The day flew by, and soon it was time for Kate to meet Austin. She straightened out her dress, a long-sleeved white and pink floral number that finished at her mid-thigh, and flipped her wavy hair over her shoulders. She slid on her heels and touched up her makeup as she awaited Austin’s arrival. A moment later, a soft knock rapped on the door. Kate swung it open and enjoyed the darkening of Austin’s sapphire eyes as they raked over her figure.
“Kate, you look…” he trailed off, stepped forward to plant a gentle kiss on her cheek. “Incredible.”
“Thanks,” she murmured, grabbing her bag and stepping out into the hallway. “Not too shabby yourself.”
The door of Colton’s apartment flung open as they began their descent down the staircase, Austin’s hand slipping a little too low on Kate’s back for her liking. She tried to shift under his grasp, but his hand stayed firmly glued. She furrowed her brows, taking in his smirk as he glanced over his shoulder at Colton.
Ka
He trailed off as the woman giggled from the other side. “I’m glad you called me, Colt. I was hoping you would ignore my brother sooner rather than later.”Stilling completely, Austin pulled away from her, tugging up his jeans with vengeance burning through the sapphire of his iris.Kate grabbed at his hand, confusion etching across her delicate features. “Where are you going?”For a second, his eyes softened, taking in her flushed cheeks and concerned gaze. “I’m sorry, Kate. I’ve just-”A harsh groan broke through Austin’s words, Colton’s husky voice following. “Fuck me, Aria.”Austin snatched his hand away, charging through Kate’s apartment. She followed, trying desperately to adjust her clothing as she ran. As Austin barged through Colton’s bedroom door, Kate couldn’t help but shield her eyes. Colton was seated on the bed, his body slightly reclined as a blonde nestled between his legs. Her head bobbed, his fingers tangled in her hair, helping her ta
“So, how are things with Heath?” Kate murmured, ignoring the stern glance from the yoga instructor as she stretched out on her pink yoga mat, lifting her hips in the air and relishing the release of her aching muscles.Paloma let out a sly grin. “We’re just fuck buddies, but it’s so good. Nothing like it was with Dylan. We’d been together for so long, I’d forgotten what it was like to just be fucked with passion and desire, you know? With Dylan, we had to schedule it around Florence and we were never really in the mood. But now, Heath comes over and just slams me into the bed. It’s so hot.”The yoga instructor let out a stony ‘shh’, her eyes narrowing at Paloma’s vulgar language.“It’s good to see you getting out there again,” Kate hushed. “You had me worried for a while there when you weren’t leaving your house and covering yourself in Cheetos dust.”Paloma giggled softly, “And now I’m getting covered in whipped cream.” She ignored Kate’s eye-roll, continuin
“Sorry,” she breathed, trying to avoid his gaze. “I… I was coming to get my stuff.”Raising his eyebrows, disbelief etched on his stern features, Colton shook his head, “You look scared shitless. What’s going on, Kate?”“Nothing.”“Do I look fucking stupid to you?” he snapped, irritation biting every word. “You’re so fucking frustrating. I’m offering to help you and instead of taking it, you just keep pushing every fucking button I have.”Running her fingers through her hair, Kate let out a shaky breath, “The note. It’s just freaked me out. What if he’s…” she cut herself off, glancing back to the ajar door and restarting, “What if someone’s in there?”“I can check.”The sincerity of his tone forced Kate to take a step back. In the three months that she’d had the displeasure of living beside Colton, the only person he had ever considered was himself. She couldn’t reconcile the honest help he was offering with the prick she knew he was. Slowly noddi
“Did he… Did you call because of Colton? Did he do something to you?” Paloma asked, dark brows knitting together as she glanced between the front door and her friend’s flushed cheeks.“No. No, not at all. He was making sure no one was here. I got this note on my door,” Kate murmured, scooping up the note and her remaining belongings from the hallway. Caramel eyes trailed to Colton’s door, hoping to maybe catch a glimpse of him, but it was shut. Kate’s heart sunk.Passing Paloma the note, Kate took in her friend’s concerned features and murmured, “Do you think…. Do you think it could be...”“Harry? No,” Paloma shook her head adamantly, her silky black hair waving from side to side. “Someone should have called you to tell you he’s been released, considering everything he put you through. I’ll stay here tonight, but I wouldn’t worry too much about it, Kate,” she strained a smile, rubbing Kate’s arms soothingly; “It’s probably someone playing a sick joke.”Kate n
