Falling for my boyfriend's Navy brother Chapter 144

She asked for it.

That’s the first thing I tell myself when I wake up, my mind replaying last night over and over like a broken record.

She asked what would happen if she pushed me too far, and I showed her.

I feel a low, feral sort of satisfaction just remembering the way her body reacted to mine. The way her breath hitched, the way her pulse fluttered against my thumb, the way she went so perfectly, deliciously still when I pinned her to the wall, her legs locked around my waist.

But then she went quiet.

She went to her bed without a word. Without a look. She turned her back to me, and even though I wanted to cross the room, grab her by the jaw, and demand to know what she was thinking... I didn’t. I let her go.

And now it’s morning, and she’s moving around the cabin like nothing happened.

I watch her from my bed, my back against the headboard, legs stretched out, one arm resting across my stomach. She’s standing by the small mirror above the dresser, braiding her hair, her delicate fingers moving quickly through the long, golden strands.

For a second, I think she’s avoiding my reflection.

But then I catch the faintest shiver run down her spine when I sit up, the sheets rustling beneath me.

A small smirk tugs at my lips.

Alright, princess. Let’s see where you’re at this morning.

I push the covers off and stand, stretching my arms over my head, the muscles in my back pulling tight. I catch her gaze in the mirror as my shirt rides up, revealing the lines of my stomach. Her fingers fumble in her braid, her eyes snapping back to her own reflection, cheeks turning the prettiest shade of pink.

I step closer, making my way to the small closet beside her, reaching over her shoulder to grab a hoodie.

She stiffens, her breath catching.

I pause for a second, my arm still stretched past her head, my chest so close to her back I can feel her warmth, her body so close to mine I can smell her shampoo.

Vanilla and honey.

I bite back a groan.

She swallows, her fingers still frozen in her half-braided hair. She meets my eyes in the mirror again, wide and uncertain.

I don’t move, my arm still braced beside her head, my body crowding hers, just to see if she’ll step away. Just to see if she’ll push me back, if she’ll say no.

She doesn’t.

Instead, her breath shudders out of her, her pupils blown wide, her cheeks flushed.

I clench my jaw, my pulse pounding in my ears.

God, if she knew the things I want to do to her right now...

I force myself to step back, pulling the hoodie from the closet and dragging it over my head. I catch the way she sags just a little, like I took my body heat with me, like she misses the warmth.

Good girl.

Maybe I didn’t scare her after all.

Maybe I didn’t cross a line.

Maybe I pushed her exactly where I wanted her to be.

I smirk to myself, running a hand through my hair as I grab my boots and sit on the edge of the bed to pull them on.

She clears her throat, her braid still messy and half-done. “S-sleep okay?”

I don’t bother looking up. “Like a baby.”

She huffs a small, nervous laugh.

I glance up, catching her in the mirror again, and she quickly looks away, focusing on finishing her braid, her hands shaking just slightly.

I lean back on my elbows, legs stretched out in front of me, my eyes still fixed on her. I want to say something else, to tease her, to see how deep I can push that pretty pink blush into her cheeks, but I hold back.

I have time.

I can play this game as long as I need to. Now that I know this is a game. Now that I know she feels *something*. Something that's not fear, or not entirely. Something that makes her body shake and her cheeks pink and her lips part.

She finally ties off her braid, grabs her boots, and sits on the edge of her bed, her back to me as she laces them up.

I push off my bed and move to the door, pausing beside her, leaning down just a bit.

“You ready, princess?” I murmur, letting my breath fan over her neck, my lips so close I could brush them over her pulse if I leaned just a fraction closer.

She freezes, her back straightening, her hands pausing mid-knot.

I don’t wait for her to answer. I just straighten up, grab my jacket, and push open the cabin door, the cold morning air flooding in.

“Come on,” I say, my voice low and rough. “Let’s go.”

I catch the way her breath shudders out of her, the way her fingers tremble when she ties the last knot on her boot, and I smirk to myself, my pulse thrumming in my veins. If it was up to me, we wouldn't leave this cabin at all. I would keep teasing her until she cracks and tells me exactly what's on her mind. I would ask her if she's ready to hear what's on mine. If she wants me to show her just how much she drives me crazy.

But we have to go, group activies and all that. But that's fine. Because now I know. Now I can see how far she's willing to go.

Alright, princess.

Let’s see just how deep I can pull you under.