Temper Him: A Dark High School Romance (Rebels at Sterling Prep Book 6)

by Caitlyn Dare

  I crawl lower down her body, kissing every bit of skin I find until I hit the waistband of her jeans. I pop the button and pull, needing her bare for me.

  She lifts her hips to help me, and in seconds the fabric is free of her. I sit back on my haunches and look her over. She's so fucking perfect, I can barely stand it.

  Her chest heaves, her rosy pink nipples rising and falling in quick succession, teasing me. The ink on her arms flexes as her fists clench in the sheets beneath her, her impatience getting to be too much. I run my eyes down to her slim waist, her full hips, and then the place that has my mouth watering for her.

  Wrapping my fingers around her ankles, I spread her legs wide and plant her feet on the bed, opening her up for me.

  Her pussy is swollen and slick.

  "What do you need, K?"

  "Conner," she moans, her hips grinding in her need for friction.

  "Tell me, babe. I'm not giving you anything until you tell me."

  "You, Conner. Always you." I quirk a brow and wait for her to be more specific. "Your mouth, your fingers, your cock. All of it, Conner. Please." Her voice is almost begging. "All of it, Conner. Make it all go away and replace it with nothing but you."

  "Fuck." How am I meant to deny her anything when she talks to me like that?

  Pressing my palms against her inner thighs, I spread her wider and dive for her pussy. I lick up the length of her as she squirms beneath me. "That what you need, babe?" I keep my voice low, allowing the vibrations from each word to drive her crazy.

  Her fingers thread into my hair and she tugs me closer to ensure I give her what she needs. Circling her clit with my tongue, I vary the speed, knowing that it's only going to drive her higher.

  "Conner," she squeals when I slow down once again. "Please, Con. I need—"

  "I know what you need." I circle one digit around her entrance, smiling as she desperately tries to suck me in deeper. "But you're not getting it, yet."

  "God, Conner," she cries, her back arching as I slide two fingers deep inside her, finding her g-spot. I rub at it while my tongue continues to circle her clit. Her grip on my hair is almost painful and I watch as her eyes slam shut and her head thrashes about as her release gets within touching distance.

  "Yes, yes," she cries. Just before I know she's going to fall, I can't help myself and my teeth graze her clit, ensuring the bite of pain will send her higher. "Conner," she screams as her entire body locks tight for a beat before she begins to convulse around me.

  I don't stop until she's ridden out every second of her release.

  "Fucking love watching you lose control," I admit, crawling back up her body and crashing my lips to hers. She moans when she tastes herself and I lick deeper into her mouth, ensuring that I'm searing myself into her soul so she remembers this long after we've parted. I need her to have something to latch onto when shit gets hard.

  There are only a few days until her birthday. I know this is all coming to an end, but those few days must feel like a lifetime to her right now, being locked inside that trailer with that monster.

  "Conner, I need more. I need to feel you inside me, please. I need you to show me. I-I need you to show me that you meant what you said."

  As I pull back from her, a frown forms on my brow as I try to work out what she means. "Shit, K. I wouldn't lie to you about that," I say, realizing what she's talking about. "I want you. No matter what." I brush my thumb over her bottom lip before climbing from the bed to show her just how true those words are.

  I toe my shoes off and drop both my pants and boxers to the floor. Taking myself in hand, I show her exactly what she does to me.

  I jack myself a couple of times, ensuring she's watching me. "Just you, babe. No one else does this to me. Nothing, and I mean nothing, is ever going to change that."

  She nods, watching me with hooded, desire-filled eyes.

  Reaching down, I slide my hand into my pants pocket and pull out something that I hate to use with her, but I know we'd be reckless if we didn't.

  She doesn't notice right away, and my heart slams in my chest, not knowing how she's going to react to me putting a barrier between us, but I know it's the right thing to do.

  The most important thing about right now is us being smart. That cunt has already proven that he's too clever for his own good, despite the fact that he's fucking stupid for thinking he could go up against James Jagger—or at least I fucking hope it's a stupid move and Dad is as trustworthy as he makes himself out to be.

