by Ruby Vincent
We broke apart, panting.
Jaxson’s grip on me was tight. I could feel his need through the fabric of his trunks. “We should probably go upstairs now.”
I grinned. “In a minute. You wanted to mess around in the ocean so”—I smacked the water into his surprise face—“let’s do it.”
“That’s it!”
I squealed as I scrambled off of him. What followed was the water fight to end all water fights.
“You can’t win this, Moon!”
I was laughing so hard my sides ached. I darted through the wave as he lunged for me.
“I will catch you and claim my prize.”
“Do it then!” No sooner had the words left that mouth than he pounced. I found myself scooped into his arms and on the receiving end of such a searing kiss I wondered what the hell I was doing in this ocean when I could be upstairs with him.
I wriggled out of his hold. “Come on, Van Zandt.” I walked backward out of the water onto shore. “Claim your prize.”
“Don’t have to tell me twice.”
Jaxson took off just as I did. I spun and ran, tearing off for the house with him hot on my heels. My wet feet smacked against the tile as I dove for the stairs. It was almost as loud as my pounding heart. Or maybe that pounding was the sound of Jaxson thundering up the stairs after me.
After all this time, everything that had happened to me, I was going to be with Jaxson Van Zandt.
I burst into the bedroom and skidded to a halt in front of the bed. Jaxson was on me the minute I turned around. We collapsed on the sheets in a laughing heap.
Jaxson rose up, straddling me, and I took the chance to rip the shirt over my head and fling it across the room. It landed with a loud splat.
I shivered under his gaze as he drank me in. “I knew I made a good choice with the bikini.” He reached out and pushed my hair back. My eyes fluttered shut at his touch.
“We’ll go slow, baby. Like I promised.”
“Okay,” I whispered. I trusted him. I should have been a mess of nerves and shakes, but I was relaxed as he slipped the top... then the bottom of the bikini off of my body. His trunks joined them on the floor and finally it was just us.
“You are so beautiful.” Jaxson’s hand started at my temple and then traveled down. Goose bumps were left in his wake as his finger glided over my chest and through the valley of my breasts. I hitched my breath when he reached my belly button, but his hand veered off and settled on my hip. Jaxson kissed me. Once. A chaste peck on the lips. Then one on my chin. Then he kept going.
Jaxson dropped a scorching trail of kisses leading to my breast.
“Jaxs— Oh.”
A small exclamation escaped my lips. Jaxson took my nipple into his mouth, tongue flicking and licking it until he extracted more moans from me.
I couldn’t breathe. My body was hot and shivering at the same time. Pressure built in my core until I was sure I would burst. This was exquisite torture.
Jaxson reached across the bed without lifting his head. His hand disappeared in the drawer of his nightstand and reemerged with a condom.
He keeps them close by. I wonder how many girls he’s—
I cut that thought off at the knees. I didn’t want to think of him with anyone else. All that mattered was that I was here with him now.
Jaxson’s mouth found mine again. Our tongues tangled in a feverish dance.
He pulled back. “Are you read—”
“Yes,” I cried breathlessly. I claimed his lips again. Over us I could hear the condom unwrapping. When Jaxson placed his hand on my thigh, I opened with no further prompting.
He swallowed my cry when he pushed inside. Then he swallowed the next, and the next as he moved, bringing me closer and closer to the edge.
Brilliance exploded in my mind as I finally tipped over. I clung to him, body spasming as I came down.
“Wow,” I said hoarsely. “So that’s what it’s like.”
WARMTH WRAPPED ME UP in its cocoon. I felt so comfortable, I didn’t want to move.
Clink.
I cracked an eyelid open, peering across the pillow as Jaxson leaned over the nightstand. He smiled. “You’re awake.”
“I am now.” I stretched out the kinks in my body. I was sore in all the right places. “Is that for me?”
Jaxson lifted the tray and set it down in front of me. “I made you breakfast in bed.”
