Addictive

RILEY

“Alex? What’s going on?” Riley looks at her boyfriend, her face a picture of confusion as he strains to listen to something upstairs.

She raises an eyebrow and moves closer to him, standing by the staircase. She tries to figure out what he’s listening to.

She playfully nudges his arm. “What are you up to?”

“Quiet, Ry.” He puts a finger to his lips. “You’re messing up my mission.”

“Mission?” She pulls a face, and Alex grins, his dimples deepening.

“Okay, let me fill you in.”

Riley nods, all ears as he turns to face her, his voice dropping to a whisper.

“When Ansel drinks, he gets a bit…” He chuckles, a mischievous glint in his eyes as Riley looks at him, puzzled.

“He gets a bit what?”

Alex licks his lips. “Okay, watch this.”

He shapes his hands like a woman’s body and starts to mimic sex. Riley’s eyes widen in shock as she quickly covers her mouth to stifle a gasp.

“Oh my God.” Her face turns bright red. “Are you saying they might be—?”

“Yep, yep.” Alex grins, rubbing his hands together. “Right now, they could be doing it.”

“So that’s why you let them go upstairs alone and told me to stay down here with you?”

“Yep, yep, my partner in crime~. ~We’re onto something.”

“Oh my God, this is juicy. Too juicy. We should listen in.” Riley starts to dash up the stairs, but Alex grabs her arm, pulling her back with a quiet chuckle.

“Hold on, little one~.~ Your footsteps will give us away. We need to be quiet. Follow my lead.”

He tiptoes up the stairs, and Riley follows, a grin of excitement on her face.

“This is so fun,” she whispers, and Alex shushes her, pressing a finger to his lips. They creep to the door and press their ears against the cool wood.

“Hear anything?” Riley whispers.

“Nope. You?”

“Nope.” She frowns. “Maybe we should crack the door open and peek in.”

Alex laughs, looking at her in disbelief. “I’ve created a monster. You’re enjoying this way too much. I don’t want to see something I shouldn’t and be scarred for life.”

“Then let me do it.” Riley nudges Alex aside, and he watches her with a wide smile. He couldn’t be more smitten with this girl.

She gently opens the door and peeks in, her face scrunching up in surprise when she sees Ansel and Rainey cuddled up together, fast asleep.

“Are they still in foreplay?” Alex asks.

Riley’s lips curve into a small smile, and she steps back, closing the door and turning to a curious Alex.

“They’re asleep.”

“Damn, that means they already did it. They must have been really quiet.”

Her smile doesn’t waver as she shakes her head. “I don’t think they did it, Alex.”

He smiles back, nodding. “Yeah, you’re right. My brother is very respectful. He wouldn’t sleep with Rain if he’s drunk. Well, time for us to hit the sack.”

He wraps his arms around her and pulls her close.

“Where am I sleeping?”

“On the couch with me.” Alex bites his lip, his captivating eyes locked on hers.

Riley feels a knot in her stomach. “We won’t both fit on your couch, Alex.”

“I’ll lie down, and you’ll lie on top of me, all night.” He smirks. “That should work.”

Her face turns red as she swallows hard.

“Don’t worry, my chest is pretty comfy, and I’ll hold you, so you won’t be cold.” He whispers in her ear. “We can share body heat.”

Before Riley can respond, Alex scoops her up in his arms, his strong biceps holding her close to his muscular chest.

He carries her down the stairs as if she weighs nothing, and Riley fights the urge to openly admire him.

His face is smooth, the hallway lights highlighting his handsome features. She notices the beauty mark behind his ear and the intricate snake tattoo on his neck.

He sets her down on his living room rug, then starts to arrange the cushions at one end of the couch. He fluffs them up, glancing back at her with a boyish grin.

Her heart skips a beat at how good-looking he is. The room is dimly lit, but the porch lights are enough to show off the gorgeous guy standing in front of her.

She can’t believe he’s hers.

He flops down on the couch with a dramatic sigh, then looks at Riley, who’s standing nervously in her spot. He smirks and pats his stomach.

“Come here.”

She freezes, and he laughs. “I won’t bite, Riley.”

