Styx (The Four Book 1)

by Layla Frost

  “Wedding,” Chase reminded her.

  “Yeah, yeah.” Her words were flippant, but she turned back to me and did a little bounce, biting back a grin. “How about we grab brunch and then I’ll take you to see the stuff. The whole store is amazing.”

  I nodded. “I’m in.”

  “We’re starting the next round,” Chase said, grabbing his drink and the refilled bowl of chips. “Stop gossiping.”

  Since he’d caught us huddled in their kitchen when we were supposed to be restocking the snacks, neither Lula nor I bothered to deny it.

  I’d hoped to get Nate and I to game night before anyone else so Lula and I could chat. Or so she could freak out in semi-privacy. Whichever.

  I’d been worried when I saw other guests were already there, but it’d been fine. She’d been fine. Actually, Lula and Chase were welcoming and at ease with Nate.

  “I’m about to ask Denny a personal question that you can never unhear,” Lula warned Chase, who got the hint and quickly left the room, shaking his head. When he was gone, she asked me, “What happened to your newest battery-operated boyfriend?”

  “It’s there. And efficient, but I haven’t used it much.”

  “So, it’s not just about sex.”

  “What?”

  “If you were just being a pervy horn dog, Charlie would be getting a workout that required new batteries daily. It’s not just about sex.” At my lack of response, she pushed. “I’m totally right.”

  “Of course you’re right. The logical side of my brain keeps trying to argue that the mystery of who he is should be my priority, but every other part of me doesn’t care. It just wants him.” She opened her mouth, but I shook my head. “And, no, not just physically.”

  “I knew it! You’re in love!”

  “Am not. I’ve only known him a couple weeks. Or a couple days, depending.”

  Lula snorted. “That’s plenty of time. But, fine, let’s lie to ourselves and say you aren’t… yet. You’re still really into him. And I have an idea.”

  “Okay,” I drawled hesitantly, having traumatic flashbacks to some of Lula’s previous schemes.

  “It’s a little out there, though. Crazy even.”

  “I’m desperate and willing to try anything.”

  “Make the first move.”

  My stomach clenched at the idea of being rejected. “What?”

  “It’s obvious he’s nuts about you. He’s always close and touching you, as if he can’t stand to be apart for even a few minutes. More importantly, you’re always happy about it and returning his touches. My guess is he’s holding back because you told him to. Like you said, he listens, and you flat out told him you wouldn’t sleep with him.”

  That makes a lot of sense.

  Hell.

  “So, sorry, you’re going to have to make the first move. Or start a conversation and talk about your feelings.” She laughed at my horrified expression. “See? Making the first move is the lesser evil.”

  Before I could respond, Nate came in, his smile growing when he saw me.

  It always does that.

  “We’re coming, we’re coming,” Lula said.

  “Chase did say if you’re not out there in a minute, the game is continuing without you. But I just came to get more dip for the table.” Nate wrapped an arm around my upper chest, pulling me back against him and kissing my head as he whispered, “And I missed you.”

  Lula grabbed my homemade onion dip from the fridge and refilled a bowl. “Take this out there as a peace offering for us taking so long.”

  Releasing me, Nate grabbed the bowl, three bags of chips, and two brownies—one of which he polished off before he even left the room.

  Lula gave a low whistle. “The man can eat.”

  “And cook.” Handing her my drink, I fixed an ice water instead.

  “What’s wrong? Oh no, did you eat Melinda’s casserole again.”

  My stomach twisted at the memory. “No, I learned that lesson.”

  “Then what is it?”

  “Being drunk might make it easier, but I have a feeling I’ll want to remember tonight.” A flash of everything that could go wrong shot through my mind, quickly shaking my confidence. “Or I’ll have to bust out the tequila later to wipe away the embarrassing memory. Either way.”

  Nate

  Something’s wrong.

  I shifted in my seat to study Denny as she drove us home from game night. Her fingers drumming on the steering wheel and her pursed fuckable lips showed her anxiety, but she otherwise seemed okay.

