Page 293 of The Reluctant Hero

Amanda

The last four days have been a nightmare. My aches and pains have dulled down to a minor annoyance. I’ve been pestered to keep up with antibiotics, pain medicine, and some type of herbal supplement that Jake insists on giving me. The stuff tastes like tea-soaked weeds. Do I complain? Yes. Does anyone listen? No.

On top of all their tender loving care and concern, every single one of them refuses to have sex with me. I can get lukewarm hugs and a cuddle buddy for sleep. Other than that, they’re pretty useless on a mattress. Even the kisses I’ve been getting are restrained.

I thought Ace would be the weakest link to attack but he takes one look at my bruised face and gets this look of fear and concern. Mikael is just as bad. Jake punks out by giving massages, and Cade pouts. Gabriel is as frosty as ever after his confession.

Don’t they realize that they’ve turned me into some type of needy ho? How am I supposed to enjoy this little at-home vacation when no one is willing to sex me up? Yeah, I’m a little banged up, but my vagina didn’t die.

This rich boy frat house is full of bullshit and shattered ho dreams.

It takes me a little while to figure out how to break this trend. I tried exercising naked and texting Jake to watch, with no response. Mikael left pretty quickly when I started. I’ve asked Ace what color my nails should be and shoved my hand down hispants. He drank whiskey all night at dinner like he was trying to force himself to pass out. I sauntered into Cade’s pigsty naked and got cuddled. It’s becoming insulting.

In the end, it’s so simple it makes my eyes roll.

That’s why I’m currently sitting under Gabe’s desk, naked, playing games on my phone. He’s the only one with a time-conscious schedule. Around five every night, he settles at his desk and works. His vacation isn’t as hands-off as the rest of us. He compromised by saying he would only work two hours a day. It was that or watching him twitch all damn day like he’s jonesing for a drug.

My butt has gone numb by the time five o’clock rolls around. The door opens and closes. I recognize Gabriel’s soft sigh. It’s the relaxed sound he makes when he lies down beside me. Good to know I’m as stress relieving as work? But not really. He’s so lame.

I stay frozen with my knees curled under my chin, quickly setting my phone down. I hear him pace around the desk, my pulse throbbing with excitement and a little dread. What if he shoves me away? They’re giving me a complex already. I didn’t need help in that area.

The fancy chair rolls back, and Gabriel takes a seat, ready for work mode.

Not tonight, asshole.

If I don’t get laid tonight I’m leaving with my middle fingers in the air.

He scoots forward, his knees spread but not enough. I have to shrink back to keep from getting hit. I stay still and tense. The shuffling of paper and his computer waking up relaxes me a little. He has no idea I’m down here.

It saves me a little embarrassment and helps me regain my courage.

I set my hands on his knees and firmly move them up. His muscles tense under my fingers.

“Mana?” He asks warily.

“Yes, Gabe?” I ask, trying to sound innocent. I get on my knees and force his thighs apart in a steady push.

“You fit,” he chokes out, his body obeying my demands whether he likes it or not. I have an up-close view of his cock rising in his slacks.

“So do you, in case you forgot,” I remind him with a smirk. “Just go back to work and pretend I’m not here.”

“What?” The disbelief in his tone is sharp enough to cut.

I ignore him, content now that he’s frozen in place. My hands glide along the inside of his thighs. When I gently cup his erection, his knees part even more. I give him a second of light rubbing before I move on to his belt.

His breathing is rough as I flick it open, slowly followed by the button and zipper. I bite my lip at the sight of silk boxers. My humor gets wiped away when I notice the damp area around the head of his cock.

He doesn’t protest or move back as I slide between his thighs. I’m surrounded by warmth, his legs falling open and feet shifting out of my way.

“Have you needed this, Gabe?” I ask him lightly. I shift his boxers so his cock can escape. They cling a little before it’s revealed. A solitary drop slides down the head while he lets out a rough breath.

“Yes.” His voice is rough, broken up by his panting breaths.

I’m tempted to walk away and let him wallow in frustration. But need overshadows the impulse quickly.

Note to self: the weak link is Gabriel.

I stretch to lap at his erection, teasing him the same way I’ve been taunted this week. A little affection and withdrawal.His thighs tighten up, his hands falling to the arms of the chair. He’s squeezing hard enough his knuckles are white.

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