18 - About Who She Chose

Paul's POV -

I twisted the door knob and pushed Keegan's door open. My eyes adjusted to the darkness and my stomach twisted when I saw Embry hovering over my girl.

"What the fuck is going on here?"

The small amount of light coming from the bedside lamp illuminated Keegan's face. She had been smiling up at him, maybe even laughing. They weren't even touching, but that didn't stop me from striding across him the room to yank him away from Keegan.

"Fuck!" he sputtered when he stumbled back and his ass landed on the floor.

Keegan jumped to my side, wrapping her arms around my bicep as I towered over Embry. I glanced down at her, noticing she was still dressed and so was Embry. Maybe they weren't doing anything...yet. But that didn't mean he wasn't trying.

"You've got 5 seconds to get the fuck away from my girl before I beat the shit out of you."

Embry scoffed as he stood and brushed himself off. "If you're feeling froggy…then jump," he challenged.

I shook my head and chuckled. He's got some nerve. Keegan stepped between us, obviously sensing I was moments away from exploding. "Just walk away, Paul. We weren't doing anything but talking."

I focused in on her now, suddenly aware of her part in this. He wasn't taking advantage of her. Whatever they were doing was mutual and she was defending him. That just pissed me off even more. "So you need time away from me, but you jump right into bed with him?"

She raised her chin defiantly, her jaw tensing in anger. "It's none of your business, but Embry was already here when I got back."

My gaze shifted back to Embry as Keegan was still wedged against me, making it difficult for me to stay mad at her. He was still scowling at me like I was in the wrong. "So your little vulture ass decided to prey on her? Were you hoping she'd be vulnerable and you could make your move?" I seethed.

"Fuck you!" Embry spat, reaching around Keegan to shove my shoulder. "I was worried about her. I thought maybe she would need me. I didn't have any ulterior motive. Unlike you, sex doesn't consume my every thought."

I chuckled again. "Yeah, I forgot. You're the perfect boyfriend. So fucking kind and considerate." I glanced down at a shocked Keegan and huffed. "I hope you'll both be happy together."

I retreated back to the closed door and with my hand on the doorknob, I tossed another shitty comment over my shoulder. "At least now I know why you were in such a hurry to get back up here."

"You're such a dick, Paul!"

I yanked the door open and stomped back to my room. I knew I was being a dick. I knew that situation was probably way more innocent than my overactive imagination had led me to believe, but I wasn't ready to say sorry yet.

"You're fucking this all up."

Embry was the last person I expected to follow me into my room. I stood looking out the window with my back to him before I addressed him. "You narrowly escaped an ass whooping back there. I suggest you leave me the fuck alone."

"I'll take my chances."

I whirled around to find Embry leaning against the doorframe. At least he was smart enough to keep the door open in case he needed to escape. I told him, "We aren't friends anymore and I didn't ask for your advice."

He chuckled as he crossed his scrawny arms over his chest. "We aren't friends anymore?" he echoed. "Since when?"

"Since I caught you on top of my girl."

"I was leaving. I was climbing over her. I wouldn't…"

"Try to fuck her?" I supplied.

Embry rolled his eyes. "You're such an idiot. You don't deserve how loyal that girl is to you."

"Loyal? The second she gets mad at me, she's all over you. Last time I checked, that's not loyal. And you just eat it up. It's like you just keep waiting for me to fuck up."

Embry sighed and ran both hands through his hair. "As much as I wish she wanted me, she doesn't. She never did. You're the one she's always been crazy about, Paul."

"What's your angle?" I asked skeptically.

"Angle? I just want Keegan to be happy. That's all."

I eyed him carefully, looking for a crack in his armor. I wanted him to be a bad guy. I wanted to hate him for trying to steal my girl. But in reality, he was the good guy and I was the asshole. "She's too good for me," I announced out of nowhere.

Embry looked shocked by my admission. "I don't know why you're so insecure. Fuck, man. She chose you!"

I scowled as I processed what he said. "What makes you say that?"

