My nails pierced the couch. If I thought I was sweating and exerting myself before, it was nothing compared to the fevered grunts pouring in her ears, spurring her on.
Let her ride the high of turning me on. I never denied that I wanted her or that I fully intended to have her. One day. On my terms.
Today wouldn’t be that day. I was always in control, and when I come inside Rainey de Souza, it’d be after I extracted half a dozen screaming orgasms by order and punishment. I hadn’t lost myself so completely that I couldn’t keep a tight rein on my dick. It wasn’t allowed to come outside unless I allowed it. She wasn’t going to—
“Shit.” I bucked, ripping the leather, and ejaculated with the power of a hundred stifled orgasms. “Agh,” I roared.
Rainey smirked at me, too smug for someone masked in cum.
She deserved to gloat. Didn’t everyone who did the impossible?
“I’m not quite sure what I won.” She snuggled up on my heaving chest. “But I’m looking forward to finding out from here on. No more holding back with me, Arsenio.”
Rainey propped her chin on me, peering in my eyes. “And no more secrets.”
“I’D SAY IT’S GOOD TO be home, but...” I trailed off, glaring at the doghouse.
Dean Banks gave the word that the Bedlam Boys’ suspension was lifted. They were allowed back on campus, which of course meant the Crows were too.
Cairo directed me to the middle of the living room while he swept every inch of the downstairs. Arsenio, Legend, Jacques, and Roan spread out, checking upstairs and outside.
“You know I picked that out special for you, Rain.” He flipped the cushions off the couch. “Don’t tell me you don’t like it?”
I didn’t bother giving that a response.
“Anything yet?”
“No,” he replied. “I’m surprised. The Crows got someone in here once before. We figured they’d take their shot while we were forced out.”
“Take their shot to do what? Jeremy already believes he has a mole.”
Cairo flashed me a look I couldn’t identify. “Does he?”
“How many times, Cairo? I’m only passing on the information you give me. No more, no less.”
“That’s not what gets me.”
“What is?” I asked, moving into the kitchen. Cairo already checked in there and I was overdue for breakfast. We all were. I’d whip up some breakfast burritos, herbal tea, and quinoa breakfast bowls to introduce Shake Boy to healthy food with flavor.
“That Ellis chose you in the first place. What deep, dark secrets did he think you were going to find out that Quinn didn’t?”
“You know, I thought the same thing.” I pulled out the cinnamon, quinoa, and chocolate hazelnut almond milk. “Then I read the contract. I’m pretty sure Jeremy would’ve made the same offer to Quinn if you guys were still with her. They’re most interested in your retaliation against the town splitting. Whatever you plan to stop it, I pass on to the Crows.”
“Interesting. They’re counting on a few slips of the tongue. Assuming that we won’t hide plans to defend the town from someone who wants the same thing. Ellis isn’t as stupid as he acts.” Cairo inclined his head. “Though in this case, credit likely goes to Ellis Senior.”
“He texted me to meet him tomorrow afternoon.” Cairo’s lips peeled back from his teeth. “He’ll want his first update.”
“You’re not meeting him alone.”
“You can hardly be there, Sharpe. Besides, we’re meeting in the arboretum. Not so quiet but not empty either.”
“We’ll see,” he gruffed.
I left it alone. Cairo didn’t appreciate the idea of me meeting any man alone who wasn’t a Bedlam Boy. Even if he understood it had to happen, he wasn’t about to kiss my cheek and send me off with a parade.
“We’re good down here. I’ll take you to class after I check my room. Bring my breakfast in the bath.”
I saluted with my quinoa-covered spoon. “Yes, sir.”
Jacques came in, passing Cairo in the entrance. They nodded at each other, and that was the only sign of supposed closeness between best friends since childhood.
“I’m making quinoa breakfast bowls,” I told him. “I checked and it’s packed with all the nutrients a genius needs. Will you try it?”
To my surprise, he nodded. “I see no reason why not.”
“Can I ask you something?”
Jacques claimed a seat on the barstool. “Reason follows you will anyway.”
I laughed. “Fair enough. I’ll skip the asking to ask and get right to it. What does my punishment entail?”
Jacques crooked a brow. The single request for me to expound.
“You said I could have some of your smoothie because starvation wasn’t a part of my punishment. You guys have set limits. I’d like to know what they are.”
“I gave you that information that day in Cairo’s room.”
“I must obey, but can I question?”
“No.”
I quieted, carefully considering the next thing out of my mouth. “Is my punishment to remain in ignorance?”