  Her gaze remains locked on my cock as I crawl back on the bed between her legs. It's not until I lift the packet to my mouth to rip it open that her eyes follow my movement.

  Her lips part in shock before disappointment washes through her. It damn near kills me to see it, but I stand by my decision to protect her.

  To protect us.

  Chapter Nineteen

  Kennedy

  My entire body goes rigid when I spot the foil packet between Conner’s fingers, and my breath hitches as my eyes dart from his.

  “Babe, look at me.”

  Shame burns through me.

  He wants a barrier between us... because of Warren. Because my body belongs to another guy, even though my heart belongs to Conner.

  “K, look at me. Please.” Slowly, I lift my eyes to his. “It’s not what you think.”

  My brow arches with accusation.

  “I swear, babe. But it’s the smart thing to do, you know it is.”

  Tears prick my eyes and Conner leans over me, sliding his hand against my cheek. “Don’t let him in here with us, I’m begging you.” He kisses me softly, as if he’s afraid I might disappear. “It’s only you and me, K. I promise.”

  I let out a small breath, touching my head to his. “You’re sure?” Uncertainty fills my voice, and I hate how weak and insecure Warren has made me.

  “Let me love you, babe. That’s all I want.”

  A faint smile traces my lips as I nod. “I want that too.” I want it so much, my heart crashes against my chest. Conner leans back on his haunches to roll on the condom. But I don’t overthink it. He’s right; I want nothing else to exist in this moment except me and him.

  Conner flattens himself against my body, sliding his arms under my thighs and spreading me wide, allowing him to glide right inside.

  “Oh God,” I cry out, overwhelmed at how incredible it feels. He’s so deep, so hard and desperate for me.

  He hisses sharply once he’s fully seated inside me. Our eyes lock, a beat passing. “I love you, Kennedy Lowe. I love you so fucking much. Nothing—nothing—will ever change that.” Conner pulls out and slams back inside, hitting my cervix. I smother moan after moan as he rocks into me with strong, powerful strokes. He drops one of my thighs and slides his fingers between our bodies, feeling where we’re joined. “Feel me, babe. Feel me fucking you. I own this pussy, K. It’s mine.” He assaults my clit with such ferocity, I crash over the edge without warning. Pleasure sparks through my body, down to the tips of my toes.

  “God, Conner, it’s...”

  “I know, babe, I know.” He continues rocking into me, chasing his own release. Plastering his body to mine, Conner kisses me hard, plunging his tongue into my mouth and devouring me. We’re so close it’s hard to know where he ends and I begin, but I love it.

  I love him.

  So much I feel like my heart will explode right out of my chest.

  This is how it should be—him loving me without limits, me willingly handing him my heart and soul.

  “I’m so fucking close, babe. You feel incredible.” His hand glides up my body and wraps around my throat tenderly, holding me as if I’m the most precious thing in his entire world.

  I want to be.

  I want to be his stars and moon.

  “Conner...” I cry as another orgasm hits. He follows, jerking inside me as he groans against my lips.

  “I love you,” he breathes. “I love you, I love you, I love you.”

  My lau
ghter fills the tiny space between us. “You’re crazy.”

  “Crazy for you, K. Only ever you.” Conner wraps his arms and legs around me, trapping me in his embrace. He rolls us onto our sides, grinning at me like a goofball. “Hi.”

  “Hi.” I return his grin.

  “There’s my girl.” He captures my lips in a slow, toe-curling kiss.

  “This... this is what I want,” I whisper, the weight of my words threatening to make the walls of our temporary sanctuary crumble.

  “You have me, babe. Every last piece.” He traces his fingers over my heart.

  Silence settles over us as our time together slowly runs out.

  For as amazing as this moment is, it isn’t reality. It’s a dream. A bittersweet fantasy that has to end.

  “I wish this didn’t have to—"

  “Shh.” He presses his thumb to my lips. “Just pretend with me for a little while longer.”