  Halfway through the night, her entire mood had changed. She’d become tense, her smile forced. There were brief moments when she’d relaxed—like while her and Lula kicked everyone’s asses at the word description game—but then the round would end, and she’d be uneasy again.

  She didn’t seem mad at me. If anything, it was the opposite.

  After smoothing things over a few days before, I’d taken things slow, holding back to the point I was about to lose my fucking mind. She’d made it clear she didn’t think we should be together, and while I sure as hell didn’t agree with her, I’d given her space.

  That didn’t mean I’d backed off all the way. I’d still touched her because I couldn’t fucking help myself.

  I needed her.

  But I’d kept contact light and brief, not wanting to push too fast.

  That evening had been different, though. She hadn’t just allowed me to touch her, she’d initiated it.

  Her hand had landed often on my thigh, squeezing gently. She’d gripped my shirt, pulling me close while she’d laughed up at me, sharing some joke that I’d forgotten the moment my eyes met hers. When we’d moved into Lula and Chase’s living room to play Charades, Denny had celebrated her win by flopping onto my lap and pressing a quick kiss to my lips. She’d given me a small smile before sliding off to sit next to me, staying pressed to my side even though there was room for her to move farther over on the couch.

  I’d have thought she was drunk, but she’d switched to water early on.

  “Is your brain an egg in a frying pan?” I asked suddenly in the tensely silent car.

  Denny jumped. “What?”

  “You’re not supposed to drive after drinking or being an egg. Click it or ticket.”

  Glancing at me, she pulled on her secured seatbelt. “I’m buckled up.”

  “Oh. I’m getting my police commercials mixed up.”

  “Are you asking if I’m high?”

  I shook my head. “No, you’re the same height as always, which even for a woman is rather short.”

  “Jeez. Thanks.” Denny smoothly stopped at a red light, not running through it or swerving the way they showed on the commercials. “‘This is your brain. This is your brain on drugs.’ Are you asking if I’m on drugs?”

  “Yes. They’re very dangerous.”

  “No, I’m not on drugs. Not since college, at least. And the only thing in danger then was my Netflix queue and a family sized bag of Cheetos.” Her brows lowered. “Why do you ask?”

  “I used to see that commercial all the time when your grandma left the TV on during the night. And the ThighMaster one. They didn’t seem to be targeting the same audience. The boxer’s grill or the Nu-Wave Oven would be more fitting. Do you have a Nu-Wave?”

  “I don’t think they even make those anymore.”

  “I knew it was too good to be true,” I muttered.

  “That’s usually the case with those infomercial products.” Denny pulled into her driveway, and we headed inside.

  I expected her to ask why I’d thought she was impaired, but after locking the door, she turned to face me and instead asked, “Why don’t you call me your little hellion?”

  “Because you told me not to.”

  “You don’t consider it true anymore?” At my hesitation, she put her hands on her hips. “I wanna know the truth.”

  Wary, I admitted, “In my head, that’s still how I think of you.”

&nbs
p; “But you haven’t kept saying it. You didn’t tell me to get used to it.”

  “Because you told me not to,” I repeated.

  Her head tilted to the side as she studied me. “And that’s all it took?”

  “Of course.”

  She nodded, staring off to the side for long moments that worried me.

  I must’ve fucked-up.

  “What’s going on tonight?” I asked, fisting my hands so I wouldn’t touch her. Wouldn’t pull her to me. Kiss her. Take her.

  The melancholy that’d swirled around her cleared, happiness taking its place. The lightness of it sank into my chest, easing the blackness that filled me.

  “I’m happy,” she whispered, grinning at me. “I win.”

  “Win—”

  My question was cut off as she laughed, throwing herself at me. I caught her easily, holding her tight as she wrapped her arms around my neck.

  Her hands went to the back of my head, and she arched her body against mine. “I know what I said, but I lied. I want you. Kiss me.”

