Page 4 of Amateur Goddess (Morrigan University #3)

I was so upset that another councilman had pulled crap with the session to help them with their familiars that I was about to blow my top. I wasn’t even getting paid for this and they kept abusing the situation—trying to railroad me with their sexism and power.

Why am I doing this when they’re not better than the top-tier families?

I was so down on myself and ready to pull the plug on it all and eat my weight in ice cream that I didn’t notice that we didn’t return to school until something nice filled my nose. I glanced around and gasped as I took in all of the gorgeous flowers.

“Sorry I’m late, but I didn’t know what you liked, foxy,” Sergey said as he brought my hand to his lips. “And then I realized that you might not have had a chance to find out what you like either, so now we can learn together.”

“Thanks, Sergey,” I whispered, leaning in and kissing his cheek. This was exactly what I needed.

And I hadn’t even known it.

I’d felt so disconnected from all of them since my father had threatened Tracey. I knew I was probably putting distance between us so I didn’t feel guilty that they could be hurt too, but it was also that I was too overloaded and upset. My father was never going to stop.

And it was really, really soul-crushing to know the man who was supposed to love you most in the world truly didn’t love you and saw you as property. Over and over again it was so disgustingly apparent, and I think somewhere small inside of me, I hoped that maybe he’d be relieved that I’d gotten free and hadn’t been sacrificed .

But no. He truly didn’t care. Neither did my mother. I was just property that had been taken from them and something they owned.

Well, not my mother. Women weren’t smart enough to own things on their own according to the Shaws.

It broke something deep inside of me that I didn’t know I could ever fix.

I shook off my thoughts and focused on now. Sergey and I both had such rough family issues that if anyone deserved some fun, it was us.

A nice witch greeted us and said she was around if we needed any help, but we could browse and pick whatever we wanted. I smiled and thanked her. I’d never made my own bouquet, and I was really excited to do it.

I picked out a large sunflower. I’d really liked the sunflowers that Nigel had given me, and they were so nice to have around. But I didn’t want a bunch of them again.

“What do you like?” I asked Sergey as we walked around, curious about what he might want.

He shrugged. “They’re all pretty.” He chuckled when I gave him a look that answer wasn’t enough. “I don’t know the name, but there’s one that Momma buys now and again and they’re my favorite.”

“You like them because they make her happy,” I said, my heart melting.

He nodded, not denying it as he glanced around. “But I really do like them. They don’t drop petals all over and they’re unique looking.” He smiled and pointed. “Those. Those big buds there.”

I smiled. “Peonies. Yeah, they’re really pretty. Mother used to always have huge, gorgeous peonies in a vase in the foyer. Sometimes I would get the rejects for my room and it was nice.” I cleared my throat when he froze. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to ruin the moment.”

“You didn’t,” he hurried to say. “You didn’t, foxy.” He cupped my face when I went to turn away. “You didn’t. I just never know what to say, and I’m worried I’ll say the wrong thing.”

I gave a half shrug. “There’s nothing really to say right or wrong. I’m just sharing with you.”

“I’m glad. And I’m glad you got to have some pretty in that house of evil.”

I gave him a soft kiss. He knew the perfect thing to say always, so I didn’t know why he doubted himself.

We kept walking around and checking all the flowers out. There was a massive selection which normally would be a joke to always keep in stock and have fresh but… Magic.

I saw some really pretty carnations and selected a dozen of them in colors that complimented the sunflower. I knew they were cheap fillers, but I’d always felt bad for them to have that label. They were pretty, and being common or easy to grow flowers shouldn’t give them a bad rap.

And being the last ones to go into the bouquet wasn’t something to be ashamed of. Sometimes being last meant you were going to be the most special.

Or so I told myself growing up to survive my family.

Funny how it actually turned out to be true.

Then I picked some white cala lilies. I knew they were for funerals—especially white—but I really liked them. Sergey was just happy that I was happy and we were having this time together.

The witch did a double take at what I had when we went up to pay. She did a good job hiding her real feelings, but I saw in her eyes that she didn’t like my choices together. “I can help you fill in the bouquet if you want since those don’t really complement each other.”

I shrugged. “I know, but I like them. It’s a unique bunch that no one else has.” I smiled at Sergey. “Like what we have.”

Understanding filled his eyes. “Damn right, foxy.” He looked to the witch. “We’ll need a vase too. A plain one that doesn’t distract from the flowers.”