“That’s so sweet.” I reached for the lid.
“I’d like to remind you,” he said quickly, “I can’t cook.”
I lifted the lid and had to clap my hand over my mouth to cover my laugh. “Jaxson, everything on this tray is burned.”
“Not everything,” he protested. He picked up the glass of milk. “This is alright.”
I giggled. I was so giddy not even overcooked eggs or black toast could get me down. “We can make breakfast together.”
“Deal.” He leaned in and kissed me. “How did you sleep?”
“Good.” I shifted. “Although, we probably should have showered before hopping in bed. I’ve got sand in places sand shouldn’t be.”
“We can take that shower now.” Jaxson had the tray moved and me in his arms before I could say yes. We took our time, exploring each other’s bodies with sudsy hands. It was closer to lunchtime before we finally went downstairs to make breakfast.
I handed him the carton. “Crack the eggs for me.”
“Yes, ma’am.” I rolled my eyes at his salute. He was such a goofball but damned if I didn’t think he was adorable.
Ring. Ring.
I heated the pan as the ringing behind me ceased.
“What’s up, Eugene? Yeah. Why? It’s all good, man. She’s with me.”
My ears perked up.
“I don’t have to tell you where I go. We’ll be back tomorrow. Whatever. Bye.”
“Everything okay?” I asked when he hung up.
“Yeah. The guys were looking for you and freaked when you weren’t answering your phone and Richards wouldn’t tell them where you were.”
“I left my phone at school,” I admitted.
“Why?” Arms snaked around my waist. I leaned into him, letting his spicy scent envelop me.
“Because I wanted it to be just us this weekend.”
“That’s why I didn’t tell them we were coming here.” He kissed my cheek. “Just us.”
Those two words made my heart flutter. “Why were they looking for me?”
“Ricky wanted to steal you away. He’s way behind on the apologizing.”
“I’ll find him when I get back.”
“Cool. Right now, it’s all about food and sex. Not necessarily in that order.”
“Which order would you like that to be in?”
I squealed as I was lifted off my feet. I barely had a chance to shut off the stove before I was whisked upstairs.
THE WEEKEND AT THE beach house was so amazing, it was hard to leave when the time came. I stayed awake from the three-hour drive back so I got to see the city disappear and be replaced by anonymous motorways, then finally the town of Evergreen.
Jaxson drove around the school to the student parking in the back. Together, we walked back to my building where he kissed me on the doorstep before leaving.
I didn’t go inside right away. Instead, I headed for the main building. I had stashed my phone in my locker for the weekend. I had wanted it to be about me and Jaxson, but I also didn’t want to worry about Ace.
My feet slowed as I neared my locker. I so much wanted to believe those messages were a sick joke, but then how did this person know to use Scarlett’s name?
I took my phone out of my locker and it buzzed in my hand. I had unread notifications.
There were the calls I was expecting from Maverick, Ezra, and Ryder checking on me. Then there were five from a name I never wanted to see again.
Ace: I bet you’re dying to know how much I know about Scarlett LeBlanc.
Ace: No answer? Are you mad at me?
Ace: Where are you? I don’t see you anywhere.
Ace: Answer me, Valentina.
Ace: You took a trip off campus and left your phone behind. Tsk, tsk. Naughty, naughty. If you pull that again, you’ll make me angry. I told you not to do that.
That was the psycho’s final message. I was tempted to type another fuck off, but I stopped myself. Instead, I called Sofia.
“Hey, Val. Are you back?”
“Just got back.”
“Then get over here now. I want to know everything.”
“On my way.”
The truth was I’d rather be grilled by Sofia than sit in my empty dorm away from everyone. Whoever this person was they were clearly keeping tabs on me. I’d feel safer with someone else around.
Sofia yanked me inside when I arrived.
“How was it? Where did you guys go?”
I flopped down on her bed. “He took me to his beach house. It was—in a word—perfect.”
