by Holly Ice
‘And I’ll help you.’
He stroked my cheek and stepped in. Close enough I smelled that delicious musky body spray and the fresh mint underneath. Then he drew me into the hall and caged me against the wall.
My heart jumped.
His lips met mine, and I moaned. I tasted the night air and a chill that soon warmed through. Hell, was he refreshing. Like an icy mojito.
‘I’m glad you weren’t hurt.’ He ran a finger down my nose and smiled. ‘Though I kind of like you taking care of yourself.’
I grabbed his shirt and pulled him into a more heated kiss, my tongue twisting with his. He returned everything I gave him, but my heart still ached for more. And I mewled when he broke away. ‘You can’t leave this here.’ We’d done the tease-and-leave thing already.
‘We have to. Kaylee-’
Screwing in front of that traitor wasn’t ideal. ‘Your room?’
‘Cameron is in.’
I growled so low it could’ve come from Mira. ‘I’m not going back to bed.’ I wasn’t having a night with him taken away from me, too.
‘I want you, too, Trouble.’
‘It doesn’t have to be in a bedroom…’ I’d had a few dreams of screwing in the hallway since our last adventure. And it was late enough no one else was about.
Shane nibbled his lower lip. ‘I might know a place, if we’re quiet.’
‘Where?’
‘Grab a blanket and your duvet.’
‘Will the comforter do?’ That was the closest I had to a blanket.
‘Does the job.’
I’m staying in your room.
Aye. Fine.
And there went Mira, padding downstairs.
I was in and out of my room in less than thirty seconds, the covers balanced over my arms. Shane took them from me and slung them over his shoulder before marching me ahead of him, guiding me with his hands at my waist.
‘Still not telling me where we’re going?’
He tapped my bum, and I swatted back at him but only hit his arm. I’d get him back later.
‘In here.’
He ducked into a rarely used corridor running parallel to the dorms and took us to the far side of the building, through a door almost invisible in a busy floral wallpaper, and down endless stairs. Even in my fleecy jumper, the cold crept in. How the hell had he found this place? Or did the other students know about it, like a lookout point?
When I was about to ask how much further, the steps opened onto a room with stone slab flooring, scattered with sandy dirt. Dozens of brick arches held the floors above. No windows, no rooms, no doors. A whole lot of private, open space.
‘Are we in the basement?’ We had to be. I didn’t even know this place had one.
He turned me to face him. ‘Will this do?’
I threw the comforter on the floor, and with his help stretched the duvet on top. Nothing was down here, so we’d be undisturbed. And that meant I had the whole night to enjoy him. To get his broad shoulders and feline swagger out of my head. Or at least satisfy the ache I had for him.
‘It’s perfect.’
I kicked off my shoes at the edge of the duvet and stepped onto the covers, scrunching my toes into the soft inches that’d protect us from the cold floor.
Then I bent straight-legged, giving him a full view of my bum through the thin, tight leggings. I smiled to myself as I removed my socks and placed them inside my shoes. But when I stood, his socks and shoes were lined up by mine, and his warm heat shadowed me.
Slowly, I rubbed myself on his cock. He was rock-hard. I rubbed harder, loving the feel of him so close. He held my hips to him, then ran his hand inside my leggings. Slow circle motions stroked around my clit, never quite touching but edging closer.
I melted into him. With foreplay this good, he could have control. But I still reached back and grabbed his arse through his jeans. Hard.
He chuckled by my neck, each breath tickling deliciously. ‘Revenge?’
‘Maybe.’ I nudged back against him. Again and again, teasing.
He took my earlobe in his mouth and swirled his tongue around it, then kissed my neck, sucking and licking. A draught blew over my skin, pebbling it. I shivered. He’d gotten more than his fair revenge. And he knew what he was doing.
My turn. I twisted in his arms and pushed his top to his shoulders. ‘Off.’