  We lie there together, skin touching, hearts beating, pretending that this is forever.

  The knock at the door startles me, my heart lurching into my throat.

  “Relax,” Conner chuckles, kissing my head. “It’s just Shelbie.” He climbs out of bed and pulls on his clothes before padding over to the door.

  “Yeah,” he says. “Okay.” The tightness in his voice has me bolting upright.

  He closes the door and turns around, his expression making my stomach sink. “We have a problem.”

  “Warren.” His name is like a gunshot to my heart.

  “He’s in the bar.”

  “Shit.” I leap from the bed and begin pulling on my clothes. “You have to go,” I rush out. “Go, Conner.”

  He crosses the room and pulls me into a bear hug. “It’s okay, babe. Everything is going to be okay. Shelbie isn’t down there, so he doesn’t know. Get dressed and take a minute.” He cups my face, his blue eyes calming the storm raging inside me.

  “You’re sure?”

  “I covered my tracks, I promise. Clean up, and Shelbie will take you down to meet him.”

  “What will you do?” My bottom lip trembles as pain splinters through me.

  “Don’t worry about me. Now go.” He gives me a little shove toward Shelbie’s bathroom.

  I hurry inside and quickly clean myself up. There’s a bunch of girly products on the counter so I spritz myself with some perfume and steal some toothpaste to finger-brush my teeth. I hate washing Conner off my body, but if Warren even so much as gets a whiff of a guy on me, I don’t want to think about the consequences.

  For either of us.

  Warren isn’t stupid. He knows the only guy I’d risk everything to be with is Conner.

  When I slip back into the bedroom, he’s right there, pulling me into his big, strong arms.

  “Soon it’ll just be you and me, K. We’ll take off, just the two of us.”

  “Where will we go?”

  “Anywhere you want, babe. The world is our oyster. You’ve just got to hold on a little while longer.”

  “Okay.” I loop my arms around his neck and hold on tight, trying to draw on his strength.

  “Guys.” Shelbie’s voice filters through the door, and I take a shuddering breath.

  “I love you,” I say, my heart breaking as I force myself out of Conner’s arms.

  “Soon, babe.” His voice cracks as he lets me go. “Soon.”

  “I can’t believe he’s here,” I say as I follow Shelbie down the steps and around the back of the bar.

  “Really?” she sneers. “Because I totally saw him pulling this kind of stunt. I just hoped he wouldn’t.”

  “Yeah, you’re probably right.” I swallow hard.

  We left Conner upstairs to sneak out once Warren sees me and realizes I’m fine.

  Except, I’m not fine.

  I’m a bag of nerves at the thought of Conner anywhere near him.

  “Hey.” Shelbie grabs my arm and looks at me. “You’ve got this, Kenny.”

  I nod. It’s all I can manage.

  “Come on, before he tears up the place looking for you.”

  We slip into the bar and Warren instantly sees me. I plaster on my best smile and walk toward him. “This is a surprise,” I say, leaning up to kiss him.

  “I got impatient.” He hooks his arm around my waist and pulls my body flush with his. “I missed you, baby.” His teeth graze my ear and shudders roll through me. He’s high and horny. I can smell the weed on his breath.

  “Couldn’t even let me keep her for a couple of hours?” Shelbie says lightly.

  “What can I say, I’m a needy guy.” His grip on my hip tightens.

  “Well, now you’re here, why don’t I order us all something to eat, on the house. I’m sure my dad won’t mind.”

  “You hungry, baby?” Warren breathes the words against my neck, making my stomach clench violently.

  “I could eat,” I say with as much indifference as I can muster.

  “Cool, let me grab some menus. You guys find a booth.”

  Joker’s is quiet, but Warren chooses the booth most sheltered from prying eyes.

  “We don’t have to stay.”

  “It’s all good, baby.” He relaxes against the curved backrest.

  “What did you do today?” I ask.

  “A little bit of this, a little bit of that.” He smirks, letting his hands wander precariously close to my pussy. I have my jeans on, but it doesn’t stop him pawing at me.

