RHYS's POV
''Let her go, Rhys.'' Sasha's voice cut through my thoughts.
I slowly walked back to the circle, the sweet smell of vanilla and fresh water—Vivienne's scent still filling the room.
I curled my hand around the map and tried to focus, my eyes narrowing on Maddox. ''As you were saying…''
Sasha leaned into me, the warmth of her boobs pressing against my chest.
''Here. I have…''
The rest of the words was barely a whisper as my own words started to echo in my ear.
'The registry? Hmm. I don't know where it is, Viv. Maybe…it's up in my bedroom. Why don't you go look?'
I had only said that to get her away from the room. To stop the distraction her scent was causing.
She couldn't possibly have—
''Rhys?!''
''Earth to Rhys?!''
A hand snapped in front of my face, jolting me from my reverie.
Cassian and Maddox eyes narrowed as they stared at me.
They knew exactly what was going through my mind. What they didn't know was why.
''I—I need to get something.'' My voice was shaky and barely above a whisper as I stepped back slightly.
My heart began to thump heavily in my chest like it was going to explode.
Sasha seemed to have noticed. ''Rhys, are you oka—''
''I just need to get something!'' I snapped, cutting her off.
Her eyes went two shades too wide, shocked by my outburst.
Before she could utter another word, I bolted out of the tactical briefing room and flew threw flight of stairs, my heels aching from the urgency.
Fuck!
Her scent wafted up my nostrils before I could even reach for the door handle.
My breath caught, my blood freezing.
The second I turned the knob and the heavy mahogany door clicked open, My heart stopped.
My eyes slowly dropped to the floor and the lacy panty came into view.
Vivienne stood frozen by my dresser, her face completely drained of color, her wide eyes darting between me and the lace on the carpet.
The strategy room downstairs, the war, the map, everything we'd spoke about and planned vanished into a blur of meaningless background noises.
Sasha…my brothers…they didn't seem to exist anymore.
My heart did a violent leap.
I slowly stepped into the room, my legs trembling even though I tried so hard to not let it show.
I was a fucking mess!
''Vivienne I—'' My words hung in my throat as I let go of the door handle, letting the door click shut behind me.
My gaze slowly dropped back to the panties.
The faint, intoxicating aroma of the smeered arousal on the lace panties hit my nose from across the floor, cutting right through the cedar and leather scent of my quarters.
My hands shook, my head spiraling with some sort of explanation.
How would I tell her how the panties got in here?
She knew already…
It was the exact pair I had fished out of her laundry hamper days ago, unable to resist the pull after catching her standing in the hallway, practically dripping.
I hadn't meant to…
Danm it!
I don't know what the fuck came over me.
A thick, violent wave of heat hit my gut, my own arousal spiking so fast it made my vision blur.
My jeans grew painfully tight, the rigid ache straining against the denim until it was a physical torture.
My dick twitched, hardening as my gaze fell on her.
I bit into the inside of my cheeks to keep my self afloat.
But I couldn't hide it.
I wanted her.
I wanted to push her onto the bed, tear that dress off her body, and devour every single inch of her until she forgot her own name.
But I held back.
I clenched my fists by my sides, my knuckles turning white as I forced my legs to stay rooted to the spot.
She hadn't made a move.
Her eyes were wide as saucers as she stared at me, her gaze narrowing on me, judging.
I clenched my thighs together, forcing the arousal back and stepped forward painfully.
''The fuck are you doing here?!'' My voice was cold, distant and shaky with arousal.
''You're sick.'' She whispered, ignoring my question. She could barely hold her own self, not with the way her legs were wobbled like she was about to give out.
My jaws ticked. ''Get out!''
''No!'' She barked.
Her voice was shaky but her eyes were hard with resolve and barely restrained anger.
I swallowed.
My eyes left the panties and landed on her. ''I'm not joking, Viv. Get the fuck out! I'm not gonna say it ag—''
She cut me off. ''Not until you tell me why the fuck my used panties was sitting neatly in your drawer!''
''I don't know what you're talking about.'' I lied through my teeth, my eyes leaving hers just as quickly.
''Leave!''
''You're disgusting.'' She murmured under her breath. ''Do you brothers know about this?!''
My hand tightened into fist, my claw digging into the flesh of my palm.
''Do Sasha know about this?!'' Her voice rose.
I couldn't hold back anymore, my restraint snapped.
In two large strides, I crossed the room and grabbed her by the waist.
My large, calloused hand dug into the soft skin of her hips, violently yanking her forward until her body crashed flush against my chest.
Vivienne gasped, her eyes widening into giant saucers as the sudden impact cut the air in her lungs. Instinctively, her hands flew up, her palms pressing flat against the center of my chest as if to push me away.
Surprisingly, she didn't.
Her fingers simply tangled into the fabric of my shirt as she felt the erratic, frantic thumping beneath her palms.
My heart was beating incessantly in chest, mirroring my vulnerability.
I stared down at her, my breath coming in short, heavy gasps. I could smell her arousal—heavy, sweet, and completely overwhelming.
But beneath it, I could smell my own, too. A dark, musky, dominant scent that proved I was just as undone, just as pathetic, and just as desperate as she was.
'Don't do anything stupid, Rhys.' My wolf, Riley rumble in the back of my mind, his voice filled with warning despite the pull he was feeling.
I ignored him, my eyes darkening as my gaze dropped to her trembling lips.
I began to lean in, my head tilting as I closed the final inch between us, desperate to finally taste the heat I had been dreaming about for days.
Just before my lips could touch hers, the door suddenly opened with a loud bang, the sound echoing in the quiet room.
I flinched, stepping back slightly.
My eyes flew to the door.
Cassian and Maddox stepped into the room, their expressions dark, with Sasha trailing closely behind them.
Before I could even process their intrusion, Sasha rushed forward.
Her face had a look of pure malice as she shoved Vivienne hard, with enough force to have her staggering back.
My heart drummed against my chest and I reached forward to help her but Maddox claws dug into my arm, holding me back.
''Don't.'' His voice was hard with warning as he whispered into my ear.
''Why the hell are you in Rhys room?!'' Sasha shrieked, her voice shrill and dripping with accusation as she pointed an accusing finger at Vivienne.
Vivienne hit the wood of the dresser with a soft gasp.
She looked completely shocked, her lips parting as she tried to find her words, but nothing came out.
''Are you trying to seduce him?! Was my appearance too threatening for you?'' A heavy chuckle escaped her lips and she scoffed, stepping closer to Vivienne.
Vivienne slowly look up, her gaze dropping on me.
I quickly looked away, guilt racking my being.
If I took her side in front of my brothers right now, they would grow suspicious and the fragile alliance we had with Sasha for the rogue intel would crumble.
I forced my expression to harden, burying the raw guilt twisting in my stomach. I looked away from Vivienne, refusing to meet her gaze as I let my voice turn into a wall of ice.
"Leave!'' I said coldly.
Out of the corner of my eye, I caught the exact moment her face fell.
The look of utter hurt and betrayal that marred her beautiful features felt like a physical blade slicing right through my chest.
It took everything in me not to reach out and pull her back.
I kept my head turned, staring blankly at the wall, waiting for her to escape.
But before she could even take a step toward the exit, Sasha's eyes caught something on the carpet.
She bent down, her fingers wrapping around the scrap of the lace on the floor. She lifted the panties into the light, holding them up by the waistband as her nose wrinkled in deep disgust.
"Whose underwear is this?" Sasha asked loudly, turning the silk over in her hands.