A/N: This is your obligatory mature content warning - three-quarters of this is citrusy, simply because I felt like it. Shoutout to Riveriver for being a willing guinea pig - any and all mistakes you may spot are my own.
I can feel him studying me from across the fire, his gaze burning hot as he watches me with his friends, drinking in every minute movement, every murmured word. I'm playing nice, as promised, but I can't deny the thrill that shoots through me when his eyes narrow after a friendly touch on the arm, when a joking wink has his jaw setting into a firm line.
Turns out Seth has a possessive side.
Brady's rattling off some stats about their hockey team, bragging obnoxiously about his stellar face-off odds, and the temptation strikes like a sizzling iron, the devil on my shoulder edging dangerously close to the forefront.
"C'mon Brades, we've all know you're good with a stick," I comment, bumping shoulders with him.
Brady's eyes nervously flash across the flames, undoubtedly meeting Seth's brooding glare, but I can't resist stoking the embers a little more – especially with Collin's raucous laughter egging me on.
"Maybe you could show Seth a few tricks," I say innocently, tipping my head to the side.
His eyes flicker down to the sliver of pale skin, fleetingly transfixed by the sudden movement. I don't know what these men have about necks – Seth can hardly keep his mouth off mine, and there's nothing particularly special about it. It's a neck, for Christ's sake.
"Great idea, Jess," Collin says, curving an arm around my shoulders. "You gonna be reporting back?"
Seth's standing in front of us before I can even blink, his mouth set in a firm line. I'm not usually one for betting, but I'd wager some good money that he is pissed.
"It's getting late," he says lowly, his eyes fixed solely on mine. "Let's go."
Collin drops his arm instantly, shuffling until there's a solid foot between us on the log. Brady turns away, suddenly incredibly interested in the fleece-polyester blanket that's been scratching me all night.
Seth cocks his head, tipping his chin towards the truck, and, in that moment, I know I have him exactly where I want him. I stand, casually brushing the dust off my jeans, and his arm is looped around my waist before I even have a chance to try and hug his friends goodbye.
"Nice meeting you guys," I chirp, flashing them a friendly smile in turn. "Come and see me at the rink – free popcorn on me."
Seth's arm tightens around my hips, pressing me back against his chest.
Bingo.
The boys mutter inaudible replies, clearly apprehensive of Seth's uncharacteristically hard stare, and I make a mental note to apologise later.
He leads me towards the truck without a word, keeping me pinned securely against his frame. It's times like these that I almost wish he was shorter, easier to torment with an errant touch, an oblivious graze.
Then again, I do like a challenge.
Seth opens my door wordlessly, waiting as I settle in, secure my seatbelt. My hands linger on the buckle for longer than necessary, making a point of stretching the belt across my chest, smoothing out the fabric as he watches. Seth closes his eyes for a long moment, taking a deep breath, before closing the door with a definitive click.
I rub my thighs together as I watch him lope around the truck, his figure illuminated by the blinding headlights. Even dressed down in a singlet and shorts, it's impossible to take my eyes off of him; it's been a very long while since anyone has had this effect on me, but it's like I can feel every cell of my body vibrating with pure energy, catapulted into frenetic motion whenever Seth is near me. The mere sight of him makes me wet, but this dark possessiveness is an entirely different beast.
He slips into the car silently, switching on the ignition with a steady hand. I tuck my hands between my thighs, if only to hide the way my fingers are shaking with anticipation, though his eyes follow the movement with curious interest. Still, he doesn't speak as he drives slowly down the dark, twisting streets, and I keep my mouth shut. I know the rules of the game – the first one to speak loses, and I never lose.
Seth pulls over onto the shoulder a few minutes later, yanking up the handbrake with a loud click. He tosses the keys carelessly on the dashboard before turning to me with almost black eyes, throwing a muscled arm behind my headrest.
"What was that about?" he asks, every word perfectly enunciated.
His words are like ambrosia; every syllable coaxed out of his smooth baritone adds to the growing wetness between my legs, the craving for the pressure of his body against mine.
"Hm," I murmur, chewing on my lower lip. "I thought you wanted your friends to like me."