  “Warren,” I hiss, trying to swat him away, “people can see.”

  “No one’s watching you, baby. I could make you come all over my fingers right here and no one would stop me.”

  “Hey.” Shelbie appears with the menus and I force Warren’s hand away under the table. “Is everything okay?”

  “Just my girl. She can’t keep her hands to herself. Isn’t that right, babe?” Warren chuckles darkly, and for a second, I wonder if he knows. He never calls me babe... but Conner does.

  Shelbie throws me a concerned look, but I discreetly shake it off.

  He can’t know.

  Conner said he covered his tracks, and I believe him.

  Warren is just trying to freak me out.

  “So, K,” Shelbie says, changing the subject as we peruse the menu. “It’s your birthday on Saturday. Are you excited?”

  “I... uh, I guess.”

  It’s not like my life will suddenly change because I’m an adult in the eyes of the authorities. I’ll still be stuck here, under Warren’s control. Waiting for what Conner just promised me.

  Soon.

  James Jagger will come through. He has to.

  “What looks good?” I try to turn their attention back to the menu.

  “The Joker burger is amazing,” Shelbie grins, “but it’s huge. We could go halves?”

  “Okay, sounds good.”

  “Warren?” she asks.

  “Just get me a basket of fries and a beer.”

  “Uh, sure. I’ll be right back.”

  “You’re not hungry?” I ask him, surprised.

  “Oh, I am.” He grabs the nape of my neck and pulls my face down to his. “Just not for burgers and fries.”

  “Warren.” I try to wiggle free but he plunges his tongue past my lips. His grip on my neck is like a vise as he plunders my mouth.

  Flattening my hands against his t-shirt, I manage to break away and inhale a ragged breath. “You’re high,” I remark.

  “And you’re fucking delicious. Let’s go to the restroom.”

  “What? No! This is Shelbie’s dad’s place. We can’t.”

  “Can’t?” His brow rises. “Or won’t?” Anger flashes over his face.

  “What has gotten into you?”

  I brace myself for one of his tantrums, silently praying it doesn’t come. But I won’t let him do this to me, not here. Not after Conner just loved me the way he did.

  Warren stares at me, his gaze dangerous and haunting. But then his angry mask falls away and a goofy grin tugs at his mouth.


  “Nothing, baby,” he croons. “I’m just horny, and you look so fucking good. Good enough to eat.”

  “As soon as we get home.” I bite back the bile that claws up my throat as I say the words.

  But it’s nothing compared to the fear that races down my spine when he says, “I might not be able to wait until then.”

  Chapter Twenty

  Conner

  "Where the hell have you been?" Cole barks, inviting himself into my room only seconds after I crash through the door.

  "Fuck off," I grunt. I don't need to look at him to know that his brows are pulled together in concern. Unlike my twin, who's tried—and succeeded—to do it time and time again, I've never shut him out. Not like this.

  Part of it is to do with the colossal secret he kept about Charlie, but as each day passes, I realize I care less about that. That cunt needed wiping off the face of the Earth, so really, Cole did us all a favor—I kinda wish he'd go pull the same stunt on Warren, if I'm being honest. Right now, I just don't want to talk about it. I don't want them knowing what risk I'm putting us all at because I can't stay away from Kennedy, because of my need to ensure she's safe. I don't want him or any of them to look at me with disappointed eyes because I couldn't last a few days, especially when I know for a fact that they wouldn't be able to do it either.

  "I was out," I seethe, dropping to the end of my bed with my back still to him. I rub my hand down my face but almost instantly regret it.

  I can still smell her.

  Images of our time together hit me. The devastation on her face when she saw the condom. I'd hurt her with that move. I knew there was a chance I would, but we had to. I also knew that there was no way I couldn't properly make her mine once more. No more fucked-up rough sex against a tree. I needed her to know that everything I'd said to her was real, that beneath my anger was still me. Even if it seems harder and harder to find myself these days.