Page 17

I told myself not to come here, to leave her alone. Let her find happiness with that guy.

But I couldn’t, not when she already belonged to me.

“My date?” Alora’s lips show the slightest hint of amusement. “It wasn’t a date.”

Petting Sunny once more, who trotted back over to me after greeting Alora, I swing my legs off the edge of the bed and sit forward, resting my elbows on my knees as my eyes eat her alive, traveling from the bottom of the slit in her dress to the top of her thigh, up and over every inch of her until I land on her parted lips and her curious stare.

“ That dress, and you want to say it wasn’t a date.”

She crosses her arms, only making it harder for me to stay seated in her bed. “Why do you care? You don’t want me anyway.”

“Don’t push it, Alora. You have no idea what I want.” My words are quick and thick with emotion as my eyes slam shut.

“You’re right. Because you don’t know how to open your mouth and tell me,” she snaps. “So, how the hell would I?”

I shouldn’t find her feisty, fiery side so goddamn hot, but my throbbing dick says otherwise.

She takes a step toward me. “Now, are you going to tell me how the hell you got in my room?”

The corner of my lips tips up into a smile. “I have a key, silly.”

Her lips part, and her eyes widen. “Are you serious?”

Nodding to the desk where I left the fob, I prove it. “Very.”

Her face contorts with a thousand emotions as she tries to comprehend how I came to possess it.

I’ll save her the effort of a question. “It was hanging on the back of your door the first night I ran in here.”

Her head whips back to me. “You’ve had it since then ?”

“Yeah, but don’t worry. This is the first time I’ve used it. I mean, you had it hanging in plain sight. Anyone could have taken it.”

“Nope, not really, Malik. Unless they broke into my room first, you psycho.”

I’ve been called worse, especially by her.

Now that we got that out of the way, let’s get to the important part.

“I answered your question. Now you have to answer mine. How was your not-date date ?”

She rolls her eyes and points to the door. “Get out of my room.”

When I stand up to my full height, she cranes her neck to look up at me, her confidence never wavering.

“Make me, Bug.”

Her jaw clenches. “I hate you.”

Striking fast and taking her by surprise, I wrap my hand around the side of her neck and push her back toward the wall, softening the landing with my other hand on the back of her head.

Her breathing quickens as her wide eyes find mine. “What are you doing?”

“Tell me how much you hate me when I bury my face between your legs.” My gaze travels down her body. “You look so fucking good in this dress.” My eyes fall to the length of her neck, adorned with my new favorite necklace … my hand. “Too good.”

She swallows hard. “You’re in my personal space.”

“Oh, really?” I chuckle, dropping my head even closer to hers.

She arches her back to look up, pressing her tits closer to me, only weakening my resolve even more.

She nods hesitantly.

I thread my fingers into her hair and tug gently. “Baby, you aren’t allowed personal space when it comes to me. It’s mine just as much as it is yours.”

She sucks in a sharp breath, and her pupils dilate, the blues of her eyes darkening with desire. I know she wants this as much as I do. But my innocent little Bug isn’t ready to admit that yet. I’ll help her get there.

“Was your date everything you wanted?” I tease, trailing my hand that was wrapped around her throat down to the thin strap of the dress, inching it off of her shoulder. “Did he touch you? Hmm?” My voice deepens. “Did he kiss you?”

Ever so slightly she shakes her head, her body responding to my touch greedily.

I should leave. I need to leave. To stop whatever’s happening right now and run to the opposite end of campus.

I was supposed to be the one to corrupt her, but she’s already ruined me.

“Malik.” She whispers my name, and something deep inside of me throws all caution to the wind.

I need her more than I care about any of the consequences. She’s mine. She always has been.

“Fuck it,” I whimper and crash my lips to hers, breathing in her essence like the freshest breath of air.

Stilling for a second, she doesn’t kiss me back.

Pulling away, I wonder if perhaps I read her wrong.

I didn’t.

Her hands thrust into my hair, and she yanks my head back to her, her pillowy lips claiming mine with their own ferocity.

We’re wild, untamed, two storms colliding for the first time.

“You’re fucking mine,” I growl into her parted lips. “Your mouth is mine, Bug.” I kiss her again, marking my claim.

Easing my tongue through the seam of her lips, I take more of her, as much as she’s willing to give. She lets me in, and I devour her, tasting her with abandon.

Threading my fingers further into her hair, I pull her head back more, giving me the perfect angle to kiss her senseless.

My other hand works down the back of her dress, quickly finding the tiny zipper and tugging it down. She pulls back and looks up at me with wide eyes.

“I want to see you,” I mutter, tugging at the zipper more. “Is this okay?” She nods, but I want to hear her pretty voice tell me. “Say it, baby.”

