As You Witch (Academy of Witches Book 2)

by ERIN BEDFORD

  “Headmaster Swordson, how good to see you.” My grandfather shook hands with the headmaster before taking the seat next to me. “Max.” he patted me on the hand with a grim expression.

  My grandmother stared hard at me before turning her attention to the headmaster. God forbid she forget her manners. “I spoke to Headmistress McClain down at the high school. I’m sorry about your daughter.”

  My eyes swiveled back to the headmaster. His daughter? What was wrong with her?

  “Thank you,” the headmaster said softly, nodding his head. “Things have been hard.”

  “As always, we are here for anything you need.” My grandmother’s expression softened just a tiny micro-fraction before she turned her blazing glare onto me. “I thank you for arranging this meeting for us as well since my granddaughter refuses to answer my calls.”

  I sank into my chair tucking my chin into my chest. “I meant to call you back. I just got busy.”

  “Oh?” The surprise in my grandmother’s voice had me lifting my head. “Busy doing what? Spreading your legs for every wizard who looks your way.”

  My eyes widened. So that was what this was about. I’d have been surprised that my grandmother even knew about social media, let alone was up to date on all the nasty rumors going around about me.

  “So, you don’t deny it?” My grandmother crossed her arms over her stomach and tapped her foot. “Do you know what this kind of scandal says about our family? How many calls I have gotten about the whole fiasco.”

  “Fiasco?” I scoffed, straightening up in my seat. “I’m not exactly sure what fiasco you are talking about, and I assure you, not that it’s any of your business, but I haven’t been spreading my legs for anyone.”

  My grandmother sniffed. “Well, that’s a relief. Who are you dating so we can make a formal announcement and put this whole drama behind us?”

  “All of them.”

  The headmaster made a sound between a choke and a laugh, while my grandfather hummed. My grandmother was on the verge of having a heart attack, much to my pleasure.

  She breathed heavily, her hand to the lapel of her pastel green suit jacket. “What do you mean all of them? You can’t be serious.”

  I stood, putting myself in her personal bubble. “Oh, I’m quite serious. I am dating all four of them, and we are quite happy together.” Okay, so I wasn’t officially dating Aidan, but she didn’t know that. “Do you have a problem with that?” I placed my hands on my hips and stared her down, daring her to say something. Should have known better. We had the same genes after all.

  “Of course, I do, and you certainly will not.” If it had been me, I’d have stomped my foot to make my point, but I guess age taught my grandmother how to throw a fit like an adult.

  “I certainly will and am.” The taunting tone of my voice made me smile.

  “No Mancaster will be associated with such acts of debauchery.”

  I snorted. “Well, it’s a good thing I’m not a Mancaster.”

  My grandmother gasped, her eyes going wide as saucers and a hint of sadness colored her voice. “I thought we were getting somewhere, but you’re just as reckless and unreasonable as your mother.”

  “No, I’m not.” I shook my head. “I’m just not going to change who I am and what I want because you say so. I’m sorry, but I barely know you. Either of you.” I turned to look at my grandfather who had sat there quietly watching us. “And you don’t know me. So, I think it’s better for all of us if we stopped trying to make this something it’s not.” I didn’t wait for their answer before moving toward the door.

  “Max,” my grandfather called out, making me stop with a sigh. “I apologize for our assumptions, but we do just want what’s best for you, even if we go about it in an unorthodox manner.”

  “I know, and I appreciate it, but you have to know something about me. I’m not that girl.” I twisted back around, so my back was to the door. “I won’t compromise myself for someone else’s agenda, no matter their good intentions.” I shot my grandmother a look. “Headmaster.” I nodded toward him before opening the door.

  This time, my grandmother stopped me. “Have you decided on a major?”

  Smiling, I glanced over my shoulder at her. “Political Science in the magical world.”

  “Well.” She laced her fingers in front of her and crossed over to me. “If you need a sponsor for your booth, please keep us in mind. While we might not have the same opinions on personal matters, I do think you would benefit from our influence, especially in your field of study.”