He looked at me through half-lidded eyes and obliged, pulling the top off one arm, then the other. Delicious torture. I licked my lips and undid his belt, and the top button on his jeans. Then the zip, stroking him on the way down. His cock bulged free, the open jeans unable to take the strain. I mouthed ‘off’. Again, he obeyed, pushing the jeans to his ankles and stepping out of them.
His hands moved to lift my jumper, but I slapped them away with a smile. I wanted to take him in first. I ran my hand over his tanned, toned stomach and planted light kisses on each of his nipples. Then I stepped back to enjoy the rest of him.
What was most sexy was how he stood so still, arms at his sides.
I didn’t need long to drink him in. A body like his wasn’t easily forgotten and shouldn’t go untouched for long. He even had those lines inside his hips, pointing towards his groin. Nothing forgettable in that department, either.
Two slow steps brought him to me. This time, I raised my arms.
He removed my top with my jumper and let them drop to the floor. Then he pushed aside my bra and rolled my sensitive nipples between his fingers. Quick tingling flashes of pain and pleasure ran through me. I wanted him. Bad.
He undid my bra and guided my arms out of the straps, watching me. His gaze heated every inch of my skin. Hell, did I want him. Now.
Shane pointed to my leggings. I smirked. Turnabout was fair play.
I inched them down my thighs. Shane’s chest barely moved as he watched the slow tease.
My thin, lacy blue knickers were all that stood between us. I stalked towards him, each step brushing my folds in a way that made me want to play with myself through the fabric. Instead, I stalked to him and slid his boxers all the way to his feet.
On the way back up, I sucked the end of him.
Shane groaned. I took him deeper, coating his cock until he was wet. He moved in small strokes, eyes closed as he swayed back and forth.
I flicked the end of him with my tongue and drew out of reach, then hooked my thumbs through my knickers.
‘Let me.’
I stopped.
Shane wrapped his arms around me, his cock pressing into my thigh.
I sucked in air and got the woody taste of pine. And then Shane swept me off my feet and lowered me onto the duvet. He kissed along my collarbone, then licked down my stomach to the top of my knickers. He pulled them out of the way, feathering kisses over my mound until my hands shook.
‘You have a condom?’ My voice was beyond breathy, barely a whisper.
He smirked. ‘Oh, I have one, but I’m not there yet.’
I bit my lip. I was more than ready for him, so wet I felt it on my thighs.
He ducked his head and blew over my clit.
Oh, holy hell, that’s what he meant. I bucked my hips.
He licked me and slid his fingers inside, pumping with every touch of his tongue until I panted, meeting each finger thrust.
‘I need you.’
‘Not yet.’
I wasn’t having it. I found his jeans, his wallet in the back pocket, and threw it at him. ‘Condom. Now.’
Shane raised an eyebrow but opened the packet and placed the condom over his long, wide cock.
I licked my lips and pushed his shoulders until he lay on the duvet. And then I straddled him.
He placed his hands on my hips, but I didn’t let him control the pace. I took his girth in one and moaned.
He stretched all the right places, riding the edge of pain. I curled my hips, each thrust massaging my G-spot. Shane’s heavy eyes watched me work us both closer. Each thrust filled me so I forgot what it felt like to
be empty, and each movement away felt like a loss. I upped the pace, and he positioned so he could thrust into me.
I was so close. I couldn’t keep my eyes open anymore, so when he claimed my mouth, I lost myself in the kiss, our bodies slick with sweat. He drove me to the brink.
And then I stopped thinking, stopped breathing for a few seconds. All my muscles went tight. I gripped him and bit his neck. A few thrusts later he joined me, his cock throbbing as he came.
Fast breaths brought me down to earth. He held me to him.
That joyous, limp-limbed glow filled me. We’d have to find a bathroom soon, but for now I wanted to linger in this. He’d been more than I’d hoped. And, as I sat enough to look at him, I knew this hadn’t gotten him out of my system. It made me greedy for more.
Shane traced his finger along my spine. Shivers racked my boneless body but his slightly parted lips brought a flicker of fresh desire.
‘Again?’ I asked.
Shane’s chest bounced below me with his laugh. ‘I’m not letting you get away now.’