She presses her lips together, her eyes squinting playfully as she slowly walks over to him. He takes her hand and guides her onto his body, spreading his legs so she can lie between them.

“What if your parents wake up tomorrow and see us like this?”

Alex smiles. “They wouldn’t mind. My dad gives each of us a pack of condoms every week.”

Riley gasps. “Really?”

“Yeah. My drawer is full of them, all kinds. He has five boys, so he knows what he’s dealing with.” Alex winks, and she chuckles, shaking her head.

“You’re something else,” Alex murmurs, his voice a soothing balm to Riley’s racing heart. She buries her face in the crook of his neck, inhaling the comforting scent of him. Their bodies are pressed together, leaving no room for anything else.

His hand moves up to gently stroke her hair, and he places a soft kiss on her head. “Goodnight, Ry.”

She smiles, her eyes closing as she places her hand on his solid chest. “Goodnight, Alex.”

RAINEY

“Rain, could you take this up to Ansel for me please?” Melissa asks, holding out a tray of food. I’m standing behind her in the kitchen, helping her prepare breakfast. It’s the least Riley and I can do after spending the night here.

Mr. Austin and his sons are already seated at the table, all except for Ansel. I left him sleeping off his hangover earlier. He had a bit too much to drink last night. ~Just a bit too much.~

Thinking about the intimate moment we shared last night, my cheeks flush as I take the tray of scrambled eggs and toast from Melissa. She places a glass of orange juice and a packet of aspirin on the tray. “Tell him to take the pills after eating, okay?”

“Okay,” I reply, heading out of the kitchen while Riley helps Melissa distribute toast.

I carefully climb the stairs, trying not to spill the orange juice. When I reach Ansel’s room, I knock on the door, not wanting to intrude. There’s no answer, so I knock again, shifting my weight from foot to foot as I wait.

When there’s still no response, I balance the tray in one hand and open the door with the other. The room is empty, the bed neatly made. I place the tray on his nightstand and look around, puzzled. “Ansel?”

The room is silent, the window open and the curtain fluttering in the morning breeze. Where could he be? A sense of panic starts to creep in as I rush to the bathroom and push the door open.

“Ansel.”

He’s just stepping out of the shower, completely naked, his dark hair wet and clinging to his forehead. Water drips from his body as he steps onto the bath mat, seemingly unfazed by my sudden entrance.

I freeze, my eyes wide as he reaches for a towel, a small smile playing on his lips.

“Good morning to you too, Rain.”

I whirl around, pressing my palms over my eyes. ~Oh my God. I just saw his—~

“I’m so sorry. I’m so sorry. I should have knocked. I shouldn’t have barged in here.” I squeeze my eyes shut as I hear his footsteps approaching.

~Oh God, he’s naked. He’s naked, and I saw everything.~

“I’m sorry. I—I’ll wait downstairs.”

I start to move away, but he wraps an arm around me, pulling me back against his bare chest. I gasp as he nudges the door shut with his foot.

“Ansel.”

“Why are you apologizing?” He buries his face in my neck, and the towel he’s wearing does little to hide his arousal.

~His arousal that I just saw by accident. How will I ever unsee that?~

“I—I just brought your breakfast, and you weren’t in the room, so I just thought something happened to you.” I swallow hard. “I—I didn’t see anything though.”

~I did. I saw everything.~

He tightens his hold on me, and I take a sharp breath.

“Then why are you shaking like this?” he whispers, taking one of my trembling hands in his and intertwining our fingers.

I close my eyes, lost in the sensation of our skin touching.

“You’re standing very close…and you’re only wearing a towel… That’s why.”

My voice is barely a whisper, but it’s the best I can manage, especially with the image of his naked body still fresh in my mind. ~So vividly.~

“Is it uncomfortable?”

I shake my head. “No.”

“Are you sure?” He lets go of my hand to slide his palm under my shirt. I suck in a breath as his hand meets my bare stomach.

~Is he still drunk? Is this the same Ansel from last night?~

I look up at him, my eyes wide with curiosity, and he smiles as if he knows exactly what I’m thinking. “I’m not drunk. I’m perfectly sober.”

His finger traces small circles around my navel, and I close my eyes, my head dropping forward.