Seth's jaw ticks as his eyebrows furrow, like he's trying to figure out an impossible problem. It's a tall order to keep my hands off of him, especially as he gets all worked up, clenching and releasing his long fingers. I watch his hands, studying each digit, and before I can finish masterminding the fantasy, he seems to have made up his mind.
"Get in the back," he orders, and I know I'd do damn near anything for this man when he says it like that.
"Why?" I ask, keeping my gaze steady on his.
Seth threads his long fingers through my hair, tugging my head to the side until my neck is exposed. His lips hover mere millimetres from my skin as he takes a long inhale, blowing warm breath across my flesh.
"So I can show you exactly what I can do with my stick," he murmurs, brushing my hair back from my face. "Give you something to tell the boys about."
Desire coils hot in my belly; he knows exactly what to say to make me lose my mind, and he knows he's good at it, too.
Wordlessly, I clamber over the console, slotting myself into the back of the cab. He nimbly follows, quickly shucking his shirt to reveal an impressively toned chest, perfectly bronzed from countless hours under the hot sun. I stretch out a hand to press against his skin, raking my nails lightly over his pecs. He shivers, shaking his head slightly as if to focus.
I love making him flustered.
Seth hooks his hands over my hips, tugging me lower until I'm stretched out on the backseat. His palms are firm, holding me still as I squirm beneath his hovering frame, close but still so far away. I try and stretch up to capture his mouth in a kiss, but he pulls back until his lips are just out of reach, a teasing smirk playing at his mouth.
"What? Did you want something?" he asks innocently, his smirk growing wider at my frustration.
I shake my head, laying back against the seats. "Just stretching."
He hums, ducking his head to trace feather-soft trails with his tongue across my skin. His fingers toy at the hem of my shirt, skirting beneath to caress my stomach. I press my hand against him lightly, waiting until he pulls back to tug my shirt off, discarding it somewhere in the front seat.
That's a later problem.
Seth's eyes immediately focus on my chest, suddenly bare before him. Belatedly, I realise that this is the first time he's actually seen me (partially) naked, considering the unfortunate brevity of our previous encounters.
"No bra?" he groans, eagerly skimming his hands upwards to cup my breasts. "You're going to kill me, I swear."
I laugh, pulling him flush against me. His hot tongue quickly finds my nipple, laving enthusiastically over the sensitive flesh, and I can't help the moan that escapes my lips. He lets out a low rumble, palming my other breast with loosely restrained excitement. His hands are massive – just like the rest of him – and it only reminds me of where I really want to feel them.
As if reading my mind, his nose skims lower, pressing a series of kisses down past my navel, towards the waistband of my jeans.
"Can I?" he asks, his fingers dancing over the buttons.
"Please," I breathe, lifting my hips so he can pull them free.
The moment my pants hit the floor, Seth's mouth is back on my skin, placing torturous kisses over the thin lace of my panties. I squirm uncomfortably beneath him, unable to think of anything except the total and utter need to have him inside me, stat.
He kisses lower, pausing to suck hard on the inside of my thigh until a bruise blooms dark, dusky purple on a white canvas.
When he looks up at me through thick lashes, his eyes dark with desire, I think I could come from a simple stare alone.
"Tell me the truth. Do you want Brady?" he growls, nipping at my thigh.
I squeal, trying to jerk away, but his hands have me pinned like a butterfly, and he sucks at my skin again, hollowing out his cheeks until I let out a strangled groan.
"I want you," I breathe, tugging on his curls. "Only you."
Abruptly, he yanks my panties to the side, the elastic snapping free with a tremendous thwap. Seth blinks, mystified. "Oops."
Then, before I can even think about protesting about the insane prices of decent lingerie, his head is between my legs, pressing hot, open-mouthed kisses to my cunt.
"Je-e-esus," I breathe, pulling tighter on his hair. "Fuck."
