“What's up?” he asks casually as he walks across the bedroom and finds an old t-shirt to wipe his face.
“Ash being here didn't bother you?” I ask, looking into his green eyes and seeing heat and amusement.
“It was hot as fuck, Pretty Girl,” he says simply with a shrug. “I'm always open for a bit of role play. And you know my views on sharing.”
He walks back towards the bed, one hand holding my skirt, the other held out towards me. I take it, letting him help me up and put my skirt on without knickers.
“You owe me new underwear, bastard,” I say, and he laughs.
“What makes you think that I want you to wear panties at all, huh?” he questions, looping his arm over my shoulder and leading us out of the room. I feel a devious smile cross my lips.
“You could get me some crotchless ones,” I suggest, looking up at his flushed face under my lashes, and he groans out loud.
“She's trying to kill me,” he moans dramatically, leading us downstairs to the delicious smell of tacos.
Chapter Fourteen
LILLY
Ispend the rest of the weekend cooking with Kai; I show him how to make shepherd’s pie, and he shows me how to make those delicious ramen noodles. It's so nice just hanging out with him, Loki, and Jax. Even Ash isn’t being such an arse, and spends time relaxing with us all.
My relationship with Loki and Jax is crazy and intense, and we can’t get enough of each other, fucking like rabbits. The thing that frightens me is, it’s not just about sex. They make me feel things in a way I've never felt before. We haven't really openly talked about it, but I'm just taking it as it comes. I don't want to ruin what we've started by questioning it and putting a name to the feelings or a title to what we are.
Monday soon comes round again, and it's back to the grindstone of classes and studying. I'm a little surprised to find the guys taking it so seriously, only missing a couple of study evenings a week to do their ‘training,’ aka working out. At least, that’s what I assume they do as they all come back hot and deliciously sweaty. I’m desperate to go and watch, but Loki or Jax always seem to distract me! Not that I’m complaining.
Class is finished for the day, and as I open the door to our dorm I hear a stranger's voice. A deep baritone sound and I look up to see a tall man in a tailored black pinstripe suit turning to face me.
“Ah, you must be Lilly,” he says, his tone cultured, and face wreathed in smiles. He walks towards me, his manicured hand outstretched.
Something about him makes me hesitate, a cold shiver running up my spine, causing the hair on the back of my neck to stand on end.
He's older, maybe in his fifties, with black hair that's just starting to grey at the temples. His jaw is firm and chiselled, and he looks to be in pretty good shape, though not as stacked as the guys. When my gaze reaches his steel grey eyes, I make the connection.
This is Ash's father.
I briefly look past him to see all the guys sitting stiffly on two of the sofas. They look pretty tense, backs ramrod straight, and there's a muscle in Ash's jaw ticking, like he's furious and trying to keep it in check.
My eyes flit back to the man who's taken another step towards me, and I realise I've been silent for longer than is polite. Blinking, I quickly shut the door, walking towards him with my own hand outstretched.
“Yes. I'm Lilly. Lilly Darling. Pleased to meet you…” I trail off, not knowing his name.
He takes my hand in his, but doesn't shake it like I expect. Instead, he brings it to his lips and places a kiss on my knuckles. I have to suppress a cold shiver, and I swallow thickly, feeling all kinds of revulsion. He looks at me like I'm an interesting toy to him, something to be played with then discarded when he grows bored.
“Julian,” he says in that deep voice of his. It's not an unpleasant sound, in fact, it's quite the opposite, but I feel uneasy all the same. “Julian Vanderbilt, and it's apleasureto meet you.” He emphasises the word ‘pleasure’and it's so creepy that I can't stop the shudder this time.
Instead of looking offended or embarrassed, he looks...excited?at my reaction. His eyes flash with what looks suspiciously like lust, but unlike when the guys look at me that way, now I feel dirty, like I need to scrub myself clean.
“We'll see you later then, Father.” I hear Ash say, and I don't miss the flash of annoyance that flares in Julian’s eyes. Ash comes up next to his dad, breaking the spell that Julian’s gaze held me under.
I look up and see Ash’s jaw is clenched, as he takes in my hand still in his father's grip.
Julian gives it a little squeeze, drawing my attention back to him.
“Until next time, Miss Darling,” he purrs out, placing another kiss on my knuckles before letting go. It takes everything in me not to wipe my hand along my side to get rid of the feel of his lips.
“Don't be late, boys,” he says, his voice stern, and straightening up, he walks towards the door, Ash following behind him. As soon as they close the door behind them, Loki is next to me, pulling me into his arms and engulfing me in his vanilla scent.
I don't miss that he takes the hand that Julian kissed and rubs his thumb over it.