Page 111 of Grounded
"Obviously. I mean, let's be real. I saw your ex tonight. He didn't look capable of pleasing any woman."
Theo is unaware I heard all the kind things he said about me to Beckett, and I decide to keep that to myself for now. That might open a door I don't think we are ready to step through yet.
"It might be a good idea to lay low," he begins. "Maybe keep our distance for a few days."
"Why's that?"
"I don't want our parents suspecting anything. If we're suddenly getting along, it'll be harder to hide how badly I want to sneak into your room at night and fuck you till morning."
A ripple of heat furrows into my lower body. He's being so honest, and I find it difficult to reciprocate. I don't think I want him to know I feel the same way.
"So criticism is fair game again?" I confirm.
"Just don't hit below the belt. I'm going to need that area free of any blows."
"Are you sure about that?"
The accidental innuendo is the perfect closer as Theo steers the car back onto the road, both of us smiling like a couple of freaks who willingly stepped into a room on fire.
Eventhoughtheurgeto finish what we started in the backseat blasts through me the moment I put my car in park, I have to keep my composure.
I will not give off the impression I'm unable to control my impulses. Because when it happens, it won't be lovemaking. It will be covetous, possessive, and undoubtedly a craving we'll never be able to satiate.
This won't just be a fantasy fulfilled. It will be fate, as it was planned to be.
But fuck, I don't want the fuse to fizzle out. I'm worried if we lose momentum, Amelia will realize how out of bounds we were and regret everything.
She fingers her heel straps as we ascend the stairs to our private floor. She's ahead of me, and I watch each step we take, curious if she's hiding any unease from me.
When we reach the landing, we stand at a crossroads, as we both know we must sleep in our separate rooms.
An unspoken acceptance passes through us, both realizing when we wake up tomorrow, nothing will be the same.
ThesevenhoursIwas in bed, I tossed and turned. Very little dreaming happened for me, only replaying the night's events over and over in my head.
When I get out of bed, the heat is already making itself known. You can tell the temperature is going to rise as the day continues.
I recall what I said to Amelia last night. In order to keep up the illusion we are squabbling stepsiblings, I might have to rattle her cage a bit.
Wasn't I shirtless when we were reunited? Let's recreate that moment, shall we?
When I enter the kitchen area, I see my mom sitting on the couch drinking her coffee.
"Morning."
"Hey, Mom."
"Shouldn't you be wearing a shirt? I don't want you to…"
She makes suggestive gestures with her eyes and waves her hands over her chest. We'd be terrible at charades together.
"I don't want you to," she repeats but in a whisper. "Rile up Amelia."
"What?" I burst into a fit of laughter. "Seriously, Mom?"
"You can't walk around like that. It's not appropriate."
"I'm going swimming soon." And I am. I will continue with my day as soon as I confirm my target is awake and in relatively normal spirits.