“Take it off of me,” she murmurs, her voice heavy and sultry.

Easing the dress further down her back, I hook my fingers under the strap still on her shoulder and slide it off.

The dress cascades down her full tits, leaving them bare and begging for my touch. The red silk slides down her curves, like water flowing down a waterfall, and I’m suddenly parched.

My mouth waters at the sight before me. She’s nearly naked, the only barrier between my eyes and her body are the black panties on her hips. I study every inch of her, committing it so intently to memory. Every freckle, line, valley, and curve of her perfect body. If this is the only time I get to touch her, I’m going to remember it for the rest of my life.

Her cheeks flush, and her gaze falls to the floor. Oh, that won’t do. She’s not doubting herself in front of me.

Lifting her chin, I force her to look at me. “Don’t shy away from me now. You’re perfect, Alora.”

The softest smile lifts her lips, and I kiss her, our lips forming together as if they were made to do just this.

A shiver runs through her. “Malik, I thought you hated me.”

Pulling away, I slide my fingertips up and down her sides. “And who says I don’t?”

She giggles. “Well, you have a hell of a way of expressing it. Is this what you do to guys on the ice when they make an enemy of you? Tease them until they surrender?”

God, this woman.

“Are you going to surrender? Hmm? Or do I need to tease you a bit more?”

Her laughter stalls as she sucks in a quick breath.

Leaning down, I press my lips to her jaw, my tongue darting out and swiping the curve of it before continuing lower. I trail my kisses down her neck and along her collarbone.

Dropping down onto one knee, I hook my arm around her waist, pulling her stomach against my chest. She melts into my grasp.

I take a mental screenshot as I look up at her, desperate to remember how angelic she looks, standing above me as I drag her down with my sin.

Lifting my free hand, I cup her breast and straighten my spine. “Fuck, these are so perfect.”

I can’t wait any longer.

I suck her nipple into my mouth, grunting as I dig my fingers into her back, needing her to be closer. Needing all of her.

Flicking my tongue back and forth across the hardened peak, I wrap my mouth around it and tug.

She gasps, “Oh my God.”

Giving the other nipple the attention it deserves, I switch, devouring that one the very same. With every lick and caress, her hips start to roll into me, her body coming to life from my touch.

Fucking hell, I need to taste her sweet pussy on my tongue.

Trailing my kiss down her stomach, I work my way to her panties. Her back falls against the wall, and I wrap my hands around the tops of her thick thighs, pinning her in place.

Taking the black lace between my teeth, I look up at her lust-blown eyes and ease them down.

Her panties get caught on the roundness of her hips, and I help them along with my fingers, pulling them all the way down until they’re pooled at her feet.

She’s completely exposed, vulnerable, and raw, laid out for me like my new favorite snack.

Rubbing my hand back up her leg, I push her thighs apart, opening that pretty pussy for my eyes to devour.

“Umm …” She trails off, and my gaze snaps up at her.

“What’s wrong?” I freeze in place, waiting for her answer.

She looks away from me, her posture shrinking. “No one’s ever … done that before.”

My brows pinch. “You’ve never let anyone’s mouth between your legs before?”

She bites down on her bottom lip and shakes her head.

God, I’m going to make this her new favorite thing.

“Let me show just how good it can feel. How good I can make you feel.” I inch closer to her center.

Grabbing her ankle, I lift it up and place it on my bent knee, opening her up to me. Leaning forward, I breathe her in, my cock throbbing in response.

Pressing my lips against the inside of her thigh, I nibble at her skin, eliciting quick breaths and soft whimpers from her.

We haven’t even begun.

Glancing up at her once more, I hold her stare as I run my tongue up her center, her wetness coating my tongue.

Growling, I do it again. “So fucking sweet.”

Her head tilts back as my tongue works her entrance, plunging inside with purpose.

I want to get lost in her, bury myself so deep inside of her that she forgets what it feels like without me.

“Malik …” She moans my name, and I grip her tighter, working her clit with fast sucks. “Holy shit .”

That’s it, baby. Fall apart on my tongue.

She starts writhing in my grasp, her hips rolling back and forth as I push her closer to the edge. My dick is so hard that I think it might bust through my pants.

I need her like I’ve never needed someone, and that’s fucking terrifying, chilling me to the bone.

Her mouth forms a perfect O as she moans on an inhale, seconds from coming for me for the first time.

Rubbing my mouth against her pussy, I quicken my assault, feeling the exact moment her body falls into ecstasy.

“Malik,” she cries out, her body convulsing as she comes undone.

But I don’t stop. I devour her through her orgasm, feasting on every drop, moan, and whimper she’s willing to give me. I asked her to surrender to me, but I’m the one on my knees in front of her, begging for more.

As she starts to come down from her high, she leans forward, resting her hands on my shoulders. “I think I need to, umm … sit down.”