“Yeah, I like that,” I agreed.

“Momma always told me that was important with fresh flowers but fake ones you could do a fancier vase.” He shrugged as if he listened because he loved her but didn’t really care.

“Your mom’s a smart one,” the witch praised. “Less is more a lot of times with flowers and decorating.” She glanced between us and then moved behind the counter before coming back with a nice but clear glass vase. “You’re probably in a college dorm, so this one has a heavy bottom and won’t fall with one boop from a textbook or something.”

“Yes, perfect,” I said, thanking Sergey when he handed over his card to pay.

She gave me a sheet with instructions for the care since they were flowers with magic already. The main difference was that I didn’t have to cut them when I got home and put them in the vase. The rest was the same and changing the water more with the flower food because they would last longer.

Awesome.

We picked up dinner and went back to my dorm to enjoy it. I put my flowers in the vase as she instructed and carefully set them on my dresser by the wall so they would be safe. I thanked him again and was glad we could turn around the night.

We had to sneak into the familiar housing construction so I could get the next group of familiars situated into their sheds. There were a few that were being difficult again, so I made them go into the old barn. They were shocked that I— a lowly witch —had that power and said they’d handle it.

Yeah, right… How? No one else understood them, and they were familiars not even the students.

Overimportant idiots.

Still, people were shocked that I had over a dozen in that barn that was completely fine after the werewolf attack. I wasn’t going to help bad apples cause trouble for the good kids who deserved much more. Which was also why I’d pushed for the caretakers to be fired and new ones hired. The school would need more now, and the students were worried about that.

But Headmaster Kerwynn said he’d handle it. I wasn’t sure how, but he said he would.

Okay then.

When we arrived back at my room, I realized that I wanted to take the next step with Sergey… But I wasn’t ready.

Physically. I’d gotten sweaty in class and had just taken a quick shower to rinse off, and then had gotten dirty again with running around for the treat truck.

Gross.

“Umm, I’m going to hop in the shower real quick,” I told him, not sure how to handle the situation without making things weird.

He nodded but then did a double take. His eyes were full of heat but also hesitation. Sergey came over to me and slid his arm around my waist. “I didn’t buy you flowers to get you into bed, foxy. I’m fine with whatever you’re comfortable—”

I moved my fingers over his lips. “I know. You’ve never pushed. I think we’re ready unless you’re not or—”

“I’m ready,” he blurted, sighing when I snickered.

I cleared my throat. “Then I’m going to take a quick shower since it’s been a long day. Maybe next time you can join me and learn how to shampoo and condition so much hair since you like it so much?”

He swallowed loudly. “Yeah, I’d really like to learn to do that.” He gave me a deep kiss. “I’m going to take one too then and um, we can have lots of foreplay next time, right? I mean, we’ve had lots of foreplay?”

I nodded. “We’ll still go slow.”

Sergey nodded. “I could never hurt you, Bev. I’m just—I don’t know I’ve ever been so excited to be with someone, and I’m about to lose my mind now.” He gave me a smacking kiss. “Shower fast.”

I laughed as he grabbed my keys and jogged to the door. Goofy man.

But I really liked him. Really liked him.

I ended up fingering myself in the shower to take the edge off and get myself ready for someone of Sergey’s size. I realized my mistake when I came back into my room and he was sitting on my bed with an almost feral look in his eyes.

“I didn’t do that—I didn’t know you were back,” I rambled, my face flushing so hot that I felt lightheaded.

“Really? Because you moaned my name when you finished,” he said, his tone tight. He chuckled and stood when I grabbed onto the wall I felt so embarrassed. “You are too much, foxy. And now I’m going to gobble you up and come back for seconds.”

I didn’t even get to ask what that meant before he swooped me up and then laid me on the bed. My towel was gone and he was over me in only his boxer briefs.

He kissed me desperately as he fingered me. “Come again, Bevin. Moan my name again and fucking drive me crazy.”

Yeah, that wasn’t hard to do.

He gave each of my breasts a kiss and promised them lots of attention later before reaching for a condom.

“We don’t need that,” I hedged. “I take the potion.”

He swallowed loudly before looking from it to me and then down my body. “I’ve honestly never considered going bare inside someone. It always just seemed…”

“Hard to trust them that much,” I whispered, not trying to take it personally. We didn’t have STIs like humans had to worry about, so mainly it was about getting pregnant.

Which women would do to have his baby and be tied to the top-tier families he was born of even if a bastard. Some would think they could change everything or… Things he didn’t want.