He doesn’t have to try hard to stir my desire. My thighs press together, and I shift slightly.

“All the alcohol has left my system. So I know exactly what I’m doing, Rain.”

He’s right. He knows exactly what he’s doing.

Because if someone can touch you in such a way that you feel like you’re being pulled from the Milky Way into another galaxy, then they must know what they’re doing.

“I hope I didn’t come on too strong last night,” he murmurs, his lips brushing against my neck. My eyes flutter closed, my legs turning to jelly.

He always goes for my neck. ~Always.~

“I wasn’t in my right mind, but for some strange reason, I can still remember how your body felt…every part of you.”

His voice is soft and calm, but it’s enough to set my body on fire. I lick my lips, leaning back against his shoulder.

The air is thick with tension, our breaths mingling as he continues to caress my stomach.

“And I also remember how you reacted to my touch. It was similar to how you’re reacting now.”

I swallow hard, my body buzzing with adrenaline. I’m sure he can hear my heart pounding in my chest.

He nips at my neck, and my eyelashes flutter as his hand starts to move lower.

“Rainey?”

Riley’s voice has me pulling away from Ansel like a reflex, my breath still coming in short gasps as I back into the door.

He grins, and I try to keep my eyes off his chiseled abs as he reaches for another towel, his gaze never leaving mine.

I can see the spark of desire in his eyes as he dries his hair, maintaining our eye contact.

I fumble for words. “Um…I’ll be outside, okay?” I point a shaky thumb behind me, and he nods, a smile playing on his lips.

Nervously, I turn to grab the doorknob, my hand slick with sweat. The door stubbornly stays shut, even as I twist the handle, and I start to shake it, my brow furrowing in frustration.

~Why is this so nerve-wracking? And why won’t this door open?~

Ansel moves up behind me and reaches around, his hand covering mine as he turns the knob the other way.

The door opens with a quiet click, and I can feel my face heating up in embarrassment.

“You were turning it the wrong way,” he murmurs, and I look up to see his eyes twinkling with amusement. His lips twitch, and I mentally kick myself for being so flustered that I forgot how to open a door.

“Thank you,” I mumble, hurrying out of the room, my cheeks burning.

Riley looks puzzled when I emerge from the bathroom, but her expression softens into relief when she sees me.

Maybe she was just as confused as I was earlier. The same confusion that led me to see Ansel in all his naked glory.

“Oh, there you are. I thought you’d been abducted by aliens,” she jokes, and I smile, shaking my head.

“The uniform lady called. She said we need to pick them up now because she has a convention at one today.”

I nod. “Okay. We can go now.”

“And she said we can only get two ties for now, because she hasn’t received—” Riley stops mid-sentence as Ansel steps out of the bathroom, now dressed in a white tank and gray shorts.

I can’t help but wonder why he didn’t put those on earlier, but I have a feeling he wanted to rattle me on purpose.

Riley’s mouth falls open a bit, and she tilts her head, glancing between me and Ansel.

“Wait, why were you two in the bathroom? You know…never mind,” she laughs. “I’ll meet you downstairs, Rain.”

She winks at me as she leaves the room, and I have a feeling she’ll be telling Alex about this.

My face is hot as I turn back to Ansel, who’s already grinning at me. “You’re leaving?”

“Yeah.” I press my lips together. “We have to pick up Riley’s uniform.”

He nods and steps closer to me. The butterflies return as he wraps his arms around me, pulling me into a tight hug. He smells so fresh and clean, and I breathe in the scent of his shirt.

“Will you be at school tomorrow?”

I nod. “Mm. It’s Riley’s first day.”

“Okay. Alex and I will pick you guys up at seven.”

I smile as he cups my cheeks and gives me a quick kiss. His breath is sweet as it mixes with mine, and I wish I could stay with him longer.

He’s so easy to get addicted to.

“I’ll text you,” he promises as he lets me go, and my inner teenager is screaming at the loss.

“Okay. Your breakfast is on the nightstand, and your mom says to make sure you take the pills after eating.”

“I will.” He smiles, and I return it before turning to leave his room.

I wave at him one last time before closing the door. A huge smile spreads across my face, and all I can think about is seeing him at school tomorrow.

I already miss him.