Oh my God, I didn’t even think about how this would affect her. Shit .

Acting instantly, I drop to the floor and open my legs, lifting my arms to help ease her down. “I’ve got you. Come here.”

She looks at me hesitantly and shyly, as if a moment ago I wasn’t tongue deep inside of her. Gradually, she uses my arms to help herself down to the ground, positioning herself between my legs.

Slowly, I turn her around so her back is to me. I ease her into my chest, wrapping my arms lightly around her. She leans back into me willingly, settling into my embrace.

“How can I help?” I ask, wanting to make this easier for her.

From the research I’ve done so far, I know that sitting down, slowing the heart rate, and elevating the legs are the best things to ease the symptoms. And staying hydrated.

“Just give me a second. I’ll be okay,” she murmurs, taking slow, long breaths. “I’m sorry. It kind of killed the mood …” She trails off, and my heart fucking sinks.

Leaning around the side of her head, I tip her chin up to look at me with my left hand, her blue eyes wide and vulnerable. “Never ever apologize to me again. Especially when it comes to this .”

She stares at me deeply, her eyes penetrating my goddamn soul.

“I’m serious, Alora. I never want to hear you say you’re sorry for that. Do you understand?” I brush her hair away from her cheek.

She nods. “Yeah. I just didn’t want to interrupt you.”

“Why?” I wince, guilt following the sharp pang, knowing her mistrust comes from my actions in the past.

She purses her lips to the side, her cheeks reddening before answering, “I was scared you’d stop, and I really didn’t want that.”

With my right hand, I cup her breast, and my left hand tightens its grip on her jaw. My voice is clear and sharp. “These are mine.” I shift my hand down her stomach, sliding my fingers between her legs and through her wetness. “This is mine .”

Her legs part, resting against mine, and my fingers start to circle that sweet bundle of nerves. But I pause for a second, waiting for her permission to continue. I don’t want to push her too fast if she’s still feeling lightheaded.

She nods, wetting her lips.

My thumb hooks beneath her jaw as my fingers slide to her throat, pulling her tighter against me as my other fingers continue their torment on her pussy.

“No one touches you but me, Alora,” I growl, leaning down and kissing her ferociously. “No dates. No other guys.”

Her body starts tightening, her back arching hard.

“Tell me you won’t let anyone else discover how delicious you taste, how dreamy you feel. Tell me, Bug. Tell me you belong to me.”

Her head falls back, her cheek crashing to my chest. “Please don’t stop.”

I chuckle darkly. “So greedy for another one already?” Using my thumb, I open her parted lips further, lining her mouth up below mine before spitting down between her parted lips.

Her eyes widen, but her pupils darken, showing me just how much she loves being under my control.

“Surrender to me, baby. Tell me who owns you.”

She licks her bottom lip, her whimpers and soft moans creating the most beautiful music in the room. “Y-you do, Malik.”

Slowing my hand just slightly, I watch frustration take over her face.

“I—what?” Malik prompts me to say the full line.

I give her the pace she wants, and she gasps, her body convulsing from the shock waves.

“Say it, or I’ll stop right now,” I threaten.

She gives in. “You own me. You own me. You own me.” Her confession and my tantalizing fingers make her come once more, and satisfaction blooms through my body. “Oh fuck! Malik, oh my fucking God!”

She writhes between my legs and I don’t think she’s ever looked more beautiful than she does right now—her hair messy, lips red, and skin flushed from what I did to her.

“What a good fucking girl, Alora.” Lifting my fingers from her, I bring them to my lips as she watches. “Look at the pretty mess you made.”

Sucking my fingers into my mouth, I clean them, savoring the taste of her on my tongue. I never want it to leave.

Sudden embarrassment widens her eyes. But there’s no going back from this, so she’ll have to get over it. Because I’m fucking addicted to her now.

“That was …” She trails off, biting down on her bottom lip. She spins in place, tucking her knees to her chest and facing me.

If there’s any doubt in her mind—which I’m sure there is, given our past—I want to wipe it away. “I meant what I said. You’re mine. You’ve always been mine, Alora. And I’m never letting you go.”

“What does that mean?” Her eyes are clear as day, the walls that are usually there long gone.

“It means that I’m done trying to stay away from you. I can’t .” I pause, and she waits patiently. “It’s not just confusing for you, trust me . But I’m done pretending like I don’t want you. Because I do, more than I want to fucking live.”

The air is electric, thick with the shift that just transpired, the permanent change between us.

Micah’s name starts to form in my mind, and shock smacks me in the face at the idea that I even want to tell her about him.

There’s still a part of me that’s unsure about her and who she really is, given her family. Another part of me is terrified that she might already know the truth, and that … that would destroy me.