“That’s amazing.” We stop at the entrance to the school. Ahren has to head toward history, which is to my left, and I need to go right to English. “It feels like I haven’t seen you in a while.”
“A man like me keeps himself busy, pretty girl,” he informs me with a wink. “Will you be at Elian’s for dinner tonight?”
“I don’t know.”
“I’ll pick you up. Clearly my brother is lacking in his wooing skills.” He chuckles while shaking his head, his laugh infectious.
There’s something about Ahren that sets me at ease. His personality is calming, and I enjoy being in his company. Not that Elian makes me uneasy, but he’s more serious. “Let me know what time and I’ll be ready,” I tell him.
“It will definitely be nice to spend some more time with you,” he whispers, keeping his voice low as other students pass by us. “And I think you should wear something breathtaking.” His suggestion makes my stomach tumble wildly at the thought that this could be something more than just a friendly dinner.
“I’m sure I can muster up an outfit that will leave you both shocked.” This time, I wink as I take my bag and wave goodbye to Ahren before heading to class. Even as I consider sitting down with Elian and asking him to tell me what’s going on, what we are, after last night, I realize he was right. I do feel him.
“Hey, gorge!” Marleigh comes racing up behind me, slinging her arm around my neck as she joins me on the way to class.
“How are you?”
“Oh, you know …” Her words taper off, but the bright red on her cheeks tells me something has happened, and I’m actually excited to hear all the news about her and Alistor. The man she’s been gushing over is someone I have yet to meet, but with the grin on her face, I’d say he’s not doing all that bad.
“You do realize you cannot just leave it at that?” We’re at the door to class, and as the rest of the students bustle in, I know we’re not going to get to chat until after English.
“I’ll catch you up on all the gossip once we’re released from prison,” Marleigh tells me, her gaze latching on the door behind me. But the grin on her face looks like she’s about to burst with excitement at the details she’s keeping.
“I need to know everything,” I tell her as we laugh our way into the room and find our desks. I’m thankful for her friendship. At least with Marleigh, I can still enjoy my time in Black Mountain.
And of course, there is another reason that this small town has been a welcome distraction from the past, and his name is Elian Donati.28ElianThe class files in as the afternoon takes hold of the day, and I watch each student until I see her. The way her hair bounces in the ponytail, along with those slender legs, has my attention wrapped around her. Arabella doesn’t look at me; instead, she smiles at her friend before they settle into their seats. Last night has been on my mind since I opened my eyes this morning, and I still can’t believe she allowed me to take her so roughly. There’s a slight bruise on her neck where my mouth had been only hours ago, and she hasn’t hidden it.
“Good afternoon, class,” I greet them as they fall silent, their eyes on the front of the room as they focus on me. The stack of papers in my hands will ensure a few groans echoing in the room shortly. “Today, we’re having a pop quiz on the chapters we went over this week. I trust everyone is ready for this.” I can’t help grinning at the shuffling and unease that fills the classroom as they shift in their seats.
Moving toward the desks, I stop at each one, setting down the thick wad of pages that will soon be filled with scribbles and notes that are hopefully correct answers. When I reach Arabella’s desk, I can’t help but inhale deeply, taking in her perfumed scent.
The connection between us is evident when I set the pages down and her hand brushes along mine. Nothing about this is right. And if anyone were to look across at us, they would most definitely be able to tell from just the slight movement of her fingers along mine. It’s more intimate than I care to admit.
The hunger I’ve felt for her since she first slammed into my chest has me wondering if my plans should be stifled. Revenge is a bittersweet emotion, and breaking her may just hurt me. I move on, the students shifting in their seats as they take in the first page of the quiz.
“You have an hour,” I inform them as I make my way back to my desk. As I settle in to mark the previous class’s quiz, I can’t stop my attention from seeking her out, my gaze landing on her slender legs, and as she slowly opens her thighs, I have to cough to stifle a groan of pleasure at the sight before me.