Paloma had offered to stay with Kate, make sure she was safe during the night, but Kate could sense her desperation to spend more time with Heath, and had convinced her to spend the night there instead. They would be right next door, Kate had assured her, and the walls were thin. If she needed them, she’d yell. She walked them out to the hallway, regretting it the minute her eyes caught the gaze of Colton, smoke billowing from his reddened mouth. She averted her gaze, closing the door with a gentle thud and locking it. She drifted around her apartment, ensuring all the windows were secured before falling into bed, emotionally and physically drained.Sleep evaded her. She tossed and turned, feeling too hot and then too cold. She was scared and angry and fucking confused. Her mind ticked, thoughts of Colton in her hands, his fingers against her, flashing in front of her eyes. She couldn’t think through the haze of how good he made her feel.She groaned, her fingers gliding
Closing her eyes, Kate tried to relish in the feel of Austin’s relentless strokes, the sound of his body clapping against hers, his fingers gripping at her hips, pulling her onto him over and over again.But it was all wrong.His fingers were too smooth, his grunts not guttural enough. She bit her lower lip, twisting her body beneath him. The confusion in his eyes turned to lust as he watched her clamber to all fours. Resting on her forearms, Kate heard Austin’s sharp intake of breath as her hips lifted in the air.He wasted no time slamming back into her, his fingers tangling in her hair, lifting her head back to accentuate the arch of her spine. His groans filled the room, echoing in her ears and Kate wished it was enough. But it wasn’t. It felt like she was just falling short.As Austin relaxed his grip on her hair, Kate buried her head in the pillow, imagining Colton behind her, imagining it was Colton rolling his hips into her, his fingers lightly tuggin
“Come on, Kate,” Paloma whined, her voice perforating through the speaker. “It’ll be fun. You haven’t left the house, other than for work, since last weekend! You even skipped out on yoga.”“I just don’t feel like it,” Kate mumbled. “Austin’s been staying here with me, so it’s not like I’ve been alone.”“Heath’s already organized it with Austin. He’s coming too. Come on, it’ll be fun. We’ll have a few drinks and just have a good time.” Sensing her friend’s hesitation, Paloma trilled, “Pleeeeease.”Kate let out a hearty laugh, “Fine. Text me the details.”“Yay!” Paloma squealed. “We’re going to the club on Fifth so wear something slutty.”Shaking her head, Kate ended the call. Paloma was so comfortable with her sexuality. It had been the downfall of her relationship with Dylan. She needed more than he could give and when she confronted him about it, he had made her feel unattractive after having Florence. Kate was happy for her, happy that she was enjoyi
Austin rolled his eyes, choosing not to react as he downed the last of his beer and turned back to his conversation with Heath.Narrowing her eyes at Colton, Kate took in his dark features, tinged with something she couldn’t put her finger on. The tension between them only broke when a soft cough tore Kate’s gaze away from him and onto the stunning redhead who was seated next to him. Colton’s wide palm rested on her bare thigh, her fingers brushing over the ink of his arm.“Hi, I’m Sophia,” she murmured, smiling nervously as she took in Kate’s dark eyes. The jealousy must’ve been evident.“Kate. Nice to meet you,” she responded, managing to tear her attention away from the pair and leaning into Austin. Her lips brushed against his ear, “Why is he here?”Austin shook his head, indicating he wasn’t happy about it either, “Heath invited him.”Colton groaned beside her, and even though her mind screamed at her not to look, she had to. They were tangled in a