by Caitlyn Dare
I open my mouth to argue, to tell her that Mia is everything, but I catch myself at the last minute and swallow down the words.
"So what do you say?" She leans forward on the desk, ensuring her tits are pushed up and right in my view.
I roll my eyes at her display. If she believes any of what she's just said to me, then she must realize that she's barking up the wrong tree, trying to convince me with her body.
"I'm not interested, Brook. I'm already in deeper with the Electi than I want. I'm not starting any games with them."
"But—" she pouts. "Don't you want her?"
Yes, more than anything. But not like this.
"No. She's Cade's."
Her chin drops, and she stares at me as if I'm about to throw my head back and laugh.
"Wait… you're serious?"
"Deadly. Now, do you mind? I actually want to pass this class."
I turn away from her, pull my notebook closer, and focus on the professor as he paces back and forth, his enthusiastic voice booming across the vast space.
Brook huffs and pouts beside me, but she doesn't say anything else, although something tells me that it won't be the last I hear from her.
She's clearly serious about getting Cade back. Fuck knows why anyone would want that conceited asshole, but she's more than welcome to him. And somehow, she's discovered my weakness. And while I might have just refused her offer to break up the not-so-happy couple, that doesn't mean I don't want to figure out a way to make it happen. I'd just rather not have to sell my soul to the female version of Cade fucking Kingsley to do it.
Thankfully, I manage to catch up with what I'd missed while Brook was spouting her crap at me, and by the time I walk out of the auditorium a couple of hours later, I've almost forgotten about the whole exchange. Almost.
Just like my journey here, I keep my head down and don't acknowledge anyone as I grab a coffee before my next class starts.
By some miracle, I manage to keep up my hiding in plain sight act for two whole days.
I come to the conclusion that I must be emitting some weird back-the-fuck-off aura, because even Alex gives me a wide birth, which is seriously unlike him.
It all comes crashing down, though, as I leave my economics class on Wednesday morning.
I'm the last one to pack up and leave. Even the professor has given up waiting for me and disappeared.
I'm just about to reach for the door when it swings open and I find myself locked in Mia's dark and angry hazel eyes.
She's been messaging me, trying to catch my attention in class, but I haven’t so much as looked her way. If I weren't so in tune with her then I might have missed it, but if we're in the same room together then I know everything. I'm aware the second she turns her eyes on me. I feel the tether that's between us pulling tight, begging me to turn her way and to make that connection with her that we both crave.
She takes a step toward me, looking up through her lashes. Her shoulders are tense and her lips are downturned.
"You're ignoring me," she states, dropping her purse to the floor with a thud as she continues to close the space between us.
Her scent fills my nose, and my resolve to put some distance between us begins to crumble.
"Did you have a good date on Sunday night?" I snarl.
"You know I didn't. I spent the entire time I was there wishing that I was with you. But there was little chance of that, seeing as you can't even respond to my messages." Anger comes off her in waves. "You told me you wanted me, Bex. That it was me and you. And then you just ran away."
"You lied to me," I seethe, my voice laced with anger and disappointment.
"What? When?"
I suck in a deep breath, trying not to lose myself in the memory of him backing her into her room and pushing his tongue into her mouth.
"I saw him, Mia,” I spit. “I know it wasn't Annabel at your door Saturday morning."
28
Mia
Bexley’s words ring in my ear.
He knows.
He knows.
“Bexley, I can explain.” My voice echoes around the now empty room.
“Explain how your mouth ended up on his?” he seethes.
“I’m his prosapia, I don’t exactly have a choice.”
“Fuck,” he hisses, jamming his fingers into his hair and tugging sharply. Then his defeated gaze settles on mine. “This was a mistake. I don’t think I can do this anymore.”
I suck in a ragged breath, his words lashing my insides.
“Y-you don’t want me?” My arms go around my waist as I try to hold myself together. I gave myself to him. I let myself believe his words.
You’re mine.
And now he’s throwing them back in my face like I’m nothing.
“It doesn’t matter what I want,” he says coldly. “Like you said, you’re Kingsley’s prosapia. Soon enough you’ll be his fiancée. And I’ll be one of his lapdogs. This,” he motions between us, “us. It can never work.”
“So that’s it, huh?” I swallow the ball of emotion in my throat. “You’re just going to walk away?”
My body begins trembling as my chest cracks wide open. I knew he might have been having second thoughts, but I didn’t think he’d break my heart quite so brutally.
“I’m not the guy for you, Mia.” He glances away, and I know we’re done here.
Bexley is choosing—and he’s choosing the coward’s way out.
Well fuck him.
Fuck him and Cade and the Electi.
Fuck them all.
If Bexley won’t help me figure this out, I’ll do it myself. Because I refuse to stay in this situation and just let Cade ruin me. Which is exactly what I know he’ll do. He’s just biding his time, toying with me until the day he can finally make me his in all the ways he wants.
“You know, I really thought you were better than him. I thought you were trustworthy.” I slam my hands against his chest. “I thought you’d keep my heart safe. Guess I should have known you’d fuck off as soon as you got what you wanted,” I shriek, aware that if anyone passes the room they’ll hear me. But I don’t care. In this minute, all I care about is letting Bexley know just how deeply he’s betrayed me.
