Page 10 of The Sea Witch’s Son (The Villains of Wolf Hollow #1)

Chapter 9

MARLIN

Listening to Finley speak is like watching paint dry.

Dull. Unremarkable. Impossibly boring.

The only reason my eyes weren’t glazed over is because I was quite taken with the blouse Melody decided to wear today. It was not one of the tops I picked out for her, but the rain did wonders for its transparency.

I will have to check the forecast and rearrange her closet accordingly.

Smiling to myself, I duck through the side exit and take a shortcut to the library. The drizzling rain clings to my dress shirt as my thoughts circle back to Melody. She seems quite taken with Finley, something that is not irritating enough to solve but not casual enough to ignore .

I check my watch and begin the countdown. There are a few students lingering around the study tables, but otherwise the aisles of bookshelves are completely empty.

Stepping back into the shadows of the chemistry section, I pull a cloth from my pocket and wrap it around both fists.

Four. Three. Two...

I step forward and drop the gag around Melody’s mouth. Her scream gets muffled under the cloth as I pull her deeper into the shadows.

Rows of dusty books offer the illusion of privacy as I drag her along, kicking and fighting and making an overall nuisance of herself. An elbow goes flying towards my groin and I quickly step to the side.

“If you insist on fighting dirty, I will have no choice but to return the favour.”

Pulling the gag taught, I haul her back against my chest. She squirms against my hold, still trying to break free despite the fact there is nowhere for her to go.

Her head barely comes up to my chest, so I have to swoop down to press my nose against her neck. I breathe in the scent of her skin before licking a trail up her neck.

Muffled words come from the gag and I smile, feeling her pulse jump angrily beneath my tongue.

“What was that? I can’t seem to hear you.”

She slams her head back against my chest. I chuckle, tilting my head to get a better look down the front of her blouse .

“After much consideration, I think white might be your colour. Tell me, what colour of panties are you wearing today?”

Her breasts push against the material of her shirt with each heaving breath. I turn and nip her earlobe, patiently waiting for the panic to sink in.

It’s fascinating, studying such a passionate creature. Melody is a unique combination of carefully restrained and violently emotional. Her school persona remains strictly surface-level, offering little to no insight on the grief and financial crisis waiting for her back home.

She’s a ticking bomb full of messy emotions and questionable intentions.

I do look forward to triggering the explosion.

“Did you wear the red ones?” Running my lips down her neck, I press a kiss to her collarbone, “I hope you thought of me when you put them on.”

More words spew out, none of them comprehensible. I loosen my hold, allowing her to turn around and face me.

Daggers are thrown from big blue eyes, the fury burning through such a pretty face making my own break into a smile.

“Anger looks marvellous on you, little saint. You should wear it more often.”

She bares her teeth at me, snarling around the gag, and the most remarkable thing happens.

I start to get hard.

The longer I stare at her flushed cheeks and glinting eyes, the stiffer my dick gets. The gag is a nice addition to the picture, although it is unusual for my body to respond in such a volatile manner.

An interesting development, indeed.

I loosen my grip and Melody hastily rips the cloth from her mouth.

“What the fuck is wrong with you?”

“I’ve been told the list is quite long.”

She stumbles back, trying to increase the space between us. The illusion of security lasts less than thirty seconds before I bridge the gap.

“What do you want?”

She presses her back against the bookshelf, craning her neck to look up at me. I press in closer, caging her between my arms.

“Does a man need a reason to speak to a woman in today’s day and age?”

“When he’s breaking into her bedroom at night, yes. I think he does.”

Sighing, I bring myself down to her level. Her eyes widen at my proximity, the distance between our faces down to mere inches.

I do not miss the way her legs tremble when I breathe into her ear.

“I wanted to know whether the flush on your cheeks earlier was for Finley or for me.”

She jerks her head away, “You’re delusional.”

“The only delusion seems to be the one you have about my rookie. Were you entertaining him purely for my benefit? ”

“N-No. Absolutely not.” Melody splutters, her cheeks turning that same delightful shade, “I didn’t even know you were there.”

“Mm, but I think you did.” I tilt my head, studying the concealer doing a poor job of hiding my fingerprints, “The same way you knew I was watching you get dressed this morning.”

Her mouth opens and closes. The first hint of fear slips through her expression.

“How are you getting inside?”

There’s a tremor to her voice, one that puts an ache in my dark soul. Releasing the bookshelf, I reach down and slip a finger beneath the waistband of her skirt.

“It must be unsettling, knowing someone like me has access to your safe place.” My finger curls around the string of her panties, “Knowing I can climb into bed with you any time I like.”

She gasps when I yank the fabric tight against her pussy.

“Do me a favour, little saint.” Brushing my lips against her neck, I purr into her ear, “Leave your bedroom door unlocked for me tonight.”

“Never.” She hisses out a breath when I pull the garment tighter, “Find someone else to creep on.”

“Too much effort, too little reward.”

Glancing down at the lace peeking out of her waistband, I sigh in disappointment, “Still no red. I was hoping you would please me today. ”

Melody blinks, recognition quickly dawning, “You were lying about watching me change.”

“Clever girl.”

“Why me?” Her voice is barely above a whisper, “Why are you doing this to me?”

I smile, “Because there is one question you still haven’t answered.”

She swallows, staring at me with big doe eyes. I lean in closer, watching those eyes drop to my lips.

“What are you doing in Wolf Hollow?”

Snapping the string against her skin, I let the sting serve as a reminder of our encounter and the promise of many more to come.

I straighten up and take my leave, leaving Melody panting inappropriately in the college library. It’s such an early stage in the game and yet I find myself feeling satisfied because I got the answer I was looking for.

The flush on her cheeks was for me.