He shook his head like it was an internal struggle just to continue this conversation with me. "Just forget it. You're so determined to fuck this up? Maybe I should just let you… and pick up the pieces when you hurt her again," he commented bitterly.

I approached him as he lingered near the door, one foot in and one foot out. "You wouldn't though. You're not that asshole."

Embry laughed. "That's the same thing she said. Keegan said she wished I was an asshole. That's really why I was on top of her. I was showing her I could be."

"And?" I urged, my fists clenching.

"Then you walked in," he sneered.

I stepped a little closer. "And if I hadn't?"

Embry sucked in a deep breath, puffing out his chest. "I'd like to think something could have happened between us…"

"But?" I urged impatiently.

"She wants you."

I scoffed. "And you too."

Embry shook his head. "No, dumbass. She just wants you."

"How do you know?" I demanded angrily.

Embry growled, "She told me, Paul. Keegan only wants you."

….

Embry's admission had my head swimming. He left my room shortly after that, the awkwardness of me being speechless seemed too much for either of us to bear. I was tempted to sneak back into her room and demand she tell me what had happened if I hadn't walked in. My jealousy and possessiveness was bordering on ridiculous. I didn't trust myself to be alone with her.

I didn't trust myself not to screw it all up… again.

The next morning I found myself peeking into Keegan's room when I saw the door cracked open. She was nowhere to be found so I wandered downstairs. I could hear voices coming from the kitchen.

My stomach betrayed me, doing some ridiculous flip-floppy thing when I locked eyes on my girl. "Morning," I announced as I breezed into the room.

I noticed Keegan's smile fall when she noticed me. I took my chance by brushing past her as she sat on a stool eating her breakfast. I reached over her to steal a piece of bacon from her plate and I smiled when her breath hitched. "That's really good," I murmured into her ear. She growled a little, but made no move to get away from me. That alone gave me some hope. Maybe I could still fix this thing between us.

I sauntered over to my mom, grateful that she was handling cooking duties this morning. I gave her a big hug, surprising her with my affection. She happily offered me a plate and I took a seat next to Keegan. I glanced past her to acknowledge Embry, hoping we were still cool after I behaved like such an ass to him. He gave me a slight nod and an expectant look. I know he was wondering how I would be dealing with Keegan today.

I wanted to talk to Keegan alone. And given how icy she was acting this morning, I knew it would be a struggle to get that alone time. I was quietly eating my breakfast and deep in thought when her mom walked in and asked if she was ready to go. "Go?" I echoed like an idiot. "Where are we going?"

Our moms laughed. "We are going into town for a spa day. And of course, you boys are welcome to join us if you're in need of a waxing…" my mom teased.

Keegan rose from her stool and made her way to the sink with her empty plate. Shit. I had to think fast. She would be gone all day and I wouldn't get the chance to be alone with her. I swung around to face her as she passed by me and blurted, "I thought we'd go swimming today," I paused to gauge her reaction. "We could take the bikes down there, pack a picnic lunch, and make a whole day of it."

I cringed when I realized how much that sounded like a date. Keegan gave me a furrowed brow until I grabbed the tips of her fingers and practically begged. "Come with us. I really wanna show Embry our favorite place and it won't be the same without you."

With just a little more puppy dog eye action and our moms convincing her it was okay to skip the spa day thing, Keegan finally relented. I urged her to go get ready as our moms took off for a day in town. Embry eyed me skeptically and asked, "Bikes? You wanna ride bicycles today?"

I chuckled as I took my plate to the sink. "Not bicycles. Dirt bikes, dude." He looked nervous, but I convinced him it would be a cinch for him to learn.

Half hour later, we were changed and packed up to go out for the day. Keegan was still upstairs, so I took Embry out to the garage for a quick lesson on how to ride a dirt bike.

"You're not seriously thinking about letting him ride one of these are you?"

