Page 100

“He saw me at Chi Sigma Delta.”

“That’s not surprising. He did like to avail himself to the submissives as much as he could.”

“I told him what we agreed on, but then I saw him again.”

“At the house? But he was expecting you there.”

“Not at the house,” I murmur, my voice softening as I prepare to tell him how I royally fucked up. “At the castle.”

“I don’t understand.”

“I went back.”

“Ashleigh. Tell me you didn’t.”

“I just wanted to sit back by the fountain. I wasn’t going to go in. I swear. But then I heard someone in the maze, and I panicked. I went through the castle the way you took me after the hunt.”

“And he was there.”

“He was there.”

“I see.” His voice goes a touch flat as he lies there next to me.

“I’m sorry.” I sob out, curling into him again. “I’m so sorry.”

“No, pet,” he murmurs, holding me close. “I’m the one who should be sorry. In hiding you away, I made you an even bigger liability. That part’s on me. You disobeying me, however, will be dealt with during your initiation.”

For a moment, everything stops. There’s no way I heard him right. After what I did, he still wants to initiate me?

“I don’t-“

“You really don’t think you’re getting away from me that easily. Do you, love? I’ve murdered a man for you. In some cultures somewhere, I’m sure it’s considered a marriage proposal.”

“Pretty sure that’s how Sergei would mean it.”

“He’s exactly who I was thinking,” he laughs. When he sobers, I know the conversation is about to get heavy again. “Bradley says no heavy playing or jostling for a few weeks. Just to make sure everything is okay. After that, after I get the go ahead, I’m going to make you mine in front of everyone. No more secrets. No more hoping nothing happens to you.”

“And if someone tries to use me as leverage again?”

“I can track you to the ends of the earth. Make no mistake about that.” The heat in his gaze makes everything clench up as need pours over my body like lemon juice in a wound.

It hurts. Dear God, it hurts like hell. But under that pain, the most beautiful pleasure blossoms, nearly shattering me from the inside out. It gives me hope that I’ll be able to find relief at his hands. That Thatcher didn’t rip that from me or break me somehow.

Sliding my hand up his cheek, I coax his lips down to mine. Thankfully, that bastard never tried to kiss me. The feel of the dean’s lips upon my own is untainted, giving me a rush as he gently claims me.

For once, he lets me take the lead. I think he knows I need this. I need to see where I can push and where I can’t.

“Be careful of your head, love. Your arms aren’t too great right now, either.”

“Please,” I whimper as tears blur my vision. “I need you... I need you to erase him. I need to feel you and only you. Please. Drive him from my body. Make me yours.”

With a soft growl, he skims his lips down the column of my throat and over the swell of my breast. Like last night, no inch goes untouched. Only now, he has a far more seductive purpose. He takes his time, using his fingers, lips, and tongue on my nipples before kissing down my stomach.

As he gets to my thighs, he pauses and looks at me, his gaze warm and inviting. Fear settles into my gut as my heart picks up speed. This is what I want. This is what I need. Why is this so hard?

“We don’t have to do this, sweetie,” he whispers against my thigh before he gives it a gentle kiss. “I don’t want to harm you.”

As he says those words, I grit my teeth and part my legs. He’s not Thatcher. He’s not going to harm me. I know this with every fiber of my being.