But did I want to have sex with someone who didn’t trust me not to baby-trap him?

“You would never, foxy,” he said firmly, making me realize that I’d said it out loud. He threw the condom away as if it offended him. He cupped my face and made me look at him when I tried to turn away. “ You would never. I know that. I just—I didn’t play this out. Yes, potions don’t fail, but people do forget or miss the time just like birth control.”

I nodded. “That’s fair. I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to say it or—it’s just where my mind went.” I shook my head when he tried to explain more. “I get it, Sergey. People would use your situation or be delusional to think you could take over one or both families if you had a kid—people are stupid and crazy. I’m not mad. You should protect yourself like that.”

I swallowed loudly, the idea of him with another woman making me feel like someone was stabbing me in the chest.

“I don’t want you to be with anyone else,” I whispered, feeling selfish. I sat up and he had to then too. I kissed him. “We can wear condoms if you need. I get it. I trust you, but even if I’m with others—I can be what you need, Sergey. I know I can be everything you could ever want.”

Something dark filled his eyes as he held my hips as I climbed on his lap. He moved us so his back was against the wall. “Yeah? You going to show me, foxy? Are you going to be my woman and take care of me?”

I licked my lips and nodded, rubbing my pussy against his cock. “When we’re like this, I’ll even be your girl.” We’d talked about that before, but it was Sergey, and I trusted him to not use “girl” like other warlocks would.

Or honestly, I wasn’t against the idea of being slutty or easy for him.

I moaned against his lips. “Go get the condom so I can ride you.”

His grip on my hips tightened. “No, I want my sexy girl bare—I want you to be the first girl I have bare.” He nodded when I froze. “I didn’t even when I lost my purity. I know the condom didn’t matter, but… It mattered to me.” He kissed me, probably knowing the topic wasn’t the best for right then. “Now only you matter to me. Give me what I need, foxy.”

Fuckkkkkk .

That was so hot.

I held his dick and lowered myself onto it, ready enough but going crazy at how much he was stretching me.

“I’m not going to last,” he warned me as he palmed my breast and massaged my ass. “You’re too amazing, Bev. This is fucking amazing.”

I nodded, feeling the same. I started moving my hips as I cupped his face and kissed him. But then I wanted to sit up straight and get more of that angle.

But then I would lean back with my hand on his thigh and move that way before leaning into him again. It was like I wanted all of it at once and my body so overloaded I couldn’t tell which was best.

He seemed to be the same, his hand massaging my ass but then squeezing my hip while touching my breast and then just all over. His hands all over but then helping me move faster. “Bev, Bev, gonna—need to.”

“Come in me,” I panted, wanting to feel that too.

He groaned and pinched my clit, setting me off as well. He thrust up as his other hand helped me come down harder and I felt it. I felt his cock explode and how good it was for him. I kept moving through my own orgasm until he held me still and told me it was too much.

“Did I give you what you needed?” I asked when he couldn’t seem to catch his breath and he was squeezing me against him almost too tightly.

He snorted but then chuckled. His tongue traced the shell of my ear and he did it more when I shivered. “Yeah, my girl gave me exactly what I needed, and it was the best sex of my life just like I knew it would be. I need you again, foxy. Tell me you’re okay to go again, right?”

I nodded. “You’ll heal me after if I’m sore.”

“Damn right, I will. My sexy girl craves me, so I better please her.”

“Uh-huh,” I moaned as he squeezed my breast.

He rolled us so I was on the bottom and spread one leg out and moved the other one in between us before thrusting deeply in me. He gave me an evil smile when my eyes went wide. “You like that, foxy? It’s what I need. I need you like this.”

I licked my lips and stared up into his pretty, pretty caramel eyes. “I think I need it too. I trust you to do what you want to me, Sergey.”

His eyes about rolled up into his head as he moaned. He took me faster and deeper, almost to the point it was too much, but I fucking loved every second of it.

What I didn’t love?

Waking up alone a few hours later. I glanced at the clock and saw it wasn’t even eleven yet, so it wasn’t like he snuck out to get us breakfast again.

I had just sat up and was reaching for my phone when he unlocked the door and came back in… Looking busted. I rolled out of bed and gave him the glare he deserved. “Trust goes both ways, and this doesn’t inspire trust.” Just in case what I was referring to wasn’t clear, I gestured from the door to the bed where he was supposed to be.

