drops on my bed and pulls out his phone.
I lean in to take a look and a grin spreads across my face. “Damn, she looks fucking delicious, doesn’t she?”
Nix smirks. “She’s a hot little mess, but I love the way the water is dripping off her wet body.”
“Send those to me,” I say, already feeling the strain in my pants from the sight of Rowyn’s naked body.
“Don’t worry, I will. I’m already sending these to the cloud,” Nix replies, his eyes never leaving the screen.
“No one sees these but us. Understood?” I demand, my tone laced with authority.
Nix meets my gaze, a mix of surprise and intrigue reflected in his dark eyes. “I’m the king of the cloud, man. No one gets in without my say-so,” he assures me.
I nod, satisfied with his answer. “Good. These photos are just for us. No one else.”
“Of course,” Nix concurs, his gaze lingering on the screen for a moment before he returns to his task. As I watch him work, a sense of satisfaction settles over me. We’ve got her exactly where we want her now, and we’re not about to let her go. Our girl will learn that there’s no escaping. She’ll submit to us, whether it’s willingly or not, and we’ll make sure she never forgets who’s in charge.
Two
Rowyn
I’vebeenabletonarrowly avoid Gray for weeks, picking up as many shifts as I could handle, but for some reason I feel like my time is up. It’s Friday night and Mr. Ford is out of town, which leaves the three of us alone in this mansion. Lyndsy mentioned Gray throwing a party tonight, and it just so happens to be a rare night that I’m off work.
I glance at the clock on the wall; it’s almost eight. I can’t hide forever.
“Are you going to just stand there all night?” Lyndsy’s voice breaks through my thoughts as she leans against the doorframe, arms crossed, a teasing smile on her lips.
“I don’t know, maybe I should just stay in my room,” I reply, trying to sound nonchalant, but my heart races at the thought of facing Gray and probably Nix, too.
“Hell no! My brother throws the best parties and as your best friend, I can’t allow you to sit up here and rot away. Not happening, so get your cute ass dressed and come downstairs with me,” she insists, her tone leaving no room for argument.
Lyndsy still doesn’t know what’s going on between Gray, Phoenix and me, whatever it is. It’s a secret I’ve kept close to my chest, afraid of what it might mean for our friendship and the complicated dynamics with Gray being her brother.
“Fine,” I sigh, knowing she’s right. I can’t avoid them forever, and maybe facing them head-on is the best way to deal with whatever this is between us. Maybe finding another guy tonight will push me in the right direction. After I ran from them, I’m sure they thought I was crazy but all I could think about with Gray’s hand around my throat was a demented memory from my past. The darkness from that time still haunts me.
Lyndsy grins, clearly pleased with herself. “Now, let’s find you something killer to wear. You’re going to knock them all dead.”
As she rummages through my closet, I can’t help but feel a mix of excitement and dread. Tonight is going to be interesting, to say the least.
The bass thumps through the crowded house, vibrating the very walls as laughter and shouts mingle with the blaring music. Bodies sway and move, a sea of energy that pulses with the rhythm of the night. Outside, the air is thick with the scent of summer, mingling with the aroma of grilled food and spilled drinks. Inside, the atmosphere is electric, and I find myself lost in the chaos, the world outside fading away as I surrender to the beat of the music.
Chokeholdby Austin Giorgio plays, and I’m drawn to the center of the dancefloor, the liquor coursing through my veins, loosening my inhibitions. I let the music take me, each note wrapping around me like a warm embrace, drowning out the worries that have plagued me for weeks. For a brief moment, I’m free.
But just as the song begins to fade, a pair of large hands grip my waist, pulling me back against a solid chest. I gasp, spinning around to find myself face to face with Phoenix. My heart skips a beat, but not in the way I wantit to.
“What the fuck are you doing?” I demand, pushing against his rock-hard abs, desperate to escape his hold.
“Dancing, sunshine,” Phoenix purrs in my ear, his deep voice sending shivers down my spine. “Why don’t you try it sometime?”
His words, laced with a potent mix of desire and challenge, ignite a fire within me. A spark of defiance flares, ready to leap from my tongue in a heated retort but before I can utter a single syllable, his lips are on mine, silencing me with a kiss that is both demanding and possessive.
The touch is electric, sending a shockwave through my system that is impossible to ignore. His tongue invades my mouth, exploring with a boldness that leaves no corner untouched, claiming every inch as if it belongs to him. As if he truly wants me. In that moment, it feels like it does. My body responds to his touch, every nerve ending alive with sensation. My mind, usually so clear and focused, clouds with a potent mix of desire and confusion.
I can’t give in to the moment, to lose myself in the heat of his touch and forget everything else. The thought of Lyndsy finding out stops me cold. The image of her face, filled with hurt and betrayal, flashes before my eyes, a stark reminder of the consequences of my actions.
I can’t do this. I can’t betray my best friend again, not like this. No matter how good it feels to be in Phoenix’s arms, nomatter how much my heart aches for him to keep touching me, I know it is wrong.
“I can’t,” I gasp, breaking free from his hold and stumbling backward, putting distance between us. The heat of his touch still lingers on my skin, but the coldness of reality is seeping into my bones.
