Page 32

31

Summer

I tentatively open the curtains and peer outside. The trees sway gently in the breeze, and there is no evidence of the heavy winds from the previous night. That shadowy figure followed me into my dreams, stalking me and always watching. Within my dreams, it doesn’t feel threatening, but out in the light of the day, I am wrapped in a cape of unease. Even as it lies heavy on my shoulders, a side of me feels like performing for the dark being. That side of me wants to please it.

I, of all people, am aware of the danger, but last night when I was searching the darkness, I was hyper aware of the difference between this feeling and when Torin is chasing me. This is different. I’m almost one hundred percent sure it’s not him lurking in the shadows. It just isn’t his MO. He doesn’t have this kind of patience.

Alice’s eyes are heavy-lidded as she walks into the living room, barely awake and yawning wide. There is a large, angry scratch down her arm. It must have been bad if she is still healing. I grab my bag as I walk to her, giving her an inquisitive look.

“I found what was living in my hall,” she explains dismissively, brushing out of the dorm. Alice doesn’t speak the whole walk to the coffee cart. After her fight with the unidentified creature last night, her black mood practically oozes from her. I hold my phone out to pay for our coffees, but strong arms wrap around me, and another phone taps the payment square. Connor orders his coffee and then nuzzles into my neck, inhaling me. I sigh and lean back against him, not even trying to fight it. Alice grunts a thank you at him before stomping away.

“Hi.” He smiles against my neck, inhaling me again. His cloudy scent has become a source of comfort to me. I know that should scare me, and I should run. I would have been sprinting away from this a couple of months ago. Instead, here I am, leaning into him.

“Hi, big guy.” I take my coffee. “Thanks for the coffee.”

He nips at my neck. “I require payment in the form of affection.”

I roll my eyes and pull him around the corner before turning in his arms and wrapping his tie around my fist. Tugging him down, I kiss him softly, catching his surprised gasp in my mouth. I let my lips linger against his but don’t deepen it.

“I like it when you do that with my tie,” he groans against my lips.

I deepen the kiss, backing us up until I’m pressed against the stone wall, feeling it dig into my back. Connor braces one of his hands beside my head and presses his body against mine. “Succubus needs feeding? Did she starve last night?”

I suck on his bottom lip, the taste of vanilla lingering on my tongue. “We need to get to class.”

Connor moans into my mouth, fitting his hard body to mine. “Yeah, we do,” he says, making no move to pull away from me. “Tonight, I’m going to steal you for a bit. Need to keep you fed.”

I wrap my arms around his neck and tangle my fingers in his hair, only vaguely aware of the people staring as they pass us. “Is that so?”

“You don’t think I’d neglect you?”

“You want it as much as me, big guy,” I whisper, shifting so he knows I can feel his hardness against my stomach.

Connor groans, and my fingers tighten at the sound. “Oh, you have me trained, babe. All I have to hear is big guy , and I’m ready to go.” He pulls back and looks around to make sure we’re not being watched before pressing my hand discreetly over his bulge. “Try.”

I drop my voice, my words coming out low and husky. “Big guy.”

His cock twitches under my hand, and I squeeze his length. I pull him down and claim his mouth again, the kiss deep, hot, wet, and oh so carnal. My core tightens, and I whimper against his lips before pulling back to gasp for breath. “I want to suck on you…”

Connor moans, moving his lips to my jaw and trailing sinfully hot kisses toward my ear. “I’ll be over after practice.” He reluctantly pulls back, and I bite my lip, watching him. He takes another step back, his dark eyes roaming hungrily over my body. “I’ll see you later?”

I nod, and Connor winks and turns, discreetly fixing himself in his pants.

“Con?”

He stops and looks at me over his shoulder. “Yeah?”

“Rafe?”

Connor sighs. “Gone for now. He does this sometimes. He’ll be back.”

The way his eyes go from happy to defeated tugs at my heart. I close the distance between us and cup his face, trying to offer him some comfort. It’s something I’ve never truly known, but I’m learning.

“Rafe isn’t like the rest of us. He has… demons.”

“He’s lucky to have you, Con,” I say, stroking his cheek.

Connor leans his head into my hand, his eyes shimmering. “And I am lucky to have you.”

I press against him and push up on my tiptoes. This time, there is no heat in the kiss, just genuine comfort and care. Connor’s big hands rest on my hips, and he relaxes against me. When we separate, his shoulders are a little less burdened.