The mattress bounced as she joined me. “I’m so happy for you, Val. You gave me and Zane the idea to sneak away next weekend. His parents are going out of town so if we can get passes, we’ll have the place to ourselves.” She heaved a sigh. “This whole cameras in the staircase thing is really putting a crimp in my sex life.”
“Shameless,” I teased. We laughed and my tension started to ease. “How was the party?”
“It was one big booze-filled make-out session.” She nudged me with her foot. “Some interesting things did happen. Kai heard Natalie running her mouth about you and he went off. She clammed up quick.”
“He did? He doesn’t have to do that.”
She hummed. “Also, Eric came up to me at the party looking for you.”
“For me? What did he want?”
“He didn’t say. Just told me to tell you he wants to talk.”
That was weird, but I pushed it aside for the moment. “Let’s just chill today, okay? I want to keep ignoring the mountain of homework I have waiting for me.”
Sofia was happy to comply and we spent the rest of the afternoon eating and hanging out. My mood had lifted by the time I left the junior dorm. I crossed the quad with a smile on my face, thinking of my weekend with Jaxson.
Buzz. Buzz.
The smile melted away. I hoped it wasn’t them; I wanted to hold on to my happiness for longer.
1 Unread Message: Ace
Ace: Good. You’re back.
I halted. Looking around, I saw plenty of people in the quad with their phones. None of them were paying particular attention to me, but I took note of every face—both familiar and unfamiliar.
Ace: Good. You’re back. So now I can tell you about the rules. They are very simple so even you should have no trouble following them. One: Keep your phone on you. If it’s not in the phone box; it’s on your body. Two: You don’t tell anyone about me. Three: Do everything I say or people will find out about Scarlett LeBlanc.
Anger surged through me and I typed my reply.
Me: You don’t know anything about Scarlett, and I am not doing a thing you say. So again: Fuck off.
I took one step and the reply came back right away.
Ace: So you need proof. That’s fine. I’m happy to provide.
My face screwed up in a frown. Proof? What proof could they possibly have?
Another notification popped up on my screen, this time telling me of a media message. I clicked it without a thought.
A blur of colors appeared on my screen. I could make out nothing as the camera shook.
What is this?
A scream tore from my speakers and I almost dropped the phone. The picture became clear as I righted my cell and dread like I had never felt before turned me to lead.
I watched myself on the screen. I saw me scream and fight as Scarlett LeBlanc dragged me to the edge of the cliff. The cry that had been tormenting me in my dreams poured out of the speaker, and then I was there.
“Give me the phone!”
“If you want the fucking thing so bad then have it!”
I threw it. The phone crested high over our heads and Scarlett’s head snapped back as she followed its flight. She jumped, straining to reach it, and... missed.
The phone soared over the edge of the cliff and Scarlett went with it. Her screams echoed through the clearing until I could hear them no more.
My hands shook as the screen went black.
Then the phone buzzed with another message, and I ran. I ran through the quad to my dorm without pausing for breath. My front door flew open with a bang that rattled the building.
How? How?! How could they have that video? Who could have seen?
I tore into my room, then locked and bolted every door and window. I felt exposed. Unseen eyes crawled all over my skin until it was everything I could do not to claw it off.
I didn’t want to. My finger slipped on the scanner three times, but things were different now. There would be no more ignoring Ace. I opened the final message.
Ace: I’m glad we understand each other now. I said we were going to have fun this year. I can’t wait.
Chapter Six
“Val? Val? Val!”
My head snapped up and Kai’s face came into focus. “What?”
“You what. You’ve been zoned out all day. You didn’t even notice the bell rang two minutes ago.”
“Shit!” I scrambled to get my things. Kai and I booked it out of the empty classroom.
Monday had dawned early, but not bright. At least not for me. I stayed up all night worrying about the video, Ace, and what I should do. More than that, I wondered what Ace was going to make me do. How was I going to get out of this?
