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Summer

T he last week of exams seems to fly by, and just like last week, I haven’t seen Connor much due to our schedules and workloads. Alice and I have one of the final exams of the term on Friday afternoon. Most of the student body has already headed home for the winter break. Everyone else is finishing up exams and packing to leave tomorrow or Sunday.

Alice and I leave Alchemy 101 exhausted but thankful exams are over. We walk home in silence, the icy wind whipping at us. We both breathe a sigh of relief when we arrive at the dorm. Shedding our outerwear, we drop it in the entryway and stumble through to Alice’s room, collapsing on her bed.

“Fuck. How difficult was that exam?” I groan, thinking over my paper again. The questions were all worded in ways to try to catch us out.

“It was a war crime,” Alice groans.

“At least we’re done now.” I sigh, staring at the ceiling.

“We’ve got that finals party tonight.”

“Yes, we do,” I say with a smile.

“Also, I love that even though you haven’t seen Connor much over the last few days, your mood has been way better than last week.” Alice nudges me. “You were a raging bitch last week.”

“Hey!” I say, gaping at her.

Alice quirks an eyebrow at me, daring me to deny it.

“Listen, am I a little grumpy when I’m not having sex? Sure. Raging bitch is a bit harsh.”

Alice narrows her eyes at me, and then her face morphs into a look of surprise. “You are having sex!”

I roll my eyes.

“Oh my gods, when are you finding the time? I swear you’ve seen him like three times this week.”

“We find little pockets of time.” I swat at her. “Hey, shut up. It’s good for stress. Anyway, I won’t be having sex tonight, for sure.”

“Oh?”

I shake my head. “We’ll be way too drunk.”

Alice snickers. “I feel like I remember a party where you two snuck off, fucked, and then came back after to get trashed.”

“You’re thinking of someone else,” I say, feigning confusion.

“Right. Must have been my other best friend.”

I glare at her.

“Don’t like that?”

I narrow my eyes more.

Alice snorts. “Relax, I only have one wife.”

I smile brightly and roll on top of her, smothering her in kisses. “That’s right.” Alice pushes me off, wiping her face. “You going to hook up with that shifter tonight?” I watch her, trying to read her expression. “I know you’ve been seeing him.”

“Absolutely not. He’s way too clingy. He needs to understand that he will never come first for me.”

I roll my eyes. “Please, you’re such a mush now.”

Alice gasps, her hand on her chest. “You take that back.”

I grin and grab my phone. Taking a selfie of us, I post it with the caption,

“You delete that!”

Alice tries to snatch my phone. I squeal and hold it high, trying to keep it away from her, but she manages to grab it. She quickly types a new caption and then hands it back to me. It now says,

I laugh and climb out of bed. “I’m going to take a nice relaxing bath.”

Alice snorts. “So Connor is joining you?”

“Do you see Connor?” I say primly.

“I feel like I never see him until he’s walking out of your room, all glowing and sex rumpled.”

I leave her room and call, “Connor? Are you in there?”

“I’m in here, babe!” Alice replies from her room, imitating his voice.

I laugh and disappear into the bathroom. I’ve never used the tub before. It’s small, and it’s anything but luxurious, but I want nothing more than to sink into deep hot water. I’ve just relaxed into the near-scalding bath, and my muscles are starting to relax when my phone alerts.

Connor

I can’t believe finals are done. I’m halfway through my final year.

I smile and send him a selfie of myself in the bath. The bubbles mostly cover me, but he’ll definitely get the idea.

Connor

I’m already on my way.

Summer

Oh?

Connor

You think that photo will keep me home?

I send another photo, this one of my neck, a drop of water trailing down my throat. I worry when he doesn’t reply. Was that too much? Is he uncomfortable or disgusted with me sending the photo? I curse my stupid and irrational insecurities. Less than fifteen minutes later, there is a loud knock at the door, followed by Alice’s voice.

“Surprise, surprise,” she says.

I laugh softly, relief and anticipation filling me with warmth. Connor comes through the bathroom door, already stripping.

“Hello, gorgeous,” he croons, his lips pulled into the smile of a man who is about to be naked with his girlfriend.

“There’s my big guy.” I shift to make room for him, but I know it will be a tight squeeze in this tub. Connor climbs in behind me, and I lay back against his chest.

“You know, the tub at my house is much bigger,” he says, nuzzling kisses against my neck.

I turn in his arms and straddle him, wrapping my arms around his neck. “Well, this was supposed to be my soak.”

“Oh?” Connor moves his hands to my ass and squeezes, kneading the flesh.

“Yes. A solo soak. Besides, don’t you enjoy how close we are in this one?” I hover my lips over his.

Connor squeezes my ass again and tilts his head more, his lips searching for mine. “That is a definite benefit.”

Connor slides his hand into my gloved one as we walk across campus. “So, how was your last final?”

