Chapter 20

It’s late when I get home. Rix is staying at Tristan’s, as is typical when he’s not traveling. The end of the season is coming, which means I’ll be minus a roommate soon. And I only have the apartment until November since it’s a sublet, unless the owner decides to extend her stay.

On cue, my phone starts ringing. It’s like my mom knows when I need to hear from her. “Hey, mom.”

“Hey, honey. I’m missing my girl. How’s school?”

Balancing classes and everything else has been hard, but I don’t want her to worry. “It’s been great, my projects are going well, and all my group members all pull their weight this year.”

“That’s so good to hear. I know it isn’t always the case. Do you need anything? I can get you an appointment with the sound bath healer you like, just to center you and help with some of the stress,” mom offers.

This is one of the ways she shows me she loves me. “I could probably go next week in the afternoon if he’s available.”

“I’ll make the appointment. I can’t wait to see you. I’m sorry our last visit didn’t work out.” I hear the sincerity in her voice.

That’s the thing about my mom, she always tries her best, but it’s hard for her to be a constant in my life when she’s always on the move. I learned long ago the importance of accepting people as they are, though. She loves me the best way she can. “It’s okay, Mom. North was sick and then you had that trip to the mountains, it was outside of your control.”

“Still, I don’t want to be away from you for this long. I can book a flight if you need me sooner than your birthday.”

“It’s okay. I just have a lot on my mind. And you’ll be here soon enough.”

“If you need to talk anything through, I’m always here,” she says.

“I know, Mom. I promise I’m okay.”

“Okay. I love you, honey.”

“Love you, too, Mom. Talk soon?”

“Absolutely. I’ll text you the appointment details.”

I check my mailbox on the way up and find a package. I don’t remember ordering anything, so the contents remain a mystery as I take the elevator to my apartment. Once inside, I flip the safety latch—Rix will go straight to work from Tristan’s in the morning. I drop my keys in the bowl, toe off my shoes, and hang my coat in the closet before I tear open the package and dump the contents on the counter. Inside are three identical scrunchies. They’re the same as the one I left with Hollis the other day, navy blue with a yellow banana print.

I press my fingers to my lips. It’s well after eleven. Hollis is regimented about his sleep and usually doesn’t stay up late, especially since he’s spending a lot of hours on rehab.

I still send him a pic of the scrunchies along with a message:

Aurora

Are these from you?

He responds immediately.

Hollis

Yes. So you have spares in case one goes missing again.

Aurora

You’re up late.

Hollis

So are you. Don’t you have class in the morning?

Aurora

Don’t you have physical therapy?

I startle when my phone rings and nearly fumble it as I answer.

“I know what you sound like and look like when you come, and it’s all I can see and hear when I close my eyes.” His voice is a seductive rasp.

“It’s the same for me,” I admit.

“You’ve been quiet since the other night,” he says.

My conversation with the girls gives me the confidence to be honest. “I felt you needed the space, and I didn’t want you to tell me it can’t happen again.”

His swallow is audible. “It probably shouldn’t.”

“But you can’t stop thinking about it either,” I finish as I cross to my bedroom.

“I really can’t.” He sighs. “Are you in bed?”

“I just got home. I was out with Rix and Hemi, but I’m on my way there. Are you?”

“Yeah. Is Rix at Tristan’s tonight?”

“She is.” I put my phone on speaker and drop it on my bed.

“So you’re all alone.” His voice is gravelly.

I almost suggest he come over and dry fuck on my couch, but it’s too soon. Hollis can’t handle a repeat yet. “Yup, it’s just me.” I lower my voice to a sultry whisper. “No one around to hear me moan.”

He groans. “You can’t say shit like that to me, Princess.”

“If you can’t stand the heat, Hollis, get out of my bedroom.” I pull my shirt over my head. I fully anticipate another chastisement—secretly they’re becoming my favorite—and then him hanging up on me.

“Are you getting undressed?”

“Do you really want to know?” I pop the button on my jeans, but I grab my phone from the bed and hold it close as I drag the zipper down.

“Fuck. You are.” He exhales a harsh breath. “What have you taken off already?”

My nipples tighten. “Just my shirt.”

“You wearing a bra?”

“Yes.”

“Is the bralessness mostly for my benefit, then?”

“And to get a rise out of you.”

“Such a bratty girl.”

“I probably need to be taught a lesson.” I press my fingers to my lips and wait.

“I should come down and spank the naughty right out of you.”

“Yes, please.”

He makes a sound in the back of his throat. “Not tonight. Take your pants off.” I step out of my jeans and toss them in the hamper.

“What do you want me to take off next?”

“Pull your covers down first and get into bed,” he orders.

I turn down my comforter in a rush, pillows tumbling to the floor, and clamber onto the mattress. “I’m in bed.”