I looked up to find Keegan gliding toward us, clad only in a bikini top and cut-off denim shorts. Fuck me. Her hair was pulled onto a tight ponytail on top of her head and her smooth shoulders were smattered in adorable little freckles I couldn't wait to kiss. I closed my mouth when Embry nudged me and I realized I had been staring. "He'll be fine," I assured her as she cocked her head at me.

"And what about me?" she sassed, throwing her beach bag over her shoulder with attitude.

I secured a small picnic basket to the back of the bike Embry would be driving and then I smirked at Keegan. "You're riding with me."

"Dude, you're delusional. I'm not getting on that bike with you."

"So you're staying here?" I challenged.

"No," she pouted. "I know how to ride. Why can't Embry ride with me?"

I glanced at Embry, really hating the idea of him wrapping his arms around Keegan. "Well that's up to him. I mean...as long as he doesn't mind riding bitch."

Embry bristled at my comment and Keegan turned up her nose. "Why don't you ride bitch with Embry and let me have your bike?" she suggested with a devilish gleam in her eye.

I laughed as I threw my leg over and patted the seat behind me. "Dream on, sexy. You know you can't wait to jump on here with me."

She glanced back at Embry, who had finally got the engine started after the fourth try. He gave her a nervous smile and shrugged. I smirked, knowing she was just being stubborn. "Come on, Keegan. Just get on," I coaxed.

I had to look away and hide my smile when Keegan grabbed my shoulders for balance and climbed on behind me. She tried her best to keep her distance but the way the back of the bike raised up in the back, her body was forced against mine. I reached back to pull her thighs around me.

"Paul," she scolded when I slid my hands down her calves.

"You better hold on," I warned as I kicked the bike to start.

She huffed and mumbled something into my shoulders blades that I didn't hear. I revved the engine and let it jerk forward to warn her because she still wasn't holding onto me. I laughed when she squealed, wrapped her arms all the way around me and we sped off.

I could have stayed like this all day. The feeling of Keegan's body intertwined with mine, her breath on my bare skin, her cute little gasps when I went too fast or hit a bump. I was living for all of it. She held me so tightly, at times, I could barely breathe. But I didn't care enough to tell her to stop.

I never wanted her to stop touching me.

I knew once we arrived at our swimming spot, she would either ignore me, pick a fight because she was still mad about last night, or run off with Embry just to piss me off. When I slowed down and parked under a large willow tree, I covered Keegan's hands with mine. I could feel her heart pounding as she stayed pressed against my back.

I quietly groaned when she pulled away from me and climbed off the seat. I caught her as she began to tumble, having caught her sandal on the way off. "You okay?" I gasped, pulling her tightly to me when she struggled to gain her balance.

She nodded her head quickly, refusing to make eye contact with me. "Keegan," I breathed, holding her chin in one hand and pressing against her lower back with the other.

Her long, pale lashes fluttered up at me and her gaze met mine. I sucked in a deep breath and blurted, "I'm really sorry about last night. I shouldn't have been such a dick about you and Embry. We aren't together, but you know I think of you as my girl, don't you?"

Keegan only blinked in response. I ran my thumb down her jawline and tipped her head back just a bit more. "I'll always be jealous of anyone who gets close to you, but I should've listened when you tried to explain."

"You talked to Embry?" she sighed.

I nodded. "You told him you want me? Just me?" I asked desperately, needing to hear it from her.

She tilted her head a bit and a small smile started to form at the corners of her mouth. "I may have said that...but that was before you charged into my room and went off on me."

She was fucking with me. I could feel it. And shit, I deserved it. When she started to back away from me, I pulled her across my lap and held her even closer. "Put me down!" she squealed playfully.

I tickled her behind her knees and grinned like an idiot when she squirmed against me. "Tell me you want me," I begged like an idiot.

Keegan gripped my wrist and I stopped tickling her. She lifted my hand to her lips and kissed my palm softly, her eyes locking on mine. "I want…" she paused to lick her lips and lean up close to me. With her mouth just a breath from mine, she whispered, "I want to go swimming."