  I bobbed my head. “Thank you. I will.”

  Chapter 10

  When I left the headmaster's office, Dale was waiting for me. Paul had disappeared, but I wasn't too worried about it. He'd message me when he could.

  "Hey." Dale slid an arm around my shoulders and walked me out of the office. "Are you okay?"

  I nodded. "Yeah, I guess."

  "Want to talk about it?"

  Leaning my head against Dale's chest, I sighed. "Not really. I'm going to go to my room and crawl into bed. I just want this day to be over."

  Dale made a sound in his throat that I could only translate as disapproval. I lifted my head up and stared up at him. "What?"

  "I just find it funny how easily you let things get to you." Dale's hand tightened on my shoulder, his face pinching in irritation. "I mean, it's the first day of classes, and you're already skipping?"

  I snorted. "I already played the tough guy act earlier. I'm all out of toughness."

  "But the day is only halfway over, you're going to miss out on so much, not to mention the rumors that will start from all this." He gestured back toward the administrator's office. "By now, Sabrina has told everyone and their mom about what happened in the library and how you got called to the headmaster's. Don't forget your grandparents came and you can't say no one saw them come in."

  "So?"

  Dale lifted a brow at me, pausing in the hallway toward my dorm room. "So, you're just going to let them do whatever they want, even when you know it's not true?"

  Lifting a shoulder and dropping it, I stared down at the ground as I shook my head. "I can't make them believe anything they don't want to. Besides, I put my time in for the day. I even have pants on." I patted my legs earning me a laugh from Dale. "But this day has bent me over and made me it's bitch. I think I've earned the right to roll over and call it a day."

  Staring at me for a moment, Dale seemed to be considering my words. He seemed to have figured out something because he used his middle finger to push up his glasses and then gave me a small smile. "Well, if you're going to call it a day, I can be a supportive boyfriend and at least keep you company."

  "Really?" The surprise in my voice came out before I could stop it. I cleared my throat and started back down the hall. Most of the students were in class, so we didn't have an audience for my walk of shame which had nothing to do with why I slid my hand into Dale's.

  "So, you're not even going to say anything about me calling myself your boyfriend?"

  "No." I pressed my lips together tightly, holding back a grin.

  "So, am I?"

  "Are you what?"

  "Your boyfriend."

  I cocked a brow and glanced over at him. "Do you want to be?"

  Dale dropped my hand and tucked his hands in his pockets, his shoulders coming up to his ears as his face colored a bright red. He avoided my gaze as he muttered, "Of course, I do. I just didn't know if you ... you know wanted to."

  Giggling, I grabbed Dale by the arm and pulled him the last few feet to my room. As I dug out my key and inserted it into the lock, I talked over my shoulder. "Look, I just spent the better part of a half hour defending the fact that I was dating four people to my grandmother. I'm not about to take all that back." Pushing the door open, I grinned up at Dale. "What kind of girl would that make me?"

  Smiling back at me, Dale's eyes brightened with mirth. "We couldn't have that, now can we?"

  Moving
into the room, I dropped my bag on the desk next to my bed. Trina wasn't there, probably sitting in class right now being a good little student. Unlike me.

  Letting out a huff, I went to my dresser and pulled out my favorite pair of pajamas. They were pink and grey with little donuts and coffee cups on them. I turned from the dresser, and my eyes landed on Dale standing by the still open door. "You want to close that?"

  Dale's gaze went to my clothes and then the door before he quickly shut it behind him. He kept his back to me, giving me permission to change without him looking. I pulled my shirt over my head and replaced it with the grey one. As I shimmied my jeans down my legs, heat warmed in my belly. The tips of Dale's ears were red, and he fidgeted every time I moved. It was like even though he couldn't see me, the very thought of me being undressed in the same room as him was turning him on. I couldn't deny it gave me a little thrill as well.

  "I'm done," I told him after I pulled my pajama pants on and moved over to the bed. I propped my pillows up and sat down, leaning against them.

  Dale stood there staring at me, unsure of what to do.

  I patted the seat next to me and gave him a flirty grin. "Come here. You can't keep me company from all the way over there."