I storm away, but Bexley grabs my wrist and yanks me back. My eyes snap to where he’s roughly grasping me and then flick to his dark gaze.
“I suggest you get your hands off me.” My voice is a low growl as I wrench myself free and stagger back.
“What did you say about me?” He sneers.
“You heard me. You’re a coward. You’re—"
“Not that. The bit about me being like him. I am nothing like that fucker.” Bexley’s eyes spark with contempt, sending shivers skating down my spine.
“Keep telling yourself that.”
“That’s rich, coming from you. Or did you forget that his fingers have been inside your pussy?”
My gasp fills the air. “That’s different, and you know it.” What Cade did to me was against my will. I didn’t want it. I hated every second of it.
Except… I didn’t.
Shame burns through me.
“You came like a good little whore, Mia. All over his fingers.”
“How dare you…” I tremble as I back up, but Bexley prowls toward me like a predator tracking its prey. My heart gallops in my chest, fear flooding my veins. Bexley won’t physically hurt me, my head knows that, but my heart is already bruised from his cruel words.
My back hits the wall, and there’s nowhere left to go. Bexley looms over me, his breaths coming in short, sharp bursts. He’s furious.
Well, that makes two of us.
He reaches around me and locks the door.
“What are you doing?” My voice wobbles.
“You really think I’m like him?”
“Do you care?”
“Mia…” he warns, and I press my lips together in defiance.
“You want me to be like Kingsley?” His hands slide into my hair an
d winds it around his fists, making my scalp pinch. I swallow the cry building in my throat and narrow my eyes.
“Little mouse, didn’t you know you shouldn’t say things you don’t mean. It’s mean. And mean girls get punished.” He yanks me down, pushing me until I’m on my knees at his feet.
His other hand snaps his belt and frees his cock. It’s hard and ready. And I know I should be pissed, I know I should lean forward and bite the goddamn thing off, but all I feel is the sweet taste of victory.
Bexley can say we’re done, he can say he doesn’t want me, but he does. The proof is staring me right in the eyes.
“Don’t just look at it, mouse.” He fists himself, pumping a couple of times. “Suck it.”
The head is swollen, a bead of pre-cum glistening there. My tongue darts out, tasting him.
“Fuck,” Bexley rasps, and I smile with satisfaction. He thinks he’s in charge here, but I hold all the cards. And I’m going to make him kneel at my feet by the time we’re done.
My hand wraps around his shaft and I suck him into my mouth, taking him as far as I can. A garbled moan flies from his lips as I swirl my tongue around the tip again. I pump him in firm strokes as I tease and lick and suck.
“Fuck yeah.” He tries to force me over his length again, but I stand my ground, teasing him into complete submission. My hands gently cup his balls as I take him to the back of my throat again, swallowing down the urge to gag. Bexley’s clean, salty taste is addictive, and I suck him like a popsicle.
My hands slide around his thighs and find his ass, gripping firmly. I’ve never gotten past second base with anyone except Bexley, but the thought of making a guy like him come undone spurs me on to experiment and do what feels good.
“Look at me,” he commands, raggedly, and I stare up at him as I flatten my tongue against the underside of his cock and lick.
“I could blow my load just watching you.” He reaches down and cups my face, stroking my cheek. “More,” he grunts, and I go back to sucking him deep into my mouth.
I’m so turned on, I’m half-tempted to slip my hand into my panties and make myself come, but I have a mission, and I’m not about to fail.
Slipping a finger into my mouth, I make it nice and wet before sliding it against Bexley’s ass. He stiffens, grabbing my hair and tilting my face to his. “What the hell are you doing, little mouse?”
“I’ve heard it makes you come harder.” I gently push my finger deeper, feeling his tight ring of muscle.
“You think I want to come in your mouth when I can come in your pussy?” His eyes darken as he yanks me to my feet. “Playtime is over.” Bexley lifts me up, forcing my legs around his waist. He pushes my skirt up. “Ready to be punished, mouse?” He nips my lips, smirking. But I see the affection in his gaze.
“Do you worst,” I taunt, needing him more than I need air.
Bexley lines himself up and slams inside of me, making me cry out. He covers my mouth with his big hand as he drives into me over and over, fucking me like he hates me when we both know it’s a lie.
“Fuck, I want to fuck you right out of my system.”
“Liar,” I cry, lost to the sensations, the sheer pleasure, coursing through my veins.
His eyes flicker with surprise and I smirk.
“What happened to punishing me?”
His hand slides to my throat and he squeezes. “Know what I think? I think you like it when I hurt you.”
“I like it when you fuck me.”
“Jesus.” His mouth crashes down on mine, stealing my breath, as he continues pounding into me.
“Harder,” I breathe. “More…”
“Fuck, Mia… fuck, are you close?”
I’m not, I’m too wound up. Too all up in my head.
“Tell me what you need, mouse.” Bexley peppers my mouth with tender kisses, slowing his pace, grinding into me so that his pelvis hits my clit, sending bolts of pleasure rippling through me.
