Page 6 of When Autumn Arrives

Calder

Shane ate dinner at the bar, then excused himself to head back to the apartment above the garage. The crowd picked up as it grew later, and he never did like the booming sounds that came with public settings. He’d go home, sit on his couch and watch some war documentary he found steaming on the internet, then conk out without ever making it to his bed.

He was young, sure. But still the oldest of us, in his forties, and he acted like the grumpy grandpa. His television and late-night habits solidified his old man characteristics.

I remained behind. I told myself it was only to check out the craft beers that Thea had on tap, but I cut myself off after the second one when I realized Hendrix or Parker weren’t going to be showing up. I wanted to be sober in case she needed something, anything, from me. A ride home, or help in the kitchen if they got too backed up.

I’d closed out my tab two hours ago, sticking to water, and Thea checked on me now and then. She remained her bubbly self, smiling and treating me with a polite demeanor, despite how much she despised me. I enjoyed how much of an effort she was putting in to not let me bother her.

Thea let out a yawn as she wiped down the last of the tables, then placed the chairs upside down on the top. Her brown eyes darted my way, never leaving me as I locked up the entry doors after the last patron.

I headed for her, my gaze on the steady rate of the rise and fall of her chest. She wore a dark t-shirt with a low-cut front that made her already large breasts look even bigger, and the way it clung to her body left nothing to the imagination.

I stalked toward her, each step of my boots clanking against the wood floor of the restaurant. Each stride brought me closer to her, and until I approached, I allowed myself—just for the tiniest of moments—to fantasize. I imagined what it would be like to give in and let myself join the folds of their throuple. I let myself think that I could trust her enough to give into her temptation, to hold her in my arms while we sat on the couch and watched a movie.

My gait slowed, savoring the thoughts of normalcy, or as normal as one could get in the type of relationships the guys and I went for. When I reached her, I sucked in a steadying breath. I bit the inside of my cheek, hating how hard it made me to look at her, her pupils blown as she peered up at me with wide, fuck me eyes. I ached to run a finger down the swell of her breasts, to know how her skin felt beneath my touch, and that needed to stop. I knew it, but my hand reached out and brushed back her hair, draping it behind her shoulders.

Her mouth parted, lips forming an O. It only made me want those perfect pink lips stretched around my cock.

Just one taste, I told myself, dragging a knuckle along her clavicle.

She shuddered beneath my touch, feeding the beast inside of me that wanted to have her writhing beneath me, her ass marked red from my belt. “Calder,” she whispered.

I snapped out of my lust induced haze, yanked my hand back, and took a step away from her. Her head tilted as she peered at me, probably wondering why the fuck I’d closed in on her like that.

“Calder,” she said again, this time louder, more breathy and desperate. “It’s okay to give in.”

I shook my head, chewing on the inside of my cheek. My eyes snapped shut as I gained my composure. Then I channeled my inner dick, and when they snapped open again, I glared at her with cruel intent.

“Give in?” I said in a gruff tone, thankful my voice didn’t crack and give away my true emotions.

“Yes.”

“There’s nothing to give into, Thea. Soon, they’ll be tired of you, and you’ll be last month’s news.”

Her brows furrowed, and my chest tightened as her nose scrunched with disdain. “I’m sorry you’re in so much pain, Calder. That you have to try to hurt the people around you.”

Thea crossed her arms over her chest. “Your tab is paid. Has been for hours now. And we’re closed.” She dipped her chin toward the doors. “Have a nice night.”

I shook my head. “I stayed to give you a ride home.”

She reared back, confused. I was giving the poor girl whiplash, no doubt. “I don’t need a ride.”

“Your car is a piece of shit. And despite my opinion on your relationship with the boys, they’d kill me if they found out I let you go home alone. So, let’s go.”

She bit her lip, determined to find a way to get rid of me. “I’ll stay upstairs. Good night, Calder.”

She turned to head that way, but I lunged forward, grabbing her by the elbow. Her other arm moved to slap me, but I caught her by the wrist in a swift movement, stopping her palm from making contact with my cheek. I pulled her snug against my chest, a dark laugh spilling from me.

“Careful, sweetheart. You’ll only turn me on.”

“My God, Calder. Make up your mind!” she yelled. This time when she shoved to get away, I let her. “What the fuck do you want from me? Huh?”

I blinked once, twice, a third time. The silence between us only intensified the tension. I didn’t know what I wanted from her. Was it her submission, or that fierce spark she seemed to show whenever I got under her skin? Did I want her to leave or stay? Did I want to share her, or keep her all to myself? Or maybe I didn’t want her at all. Maybe I just found her attracted, but I knew it would never amount to anything more than a warm body to fuck.

I’d shut off the ability to feel anything years ago, and I never turned that switch back on. Did I really want to try to do it now, with this girl who was too young to know anything about the world?

She must have sensed my hesitation, because she let out a scoff, her head shaking. “Leave, Calder. Please.”

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