With that she jumped off my lap and out of my grasp. I growled in frustration as she spread out a blanket from her bag, bending over in front of me as she did. Fuck. I was already so worked up from being so close to her and now she was shimmying out of those tiny jean shorts and revealing her bikini bottoms.

When she pulled out a bottle of sunscreen and glanced back at me, I knew I was a dead man. "Wanna help me with this?"

Girl, you have no idea.

I tried to tear my eyes away from her plump ass and all that smooth, freckled skin. Fuck me. I removed a small cooler bag hanging off the side of the bike and used it to cover my ever-growing hard-on. Keegan kept her back to me as she knelt on the blanket, resting that perfect ass on her heels.

She held the bottle of sunscreen over her shoulder as I knelt behind her. Why did I think this would be a good idea? My swim trunks weren't gonna help hide my raging boner. And now I have to touch her too?

I could hear Embry approaching as I squirted some of the thick lotion into my hands and began spreading it onto her shoulders. I squeezed hard as I ran my hands down her arms and over her lower back. I felt my dick twitch when she moaned ever so quietly. "How's that?" I breathed into her ear.

"Heavenly," she hummed. When she turned around and smiled up at me, it was all I could do not to kiss her. "Wanna do my front too?"

I nearly choked. "Umm...can't you do it?"

She grinned up at me and shook her head innocently. "You've already got some lotion on your hands. Might as well keep going."

Embry placed the picnic basket next to me on the blanket and glanced between us. "Sunscreen?" Keegan offered.

Embry chuckled. "Nah. I'm good. I'm ready to get in the water."

I silently thanked him for walking away just then. Keegan slid closer to me, placing her legs on either side of mine as I stayed kneeling in front of her. I smoothed my lotion covered hands up her calves and ran my thumbs up between her thighs.

I nearly lost it when she moved to lie back on the blanket and kept her gaze locked completely on mine. "I'm waiting," she urged and couldn't help noticing how her chest rose and fell quickly with each breath.

When I straddled her thighs and ran my hands over her stomach, she jumped a little. "That tickled," she laughed softly.

Now all I had left to do was coat her chest in sunscreen. So why were my hands shaking so damn hard? Keegan squeezed her eyes shut as I lathered up my hands again and held them above her bikini covered breasts. "Go ahead," she murmured, obviously sensing I was nervous.

When I was hesitant, she covered my hand with hers and pressed it to her chest. Suddenly I felt brave as I slid my fingers down her cleavage and across the mounds that spilled over the top. Her skin felt so silky under my palms and my mind must have been going haywire because I heard myself groan, "Take it off."

Keegan's eyes snapped open. "Paul," she sighed. "We're not alone."

She didn't say no. My dick was rejoicing.

I glanced over my shoulder to see Embry pretty far in the distance, distracted by the cool water. "He can't see anything," I tried to persuade her sweetly. I wasn't lying. The willow tree I had chosen was providing lots of cover from prying eyes.

I bit my lower lip painfully when Keegan glanced around, finally lifting her hands to the tie at the nape of her neck. She was panting as she let the strings fall, revealing her milky white breasts and the pale pink buds hardening from the cool air. Or maybe it was because I couldn't stop staring at them.

"Touch me, Paul."

My mouth hung open and when I pushed her back and covered one of those perfect pebbles with my lips, she cried out my name. I switched from one to the other, lusciously laving each one as I watched her face for every reaction. That was the best part. The way Keegan reacted to my mouth on her skin had me growing harder by the minute. "Fuck, Keegan," I mumbled against her nipple when she tugged on my hair.

I released her pebbled skin with a pop, earning me a whimper from Keegan's sweet lips. Her eyes opened slowly, gazing up at me with need. I pulled her up to sit before carefully tying her top back up. She watched me with a furrowed brow before reaching up for me and kissing me gently. "I'm throbbing, Paul," she moaned when I broke off the kiss.

I hugged her tightly and buried my face in her neck. "Me too, baby. Me too."

...

A/N: was that hot enough? Thanks for reading!