Chapter 41: "Come to My Room Tonight"
Nicole's POV
Molly's joke instantly froze the previously relaxed atmosphere.
Hodgson's gaze became even more dangerous, his eyes locked on Ethan.
Molly seemed completely oblivious to the low pressure emanating from Hodgson and continued to tease Ethan and me with great enthusiasm.
"Ethan, you really know how to pick. With so many beautiful women at the party, you just had to go after Nicole."
As she spoke, her eyes swept over me, her tone carrying a hint of warning.
"But Ethan, but don't forget Emily is waiting for you. Nicole is your cousin's fiancée after all, so don't go too far."
Alarm bells went off in my head, and I quickly waved my hands.
"Don't get the wrong idea, Molly. Ethan and I were just chatting casually, right? Ethan."
I desperately signaled Ethan with my eyes, hoping he would help me clarify.
But Ethan clearly didn't take Molly's words seriously. He shrugged, his face still wearing that carefree smile.
"Come on, Molly, chatting with a beautiful woman is a pleasant thing. I won't deny that."
Oh my God, what was he saying?
Didn't he notice that Hodgson's expression had turned terrible?
Molly let out a light snort, her tone tinged with dissatisfaction and disdain.
"Ethan, you know perfectly well that Emily likes you, yet here you are flirting with a woman who already has a fiancé. That's too much!"
Emily was Molly's cousin, who had also come to Astoria with her this time.
Molly's words made me feel very uncomfortable.
I knew that although I had helped her before, in her eyes, I would always be someone beneath her station, and she could never respect me as a friend.
Of course, I found her just as disgusting.
"Molly," Hodgson's voice suddenly rang out, "Watch your words!"
His tone was full of warning, and Molly immediately shut her mouth, not daring to say another word.
After feeling the oppressive aura emanating from Hodgson, the smile on Ethan's face finally faded.
He raised both hands in a retreating gesture, no longer joking with me in that intimate manner.
I breathed a sigh of relief but still didn't dare look at Hodgson's face.
"Why is the atmosphere so tense?"
Ethan tried to break the awkwardness. "Perfect, there are four of us. How about a game of beach volleyball? I haven't exercised in ages."
"Fantastic!"
Molly immediately agreed.
She walked over to Hodgson and linked arms with him again.
"Then I'll pair up with Hodgson, and you two can be partners. What do you say, Hodgson?"
I froze.
What? Why was I being dragged into this?
I had zero interest in volleyball.
Hodgson ignored Molly. He turned his gaze to Ethan, his eyes carrying obvious provocation.
"That arrangement is boring. How about we draw lots to decide our partners instead?"
Molly grumbled in dissatisfaction, but she didn't dare defy Hodgson.
I stood beside Ethan.
Although he still wore a smile, I could sense a hint of tension in him.
Perhaps he still didn't understand why Hodgson had such hostility toward him.
The drawing results came out quickly, and I ended up on the same team as Hodgson.
The four of us headed toward the beach volleyball court, with Molly looking at me with jealous eyes.
Hodgson seemed to pretend not to notice and called out to me.
"Nicole, come here. Stand beside me."
The game began.
Hodgson took off his T-shirt, wearing only shorts. His muscular physique with well-defined lines was exposed in the sunlight.
I had to admit, Hodgson like this was incredibly attractive.
Many women on the beach had their eyes drawn to him.
Hodgson served the first ball.
The ball flew toward Ethan like a cannonball, fast and fierce.
Ethan clearly hadn't expected Hodgson to use so much force.
His reaction was half a beat too slow, and he dove awkwardly onto the sand, failing to catch the ball.
"Ethan, your technique is terrible." Molly immediately expressed her dissatisfaction.
The rest of the game became entirely Hodgson's personal show.
Every movement he made was full of power and aggression.
Every time he smashed the ball, it seemed as if he wanted to vent all his anger on that ball.
Ethan couldn't withstand his fierce attacks at all and was beaten without any chance to fight back.
"Ethan, you're useless!"
Before the game even ended, Molly was already too angry to continue playing.
She threw the volleyball in her hands and turned to leave.
The result was obvious: Ethan suffered a crushing defeat.
After the match, the beautiful women around were all cheering for Hodgson.
But my eyes felt uncomfortable, as if sand had gotten in them.
I hurried to the nearby public restroom, wanting to rinse my eyes with water.
Just as I finished washing my face with cold water and looked up, I saw Hodgson in the mirror.
I didn't know when he had followed me in, and he had locked the door behind him.
"No! Hodgson, this is the women's restroom. Get out!"
I rushed to open the door, but he grabbed my wrist and pressed me against the sink.
He lowered his head and kissed me without giving me a choice.
This kiss was full of punishment.
He bit my lips hard until I tasted blood.
"Why can't you control yourself?"
He slapped my bottom and scolded in a low voice.
"I only left for a moment, and you're already flirting with another man?"
"I didn't!" I shook my head desperately.
Just then, there was suddenly a knocking sound outside.
"Damn it! Is this door broken?"
A woman's voice came from outside.
"Hey! Is anyone in there?"
I froze in fear, shrinking into Hodgson's arms.
But he curled his lips into an evil smile.
"Looks like someone wants to come in and watch."
"Don't open the door!" I pleaded quietly.
After the person outside left, he slipped his hand inside my clothes, his fingers continuously kneading my nipples.
"Ah..." I trembled uncontrollably from the stimulation.
My heart was still racing.
This was a public restroom; someone could come in again at any moment.
I didn't dare imagine what would happen if the person who came in was Molly.
"Hodgson, can we go somewhere else?"
Hearing my plea, not only did Hodgson not stop, but he intensified.
His other hand slipped under my skirt, his rough fingertips caressing the inside of my thighs, then slowly tugging at the edge of my underwear.
"Other places aren't exciting enough."
He spoke in a low voice while pressing his hardened cock against me through the fabric.
I was almost driven crazy by him and could only grit my teeth and whisper in his ear.
"Tonight, I can wear that thong."
Hodgson's tormenting movements finally stopped.
He smiled with satisfaction.
"Good. Then tonight... come to my room."
I could hardly believe my ears.
"What did you say? Molly will definitely come looking for you tonight! How am I supposed to get there?"
I protested, "She'll discover us!"
Hodgson shrugged indifferently. "That's a problem you need to solve. Figure it out yourself."