  I did as she demanded. My mouth covered hers, our tongues slowly dancing.

  Nails digging into my shoulders, Denny lifted onto her toes. The pressure of her kiss increased, the speed and intensity building despite my effort to be gentle.

  Already low on control, I snapped. Gripping her ass, I lifted, and her legs automatically wrapped around my hips. The soft moan that escaped her lips matched my low grunt as her heat pressed against me.

  “Upstairs,” she murmured against my mouth before biting my bottom lip.

  Taking the steps two at a time, I carried her to her room. Not able to release her for even a moment, I put my knees on the mattress and moved us toward the middle. Only then did I lay her on the mattress and cover her body with mine.

  “Touch me,” she ordered, putting my palm on her fabric covered breast. She moaned at the contact. “More.”

  At her encouragement, I yanked her tee over her head. She did the same with mine before reaching behind her back to undo her bra. As soon as it was out of the way, I lowered my head to greedily lick her nipple. She hissed out a moan as I sucked it in, holding the hard peak between my teeth while I flicked it with the tip of my tongue. Moving to the other, I teased her soft skin, sucking and biting around the nipple but not touching it.

  I paused when she gripped my wrist, but she just moved my hand between her thighs. I cupped her over her leggings, feeling her dampness on my fingers.

  The angle was awkward, requiring me to balance on one arm while the other was bent at an unnatural angle, but I’d be fucking damned if I was going to move it away. I’d dislocate my elbow if it meant touching her.

  “More,” she moaned, lifting her hips.

  Twisting my arm further, I slid my hand past her waistband and into her panties. The first touch of wet heat was enough to make me groan. I stroked my middle finger up and down, teasing her and myself. Sucking her nipple hard, I pushed into her tightness and nearly came in my pants at just the feel of her squeezing my finger.

  Everything, every last thing, about her is perfection.

  Her hips jerked up. Gripping my hair, she held my head to her before tugging me away suddenly.

  “Was I not kissing your breast correctly?” I asked.

  “Tit.”

  “What?”

  She gave me another smile, her eyes fluttering as I continued to work my finger in and out of her wetness. “They’re my tits. Breasts sounds way too formal for someone who’s had them in his mouth. Pussy, cock, dick… All that is good with me. Anything else, and I might giggle.”

  Hearing those words from her mouth made my dick jerk, but my concern for her had me ignoring it to ask, “Was I not kissing your tit correctly?”

  “You were. Amazingly. But I need more.” She shifted, and I grudgingly slid my finger from her tightness.

  “More what?”

  “More you.” She undid the button on my pants.

  With nowhere else to go, my cock had been angled to the side, rubbing uncomfortably against the rough fabric. When Denny unzipped my jeans, I reached in and freed it.

  “Whoa,” she whispered. “The whole invisible thing wasn’t the only magic you were packing.”

  “What?”

  Her eyes shot to mine. “Nothing.” Reaching out, she wrapped a hand around the base of my dick before stroking up toward the head.

  It was my turn to grab her wrist, halting her progress. “It’s been hundreds of years, and that’s nothing compared to the last six months of torture. I don’t want this to be over before it’s begun, Denny.”

  She shook her head. “That’s not who I am to you.” When I didn’t say anything, she admitted, “I miss hearing you call me that.” Squeezing my cock, the humor left her expression, her voice growing urgent. “Tell me you want me.”

  “I need you, my little hellion. More than I’ve needed anyone or anything.”

  My eyes rolled back and a guttural groan traveled from somewhere deep in my chest when she slowly released her hold on me, skimming her fingertips as she went.

  We moved together, stripping off the rest of our clothes in between frequent pauses to taste and touch each other—necks, chests, mouths, whatever was in reach. I couldn’t get enough of her soft skin and sweet taste.

  When she was naked for me, I gripped her ankles and tugged so she fell to her back. Moving slowly, I trailed my palms up her calves to the inside of her thighs. I used my hold to part them, my dick aching at the view of heaven literally spread before me.

