Page 107 of Your Biggest Downfall
“Supernova.” He got up from the bed and wrapped me tightly in his arms. “Thank you,” he whispered into my hair.
“Come downstairs when you’re ready,” I said, turning to leave.
But he grabbed my wrist. “What about you?”
“What do you mean?” I asked, knowing full well I was a mess, still slick between my thighs.
“Aren’t you going to shower?” he asked with a smirk.
I scrunched my nose. “Nah. You’ll probably want to fuck me on the countertop downstairs anyway, so I might as well stay ready.”
“Nova,” he laughed, shaking his head. “What am I going to do with you?”
“Keep fucking me... duh.” I practically pranced out of the room, heading downstairs to get the cake I had delivered for him.
It must’ve been a hard birthday to celebrate. It’s not like he could go out and do all the things normal people who turntwenty-one opted to do. He was sober, so the best I could give him was a little celebration between the two of us.
When Austin came downstairs, fresh from the shower, I was already waiting with the cake lit on the counter, candles flickering softly.
“Sit,” I said with a grin, pointing to the chair.
He gave me a curious look but obeyed, smiling as I pulled him closer. We shared a playful moment, singing an off-key version of “Happy Birthday” that left us both laughing.
When the song ended, he blew out the candles, his eyes still fixed on me. “I don’t need to make a wish this year, Nova. I have everything I need right here.”
There was so much promise within his words.
After we finished stuffing cake into our mouths and stealing kisses between our laughter, Austin kept his promise. He fucked me on the counter... twice.
46
nova
“Nova, I need a second to speak to you before you finish up for the evening,” Iris shouted from her door.
Fuck. I had submitted the social media package and requested a very small budget this year to pay for a few new equipment items we needed to replace. The first game of the season was this weekend, so it was a bit last minute, but I couldn’t let her mull over it too long because then it would be an immediate rejection.
I smoothed out my black wide-leg dress pants and long-sleeve black blouse that covered all my tattoos before I walked back in her direction.
I’ll admit, I used to hate Iris, but ever since Austin went to rehab, she’d been much nicer over the past few months. She even let me work through the summer, making sure I had a paycheck. I didn’t need the income now that I was living with Austin, but I wanted to maintain some independence. Plus, I genuinely loved my job and was hopeful it could turn into something more.
I knocked on her door and heard her call for me to come in. When I entered, I was surprised to see a man in a sleek black suit sitting across from Iris.
I glanced at her, noticing she had on the pleasant smile she always wore around clients. “Can I get you something, Ms. Rhode?”
Iris shook her head, laughing like I’d told a great joke. “No, Nova. Please, have a seat.”
I grabbed a chair from the back of the office and pulled it next to the stranger. This was all the more confusing because I was never included in any meetings unless I was the one taking notes.
“Nova, I’d like you to meet Mr. Hopkins,” Iris said as the stranger stood, buttoning his jacket before extending his hand toward me.
He was tall with neatly combed, dark hair and a strong jawline. His eyes, a deep shade of brown, held a certain intensity, but there was a hint of warmth behind them. As he extended his hand, I couldn’t help but notice the glint of a silver watch peeking out from under his cuff.
“Hello,” he said, his voice smooth and polite, laced with a distinct English accent that caught me off guard.
I blinked, momentarily surprised, but quickly recovered, shaking his hand.
“It’s very nice to meet you, Nova Thatcher. I’ve come just for you. Please, sit down,” he said, gesturing toward the chair with a slight nod.
