Page 15 of Nevermore (A Cruel Love #1)

THIRTEEN

SANTIAGO

Reign is as clueless as ever.

The car ride was completely silent. Reign was half-asleep but I think even if he wasn’t, he’d still be as still as a board. I will admit, asking him to come out with me tonight was spur of the moment.

I think that’s what makes this infinitely better.

He’s caught off-guard, vulnerable, and it’s the best time to strike. Not to hurt him or fuck with him but to see that fire I saw in him. All I want is to strip him bare, tear him apart, and see what’s left underneath the cowering surface.

“Are you gonna tell me where we are?”

I smirk even though he can’t see me. I turn around and place my forefinger against my lips. Even though it’s nearly three in the morning and nobody is on guard, we still need to be quiet.

“Wait… Is this a school?”

So he’s not an idiot.

The old preparatory academy I attended might be for the rich and elite, but they have zero precautions in place for break-ins. Not only that but I’ve been here after hours countless times during my high school years and know for certain that no one will stop us.

Still, I turn again slowly. Backing him into the small corridor we’re walking through, I place both arms on either side of his face and lean in close. I relish in the way his breath catches for a brief second and the way his bottom lip quivers with nerves.

The smell of his minty breath hits me all of a sudden.

My brain tells me to take a step back—surprised by my reaction—but my gut has me pressing even closer until our chests touch.

The feeling of his heavy breaths against mine has everything in my body coiling tight.

“What?” I ask, a slight tease in my voice as I cock my head. “Are you scared, Reign?”

He tries to scoff but ends up snorting instead. He covers it up with a cough and shakes his head. “N-No. Just wonderin’ what we’re doin’ here.”

I simply shrug. “Guess you’re just going to have to find out.”

With that, I push off the wall and head to my destination.

Taking out the long, old key from my pocket, I unlock the thick wooden door in front of me and push it open with more flourish than I intended.

Reign’s sharp intake of breath behind me is almost comical and I resist the urge to laugh at his expense.

When I face him, his expression is priceless. Wide blue eyes stare out at our surroundings and his dropped jaw tries to fumble for words. “Is this what I think it is?”

I roll my eyes at the ridiculous question. “What else could it be?”

I gesture at the pool in front of us. Even though his last experience with one of these ended unpleasantly, I’m not an idiot.

From the way he gawked at the idea that Father was going to build a pool to the way he drooled over the other one, I’ve come to realize that he has a thing for them.

Bringing him here is just another way to lower his defenses.

Take him somewhere he feels comfortable and get into his face.

Push and push and push until I get what I want.

Him.

The stray thought has me staggering back a bit. Reign doesn’t notice because he’s too busy marveling at the pristine pool. My old academy spared no expense when building it. From its sheer size to the underwater lights that give it an ethereal glow, it really is something to admire.

When my fingers reach for the hem of my shirt, Reign’s eyes widen even more. “What are you doin’?”

“What a stupid question,” I huff but it sounds more like a friendly tease than anything else. “I’m doing what you’re supposed to do with pools. I’m going for a swim.”

He shakes his head. “Are we allowed to?”

“Again with the stupid questions. It’s after hours and it was closed. What do you think?”

He narrows his eyes a touch, obviously irritated, but doesn’t act on it. Instead, he schools his features and shrugs. “I mean, you had a key?”

“Is that a statement or a question?”

“Why did you have a key?”

To this, I nearly cackle. He really has no idea what he’s walked into. “Because there’s nothing money can’t buy.”

I pull off my shirt in one smooth move. When I can see again, I’m puzzled by the look on Reign’s face.

His cheeks are a bright pink and his eyes dart down my chest. Without knowing exactly why I’m doing it, I make an extra show of lowering my pants to expose my tight black briefs.

This gets an even bigger reaction. He gasps, stuttering for breath as he quickly whips his head to the side.

Interesting.

I’m still zeroed in on his reaction as I lower myself into the pool, my eyes boring into his the entire time. The water is chilly against my hot skin, causing goosebumps to rise, and eliciting a shudder from me.

“What are you going to do, Reign?” I ask him as I back paddle my way to the center of the pool. “Are you going to come in or just keep staring?”

He looks behind him as if someone’s going to jump out at any second. Nibbling on his bottom lip, he gives it some thought before nodding. “Can you… Can you look away?”

“No.”

He sucks in a sharp breath and nods again. With so much care and hesitation, he raises his shirt over his head and now I’m the one staring.

I’ve never found men attractive before. Sure, sometimes I look at a guy and can appreciate how handsome they are, but I’ve never felt like I needed to act on it.

It’s always just been a quick glance, a nod of attraction, always passing and brief.

Just something my mind flicked to but never settled on.

Somehow, Reign is different.

His frame is thin but defined. The strong lines of his arms mesmerize me as they flex to remove his pants. Pulling them down, I can’t believe that I’m the one now caught speechless at the sight of him.

Especially when I see the hard on tenting his boxers.

“Come here,” I demand and my voice is raspier than intended.

But Reign complies beautifully. Still hesitant, he dips a toe into the pool, and I’m too impatient to let him test out the waters.

Without warning him, I yank on his ankle and drag him into the pool.

When he resurfaces, I place a strong hand on his jaw and pull him close. “When I say something, you listen.”

It’s both shocking and completely expected that he nods. I know he has no backbone but there is a hint of something fiery and defiant in his blue eyes.

Something I want to take advantage of.

Wordlessly, I pull him until we’re at the center of the pool. He treads water a bit awkwardly, but his enthusiasm is adorable, and it confirms my suspicions. “You like swimming.”

“I love it,” he admits in a quiet voice, dipping his head down as if he’s embarrassed.

“Why?”

“I dunno. It’s… quiet. Peaceful. Like I’m the only person on the planet,” he mumbles, turning so his back is facing me. “Santiago, what are we really doing here?”

I don’t know what possesses me to swim towards him and place each hand on either shoulder. I pull him against my chest, one hand wandering to his stomach where I can feel him quiver against me.

Fuck.

This was a mistake.

Touching him was an error so great, I feel like an idiot. Because it’s almost like I’m in a trance. Like I’m zeroed in on the feel of his body pressing into mine. As if all I want is to keep touching the broken, pathetic boy until he breaks for me.

My lips press against the juncture of his throat, my teeth dragging up and up until I reach his ear. His breaths are heavy as I dart my tongue out to taste his skin. It tastes like saltwater and sweat but it also has a quality to it that drags me in. Something sweet and innocent.

Something that tastes a lot like mine .

Once again, I’m not in control of my actions. I’m pushing him through the water until we hit the edge of the pool. Without warning, I spin him around and wrap his hard legs around my waist. I drag my nose against his cheek, my lips just a hair's breadth away from his.

What are you doing?

My cock is hard.

You don’t want this.

My breathing is sharp and heavy.

Think before you act.

My hand cups his chin.

This isn’t you.

But it is me who slams my lips against his.