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I exercise when the mood strikes me, I eat just fine. The weight doesn’t shift, though. No matter if I starve myself and exercise four times a week or fourteen. So, the curves are here to stay, judgmental bitches be damned. It’s fine. But it makes online clothes shopping a pain in the ass.
Real. Fucking. Shit.
“Why are you helping me?” I blurt out. I’ve seen him more recently than Dad. He’s kept tabs on us over the years, finding us when even Dad couldn’t. I suspect it’s because Mom wanted to keep one of the Monroe brothers close. Better him than Dad, that’s for sure.
Hmmmmm....
“Crawl. To. Me.”
Ok Rhys Larsen
“Come on.” He grabs my upper arm. His fingers dig into my skin. “You’re not supposed to fight it, right? I’m offering you cash.” “Hey!” Something crashes into the glass. The guy lifts his gaze, and his eyes widen. I glance over my shoulder, too, surprised to see Steele there. He’s slamming the glass with both hands. “You get your hands off her,” Steele shouts. The guy, surprisingly, listens.
TEHEHEHEJEJJEHE
“You think you can handle him?” I snort, focusing on Miles again. “Me? Handle Steele? Does anyone handle him?” He raises his brow. “Not since this summer.” I stop short. Is he saying what I think he’s saying? “What do you m—”
“His jersey, his cum…” I shrug. “Bet you got neither when he fucked you, right?” She stares at me for a long moment, her jaw working.
Ate. That.up. And left NO CRUMBS BAD BITCH ALERT!!!!!!!!!
He doesn’t care if my stomach rolls when I’m curled up like this…
If only
“You know, Aspen,” Knox leans over Willow toward us, “Steele here is usually the quietest son of a bitch on the team. And then you come along, and he won’t shut up.”
“Like… I’m going to put you in my jersey at the game.” I lean into her side and whisper, “And then I’m going to fuck you in it. Again.”
Every instinct begs me to go caveman on her, to take her somewhere private and ravish her the way she deserves. But this public kiss will have to do. And I find myself wondering if it’s going to heal her reputation, too. Or damage it.
“When you say together,” Willow starts. “Do you mean…” “Whatever the fuck together means,” I grit out. My food is getting cold, and Knox was right—I don’t usually talk. I don’t like to draw attention to myself. Can I seem to help it with Aspen around? Nope. “Exclusive. She’s not seeing anyone else. Neither am I.
“Should’ve come in here,” he says in my ear, then kissing the spot just behind it. “When is your period due?” I narrow my eyes, looking back at him. “Why?” “Because I’m just trying to figure out if you’re pregnant.” “I’m not.” “You’re sure?” “Yeah, I—” I laugh. “This is ridiculous. I’m getting my period next week. You won’t be able to miss it.”
BROTHAAAAAAAAAA NOT THE BREEDING KINK
“Girls will want to ravage you if they see your dick swinging in your gray sweatpants. It’s that season.” “What season?” I roll my eyes. “Gray sweatpants season. Did you buy them with that in mind?” He faces me and cups his dick through the fabric. “So this turns you on?” “No.” I wrinkle my nose. “Never mind.” He smirks. “Uh-huh.” Great. Just what he needs—more ego.
aahhhhgggggghbbbb my favorite seasonnnn
“What are you doing, sweetheart?” I ask her loudly. “You’re supposed to be with me.” “Is that a rule?” “When you’re my girlfriend, yes.”
He called her sweetheart AWWWWWLL
“Tell me, and I’ll be yours forever. Just let me in, viper.”
For a second, I wonder about her birth control. I finally figured it out—she’s on the shot. She’s still in the safe zone, with a month left before she needs another. I’ve been tempted to cancel her appointment just to fuck with her…
Dude.
“We can’t—” “So help me god, Aspen, if you finish that sentence…” I shake my head. “You’re mine. Okay? Here, there, on fucking Mars. There’s nothing you can say or do that’s going to derail me from you.”
This obsession has gotten out of hand. I know that. She knows that. But I can’t stop—and I won’t.
Please dont. I love it too much
What I should’ve done was bring her to a shop. Had a professional do it. But she’d never agree—and the thought of someone else seeing her in this state is unthinkable. I set out a towel and lay out my supplies, then take the cheap disposable razor and clean the area. She’s already shaved—or waxed, maybe, I don’t know—so my job is easier. I turn on my overhead light and glance up at Aspen’s face. She’s so fucking peaceful. Beautiful. And mine. With a small smile, I get to work.
He's going to fucking tattoo her????
“Tell me that you’re mine, body and spirit. That you’re going to let me all the way in.”
I try to straighten enough to see it—stupid boobs, stupid stomach getting in the way—but the way he has me restrained, I can’t see it.
Real fucking shit
He kneels, even with my hips. He lifts the bandage back up and pats the tape into place. “Keep it covered,” he orders. “For at least twenty-four hours. Then clean it with an unscented soap and water. No scrubbing. Aquaphor or unscented lotion to keep it hydrated after that.” Tattoo care instructions. What the fuck? “What does it say?” He looks up at me, frowning. Still on his knees before me. “It says you’re mine.”
Crazy. I love it
Property of Steele O’Brien. That’s what the fucking tattoo says.