I stared into the dashes of green in his hazel eyes and realised this was more than just lust. He was there for me, in a way no one else had been. And I trusted him. Completely.
* * *
I stumbled into my room in the early hours and slipped on manky washing. I almost fell headfirst into my bedframe. And then the light switched on. I blinked rapidly, my night vision shot. ‘You’re up?’
Kaylee sat in bed, arms crossed and brows lowered. Oh, this was trouble. I’d pretended to sleep when she got in to avoid this very confrontation, but I wasn’t getting out of it now.
‘That boy is no good for you.’
‘He’s trouble. I know.’ Trouble that brought a mind-blowing orgasm. ‘But I think I like him.’
‘You’re a different person around him. Always out, jumping from person to person and group to group like you can’t find where you belong.’ She pointed at my hoodie pocket. ‘And why in the world did you hold on to that bloody tissue and pass it to Shane? I saw you.’
Shit. I was sure she’d been asleep.
Go careful.
Thanks, Lyall. Any useful ideas?
None forthcoming. So, how did I spin this? ‘I wanted to compare her DNA to mine.’
‘Why?’
‘I didn’t trust McKee with my DNA.’
‘Why not? All he’s done is help you.’
‘Didn’t you get a bad vibe from his uncle? Or how he’s handling all of this, under the radar like he shouldn’t be helping at all?’
‘He helps witches every term. It’s not a secret.’
‘Okay, what about the DNA? How did he get access to a database to compare samples?’
Kaylee shook her head. ‘Is this from Shane? You know he has a reputation, right?’
‘This has nothing to do with Shane.’
‘Doesn’t it? Don’t think I haven’t seen him and his friend Cameron joining odd groups the last few weeks. And if it’s DNA you’re after, isn’t that about a million times worse than going to McKee? His database is from consenting witches he’s helped, not stolen tissues.’
I swallowed, throat so dry I almost choked. Was that where McKee got his samples from? If it was, she was right. What I was doing was beyond shady in comparison. Totally immoral. But I didn’t believe it. Maybe witches he’d helped were in there, but he had to find their ancestors somehow. He had to have some kind of starting point. And it couldn’t be from just one family.
‘Are you sure about that? Did he offer you proof?’
‘He doesn’t have to! All this is crazy talk.’ She shook her head. ‘I should go straight to McKee and turn you in.’
‘Please, don’t.’ He’d piece the truth together. I’d only be grabbing DNA samples from known witch families if I only wanted to find my family. Unidentified throwbacks like Amélie were almost useless.
Kaylee scrutinised me, frowning. ‘Will you stop?’
Justin had benched me anyway, so that was an easy one. ‘Yes. I’ll stop.’
‘Because if I see you do anything else weird, I will report you.’
I looked at the floor, as if I felt bad about what I’d done. ‘I know.’
Kaylee was too enamoured with these people to believe anything bad about them. And she wouldn’t be the only one. People in positions of power had this bulletproof reputation around them. We’d have to prove their lies to her, and the rest of the school.
Chapter 15
Rufus was grilling us on the different types of fae and how they influenced the strengths of witches descended from them, when Mel knocked and pushed open the door. I’d never seen her so stiff. Even in a bright-pink dress, she was… stern. And then her eyes met mine, and I cursed under my breath. Was this about the DNA or Amélie? Hell, did I hope it was Amélie.
‘I need Bianca.’ Mel nodded to me.
Rufus gestured to the door.
I gathered my things with Lyall perched on my shoulder and followed Mel out of the classroom.
She didn’t say a word, just led me down the stairs and through twisting corridors that soon became familiar. She was taking me to McKee’s office. Was this Amélie’s revenge? She’d been fine in class. Her nose was a bit red, but it wasn’t like it was broken. Just bruised. And swollen. And Kaylee had been curt with me but seemed like she was going to keep quiet.
Are they really going to lecture me over hitting Amélie?
Violence isn’t appreciated in most schools.
I ken but I’m not a bairn. It’s not their place to tell me off.
