Now I’m pinned beneath him with his face buried in my neck as he gulps in air. When he lifts his head, he still appears agitated with me, and I might even say confused. I’m still a tad lost at why he’d gotten so worked up, but I’m not complaining. If that was a punishment, I might have to sneak out more often.
"There’s a party here this evening," he says.
I noticed a lot of people moving around when I returned but didn’t get a chance to ask much of anything.
"Okay, I'll keep an eye on Aurora, and we'll make ourselves scarce."
"No, you'll be attending. It's New Year's Eve. The party slipped my mind, which was your doing."
My doing? I want to ask how that's possible, but I keep my mouth shut. As much as I enjoyed what he'd just done, my bottom is still a tad tender.
"You will be attending, as will Aurora. I had already arranged a sitter with Tiny Treasures. With it being New Year's Eve, the party will go late."
"But I can watch her."
"You're going to the party and you'll stay put until I allow you to leave."
Kellan's curt words are starting to get a bit wearing. I know it's because the more he touches me, the more I want his touches. The sex might be super-hot, but I'm not sure that offsets the chill.
One second I think he might be obsessed with me, and the next I think I'm simply a living doll that he owns. One he is possessive of but can simply put me where he wants me. It was a silly thought that I could possibly keep sex and my emotions separated. I’m not built that way.
"I don't know if I have a dress for?—"
"A woman will be here shortly. In fact, she might be here already. She will dress you and help get you ready,” he says, and I nod. "I want you to use your words, Nova."
"I understand."
"Good girl." His expression softens, and I have the urge to reach up and stroke his cheek, but I keep myself under control. "Don't shower."
When he pulls out, some of his warm release leaves me, and I ache to have him inside me again. I watch as Kellan snatches the pills from my nightstand.
"And don't leave the property again. You belong to me."
"Okay."
"That’s not good enough. Say it."
See, this is it. I don't know if he's just being a dick and asserting his authority over me or if he’s actually concerned that I could leave him because he cares for me and doesn’t know how to show it.
"I belong to you," I tell him. For now. I don't say that part out loud, and I can't find it in me to ask what’s happening between us.
"Good girl," he praises me again, making heat bloom in my chest. I can't stop the small smile that forms, even if I'm uncertain of all of this. Reaching down, he tucks a piece of hair behind my ear, and I swear his body relaxes a fraction. "I have things I need to handle."
With that, he turns and walks naked out of my room and into his, my prescription still in his hand. I can only stare after him. For a man that doesn't want kids, stealing my birth control and cumming inside of me repeatedly is an odd way of showing it.
When the alarm on my phone goes off, I scramble over to grab it. I had it set to go off ten minutes before Aurora's French lesson ends. After I turn it off, I see a text in the family group chat.
I click it to see my mom reminding me that it’s New Year’s Eve. It’s not really a reminder. It’s partly a guilt trip and her way of asking why I’m not there. It’s followed by one of my brothers asking where I am and then another brother sending my location. Crap. I forgot about that stupid app we share.
Before now, I never gave a shit if they tracked me. Today, I do because I don't know what to tell them, and I'm the worst liar. I can dance around it and word things in a text so it's not a flat-out lie, but this is different. I'm backed into a corner, and I have to respond or someone will show up. That would not be good. I don't need my brothers making a scene in the middle of Kellan's party, which I'm guessing is going to be extra fancy. My brothers are gruff and rough around the edges. They believe in solving issues by wrestling or out on the ice with hockey sticks. I mean, it works for them, but I don’t think others outside of Cheerful would agree.
Deciding to stick to the truth the best I can, I send a text back.
Me: Sorry! I'm working tonight. I got a call from Tiny Treasures and they needed a fill-in. Have to get back at it. Love you guys!
After that, I go into the app and turn off my location, then drop my phone on the bed and stare again at the stupid doorway. I’m starting to get mad, but there isn't time for a confrontation with Kellan. I have a job to do. A job, I remind myself. That’s what this is.
I quickly get dressed and hurry downstairs right as Aurora is finishing her lesson.