Seth curls a hand around my thigh, hooking it over his shoulder to pull me closer. The way he flicks his tongue against me has me seeing white-hot stars, feeling pulsing heat waves that dominate my senses. His nails dig into my skin until my breath gives way to heavy pants that fog up the windows, peppering our skin with salty droplets of moisture. He nudges his nose against my clit, sloppily running his tongue across my wetness, and, in this moment, I know that I will do absolutely anything for Seth Clearwater.
"You smell fucking incredible," he mutters, running his index finger across my labia. "Taste even better, too."
All I can do is moan in response, so entirely consumed with the frighteningly talented machinations of this beautiful boy, this peculiar creature that I've come to crave.
Seth nudges his index finger against my heat, pressing gently until he slides inside with a slick squish. My hips buck when he curls it upwards, stroking my inner walls with impressive finesse. He adds a second finger, dropping his head to lick lazy figure-eights across my clit. I should be embarrassed, the way that my breathing has turned into pants, how I whimper every time he pumps his fingers deeper, but I can hardly focus on anything that isn't him.
"I know, baby, I know," he murmurs, sucking lightly on my clit. "You're doing so good."
"Seth," I whine, tugging harder on his curls. "Please."
He shuffles back a little, sitting up on his haunches to angle himself just right. He smirks wider as he adds a third finger, pressing right up against the spot that blacks out my vision. My other thigh is trapped in a firm hold, his grip tight enough to leave thick finger-width marks on my pale skin, and I wish I could keep the bruises forever, a permanent reminder of how good he can make me feel.
He leans over until our faces are almost touching as he continues pumping into me, his languid strokes setting an agonising pace. Every time I lift my hips, chasing more of him, he pulls back, that devilish smirk growing wider. Seth's face hovers above mine, his lips brushing mine as he speaks.
"Only I get you like this," he mutters, sucking my bottom lip between his. "You know that, don't you?"
I whimper, squeezing my eyes shut. If he keeps going like that, I'm going to come all over the seat – Brady's seat, I realise belatedly. Double fuck.
"Open your eyes," he commands, pressing a chaste kiss to my forehead. "I want to watch you come."
My eyelashes flutter as I work to keep my gaze on his, fighting the urge to turn my face away. I need release; I need Seth more than I need air, and something tells me he's more than willing to indulge my desires.
He releases my thigh, moving to grip my hip with a firm hand. "Leverage," he says simply, grinning when my mouth drops open from his renewed movements.
"Please," I whimper, tipping my head back. "I need – "
His fingers slam into me, knocking the breath out of my lungs. Every thrust is driving me closer to the brink, winding me right up past the point of no return.
Seth drops his mouth to my neck, inhaling deeply as he curls his fingers. "You are mine," he growls, sucking hard on the underside of my jaw until stars bloom behind my eyelids and a breathy whine fills the cabin, writhing as his palm holds me steady against the seat. He strokes me through my peak, murmuring praise in my ear until my body falls still and my eyes flutter shut, entirely taken by the moment.
He withdraws from me gently, sucking his fingers clean as he studies me carefully, brushing his thumb over my cheekbone. It takes a little jostling before we can fit comfortably on the seat; eventually, he ends up beneath me, my limbs sprawled over his mostly-clothed body. His broad hand strokes my hair, pressing my head against his chest. I feel the rhythmic thrumming of his heart, beating strong in my ear like a snare drum. It's comforting in a way that I cannot place, especially when I pause to think that I have known this man for less than a month.
"You okay?" he murmurs, coiling my hair around his finger.
"Never better," I mutter sleepily, nuzzling into his chest.
"Good," Seth breathes, propping his head up under his folded arm. "I just – I couldn't – "
He cuts off for a moment before speaking again.
"Seeing you with him was driving me crazy," he confesses with a huff. "I don't like other guys touching you like that."
"Mm," I hum, tracing looping patterns over his ribs. "You're cute when you're jealous."
Seth pauses. "Did you…set me up?"
I can't help the giggle that escapes, and he growls teasingly, clutching at my sides. "Jessica Stanley, you are evil."
"I know," I say, wrapping my thighs around his sides. "I know. Only you, okay?"
"Okay," he says, stroking my back.
