Chapter 26

26

O ctavia

I groan so deeply my throat hurts, but I can't stop. My channel spasms around him as I come hard for a second time. My back bows. My hands slide up the wet marble. My breasts jerk in time with his hips as they hit my ass repeatedly.

Creed makes a small noise that tells me he is losing control, and then he groans; his fingers tighten on my hips. His strokes become harder as he jerks into me. I feel his cock grow bigger, touching me everywhere as we both come.

It's heaven.

I stay there for a long time. I don't know how he does it. Creed brings me to my peak and then holds me there until my muscles hurt. Until my body starts to vibrate. Until it's almost too much, and then he lets me down…slowly…slowly. I make obscene noises while he milks every last bit of pleasure from me before he finally stops moving. He's still buried deep inside. Still harder than he should be, considering this is our second time this morning. I'm not sure how many times we had sex last night.

He kisses me on my neck and then on the side of my throat. I feel his teeth rake against my skin.

No biting.

Never biting.

I almost want him to, but that would be madness.

He growls, his chest vibrating against my back. I turn my head, and he kisses my mouth in a way that is sensual, intense, and intimate. I try not to read into it.

I whimper when he pulls out. It's a desperate sound I have no business making. I've been in his bed for one night, and I'm already getting attached. I'm feeling things I shouldn't. I'm already dreading leaving. I'll miss this. No, it's more than that; I'll miss him. I'll miss Creed.

"Holy shit," he whispers. "I was supposed to wash your back. This wasn't supposed to happen…again."

I giggle. "I knew you wouldn't be able to resist me wet and naked. Looks like I was right."

"You're insatiable, and I love it." He kisses me again and then gently slaps my ass. "The water is getting cold." He takes off the condom, leaving the shower to throw it in the trash.

Then he jumps back in with me and we both laugh as we quickly finish showering, the water growing colder and colder with every second that passes.

Then we towel off. The cotton from the ones in the closet smells a little musty. It's the first sign that this house hasn't been used in a long while.

"Can I make you some eggs before you go? An omelet?" I ask him.

"You cooked me dinner. I'll make breakfast."

"I owe you a hundred meals for everything you—"

"No. We spoke about this. You don't owe me anything." He cups my face and kisses me softly. My nipples abrade his chest, pulling tight, and just like that, his cock is at full mast between us.

I look down, licking my lips. "I still owe you a blowjob." I bob my brows. I've never been this way about sex before. I didn't mind it with Joshua. I enjoyed it when we had it, but I didn't crave having it like I do with Creed. We just finished having sex, and I want more. I'm sore down there, and I want more.

He groans. "Jesus, woman, I think you might just kill me." His jaw tightens, and his eyes darken. "It'll be a good way to go." I know he's thinking about it. Then he makes a noise of frustration. "As much as I can't wait to have your mouth wrapped around my cock, I need to go to see my parents before they hear from someone else that I'm home."

"You do." I nod. "You absolutely do." I put my towel in the laundry basket, and Creed groans again. "You need to get dressed before I change my mind. My mother will never speak to me again if I don't tell her myself."

I glance over my shoulder, and his eyes are on my ass. I love how much he wants me. I love seeing such unbridled lust…for me. No one has ever looked at me like this before. It turns me on and gives me all the feels. I need to stop with that.

Shit! I really do.

"Okay…okay." I go into the bedroom and open the closet. It's like someone throws a bucket of cold water over me.

Crap!

"But you should know that when I get home, all bets are—" He stops talking. "Shoot!" he mutters. "I would have thought that she'd have fetched her things."

The closet is filled with clothes. They're not Creed's. They can't be, since they're feminine. There's a pretty red dress…and a yellow one. There's a whole bunch of clothing on hangers and in neat piles on the shelves. Aspen's clothing. His ex.

I force a smile as I close the closet and turn to face Creed.

He looks a little shell-shocked. "I mean, you're welcome to wear something of hers. I'm sure she wouldn't, um, mi…" He stops talking and presses his lips together in thought. "I guess that would be weird." He scratches the back of his head. "Yeah, um…fuck!"

"It's absolutely fine. You lived with Aspen. I don't mind at all." I shrug. "But…yeah…I'm not going to wear anything of hers. It would be weird."

"Why didn't she fetch her things?" He shakes his head, frowning. He scratches the back of his head again. "It's a little strange. I'm sure if I look around, I'll find more of her stuff. Aspen hadn't officially moved in. She still had her own place. But she pretty much stayed here all the time." He sighs.

"I'm sure she was…affected by what happened. Maybe she couldn't bring herself to pick up her things." I shrug. "Or to come back here."

"You're right. It's not like our relationship ended on the best terms. I'll pack her stuff up and—"

"You should take it to her." I hate that idea. Why did I suggest it? I feel hot all over at the thought. Jealousy worms its way through my veins all over again. I refuse to let it take hold. Creed is…he's… I don't really know what he is; suffice to say that he isn't mine. We're not dating. He isn't my boyfriend. Creed is a fleeting moment I wish could be more, but isn't. We can't be together, but I want him to be happy. I want it more than anything.

"Nah! I'll drop it off at her parent's place. They can give it to her."

That makes me feel better, but it's a momentary relief when I think it through. If he was over her, he wouldn't mind seeing her again. He does mind. "Is it because you don't want to see her in a mating circle bond thing? I can't remember what it's called."

He shrugs. "I don't know. I just… I'd rather not see her just yet."

"If she lives in the city, it's only a matter of time."

"I'll cross that bridge when I get to it. For now… You know what? I don't want to think about her." His eyes are a touch clouded.

Crap! He still has feelings for her, and knowing it burns me up inside. I have no right to feel this way. None!

I force yet another smile, praying I don't look like I'm grimacing since it feels that way. "You should get going," I remind him.

"You're right, I really should." He grabs a pair of jeans and a shirt out of his closet.

His and hers.

Stop, Octavia!

We both dress. I wear one of his T-shirts. It suddenly feels a little awkward between us, so I go in search of pants, too. I take out a pair of sweatpants that are miles too big for me. They have a drawstring at the waist, so maybe I can make them work.

"Will you be okay by yourself? I won't take too long." He pulls on his jeans.

"Take as long as you need. I'll be fine." I shrug, trying hard to look relaxed. Like Aspen's clothes still being here doesn't sit wrong with me when it does. My mind is racing. I pull on the sweatpants and tug on the drawstring for all I am worth.

"You sure?" He frowns.

"Absolutely." I nod a few times, tying the pants. They're hilariously big on me. "I'll make breakfast. Watch some television." I work hard to hold back another shrug. I'm trying too hard.

I fold the bottoms of the pants as he puts on socks and his boots. Then he gives me a quick peck on the cheek and runs out the door.

I want to cry.

I want to run away.

I want to call him back and tell him… Tell him what, exactly? That I'm staying? That I want to try to make this work?

There is no "this." No "us." No anything.

It's just sex. I need to get back home. Back to my dad, who is all alone after my mom died. It's not just that; I need to get back to my life. Back to flying helicopters. I can't stay in Mistveil, even if I'm sorely tempted. Besides, if Creed is still so hung up on Aspen, it would never work between us.

Right. It's settled.

I need to stop feeling so much for him. I don't even know him. It's ridiculous. If I can't keep my heart out of this, I need to go and stay at the castle until the next flight home. It's just really great sex. That's all! Since I want more of it, I'm going to keep my emotions in check.

I flop onto the bed. I groan when I catch his scent and the musky smell of our lovemaking— fucking , I correct myself. I can do this. I can enjoy the rest of my time here without getting too hung up on Creed.

I sigh.