Chapter Thirty-Two:

Despite Doug pointing out that he had a more than capable house-keeper, I bustled around the laundry room, pulling warm, fresh-smelling sheets from the dryer. Even though I’ve been spending the majority of my time at the Baker residence, I often find myself forgetting just how big the place is. I already have clean sheets and blankets on one of the beds in one of the guest rooms. I just have to make up the other. There are clean towels and things in both of the adjoining bathrooms.

I keep thinking of more and more things that I need to get done before Oliver and Hayden arrive. I don’t know where my random bursts of energy are coming from.

I know that my friends and I have stayed in much worse places and they’ve probably seen me look… well, worse than I do now, but I want everything else… the things I can control to be perfect. If I still had a therapist, I’d probably be psycho-analyzed and berated for my obsessive need to control things right now. Oh, well. I’m not about to complain for lack of lectures.

“Sweetheart, relax. Everything will be ready tomorrow.” Doug told me, placing a warm hand on my arm and leading me out of the laundry room and onto an overly plush armchair. I sighed and forced my body to relax. It’s strangely easy. Since when did the chair become so damn comfortable? “Is there anything that I should pick up for the boys?” He asked me. I shook my head.

“There’s nothing that I can think of.” I told him. He nodded.

“Alright, let me know if that changes.” He requested. I just nodded in agreement. “You should know that Zachary is planning on giving them the big brother spiel as soon as they arrive tomorrow.” Doug warned me. I let out a bark of laughter. “He’s been practicing.” He revealed.

“I can just picture him in front of a mirror threatening imaginary people.” I chimed. Doug smiled.
“He’s happy that you’re here. He only wants to look out for you.” He assured me. “It’s what we both want.”

“I appreciate that. I just… normally everything that can go wrong, does go wrong. I’m just worried that’ll be the case tomorrow.” I told Doug.

“Relax. I’ll handle everything.” He brushed off my worries.

“You can’t handle everything.” I argued.

“What can’t I handle?”

“Matt is set on shaking things up between me and Brian.” I sighed. Doug raised an eyebrow.

“I see. I’ll have a chat with him.”

“You don’t have to do that. I can handle him.” I protested.

“Nonsense,” he shook his head. “Go finish your laundry and I’ll order dinner. I’ll even get some of those cookies you seem to like so much. Don’t worry about anything else. I promise that I’ll have it handled. I won’t tell you again.” He warned me. I rolled my eyes playfully, but smiled at my more-or-less adoptive father, before getting up. Maybe things will be alright. Who knows?

---

I scanned the guest room, feeling satisfied. I’ve gotten everything accomplished. My room now looks like it’s mine and well-lived in. Doug even had it painted while I was at school this morning. He had his house-keeper put everything back in its rightful place when the paint had dried. By some miracle, it didn’t smell like paint in my room.

My walls are now a gorgeous, midnight blue color. My bathroom is a soothing gray color. It feels like home here. I feel safe.

I made sure that my door was closed all the way before I started peeling off my clothes. I don’t know when my body is going to feel like my own again. It’s like I can’t get comfortable in my own skin. Everything hurts and nothing I wear is comfortable. I could be clad in the softest robe in the universe and it would still irritate my skin.

I sighed, finally comfortable, as I laid on my stomach. I stretched out on my bed. The guys aren’t home and Doug won’t come into my room without knocking. I felt relatively alright with the fact that I was lying in my room without a stitch of clothing on.

As soon as I closed my eyes, someone knocked on my door. I cursed, inwardly.

“Ace, can I come in?” Brian called from my closed door. I debated for a second before answering.

“Are you alone?” I asked him.

“Yeah, why?” He asked me. I sighed. What’s the worst that could happen? Brian respects my boundaries and it’s not like he hasn’t seen me naked when I was bathing before. I’ll be fine. Right?

“You can come in, just lock the door.” I told him. I didn’t even look over at him when he came inside. I can feel his eyes on me as I heard him close and lock my door. The bed dipped next to me and I knew he sat down next to me.

“Just hanging out naked?” He asked, softly. I looked up at him and nodded.

“I can’t get comfortable.” I explained. He nodded, slowly.

“I’m not complaining.” He smirked.I hit his arm, playfully.

“You’re such a guy.”

“Well, yeah, last time I checked.” He agreed. I rolled my eyes. “You know, I could always strip down if you don’t want to be naked alone.” He told me. I laughed.

“I’m sure you would enjoy that.” I teased.

“Wouldn’t you?” He asked me, kissing my neck. I shivered and became all too self-conscious to that fact that I’m very naked and my very, very attractive boyfriend has his lips on my overly-sensitive body.

His fingers trailed along the bruise-less stretches of skin on my back. Goosebumps blazed across my skin. I felt his hot breath on my neck again. I turned on my side to face him. His hands went to my hips and I pulled his mouth to mine. Our mouths fused together and I worked my hand underneath his shirt. He pulled away enough to toss his shirt to the floor.

“Ace, we don’t have to do this.” He whispered. I pulled him back to me.

“Shut up and kiss me.” I demanded. He smirked.

“Yes, ma’am.” He murmured before tracing my body with his fingers.

“You have on too many clothes.” I told him. He chuckled. I let go of him and watched him pull off his jeans and toe off his socks. I grabbed him by the waistband of his boxer-briefs and pulled him back to bed. I maneuvered my way on top of him and raked my nails across his perfect abs, softly. His hissed and I gripped his erection through the thin material of his underwear.