“Good girl. What do you have left to take off?”

“My bra, panties, and socks.” I rub my thighs together. I’m pretty sure we’re about to have phone sex.

“Hmm… Tell me about your bra and panties.” His voice is deliciously compelling.

I look down at myself. I could lie and tell him I’m wearing a matching lace set, but honestly, I don’t think that’s what he wants to hear. “I’m wearing the same bra I had on the day you crashed my date.”

He exhales heavily. “I still don’t regret that. What about your panties?”

“They’re boy shorts. Seamless with a blue and white cheetah pattern.”

“And your socks?”

“Team colors.”

“Take off the bra and panties but leave the socks on.”

I give the phone a look, which he can’t see, but I do as he asks. “I’m naked apart from my socks. Now what, Hollis?”

“Where to start?” He hums softly.

It sounds like he’s moving around in his bed. I picture him shirtless, one hand tucked behind his head, the other fisting his generous erection.

“Where are your hands?” he asks softly.

I look down at my naked body. “The right one is cupping my breast.”

“And the left?”

“Is fisting the sheets.”

“I want you to bring that one to your lips.”

“Which set?”

He chuckles. “The ones above your neck.”

I follow the order. “Now what?”

“Drag them gently down your throat.”

I do, shivering at the sensation, a soft moan leaving my lips.

“Such a good girl,” he praises. “Now follow your collarbones until you reach your breast.”

I do as he asks. “I’m there.”

“Are your nipples hard?”

“Yes.”

“I couldn’t resist them the other night,” he admits. “Circle the left one with your fingertip and pinch the right.”

I suck in a gasping breath as the sensation ripples through my body.

“That’s it. Do it again. That’s the fucking sound I can’t get out of my head,” he growls.

I pinch and tug, circle and moan. “I need more.”

“Trail your right hand down your stomach,” he orders. “But slowly.”

I groan and follow his command, sliding my fingers over my stomach, eyes closed, imagining it’s his hands on my body, his fingers pulling at my nipple, skimming my stomach.

“Stop before you touch your pussy.”

“I’m so achy, Hollis.”

“I know, Princess. We’re going to fix that,” he cajoles.

I’m vibrating with anticipation. I can’t get enough of his voice in my ear. My breath comes faster as I wait for the next directive.

“Drag one finger through your slit, but just one.” His breathing is labored now.

I groan as I graze my clit. “Should I get my vibrator?”

He chuckles darkly. “Baby girl, you came from rubbing yourself on my cock fully dressed. You don’t need your vibrator to get off.”

He has a point. It’s just a lot easier with assistance. “But you’re not here to help.”

“Don’t worry, we’ll get you there. Circle your clit, nice and slow, and tell me how it feels.”

I rub lazy circles around the wet, swollen flesh. “Good. It feels good.”

“Is it helping with the ache?” His voice is so soft in my ear.

“I need more,” I whimper.

“Slide two fingers into that sweet little pussy.”

I moan at the low timbre of his voice and his words. I curl my fingers, and it makes a liquid sound.

“Ah, fuck. I can hear that,” he grunts.

I curl my fingers again.

“Yes. That’s it. Good girl. Now rub your clit again, before you add another finger.”

“I wish it was you. I want it to be you,” I whimper as I circle my clit, harder this time, faster, chasing the wave of bliss. I’m panting now, my body covered in a sheen of sweat as sensation builds and spirals.

“Three fingers, Princess. Fill that pussy for me,” he grinds out.

I start with two, curling once, twice, before I add the third. I bite my lip, used to muffling the noises I make.

“Stop trying to be quiet. I want to hear you.”

I can picture him, muscles tight and corded, expression severe, his hand sliding up and down his cock. And I imagine what it would be like to be filled by him, to have his hands on my bare hips, moving me over him. Fucking me. Filling me. I gasp as I find that spot inside that makes fire rush through my veins. I press the heel of my palm against my clit and roll my hips while I curl my fingers. And I moan, long and loud as the orgasm gathers like a storm.

“That’s it. That’s the sound I want more of.”

“I-I-I—” The words are lost as bliss washes through me, weighing me down and making me feel like I’m floating at the same time. I’m chanting oh, God, my body shaking, my hips rolling.

“Ah, fucking hell.” Hollis’s breaths come fast and hard. “Sweet dreams, Princess.”

“Wait, what⁠—”

He ends the call.

I’m still panting. My fingers are still inside me. My clit is still pinging.

I use voice-to-text to message him.

Aurora

Did you come?

It takes a minute before he responds.

Hollis

No.

Aurora

Why did you hang up then?

No response. It’s not a surprise. I put on my brat hat and send two more before I leave him alone.

Aurora

Try not to be too hard on my scrunchie. Or yourself.

Sweet wet dreams.