Hothouse Flower (Addicted #4)(82)

I thought we were being f*cking careful, but in the moment, we don’t pay much attention. We’re used to flirting with boundaries, and now that we’ve kicked some over, it’s messing with my f*cking head. I know this can’t last forever. Definitely not the year and a half like we planned. But maybe for a few more months at least. We just need some time—especially before we have to deal with all the people who hate the idea of us together.

“And you couldn’t wait until the f*cking morning to tell us that?” I growl.

“You were getting loud,” Connor says flatly, not smiling. “You can thank me later.” He looks down at Daisy, making her whole body stiffen. I notice I missed a spot by her hairline. My stomach knots as I use my shirt to wipe at it, knowing she’s going to f*cking hate that it’s still on her.

“I hope this is different than your other relationships,” Connor tells her sincerely. Fuck him.

“You’re really going to f*cking go there?” I ask, my body pulsing with anger. I’m not like those other douchebags. The first time she goes down on me and he walks in. It makes me seem like a f*cking dick, but it’s also bad f*cking luck.

“Yes,” he says, “I’ve actually seen her leave a bedroom after doing something similar with Julian.”

Her ex-boyfriend’s name literally lights my core. I clench my fists, wanting to punch the shit out of him. I don’t want to think about his cock in her mouth or even his cock fifteen feet from her body. I want that image f*cking gone. And of course, Connor brings it up just to rile me. I shake my head, restraining the urge to throw a fist in the wall. I decide to leave for the bathroom instead, my anger spinning around me as I grab a washcloth and run it under the sink.

When I return to the room, I hear Daisy say, “Ryke’s not like the other guys, Connor.”

I shoot Connor a glare. “Can you just be f*cking embarrassed right now? How are you still standing here?”

“I’ve never been embarrassed in my life,” he says. Everything that comes out of his mouth—I’d like to strangle. He’s so f*cking annoying.

I bend down and start rubbing the warm washcloth on her cheeks, holding her chin steady with my other hand. “Oh yeah?” I ask, my eyes flitting to Connor’s. “What about if Daisy saw you f*cking? How embarrassed would you be then?” This isn’t going to lead anywhere good, but I’m so f*cking sick of him thinking he’s a god. Like he can’t be touched. I want him to feel at least an ounce of the embarrassment that he’s caused Daisy.

Her eyes go wide. “I’d be embarrassed,” she says to me, kicking my ankle hard. She mouths, Stop.

So that plan wasn’t fully f*cking thought out. I grit my teeth, f*cking pissed by everything. Julian being brought into the conversation did not help.

Connor raises his brows. “Did she watch those tapes?” He sounds more surprised than affronted.

I keep my mouth shut this time, rubbing the cloth along her forehead, concentrating on her.

“On accident,” she blurts out. “I tried not to look, I promise.” I haven’t even seen those tapes, but I’m sure it’d be more awkward for her. It’s her sister and her brother-in-law in them. She clutches my shoulder like all of these facts are going to shrivel her from humiliation. I console her the best I can, caressing her head with my right hand and wiping the rest of my cum off her face with the other.

Connor stays quiet, unreadable, which makes this so much worse for her.

When I finish, I stand to scrutinize Connor’s reaction. But it gives me nothing, so I have to ask, “How do you feel now, Cobalt?”

“Disturbed,” Connor says calmly. “A little worried too. I didn’t think it’d be that easy to stumble onto our porn.” He looks to Daisy, his brows now furrowing. “What site were you on?”

“I f*cking hate you,” I deadpan. “Seriously.” I wanted that satisfying moment where we arrive on an even playing field. She saw him naked. He saw this. But Connor refuses to give us that triumph. We’re left with this f*cking awkwardness, no matter what.

Connor pulls out his cellphone like he’s going to make a note of the site.

“I can’t remember, Lily suggested it,” she mumbles.

I freeze with Connor. Lily shouldn’t be watching porn, and if she is…well that would be considered a relapse in the sex addiction recovery handbook.

Daisy’s eyes widen like what did I say?

“Is she watching porn again?” Connor asks.

“No. She just recommended the site when I asked. No need to go postal, guys. You know she hates when everyone overreacts. Last month, you…” She points at me accusingly, defending her sister. “…barged into her bathroom just because she was taking a little longer. Do you know how embarrassing that is?”

Yeah, I know, I was there. Her face turned into a giant f*cking tomato and she screamed at me. But I’d rather embarrass her ten times over than have the alternative happen—relapse or worse…suicide. It’d kill my brother. It’d kill all of us. And I’ve seen her at her worst, when she was in a bathroom out of her f*cking mind, and I often wonder what would have happened if I didn’t barge in.

None of us will take that chance.

Connor lets out a sigh. “I’ll text her later. You.” He looks at me. “Return to our room. I don’t want Lo finding out about your quasi-relationship like this. You.” He turns to Daisy. “Don’t let Ryke come on your face again.” Fucking A.