  Clearing his throat, Dale slipped his shoes off before climbing into the bed with me. His arm brushed mine as we settled in together. I might have seemed all confident asking him to come over here, but now that he was in the bed with me, I was all nerves. I hadn't been in a bed with a guy since Jaron, and that turned out oh so well.

  "So," I clucked my tongue, "want to watch a movie?"

  Dale stared at my room, his brow furrowed. "How are we going to do that?"

  I reached over his legs, grabbing for my laptop. I had to reach to get to it, my fingers barely getting a hold of it as I stretched my arm beyond its capacity.

  "Want me to get that for you?" Dale's voice next to my ear strained.

  "I've almost got it." I winced and then grinned when I pulled the laptop into my hands. I sat up and came face to face with Dale. His breath felt hot against my cheek, his eyes darkened over, and a sort of pained expression covered his face. Still thrown over his lap, I could easily feel the hardness pressed against my side.

  The laptop sat between us in my hands, but I was suddenly not thinking about watching a movie anymore. Licking my lips, I ducked my head, but Dale stopped me with a finger to my chin. With one hand, he took my laptop and sat it back on the nightstand while his other cupped my face. My hands rested on his chest, where my fingers curled into the fabric of his shirt. Leaning forward so that our breath mingled, my eyelids fluttered. Our lips brushed against each other at the same time my breasts skimmed his chest, making my nipples tighten deliciously.

  "I'm going to kiss you." Dale's husky voice rumbled through me, setting my blood on fire.

  Swallowing thickly, I blinked up at him. "I thought that was what we were doing."

  The edge of his lip curled up. "If you don't know when I'm kissing you, then I'm doing something wrong."

  I breathed heavily. "Believe me. You're not doing anything wrong."

  "Well, I better make sure it sticks." He chuckled for a moment before his mouth came down on to mine. His fingers tangled into my hair, pulling me closer to him until I was on his lap in an awkward angle. Not really knowing what I was doing, I shifted until my legs straddled him, pressing our cores against one another. A strangled sound came from Dale. His hands dropped down to my waist and then, after a thought, to my hips. I didn't give him the time to ask for permission before I ground my center against him, making us both groan.

  His tongue lapped at mine, my hands cupping his face to pull him even closer. The world tipped sideways, and I was on my back, Dale hovering above me. Breathing heavily, my legs fell to either side, and Dale sat between them, almost afraid to come too close. I couldn't have that. Pulling his face back down to mine, I wrapped my legs around his waist, jerking his hips to mine.

  A grunt bumped from Dale as our teeth clashed together. Sliding my tongue along his lower lip, I nipped at it pulling it between my teeth. Dale's hand clapped down on the bed next to my head, the hand on my hip urged my hips upward as he pressed against me. A delicious friction began in my center, and a groan slipped from my lip as I gasped. Dale pushed up my shirt, the warm pads of his fingers tickling my sides.

  I giggled, pulling away from his tempting mouth.

  "I'm not sure laughing is what I'm going for," Dale breathed with a huff, his eyes twinkling with amusement and arousal.

  "Sorry." I chewed on my lower lip and stared up at him.

  Dale's hand moved further up beneath my shirt, making my breath hitch. "Just don't do it again." I didn't have a chance to respond before his mouth was on mine once more. I only half participated, my attention focused mostly on the hand still inching up to my skin. When his hand curved over my bra-clad chest, I gave up kissing him back all together.

  Eyes locking with mine, Dale's tongue dipped out and licked his lower lip. He fumbled for the clip to my bra, and I reached back underneath my shirt and unsnapped it. Pulling my arms into my shirt, I drew my arms out of the straps and whipped it out through my sleeve hole. Grinning up at Dale's surprised expression, I only had a second to gloat before my breath hitched. Neither of us was grinning when Dale's hand touched my bare skin, kneaded at the flesh of my breasts and plucking at the tips. I arched into his hand, wetness pooling between my thighs as our bodies lined up.

  "Max," Dale drew out, his voice low and scratchy. "I want to see you."

