Page 18 of Within Shadows
I grip my aching erection through my pants and shift again, the floor creaking beneath me as I move and still. Maeve doesn’t stop, her breath coming in faster pants, and I free my cock, stroking it as I imagine her wrapped around me. Her perfect body welcoming me, begging me to break down every barrier between us. I nearly lose myself and crawl from my hiding when I hear a name amidst her sounds of pleasure.It’s my name.My fist tightens and I pump faster, pressing the back of my head against the floor until pain crawls across my scalp.
Maeve cries out, my name sharp and loud in the night, and I rip my hand away before I can spill on my own chest. My breath comes in tight pants as I lie completely still with racing thoughts that blur my sanity. She wants me, wants the man behind the mask. But does she know what that entails? The depravity I crave from her body, mind, and soul? She will soon enough.
Minutes tick past until finally, I hear that first soft snore and drag myself out from beneath her bed. There she is, blankets tangled around her with her hair spilling over the pillow as she sleeps. Maeve is so peaceful, unaware, in a way that makes my chest ache. I can’t stop myself as I reach out, brushing a strand of hair from her face as my knuckles scrape over her soft skin. Maeve hums, and I still as she shifts, reaching out for me before her hand falls to the bed and I know I should leave. My inner voice tells me I shouldn’t have been here in the first place, butthat little voice doesn’t see what I do. My muse, vulnerable and defenseless. She needs me as I need her.
My steps are hurried as I head towards the door, forcing my body to leave until I slip outside and turn the lock into place. The sound of tires on pavement has my head whipping around, and rage burns through me, erasing the joy I had felt in her presence as a red car speeds away from Maeve’s house. That fucker is getting on my last nerve, and I know I won’t be getting any sleep now. Oliver is more than a nuisance; he’s dangerous and getting bolder with every day that passes.
I don’t bother chasing him down, and I’m confident my presence alone is enough to scare him away for the night, but I keep Maeve’s security footage on my phone as I drive home. Garrett’s phone is heavy in my pocket as I drum my fingers on the steering wheel. How long until she realizes what’s happening? Her ability to blindly trust him so easily shows her lack of self-preservation. Or maybe Garrett is just that good at being deceitful. I almost believe the persona that he embodies, the gentle and kind giant. My breath comes out in a snort as I park in front of my house and climb out, gaze still locked on my screen while I flick through the different cameras.
“So many eyes are on you, little muse. You’ve got nowhere to hide,” I mutter as the door swings open. Al is on the couch and startles awake as I kick the door shut behind me.
“Scared the shit outta me,” he snaps, rubbing a hand over his disheveled hair as I shrug, walking past him.
“Then sleep in your bed like a normal person.”
“Jess kicked me out. She’s pissed.” He sounds so defeated that I almost feel bad for him, so I sit on the arm of the couch and wait for him to get it off his chest.
“She knows there’s something going on between you and Garrett.” He grits the words out, and a chill crawls up my spine.
“What did you say, Al?” My voice is low, but there’s a sharp tilt to my words, and he knows how pissed I am. Al jumps up and throws his arms wide, looking ridiculous in just boxers and a shirt.
“I didn’t say shit, man. But they’re smart, and one of them will realize what’s happening soon enough, or somebody will slip up.” There’s hurt in his voice and I deflate, feeling like the dick that I am. I pinch the bridge of my nose as I try to come up with a solution.
“I just need more time.” I drop onto the couch, and he blows out a breath.
“You’ve been my brother from the day we met in high school. I have had your back, without question. But time is something we don’t get an unlimited amount of. That girl in there is important to me, Knox.” Al runs a hand through his hair, tugging on the ends as he blows out a huff. Guilt nips at my heels, and I hang my head. He loves Jess the way I do Maeve. I’d be pissed if he caught me up in something like this, but I knew it would work out in the end.
“Tell me you know what you’re doing.” he asks.
“Give me more credit than that, man.” I smile up at him with more confidence than I feel.
“If this blows up in your face, Jess won’t forgive me easily.” I can hear the fear in his voice. He’s genuinely afraid of losing her. Before I can say anything, I’m interrupted by the sound of a door opening and Jess’ voice.
“Al? Can you come to bed?” Her voice is thick, like she’s been crying, and guilt eats deeper in my consciousness. I put a hand on Al’s shoulder as I stand, stopping him as he looks at me.
“You can tell her… soon.” He nods once, shrugging me off with his careless smile back in place as he hurries towards his room. That fool is in deep. I glance back down at my phone as I walk into my room and shut the door behind me. And I’m a hypocrite,watching Maeve’s security cameras as she sleeps, completely oblivious to me. She deserves the truth, but I have some things to settle first.
Maeve’s safety was the most important thing to me, and juggling everything is slowly catching up to me, but I won’t just give up.
Chapter 11
Maeve
I frown at my coffee as Garrett apologizes for the hundredth time.
“Their music just isn’t my favorite, honestly. Plus I really need to catch up on studying. You should take Jess, make it a girls day, and send me lots of pictures.” He tries to cheer me up, but I just nod, disappointed and trying not to show it. I’m obviously a terrible actress because Garrett reaches across the table and cups my jaw in his hand, tilting my head until I meet his eyes.
“I’ll make it up to you a dozen different ways, sweetheart. You need to have fun with your friend. I’ve been really greedy about you and wanting to spend every minute together. She’s going to hate me if I don’t learn to share.” He smiles, and I roll my eyes.
“Yeah, you’re right. She probably despises you already.” I fake a sigh, shaking my head. Garrett sits back, eyes wide, and I can’t hold back my laugh.
“You tease,” he groans, grabbing his coffee as he holds his hand out for me. I take his hand as he leads me out of the coffee shop that has become our regular date spot. As we head down the sidewalk and Garrett leads me to the passenger door, he stops with his hand on the handle and turns to me.
“Halloween is only a few days away. Would you be interested in a haunted house or a scary movie marathon at home? Or we can crash a Halloween party?” he suggests, and for a moment, memories of the last Halloween party I attended flash through my mind. Oliver standing over me, screaming, his face red as his fist lurches towards my face. I jerk backwards, slamming my back into the car as Garrett reaches towards a strand of hair that’s fallen onto my face.
“Whoa, Maeve, it’s me. I was just trying to get your attention. I’m sorry.” The concern in Garrett’s voice slowly drowns out the blood pounding in my ears even as my chest tightens. Each breath comes slower than the last, and I drop my coffee to clutchat my shirt, desperately trying to rip the fabric away from my crawling skin.
“Sit down and take slow breaths in through your nose, out through your mouth.” Garrett gently pushes me onto the seat and grips my hands in his as I struggle to focus on him. “You’re safe, and I’m right here. Just keep breathing.” He sits on his heels so we’re eye level as he brushes the knuckles of his hand over my cheek. Concern knits his brow as he watches me carefully, and I force myself to sit up straighter; a choked laugh rattles out of my chest.