“Ace,” he gasped. I smirked as I increased my ministrations. “You don’t have to do this.”

“I know that I don’t have to. I want you. Is that such a crime? Are you attracted to me?” I asked him. He tilted my chin up, forcing me to look at him.

“You know that I am, Ace.” He assured me.

“Then show me how much you want me.” I whispered.

“Are you sure you want to this? Is this a good idea?”

“Brian, I’ve been through enough shit in my life to know that if I want something that I need to go for it. I’m here with you, because I want to be. What happened to me, happened a long time ago. I want this. I want you. If you want me, stop pushing me away. I’m not asking you to fuck me. I want to fool around with you. I want a distraction. Is that a problem?” I asked him. He gripped my waist and flipped us so I was on my back. I felt his arousal brush my core.

He kissed his way down to my navel. He shot me a questioning glance before going any farther. I gave him a swift nod and he lowered his skilled lips to my over-excited bundle of nerves. I jumped and he held down my hips to keep me in place. He gave my pussy a lazy lick and I clenched the blankets beneath me. I wasn’t expecting that. My breath hitched when he started making tortuously slow circles on my clit. I let out a low moan when his tongue dipped inside of me.

I don’t really know where I expected this to go, but I definitely wasn’t expecting this.

I bit my lip, in effort to keep quiet. Doug may be cool with some things, but somehow, I doubt he’d be okay with this… especially while he was home.

Brian looked at me as his finger slid inside of my tight heat. I groaned as he hit my G-spot while he massaged my clit with renewed enthusiasm.

“Fuck,” I breathed. “Your tongue… is amazing.” I gasped. I felt a familiar tightening in my abdomen. I bucked my hips, trying to increase the delicious friction. I shook as my orgasm hit me. I closed my eyes as wave, after wave of rapturous release hit me. He kept lapping up my juices as I rode out my high. I pulled him up to face me and leaned against his chest, still trying to control my breathing.

---

Doug’s POV

I looked up as Zacky and Matt clambered through the garage door.

“Hey Dad, is Lydia around?” Zacky asked me. I nodded at him.

“She’s upstairs, but I’m not sure she’s feeling well.” I warned him.

“I’ll just talk to her at dinner.” He told me, heading to the basement. Matt started to follow him.

“Matt, could I have a word?” I asked him. He turned around and nodded.

“Yeah, sure, Doug.” He told me, pausing in front of me. Zacky lingered in the doorway.

“I’ll send him right down.” I assured my son. He nodded and left the room.

“What’s up?” The teenager asked me.

“This isn’t the easiest subject, I’m afraid. I wanted to speak with you about Lydia.” I told him.

“What about her?”

“She’s become like a daughter to me and I only want what’s in her best interests.” I explain.

“What does that have to do with me?” He asked, confused.

“I think that she and Brian work well together. I would hate to see their relationship fail because their so-called friends couldn’t support them.” I clarified. He nodded slowly.

“This is when you tell me to back off of your ‘daughter’?” He asked.

“Yes, it is. I don’t appreciate you creating unnecessary problems for her. You’re a good, young man. I’ve known you for years, Matthew. I know that you’ve become very close to my son. I would hate for that to change because you couldn’t respect Lydia.”

“I do respect her. What makes Brian a better guy for her than me?” He asked me.

“Brian genuinely cares for her. We’ve both seen them together. She made her decision. I’m asking you to respect that or stay away from her. The choice is yours.” I told him. He nodded.

“Do you want to throw your friendships away?” I asked him.

“No, I don’t. I’ll back off and let them be. You’re right. She has enough shit in her life.” He agreed.

“I’m glad you see things my way.” I grinned. I watched him go down to the basement, do doubt to relay what just went on. I’m surprised Zacky hasn’t said anything to him yet.

---

Lydia’s POV

“How was that for a distraction?” Brian mused. I giggled.

“Fantastic,” I whispered, still out of breath.

“Your taste is addictive.” He told me, softly. I sat up and looked over him. I pushed him on his back and straddled him. As soon as I got my hand into his underwear, my bedroom door shook.

“Fucking interruptions,” I complained.

“Sweetheart, dinner is here.” Doug called.

“We’ll be down in a sec!” I told him. I waited until I heard him go downstairs, before I moved off of Brian. “You should stay over tonight.” I suggested. His eyebrows rose. “I’ll pay you back.” I winked as I moseyed off the bed and pulled on the clothes I wore to school.

“Not necessary, Ace,” he told me, kissing me as he stood up.

“It’s only fair.” I argued.

“Ace, I’m not about to turn down sexy time with you, but I also don’t want to push things here. I don’t want to ruin a good thing. There’s a lot going on and I don’t want you to feel pressured into doing anything.” He explained. I nodded as I watched him get dressed. “And I promise you that eating you out didn’t just benefit you.”

“What?”

“Every man has his weakness and mine just happens to be…”

“Going down on me?” I deadpanned.

“You’re addictive.” He shrugged his shoulders. I rolled my eyes and threw a pillow at him. Go clean yourself up. I don’t want Doug to kill you.”

“He loves me.”

“Until he catches us in bed together.”

“Touché.”

Notes

I was hoping to get this up earlier tonight. I blame my lack of sleep. I wasn't planning on this chapter being this long, but what can ya do? More up (hopefully) tomorrow. Her friends will FINALLY be in town!! :) Brian and Lydia just needed some time together before more drama blows into town.

Stay excellent!
Love,
Katie