Would you rather an assault charge?
I cursed again as we stopped in front of the head’s doors.
‘I’d not go in there with that attitude,’ Mel said, lips pinched. ‘I expected better of you.’ She turned the handle and left me to the lecture.
Going in or not?
Shut up. But I smiled all the same. Lyall was sarcastic, always, but he knew how to cheer me up and push me on.
‘Bianca, please take a seat.’
I looked around the head’s study, at the unlocked computer, the bookcases, the wingback chairs and miniature bar. In daylight, it seemed a wee bit more stately and less like something out of high society. But it was still far too grand for a school. ‘Why am I here?’
‘I think you know that.’
‘Amélie snitched, huh?’ Better to guess that than the other thing…
‘You did read the orientation book?’ He arched an eyebrow. ‘Regardless, by your age you should know hitting another student isn’t acceptable.’
‘She insulted my family, poked at where I came from, and turned the rest of the group against me. They were laughing, like I was the entertainment.’
‘That’s not the report I had. But still, a woman with your history has encountered worse, likely without punching them in the face.’
He was clever. Most men would’ve put the incident down to a catty argument that escalated. But he wasn’t ready to accept that.
‘I wanted to show her the line, that she couldn’t push me around like she does Kaylee.’
McKee templed his fingers. ‘Yes, Kaylee.’
Shit, shit, shit. No, she hadn’t said anything about the DNA. If she had, he’d have led with that, searched my room, suspended me. I’d not be sitting across from him in his office. ‘She talked to you?’
‘Well, we are family now.’
Distantly, and I didn’t see how that made a difference.
‘She’s worried about you.’
‘Why? I’m fine. My grades have improved, and I have other friends.’ Please say she hadn’t mentioned what I was up to.
‘And you’re easily aggravated.’
‘I’ve always been easily aggravated.’
‘It’s not about your search for family?’ He looked me over.
I tried to keep my breath even, but I was about to have a heart attack. ‘No, it’s not about that.’
‘Because the DNA route is still open. All I nee
d is a sample and I can work on it. For you, I’ll put it high on the priority list. It might solve this… anxiety you have. You could feel more at home here, more like you belong.’
I let out the breath I’d been holding slowly, not wanting to give away my relief. That was far more stress than I could handle. ‘I’m good, thanks.’
He quirked an eyebrow. ‘Well, then we should go back to the incident. Perhaps Amélie said some things that were out of line, but you can’t hit her without punishment. And she’ll want an apology.’
I scrunched my nose.
He chuckled. ‘Suck it up, Bianca. You got in a punch. Pay your dues.’ And in that moment, I saw a younger man in his joyful face, a man who had got into as many scrapes as me.
‘Is that everything?’
I could manage a non-apology apology. And I needed to message Shane before he tore his hair out wondering if I’d been caught for something more serious.
‘No. You’ll work with me on family tree research. Maybe that will keep you out of trouble.’
I worked very hard to keep my nose scrunched. He couldn’t think this was what I wanted, or suspect why I wanted to spend more time around his research operation. Who knew punishment was the way to get close to a suspect’s secrets? ‘When?’
‘Every weekday for an hour after class.’
I sighed and made it one worthy of a teenager forced on a hike without internet. ‘For how long?’
‘Until the end of term. ‘
Did he mean the mid-term break for the winter holidays, or the term break at the end of January? Either way, it should give me decent time to assess his extracurricular activities.
‘Fine. Should I come here, or do you work somewhere else?’
‘Here will do.’
That didn’t answer the question. Though perhaps it explained why Shane had found nothing useful in his office. ‘Will Russell be joining us?’
‘Sometimes, but his work keeps him busy.’
‘He works in the family business, right?’
‘Yes. He oversees potion production for the witch community.’
Well, that was something Shane didn’t mention. ‘The ones that allow us to talk to our familiars?’ That had to be a very large operation. No wonder this family held so much power. And no wonder Shane’s family were ‘strange’ for distancing themselves. That kind of monopoly was lucrative.