“Fucking awful,” Alice grumbles from my other side.

“It was pretty tough,” I agree, smiling up at him. My gaze catches on the bruise I left on his neck, and I reach up to brush my finger over the mark.

“Hickey?” he asks.

I nod with a satisfied smile. “I want everyone to know you’re mine.”

“You guys are so gross,” Alice groans.

Connor smiles, his eyes darkening. “Pretty sure there isn’t a person on campus who doesn’t know that.”

“Maybe you should change your name to Connor Tuatha De Daanan on Nexus,” I say teasingly.

Connor laughs, leaning down to kiss me.

“Will you two hurry up? It’s cold as balls out here,” Alice grumbles, storming ahead.

“You’re a big mush,” I say, my smile feeling permanent.

“Just for you, babe.” We keep walking, and I can tell Connor is deep in thought. “Maybe we should do a mashup. Morning De Daanan,” he says after a few moments.

I laugh. “Absolutely not.”

Connor purses his lips, thinking. “Tuatha De Star?”

“Alice is right. You’re so gross.” I laugh, grabbing his face and slamming my lips to his.

Connor laughs, wrapping his arms around my waist and lifting me off my feet. He spins us around as the snow starts to fall. Leaning back in his arms, I look up at the inky black sky as it cries icy white tears. I close my eyes as they land on my face, melting almost instantly. I look back down at Connor, wanting to share the wonder of the moment. He is watching me with love and something that looks so much like reverence that it makes my heart hurt.

“I love you, Morningstar.”

“I love you, Tuatha De Star.”

I burst out laughing, and Connor spins me again before slowly lowering me to my feet.

“We better go. We’ve already lost Alice,” Connor says, though his gaze remains locked on mine.

I slide my hand back into his. The snow falls silently as we continue after Alice. “How am I going to manage without being inside you multiple times a day?” Connor asks, squeezing my hand.

“We will get back to that,” I say with a sigh.

“I leave on Sunday.” Connor pouts.

“And you’re away for two weeks. Do you think we can fuck forty-two times before you leave for Eden?”

Connor tips his head, considering it. “Well, I’m up for the challenge, but I think I’d be shooting dust.”

I bump against him. “Please, big guy. You always have the good stuff for me.”

Connor laughs. “Yeah? The good stuff?”

“Absolutely!”

“You going to miss me?” Connor asks, kissing the top of my head.

“So much, big guy.”

Connor sighs. “I wish you were coming with me, but I understand why you won’t leave Alice.”

I squeeze his hand, comforting him. “But you’ll be back for Christmas Eve, and I’ll come to Eden for your birthday in the new year! Plus, it’s important you have family time. I know your mom misses you.”

“I know you’re conspiring with her,” he grumbles. “I’ll have to show you my new place when you visit!” Connor says, perking up a bit.

“New place?”

“All archangels get their own place when their wings start turning.”

“That’s very cool, Con!” I blink, finally registering what he said. “Wait, conspiring?”

“You’re making me feel guilty about not going home more often,” he says, eyeing me knowingly.

I shrug, feeling a little guilty. “She just… She loves you so completely.” Farrah loves Connor so much that even the thought of it makes my heart ache.

Connor smiles, kissing my head again. “And how do I love you?”

I step in front of him and stop walking, looking up at him. “In a way that fills my heart and wraps me in warmth.”

Connor’s skin glows, and he cups my cheek. “Two weeks until I see you. It seems like forever.”

I place my hand over his, holding it against my cheek. “It’ll fly by, and you’ll get to hang out with your brothers and parents.”

Connor scoffs, and I roll my eyes.

“Don’t pretend you don’t enjoy spending time with them.”

Connor brushes his lips over mine. “I don’t enjoy spending time with them as much as I do with you.”

“Don’t tell Rafe that. He’ll get jealous,” I say, taking his hand.

Connor chuckles, and we start walking again. “Next year, I’ll have them come here for the whole holiday.”

“You will?”

“Yep! If you can’t come to Eden, I’ll bring Eden to you.” I grin, and Connor returns my smile. “You like that plan?”

“I like any plan that means I can spend more time with you.”

Connor’s phone pings, and he glances at it, pulling me to a stop. “Oh, shit. I forgot I was supposed to meet Rafe at home before the party.”

“He can’t meet you there?”

“I promised him we would build something for Luke’s Christmas gift, and we planned to do it tonight, while he’s out of the house.”

I pout but push to my toes to brush a kiss against his lips. “Don’t be long?”

“You bet I’ll be quick. Can’t have my girl taken by some mysterious stranger.”

His choice of words is a shock, but I keep the smile on my face, though I can feel the strain in it. Connor kisses me again before turning and jogging toward his house.

I stand alone in the dark with a horrendous knot of unease in my stomach.