“Like that,” I whisper, my head rolling back against the wall as I chase the wave building deep inside me.
My legs begin trembling as I hurtle toward the edge. “Close?” he asks again, and I smirk.
He cares.
Bexley cares so much he’d do anything right now to make sure I come first.
“Touch me.” I grab his hand and push it between our bodies, smothering a moan when his fingers find my swollen clit. My orgasm hits like a wrecking ball, slamming into me so hard I can do nothing but ride out the wave.
Bexley follows me, jerking hot ropes of cum inside me as he kisses me with long, lazy licks of his tongue.
I press my body closer, holding onto him for dear life. “Don’t ever tell me we were a mistake again.” Easing back, I meet his hooded gaze. “Nothing about us is a mistake, Bexley. Not a single thing.”
“This won’t end well,” he says, his words like a gunshot to my heart.
“I don’t care,” I say, whispering against the corner of his lips. “I’m yours. Say it.” My fingers graze his jaw. “I need you to say it.”
“You’re mine, Mia. Every.” Kiss. “Single.” Kiss. “Piece of you.”
“Good.” I nod, feeling like a weight has been lifted. “Now let’s get out of here before someone finds us.”
After Bexley and I snuck out of the classroom, we both went our separate ways. But he’d spent most of the day texting me, reassuring me that we would find a way through this.
I’m still smiling when there’s a knock at my door a few hours later.
My stomach plummets as I expect to see Cade on the other side of the peephole. But it isn’t Cade at all.
“Sasha, this is a surprise.”
“I hope it’s okay that I stopped by. I kind of got the impression you’ve been avoiding me.”
“Not avoiding, just… it’s been a strange weekend.”
“How were the parentals?”
“Frustrating,” I admit, welcoming her inside. “How was your weekend?”
“Fairly dull. The guys were… preparing.”
“For the weekend?”
She nods but doesn’t meet my eyes.
“Why do I get the feeling it’s going to be bad?”
“It’s never good where Cade and Ashton are concerned.”
“What’s that?” Her eyes drop to my neck, and my hand drifts there.
“What?” I walk to the mirror, and my eyes widen in horror. “I… uh, nothing.”
“That’s not nothing.” She storms over to me and bats my hand away, pulling the neckline of my tank top down. “That’s a hickey.”
“No, it’s not.”
Her brow arches. “You’re a terrible liar. The question is, though, who gave it to you? Was it Cade? Are you two—"
“What? No!” Disgust rolls through me.
“Oh my God,” realization dawns in her eyes, “it was Bexley, wasn’t it?”
“No, it wasn’t. I don’t know what you’re talking about.” I can’t look at her, because I know there’s guilt etched into my expression.
“Oh, Mia, what did you do?”
She steps around me so I have no choice but to meet her sympathetic gaze.
“I like him, Sasha. I really, really like him.”
“But you’re Cade’s prosapia. If he finds out, and he will, what do you think he’ll do?”
A violent shudder rips through me. “You can’t tell him, please. I’m begging you.”
“God, I would never… but you have to end it, Mia. You have to.”
“I can’t. I won’t.” I’m falling for Bexley, and I refuse to accept that we can’t find a way to make it work. Even if it is stupid.
“This isn’t a case of Cade getting his feelings hurt, Mia. It’s a game of life or death, and if he finds out what you’ve done… Bexley’s life won’t be worth living.”
Oh God.
What have I done?
29
Bexley
Mouse: The coast is clear
My heart begins to race as I
stare down at her simple message.
We’d arranged for me to sneak into her dorm after school this evening. We pretended it was so we could work on our economics assignment, but we both knew we were lying. No homework was going to be completed once we were alone in her room.
But as if he knew, Cade decided that tonight was the perfect time for him to pitch up to Mia’s dorm to complete his own homework with her.
Mia promised she’d message the second he left, but as the time ticked on, I started to wonder if he was intending on staying the night.
That thought made my blood run cold.
It’s bad enough having the memory of him kissing and touching her in my mind, but knowing he’s lying beside her like I did only days ago… A shudder rips through me, and my fists curl in frustration.
“What’s wrong with you? Need a shit or something?” Alex asks me as I jump from his bed like my ass is on fire.
After spending those short minutes with Mia in the auditorium yesterday, I decided it was probably time to pull my head out of my ass and talk to Alex.
In typical boy style, he took one look at me standing at his dorm room door, asked me if I’d stopped sulking yet, and invited me in as if nothing ever happened.
He made everything seem so easy, and I wished I could go through each day without this oppressive weight pressing down on my shoulders.
Alex is stressed about this Electi thing, don’t get me wrong, but he seems to be accepting it a hell of a lot better than me.
“I’m going for a run.”
“A run? It’s nearly eleven.”
I glance at the time on my cell and notice that he’s right.
“I’m restless. We’ve got some shit heading our way this weekend, and I can’t settle.” It’s not a total lie. What Cade and his goons have in store for us for our final initiation task is never far from my mind.
He’s already drugged us, beat us half to death, and forced us to act like peasants while they lord it up over us. And that’s without mentioning the sluts they sent our way.
This last thing is going to be worse, so much worse. But how?