He closed the door behind him and locked it. “Right, fair, I can explain, but you’re naked, foxy, and my brain doesn’t work then.”

I went over the door and unlocked it. “Well, figure out a way and get talking or you’re walking right out that door and not staying overnight again for a while.”

He swallowed loudly and quickly looked away from my body and met my eyes. “I was upset about earlier today and what the councilman did. I went to handle it.” He winced at whatever was on my face, clearly knowing that was the wrong thing to say.

“I missed where I gave you that kind of control over my life or permission to do stuff like that for me,” I snapped. I held up my hand to hold off whatever he was going to say in his defense. “How does it look in our sexist society even to the supposed ‘good guys’ that someone I’m barely dating is going behind my back and speaking for me like I’m fucking incapable?”

His eyes flashed shock and he reached for me, wincing when I stepped away. “It wasn’t like that, Bev. Tracey was on the call. I met up with Wyatt and—”

“The more you all keep making him like he’s my guardian or whatever, the less I want to be with him,” I grumbled, grossed out again how he was always in this position to be the boss of me.

Yes, he was my teacher.

Yes, he was my power assessor and independent study advisor.

But he wasn’t my mate. And he certainly wasn’t my father where people kept bringing him on things like he had say over what happened to me.

“It wasn’t like that,” he said again. “I wanted to fill in Tracey and Councilman Reid because they were worried you wouldn’t want to start trouble.” He nodded when it was my turn to flinch. “And Wyatt is just at the center of everything.”

That was where he lost me again.

“No, Sergey, I am.” I gestured to my bed and then the door. “If you have to sneak out like this to go make calls, you know it’s not okay and something you should do.” I turned away from him. “Thanks for ruining what was a perfect night between us.”

“No, wait, I’m sorry, Bev,” he whispered, and hugged me to him. “I wasn’t going to hide it. I just—you were sleeping so soundly and I wasn’t tired yet. I thought I’d be good and take something off your plate. I swear it wasn’t meant to be behind your back or underhanded. I didn’t set an alarm for a scheduled covert call.”

Yeah, because that would have made this over the top instead of already over the line like it was.

He kissed my naked shoulder as I heard the door lock again. “I’m sorry. I was thinking we should just make the call in the morning, but I know you have tomorrow overbooked. I just wanted to handle something for you. I overstepped. I’ll try not to do it again.” He sighed when I flinched. “There’s a lot going on, Bev, and it’s all pretty crazy.”

I sighed too. That was fair and yeah, it wasn’t stuff most normal college kids handled, so I could understand him mis handling it then.

Sergey kissed along my neck as his hands moved along my stomach. “I’m sorry I stressed you out, foxy. I should make up for that.”

“And be punished,” I mumbled even as I angled my head to give him more room.

“I could get into that,” he chuckled.

“You lose your Saturday night sleeping over tomorrow,” I said firmly. I shrugged when he froze. “You took tonight already and snuck out of my bed. Do you deserve it?” I pulled away from him and grabbed my phone. “Maybe I should kick you out and see who’s up?” I frowned. “Crap, Kelton was messaging me and—”

He snatched my phone away and set it on my nightstand. “Cold, Bev.”

“Yeah, so is being handled and having conversations about what’s happening to me without me being there,” I shot right back. “Feels shitty, huh?” I pressed on when he looked like he was going to argue. “Especially after someone said all of that about making sure I would give him what he needed and be his girl to sate him, right?”

He slowly ran his tongue over his teeth. “Yeah, I should lose my Saturday night as long as you let me apologize and understand it wasn’t underhanded. It was—I’m used to just handling shit. I saw it as that. That we’re a team that works together and I took something off your plate. That’s how I saw it.”

“Okay, but I’m telling you that’s not how it is. Others won’t see it that way. So going forward, you check.” I flicked him on the forehead. “I’m CEO of a major company, Sergey. Have some damn faith in me.”

He grabbed my hand. “I have all the faith in you, Bev. I do.” He waited until I nodded. “I’m exhausted for you . I know you feel like you fall apart or are down on yourself that you can’t do it all— none of us could. Please hear us that none of us could, okay?”

“I’ll try.”

“Good. Now it’s time for my apology then.” He gave me an evil smirk and lifted me by my ass before dumping me onto the bed.

Oh, he gave me an apology alright.

Well, his lips were involved… But he didn’t do any talking.

Some moaning.

Fuck, he was really into oral sex.