  Mouth dry but eager to have him see me as well, I sat up. Dale moved back as I grabbed the bottom of my shirt and pulled it over my head, baring my skin to the air and Dale's scorching gaze. Not wanting to be the only one unclothed, I reached up to the buttons of Dale's shirt. He didn't stop me as I slowly undid each button. I pressed my lips to the muscled skin that became visible, placing open mouth kisses to his flesh. When I reached the end of the line, my finger dipped into the top of his pants, making him gasp.

  "Not yet," Dale grabbed my hand in his and placed it on his chest. He leaned down as if to kiss me but bypassed my face and moved to my neck. The hot press of his mouth and tongue against the junction of my neck and shoulder had me angling my head to the side. That same burning heat moved down my collarbone and continued down until he had me gasping.

  I held onto Dale's hair, holding him to me as his lips curled around my nipple. He tugged and skimmed his teeth against the sensitive tip, making my hips buck involuntarily. The ball of light in my mind's eyes grew brighter as Dale's mouth moved from one breast to the other, his hand dropping to the waistband of my pants.

  "Uh, wait." I gasped and licked my lips, panic starting to rise inside of me. Dale must not have heard me because his mouth followed his hand, trailing along my belly button to my pubic bone. I tugged on his hair forcing his head up. "Wait a second. I can't ... I can't breathe."

  Dale peered up at me, and the hunger in his expression almost had me regretting stopping him. However, I didn't like the feeling inside of me. It wasn't like when I'd had my first time with Jaron. We made out and even fooled around several times before we ever got together, but none of those times did my magic flare up like this. I didn't trust myself or my magic to behave.

  "Are you okay?" Dale asked, moving back from me giving me room to breathe.

  I shook my head and sat up. "No, I mean, I don't know. My skin feels tight, kind of buzzing, and my magic ... it's—"

  "Okay, Max."

  My head jerked up to meet his calm expression. "I've had this feeling before and that was usually right before I set someone on fire or worse. I don't know about you, but I'd not like our first time together to end with burning down the school."

  Dale chuckled and then brushed my hair away from my face. "Don't worry, it happens to everyone their first time. You just have to trust yourself to stay in control."

  "But I'm not in control." I pushed him away and grabbed my shirt, pullin
g it over my head. "It's not that I don't want to." I huffed a laugh. "Believe me everything inside of me is screaming yes, yes." Dale smirked. "But I also like you and, like you said, I need to trust myself, but I don't." I shook my head and sucked in several lungfuls of air. "Not yet."

  "That's fine, Max." Dale cupped my face and turned me to meet his gaze. "I'm not going to push you before you're ready. I just want you to know, you can trust me. I won't let anything bad happen."

  Clutching his hand with mine, I leaned into his touch and closed my eyes briefly. When I opened my mouth to tell him how much that meant to me, I was interrupted by the door opening. Crap, the lock.

  "Uh, hey." Trina held the door half open and then quickly shut it at the sight of Dale's bare chest. "Am I interrupting something?"

  "No."

  "Yes."

  I shot a look at Dale. "No, you're fine. What are you doing here?"

  Trina moved over to her desk and grabbed a book, holding it up. "I forgot my Potions book. You not going to class?"

  I shook my head. "No. Too much drama today."

  Trina's nose wrinkled. "Yeah, I heard. Sorry about that, but did you really make Sabrina hit someone?"

  My elbow on my knee, I laughed and facepalmed. "Yes, but that wasn't my intention."

  "Either way, that's awesome." Trina giggled, and then her eyes trailed over to a quiet Dale. "You here to brighten her day?"

  Blushing, I moved to the edge of the bed so that I covered most of Dale's naked chest. "He's just leaving."

  "I am?" Dale asked, his voice hot against my ear.

  I grabbed his shirt and tossed it at him. "Yes, you are." I ushered him to the door, while he still buttoned his shirt up. Kissing him on the lips, I gave him a little shove and wave. "I'll text you."

  Trina grinned and tossed her bag down. "So, that's an interesting development."