I hurry out of my room and into the common area, stopping short at the sight of Thalia. On the counter. Kissing my uncle.
Called it
“I already told you I didn’t take it.” His head tips. “Someone else, then?” I groan. It’s him. I know it’s him. There’s no one else it could be. “I’ll take care of it,” he adds.
“You know what went through my mind when I did it?” He traces just below his work, eliciting goosebumps to rise on my body. “No.” “I thought, ‘Now her daddy won’t be able to take pictures of her. Now she’s safe, because she doesn’t belong to him anymore. She belongs to me.’” A lump forms in my throat. “You belong to me, Aspen. You did the moment you drew the joker at the party, although neither of us fucking knew the gravity of it.”
Wait bc thats actually kind of romantic!!!!!
He registers my tears at the same moment I do, because I blink and suddenly his face is blurry. “Oh, baby.” He rises and drags me against him. A hug. Takes a second to register it for what it is. An all-encompassing hug, his arms around me, his hands hot on my back. My head tucked under his chin. I don’t know the last time I was hugged like this. I close my eyes, and a foreign feeling washes over me. For the first time in a long time, I feel safe. And that scares me more than anything.
“Because obsession and love are the same fucking thing. And I’ve been obsessed with you from the start.”
A sweet sentiment, if a bit demented. Actually, that sums up Steele pretty nicely.
“You’re not taking the semester off.” He drops his silverware, staring intently at me. “I will if I can’t scrounge money to pay for it, since your father cut me off—” “He may have cut you off, but I haven’t.” He eyes me. “Don’t freak out.” I narrow my eyes. “Why would I freak out?” “Because I took care of it for you.”
“I want you to do whatever the fuck you want,” he snaps at me. “If that’s play piano, then great. If that’s graduating with a degree in art or chemical engineering or fucking astrology, whatever. But just know that you’re going to be taken care of no matter what. I’m going to the NHL. I’m going to make a shit ton of money—I already have a shit ton of money, Aspen. Thirty thousand dollars to keep you in school and with a meal plan is a drop in the bucket. I’d give you more if it helps. I’d give you all of it if I thought for a second that you cared about that.” My mouth opens and closes. “I
...more
ACTS OF SERVICEEEEEEEE
I’ve never killed anyone before, but I know in my bones that I would for her. Without hesitation.
“She found Thalia,” he informs me. “But neither of them have seen Aspen. Your dad was going to her apartment to check for her.” I clear my throat. “Thanks.” He claps me on the shoulder. “Don’t worry about it. Focus on the game.”
Oh god. Idk how i feel about that
Dad is in pursuit—but the moment he comes through is when my savior acts. Steele swings a metal bar down. It collides with Dad’s forearm with a mighty crack. Bones probably broke, and his hold on the gun loosens. It drops out of his hand as he turns on Steele, roaring with pain. Steele swings again, his expression determined.
boo thang to the rescue
Steele has a hold of Dad’s wrists, but he can’t seem to break his grip. And there’s no way I can imagine a world, a future, without Steele O’Brien in it. And right now, Dad’s killing him.
I squeeze the trigger.
Queen
She shakes her head. “I killed him. I-I killed him, Steele, he was going to kill you, and I just picked up the gun and pulled the trigger—” I drag her into me. All the worry and fear eases when our lips touch. She sags against me, gripping my shoulders. She needs me to save her. I know that now.
I grit my teeth. “Of course I’m going to protect her.” I love her.
“Your sister?” the paramedic asks. My lip curls before I can stop it. “Soon-to-be wife,” I reply. “Oh, I’m sorry. Your father—” “It’s complicated,” I mumble.
“Look at me, Aspen.” His finger under my chin brings my head up, and I meet his dark gaze. “There’s no one who can tear us apart.” “I love you.”
“I love you, Steele O’Brien.” “Marry me,” he responds.
He pulls out a shower caddy from under the sink, and I jerk. It’s filled with all of my stuff. My products. “Replicas,” he murmurs. “They were delivered last night after you left, because I don’t want you feeling like you can’t get ready here. I didn’t steel your stuff, little viper.”
Also, our parents don’t know about the engagement. No one does. Steele asked me to keep it quiet, although he hasn’t been shy about telling his friends—and random people at the bars, and hockey games—that I’m his future wife. But that he proposed, and I accepted? Still a secret. Not even Thalia knows.
He’s been more free about affection. Touching me whenever he can. Picking up my left hand and running his finger across my ring finger. I asked him what he was thinking, once, and he simply said he was picturing the type of ring that would sit there. “Or tattoo,” he added, smiling at me.
I’m playing ‘Once Upon a December’ from Anastasia. It’s easily recognized and almost felt like a cliched choice at first. But at the same time, this piece has resonated with me lately. On the same level that Clair de Lune resonates with Twilight fans.
Bruhhhhhhh
I end the recording and research where to buy a piano. I mean, it should probably wait until we have a house… but do I really want her to spend time in a cramped little practice room when she could be playing in our place? No, no I don’t.
I crack a smile, although my heart is pounding. “I know. You’ve beat me a few times. Mom, this is Aspen. She’s my fiancée.” Mom’s gaze goes to my girl. “Nice to meet you,” Aspen says. “Pleasure.” Mom beams. “I wasn’t expecting company today! But please, sit.”