“Why didn’t you go without me?” I huffed.
Our leather soles cuffed the marble floors, making faint squeaks as we went. Kai shrugged mid-run. “I wasn’t going to let you be late to orchestra. The guy is nuts.”
“The guy” shot us the foulest look when we flew in seconds before the final bell.
“Miss Moon. Mr. Thomas. Do not cut it so close next time!”
“Yes, Professor Felton,” we mumbled.
“Sit! Sit! Sit!” Felton punctuated every shout with a whack of his baton. The weedy, white-haired man had led world-famous orchestras for decades, but now he was the slightly deaf, ill-tempered professor who never put down his baton and gave detention to anyone who was late.
I collected more nasty looks as I headed down the rows for my seat. The orchestra classroom was quite impressive. It was like a mini auditorium with Felton in the middle and us surrounding him with instruments the school had spared no expense on. I liked learning to play the bongos. I even liked Felton most days. What I didn’t like were the poisonous looks Isabella, Natalie, and Airi threw me from their seats in front of me.
“Stupid bitch,” Airi hissed. “Why do you bother to show up? All you do is make a racquet with those things.”
I ignored her as I got out my bongos. Airi was particularly awful to me in this class. I’m guessing having to play her replacement violin made her extra prickly. But whatever her problem was, I didn’t have time for it. I had much bigger issues than scores I had settled a year ago. Airi would have to get over it.
“Attention! Attention!” We were already silent and waiting for his signal. “Now! Begin!”
Somehow, I made it through class and only got yelled at once. Sofia and the twins fell in beside me as I trudged to class.
“Something is up with Val,” Kai announced.
I shoved his shoulder. “No, it’s not. I’m fine.”
“Kai worries about you,” Sofia spoke up. “And so do I. You have been acting weird today.”
“No one is being weird. No one needs to worry.” I was proud of myself for how convincingly I said that. “Let’s just get some lunch. I’m starved.”
We strode through into the cafeteria and joined the line. From the smells wafting from the kitchen, I knew it would be good.
Someone tapped my shoulder.
&
nbsp; “Don’t even think of touching my dessert,” I said. “I’ll come out forks swinging.”
“Thanks for the warning.”
I blinked. That amused voice was definitely not Sofia. “Maverick?” I turned but my eyes only confirmed it. Standing before me was a wall of pecs. I traveled higher and landed on his smile.
“Valentina.” He gestured with his chin. “After you get your lunch, will you come with me?”
“Where?”
The question should have come from my lips, but Kai beat me to it. Maverick glanced at him.
“Do I know you?”
“What’s up, Maverick?” I asked, drawing the attention back to me.
The taller boy’s muscles flexed as he shoved his hands in his pockets. I never thought of myself as someone obsessed with looks, but I couldn’t help but drink him in every time I saw him.
“I have something for you,” he said. “I would have given it to you sooner, but Jaxson claimed you for the weekend.”
I warmed at his word choice.
“It’s in the Knight room. Come with me?”
“Okay.”
Maverick drifted off to the side to wait while I got my lunch—and the third degree from my friends.
“Want do you think he wants to give you?” Sofia asked, eyes shining. “Ooh, I love this twelve labors thing. I wish a guy would do something like that to show how much he cares about me. Let alone four guys.”
The twins spoke at the same time.
“Twelve labors?”
“What do you want me to do?”
Sofia rose up and kissed Zane’s cheek. “Not you specifically, babe. The Knights acted like awful shits to Val in freshman year and now they are each doing three things to make it up to her.”
“Sofia!” I cried. “Let’s just tell the whole school, shall we?”
“Is it a secret? Why? It’s the sweetest thing ever.”
Zane captured her chin between his fingers. “Well, if you think it’s sweet; sign me up.”
They dissolved into giggling and flirting and I looked away. Kai sidled up to me as the lunch staff handed me a tray.
“Is she for real?”