And there, in that sweaty, cramped cab, coming down from the best orgasm of my life, I start to wonder if I really do love this man as much as my pussy tells me so. It's insane to even consider the notion, partly because I have only just met him, and partly because he would be the first to hear the words from my mouth.
"What are you thinking about?" he murmurs, twisting a lock of my hair around his finger. "I can feel your heart going crazy."
Shit.
"Lots of things," I say, kissing his bare chest. "You, mainly. The legends. Oh, and the fact that I just had the greatest orgasm ever."
I can feel his grin against my hair. "No freaking way," he breathes, obviously pleased with himself.
"Tell me about it," I sigh. "The bonfire really was that good."
Seth laughs, tugging my hair until I acquiesce, kissing him again on the mouth. "Thank you for coming tonight. The legends are a big part of who I am…it means a lot that you care."
"Of course," I say, slumping back against him. "Thank you for inviting me. Your mom is adorable, by the way."
"She's been asking about you," he admits, sounding a little embarrassed. "Plus, it didn't help that she bribed Brady to point you out at the diner."
I can't help but laugh at his distress. "What was his price?"
"See, that's what makes it worse - he caved for a club sandwich on rye!"
"You really can buy anything these days," I joke, dodging his attempts to tickle me. "Hey, I just wanted to ask…did I do something to piss off Leah?"
He makes a strangled noise in the back of his throat. "It's not you, don't worry. There's a lot of history there. The short version is that she and Sam used to date - Sam's the big dude that was with Emily - before he dumped her for Emily. Oh, and Emily is our cousin. To say that she's down on relationships is an understatement."
I stay silent for a long moment, thinking. I can't imagine how awful that must have been - God knows that I'd put Paige six feet under for less.
Seth lets out a surprised bark of laughter and my face flushes hot. "Did I just say that out loud?"
"You did," he affirms, "and I appreciate the honesty. I'll make sure I give Paige a wide berth. Can't have my girlfriend serving time."
My heart stutters in my chest. It's incredibly juvenile to be this pleased with an official status, but there's something about Seth that makes me feel like a love-drunk teenager falling for the first time, ecstatic and curious and petrified all at once.
"Girlfriend," I say, testing the word on my tongue. "I like it. I'm keeping you."
Seth lets out a loud sigh of relief. "Thank God. I was getting lonely at the shelter."
I close my eyes, enjoying the thump-thump-thump of his heart against my ear, when my peace is cut short by a phone vibrating somewhere in the centre console.
Seth lurches to pluck it free, keeping his other arm wrapped securely around my waist. He unlocks the phone, letting out a sudden snort. "Brady wants his truck back. He also wants to know who you like more, him or Collin."
"What was it, a ten dollar bet? Tell him he won. Sounds like he could use the cash," I say, wriggling into my jeans. "Maybe he can put the tenner towards fumigating the backseat."
"Believe me, I'll never hear the end of it," Seth says, pulling his singlet over his head. "Worth it, though."
He clambers easily back into the front seat, retrieving my discarded sweater from the footwell. Seth hesitates before handing it to me, taking a quick sniff of the fabric. "This yours?"
"What, do you think Brady would fit in that?" I laugh, imagining it stretched over his long body like a tank top.
"I know you wore it here," he says, frowning slightly, "but it doesn't smell like you."
I pause, considering the design. It's an old Forks High sweater, worn soft from age, that has haunted my closet forever. "Maybe it's Mike's? I've had it for ages."
Seth nods stiffly, handing it over. I'm thankful he doesn't ask any questions, because I don't have any answers - it's been a long while since I've thought about Mike Newton, and I'd love to keep it that way. I pull the crewneck on, thankful to have my chest obscured from view, feeling slightly paranoid about being spotted on the side of the road. It's unlikely, given the time of night, but I'd rather not find out the hard way, I think as I climb back into the passenger seat.
"I'll bring you one of mine next time," he says, slotting the keys into the ignition. "It'll look better on you than me, anyway."
"Deal," I say, resting my hand on his knee as he drives.
I keep my hand there the whole way home, and his bright smile lingers in my mind until I fall asleep, dreaming of wolves and warriors from years gone by.