Page 65 of Conquered (Highgate Preparatory Academ:y Compendium)

The guys descend on the spread, piling plates high whilst I stand there overwhelmed. I feel a warm hand on the small of my back and look to the side to see Kai, his kind eyes looking down at me. He may be the smallest, but he's still got a few inches on me.

“Want me to fix you a plate?” he asks, and I notice Jax and Loki look up and give him a dirty look. It reminds me of the barbecue scene from Gone With the Wind , where they all fight to bring Scarlett O’Hara desserts at the barbecue, and I smile.

“Do I get to pretend to be Scarlett O’Hara, having all the men fawn over me?” I tease, and his eyes light up as he gets the reference.

“Well, we all know who Rhett would be,” he sighs out as we see Ash stalk over to a round table, sitting in one of the golden chairs, facing the room.

He sits as a king would on his throne, like it's his right and woe betide anyone who dares to question it. Then, the arrogant arsehole that he is, he clicks his fingers at one of the servers who comes hurrying over to deposit a tray of cocktails on the table.

I find myself sighing too. Ash is so beautiful, I used to think that it was a cold hard beauty. Now I know that underneath, he burns with the purest flame. A fire that protects those he loves. His darkness is what helps to keep them safe.

But who keeps him safe? I can't help but wonder.

“Come on, Pretty Girl,” Loki says in his familiar drawl. “Let’s eat so you can grind on me on the dance floor,” he says, winking, and then giving me a lascivious grin for good measure.

Fucking turnip.

I look around to see that Kai has indeed filled a plate for me and is carrying it to the table Ash is seated at.

I follow him, taking a seat with Loki and Jax on either side of me.

Kai and Ash are on the other side, and although there are vacant seats, no one else tries to sit down, even though I can see people glancing our way.

I often forget how untouchable these guys are. How the other students, all of whom are rich as royalty, leave space for them and keep their distance. And I'm not sure whether it's out of fear or respect. Maybe a bit of both?

We sit and eat, not really talking. I don't know how the guys are feeling, but I’m full of a nervous energy that's leaving me feeling tightly coiled and tense. I don't know what the plan is for later tonight, but I can imagine we will all be bloody by dawn.

My ears prick at the familiar notes of Siren , by Kailee Morgue. I smell vanilla before I feel Loki's lips against my ear.

“I dare you to dance for Ash,” he whispers seductively, the spot that his breath caresses tingles.

He's such a shit stirrer, but I can’t seem to back down from the challenge he’s issued. I look over to Ash, who is scanning the room with dark eyes, his chair pulled out as he lounges back in it.

“What do I get if I do?” I whisper back, my eyes still on Ash.

I'm definitely going to do it because I want to ruffle the Ice Knight’s feathers as much as Loki does. I just want to see if I can get anything out of Loki first.

“I'll take you behind one of those curtains and get on my knees for you, making you come so hard with my tongue, the whole school will hear your cries.” His voice is deep and husky, sending shivers down my spine.

Smiling, I get up and sway over to Ash, standing in front of him, but still slowly undulating my hips. Bringing my hands up my body, caressing my curves, I take them over my head, rolling my wrists so that my hands do a sensual dance of their own.

Our gazes are locked, and there's an intense look in his grey eyes. It's like looking into the eyes of a wolf, you know it's going to pounce and devour you, you're just not sure how much time you have left. Or, if you mind all that much.

Turning my back on him, I look over my shoulder as I roll my hips, smiling seductively at him, before turning back to face him and stepping right in between his splayed legs.

I can see a bulge in his crotch that just makes my smile grow wider as I realise what this is doing to him. I mean, I'm not unaffected by his undivided attention, my knickers are getting damper by the second.

His hands are clenched into fists on his thighs, like it's taking a gargantuan effort not to grab me and pull me down onto his lap.

I wonder if I can tip him over the edge...

Leaning forwards, I place my hands on his shoulders and move my torso in a wave towards him so that my barely covered breasts are practically in his face.

Bingo!

His hands clamp down on my sequinned hips, squeezing just this side of painfully. He leans forward, his lips brushing my ear just like Loki's did and eliciting the same tingles.

“Are you sure you wanna play, Princess? You seemed to have trouble handling it last time,” he says, his voice dark and cruel, aimed to inflict maximum damage.

My eyes narrow, my body stopping its movements. We're still pressed together, his hands on my hips and mine on his broad shoulders.

Fucktrumpet.

I smile as an idea forms in my mind.

“I think I can handle you, Vanderbilt , just fine,” I whisper back in his ear before I lick up the side of his face.

He's so stunned that his hands drop, and straightening up, I laugh at the look of surprise on his face. I hear Loki's roar of laughter, and even Kai and Jax snort.

“Did you just lick me, Princess?” he asks incredulously.

“Yep,” I say, popping the ‘P.’ “And now you’re mine.”

I wink at him just as the song ends, and Killer by Valerie Broussard starts to play.

I feel my hand being tugged and turn to see Loki pulling me onto the dance floor.

“Come on, Pretty Girl. This is our song,” he says, laughing at my raised brow. I follow him anyway, but can't help the shiver of trepidation that runs down my spine.

By the end of the night, will I be a killer too?