  She leaned up, and I worried I’d done something wrong.

  But her fingers went into my hair, holding it out of my face as she pushed my head down. I lowered my mouth between her thighs, covering her pussy and greedily lapping up the sweetness.

  Just as I’d done to her nipple, I sucked her clit hard before holding it between my teeth and flicking it.

  “Fuck. Yes,” she bit out, her hips rising and falling to do most of the work for me as she fucked herself on my tongue.

  My tongue was soaked in her taste, and my cock ached with jealousy.

  As her breathing increased, her motions growing erratic, I tore myself away.

  “Hey, I wasn’t done,” she panted.

  “Nor am I, my little hellion.” I covered her body with mine, my hardness straining for her.

  This is where I belong.

  I’d live trapped and silent for a million more years if it meant being right here.

  She stretched and twisted, reaching into her drawer and rustling around until she pulled out a strip of condoms. Working fast, she tore a packet open and unrolled one onto me, my cock bouncing at her touch.

  Her palms went to my chest and stayed there for a moment before she changed her mind and wrapped her arms around my shoulders.

  My cock pressed against her pussy, heaven less than an inch away.

  I’m a fucking masochist and a stupid bastard.

  Jealousy had torn at my insides as I’d listened, but I’d heard Lula and her talk enough to know Denny’s feelings on sex were different than what was often portrayed on TV.

  But this was different.

  We were different.

  And I needed to be sure she knew that.

  “This is more than just sex,” I growled, unable to hold the words in.

  Denny’s eyes grew wide. “What?”

  “This isn’t about breaking our dry spells. It isn’t a quick hook up. I know you’re fine with sex being just physical, but that’s not what this is. This is about the start of us.”

  Rolling her eyes, she scoffed softly. “I know that.”

  “So you feel it?”

  She nodded. “I’d have to be oblivious not to.”

  “Good.” Unable to wait even a second longer, I slammed in deep. Her pussy clenched around me, and I closed my eyes, memorizing the feel.

  “Oh God,” she moaned, her hips immediately rocking for more.

  “Not even close,” I rumbled, going fa
ster to give her what she silently demanded.

  But my greedy hellion wanted more.

  Her feet went flat on the bed, giving her leverage to meet my thrusts. Hard and fast, we fucked each other. With each withdraw, her pussy tightened, pulling me back in.

  Reaching between our sweat slicked bodies, I stroked her clit, needing her to come before I exploded.

  “Oh hell,” she cried, her hips jolting off the bed.

  “That’s more accurate.”

  Her body tightened, her breath catching.

  “Thank the fucking gods,” I grunted, moving my hand from her clit to her hip. I slammed into her, using long, hard strokes until her head tipped back.

  Lids lowered, she breathed my name with a soft giggle, a small smile on her lips as she came apart.

  The image of her like that seared itself in my brain.

  Never in my long life had I seen anything more perfect. Until the end of my days and long after, I’d remember that moment.

  Looking down to see her flushed with pleasure, knowing I was the one who did that to her, my body grew taut. My orgasm ripped through me, but it was different.

  More.

  I exploded, and in that moment, something flowed between us. I was as aware of her sated and sore body as I was of my own. The connection we shared became unbreakable.

  I’d fucking die a million deaths before I let her go.

  Once our breathing steadied, her hands gently pushed my shoulders until I slid free and rolled to the side. Going up on my elbow, I was about to ask what was wrong when she sighed and stretched before turning to face me.

  Her eyes were heavy-lidded, but she was grinning. “That was awesome.” At my chuckle, she tilted her head. “There’s a better word for it, but my brain isn’t doing the thinky to make the wordy.”

  “I’m glad, my little hellion, because we’ll be doing it again soon.”

  “Give me an hour to power nap and we’re set.”

  I kissed her, long and slow and tender. “I’ll be right back.”

  After throwing away the condom and turning off the lights, I climbed into bed and pulled her to me so her head rested on my chest.