Baby, You Take Me So Well

Chapter 5

Astrid's POV

I straightened up and almost dropped my phone when I saw Rhett standing in my room.

Thank goodness he hadn’t seen what I was staring at.

But then he asked, “Have you been staring at my picture?”

I froze.

My lips parted and I blinked, completely thrown off.

Rhett stepped closer–close enough for me to breathe in that familiar cedarwood scent. It filled my lungs, and somehow made my stomach flutter.

I was doomed.

Rhett Rivers had just caught me touching myself, and yes, I had been staring at his photo. A picture he’d sent not long ago, shirtless and soaked in sweat after the gym. I didn’t know if he meant to send it. But I hadn’t stopped thinking about it since.

“Did I just see you touch yourself, Astrid?” Rhett asked, his voice low, his tone unreadable–a mixture of shock, hunger, and something dangerous.

The closer he came, the more intense his gaze felt. Those hazel eyes locked on mine like I was a problem he couldn’t figure out, and a craving he’d tried to suppress

“I-I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I said quickly, my voice barely steady as I leaned back into the headboard.

He raised an eyebrow and smirked. “Really?”

I turned my face. “Yes.”

Silence filled the space between us until I tried to break it. “And Micah? Where is he?”

Rhett sighed, walking back just a little. “He left to see a friend.”

“Oh.” I nodded.

I was silently praying for him to leave, to give me space, but Rhett didn’t move. He stood there like a damn statue, watching me.

“Are you not going to leave?” I snapped.

A gentleman would walk away.

But Rhett Rivers? He never made anything easy.

He leaned against the wall and said, “Are you trying to erase the thought of what happened last night, Astrid?”

What the–

I blinked rapidly, my throat tightening.

No. I didn’t want to talk about it. No way.

I couldn’t tell Rhett I remembered it was him I’d slept with. I couldn’t give him that power.

“No. I don’t remember anything,” I lied, forcing the words out, hating how fake they sounded.

Rhett just stared at me for a long second before nodding stiffly. Then he turned and walked out.

I collapsed back onto the bed and sighed like I'd just survived a hurricane.

After an hour, Micah came home looking exhausted, but still cheerful. Just like he always was.

“I’m leaving again tomorrow,” he announced, barely five minutes into being home.

“Seriously?” I raised a brow.

Rhett, who was lounging on the couch beside Micah, added, “Are you always this busy?”

Micah laughed and rubbed the back of his neck. “Of course. Someone has to make money and give Astrid the soft life she deserves. It's important.”

He reached over and pinched my cheek gently.

I glanced at Rhett from the corner of my eye but avoided meeting his gaze. Still, I felt the burn of his eyes on me.

I took a spoon of dessert to distract myself.

“Still,” I murmured, “you don’t have to wear yourself out. You could fall sick.”

Micah looked at me and chuckled. “Are you siding with Rhett now?”

“What? No,” I quickly said. “I’m just concerned for my brother.”

Out of the corner of my eye, I caught Rhett’s smirk.

Dammit, he was infuriating.

*

The next day, Micah left early for his trip.

By evening, I returned home alone. I’d been out for hours with Talia just to avoid the awkward silence that always came when it was just Rhett and me.

The house was quiet when I walked in.

I headed upstairs, hoping Rhett was out or asleep. But as I passed Micah’s room, I heard water running from the bathroom.

My brows pulled together. Had he forgotten to turn off the tap?

I pushed the door slightly open to check.

Right there, I saw Rhett Rivers.

Completely naked, stepping out of the shower, water still dripping from his toned, muscular body.

I gasped and let out a loud scream, jerking back.

“Shit!” Rhett muttered, grabbing a towel and quickly wrapping it around his waist.

“I–I didn’t know you were in here!” I shouted, my face burning into embarrassment as I turned around and squeezed my eyes shut.

“Do you normally just walk into bathrooms?” he asked, clearly amused.

“I thought the tap was leaking!” I shouted back.

“Well, it wasn’t,” he said, voice lower now.

I peeked over my shoulder. He was still standing there, water glistening on his chest, towel low on his hips.

And God help me, he looked so good I almost lost the ability to breathe.

“Did you see something you like?” he teased.

I turned back around fast. “Stop.”

“You started it. First, you touch yourself to my photo. Now, you walk in on me naked. Are you obsessed with me, Astrid?”

I turned back slowly, fire creeping up my cheeks.

He was still watching me with that damn smirk.

“You’re impossible,” I whispered.

“And you’re turned on.”

“Am not.”

He took a step forward.Another step. The space between us thinned.

“Rhett, stop.”

“Then say it like you mean it. Admit it. You have something for me, baby.”

I didn’t.

He suddenly leaned down, his lips hovering just above mine.

“You’re Micah’s best friend,” I whispered, but my voice shook.

“And you’re the girl I’ve been trying not to think about for too damn long. Do you even know about it? Damn no.”

That was the last thing he said before he crushed his lips against mine.

Our mouths collided in an explosion of heat and frustration. His hands cupped my face while my fingers dug into his shoulders, tugging him closer. The towel slipped slightly, but I didn’t care.

I should’ve stopped. I should’ve pulled away.

But I didn’t want to.

His kiss was rough, urgent, like he’d been waiting for this moment since forever.

My back hit the hallway wall as he pressed into me. I felt Rhett's erection right there and I melted away.

I wanted him that instant. I didn't care. I wanted my brother's best friend.

I broke the kiss and crouched to my knees. Rhett stared down at me, speechless.

Without a second thought, I finally slipped off the towel around his waist. My eyes widened when I saw how huge he was.

“Astrid…”

“No.” I cut him off. “Let me.”

When he wanted to protest, I took him into my mouth.

The salty taste of his precum filled my mouth as I took him deeper till my mouth was full. A low guttural groan left Rhett's lips.

I could swear my thighs clenched. I was dripping wet and hot.

I should've felt ashamed. But I didn't.

Rhett's fingers slipped into my hair as he pumped faster into me. A groan tore from the back of my throat.

“Baby, you take me too well. Is this your first?” he asked in-between a groan.

Instead of replying, I pushed further that I choked.

His fingers tightened on my hair and he yanked me away.

“I asked you a question. Have you gone down on any man before?” he asked, his tone dripped with anger.

Rhett had a look in his eyes I'd never seen before. He suddenly felt pissed.

I gulped down his taste and nodded slowly. “Y-Yes.”

That did it.

He moved away and made me stand on my feet.

“Who?”

I blinked. “Rhett-”

“Astrid, don't-”

“Dylan. My ex boyfriend.”

“And did you make him feel this good? Did you let him claim that mouth of yours?” his eyes snapped to my lips, and his fingers trailed my jaw.

I shook my head. “N-No.”

Then a voice echoed from downstairs.

“Astrid? Rhett? Anyone home?”

Micah.

We froze.

Micah was supposed to be on a trip.

Holy shit.