Page 9 of Keep Me (Rebel Hearts Heists 2)
Confused
Sloane
Saying that I am confused is literally the understatement of the fucking century. My fingers are shaking slightly as I sit down in the leather seats, buckled in because of the on and off again turbulence. River of all people is up front with Royce, trying to stretch out his stiff back and side so Blaine is sitting next to me. His expression is intense and concerned while still oddly heated, as his silver eyes examine our intertwined fingers.
Mine are shaking.
The post-sex adrenaline of being fucked only feet away is still coursing through me, so my thighs hurt slightly and I can practically feel Kaden between my hips. It doesn’t help that the bastard is staring at me, as if he knows that his cum is still sitting between my thighs, without any panties to stop it from running down them. Blaine lets out a low rumble and I put my head on his shoulder. This is a hot fucking mess.
It’s been hours since this shit storm of a situation unraveled yet I feel absolutely no better about what went down than before. Pierce is still out there, undoubtedly planning his next move, a shudder rolls through me at that thought.
I haven’t been lying. I understand why Kaden did what he did. In a way. Okay, that isn’t completely true. I understand why he had originally been hesitant but damn it we’d opened up to each other so many times … I guess I just felt betrayed. Not nearly as much as the guys did no doubt, but still. Then again, despite Blaine’s words … Do I feel any better? Looking up into Kaden’s intense blue eyes I realize that I believe some aspect of what he’s saying. It doesn’t stop the confusion but it gives me something to consider for sure.
Turbulence hits right at that moment and I groan as Blaine mutters a curse, rubbing a hand over my leg gently, in a soothing motion. I feel a bit sick as I wrap an arm around my stomach hoping that I don’t end up hurling over a toilet. I don’t care how fantastic this jet is, that isn’t a place where I want to find myself. Closing my eyes I let the feel of the seats and the night time cruising air bring me into a fitful sleep.
Almost immediately, memories begin to play across my sleeping consciousness.
“It was so wonderful to meet you, I hope you enjoy the party,” I offered a parting smile as Mrs. Kleindale, the wife of one of Pierce’s co-workers, goes to get another drink. The entire condo is lit up in festive decorations that I practically had a nervous breakdown over, only for Pierce to come home and barely notice it.
Fucking asshole.
My eyes sought him out from where I stood near the front door, greeting the guests entering right on time. Pierce was surrounded by four of his co-workers as they laughed and made snide jokes. My chest squeezed as I watched Pierce’s eyes follow one of my cheer friend’s ass, as she passed by. Part of me wanted to introduce them because frankly Amy was sort of a bitch and Pierce well … he’d fuck literally anyone.
Tears stung my eyes as I swallowed, trying to not feel insecure about my own body. I wanted to believe that it wasn’t a reflection on my looks, how much attention he paid to other women … but it was difficult sometimes. Tonight I was wearing a classic red cocktail dress that's tight at the waist and flared out in a tea skirt design. My eyes traced the ring on my finger that matched the diamond necklace I wore, almost mocking me. I looked like one of those trophy wives that I so despised and made fun of with my sister Sasha. Rather than a necklace, Pierce might as well have given me a dog collar. The way he had been treating me lately had been … horrible. It had been horrible. That was the only word for it.
“Sloane?” A warm voice asked and as I turned, an authentic smile filled my face.
Alex strolled in wearing a three-piece green suit and looking handsome as hell. As one of the physical therapists for the team, we worked in close proximity to one another and had become really good friends. He greeted me with a massive smile and I was so caught up in the moment that I didn’t remember that our friendship was very much unknown to Pierce.
“Sweetheart.” Pierce’s voice cut through our conversation and I could hear the warning edge there. I swallowed as Alex’s brow dipped slightly.
“Hey man.” Alex met Pierce’s hand as my fiancé tightened his other on my waist, squeezing just enough to make his touch threatening rather than comforting. “Fantastic to meet you. I’m a physical therapist for the squad.”
Pierce, as usual, brought out the full charm and any worry seemed to leave Alex. That was always what happened though. Was I really just waiting for someone to notice? Sort of felt like that. Every time I tried to tell someone something about my relationship or a concern, they either waved it off because ‘Pierce was so amazing’ or they told him. The latter was far worse, because other people’s perception and his social standing were of the utmost importance to my fiancé. Like a modern world Dorian Gray, all he cared about was that there was a perfect front to look at, it didn’t matter if behind that pristine facade everything was rotten to the core. I watched Alex walk away as I kept my gaze trained forward, Pierce’s voice threatening in my ear.
“You ever pull that shit again Sloane and I’ll make sure Alex is jobless in minutes,” he hissed before walking away, making me once again feel like the smallest person in the room. I crossed my arms and walked towards the kitchen, hopeful to find someone or something to distract myself with. Anything to put more space between Pierce and I.
Rolling my shoulder slightly, a low rumble underneath me has my eyes fluttering open to find River’s hazel eyes peering down at me with a vivid intensity. I swallow and he kisses my temple as if knowing that I woke from a bad dream, the cabin is dark and warm, removing any traces of the coldness it left. Well, until I fall asleep once again. It seems my brain is refusing to give me a break today. If I had to guess it’s a reflection of my indecision with the Kaden situation. Of course, Pierce and Kaden are worlds apart … but still.
Curled up in bed, my arms wrapped around my knees, I stared at the passed out and very drunk man next to me. Pierce had come home absolutely trashed and after grinding against me, he came just in his fucking dress pants before his snores began to echo around the room. I grimaced and stood, wrapping a robe around me and moving from the master suite towards the open space main room.
My stomach rumbled from working so hard at practice and not having had a chance to eat dinner. Not that I could eat around Pierce anyway. It made me so paranoid to do so ever since he started making comments about the amount and the type of food I ate. He’d notice even if I gained a single pound, making me feel inadequate, no matter what.
After practice, like two months ago, I’d gotten McDonalds and when I’d gotten home he had eyed the bag and talked about how fatty and unhealthy it was for nearly thirty minutes. By then my food was cold and I felt like punching something rather than eating. Tonight though? I was far, far too hungry to care.
Pulling out some fresh tomatoes, basil, and steak I began to cook. I knew I was keeping it quiet but was unsurprised when nearly twenty minutes later he stumbled into the kitchen looking pissed.
“What the hell are you doing up?” he snarled, grabbing a glass of water as I continued to eat while keeping an eye on him.
“Eating,” I answered without attempting to sound sarcastic.
“Again?” He narrowed his eyes after guzzling down the water and filling it up again.
“I never ate dinner.”
“Right.” He chuckled, shaking his head. “Not sure why you would lie about something so fucking stupid.”
“I’m not lying.” I explained evenly as I put down my fork, finally finished. Except I made the mistake of turning enough that when I slipped off the island chair, he was there looming in my space. I made a worried noise as he pressed against me, using his size to intimidate me and making me feel powerless. When his fingers pressed against my jaw, I let out a pained sound and he offered me a look of disgust.
