by Dani René
“What the hell are you doing?” I ask as I push open the door and exit the car.
“Hey, pretty girl,” he greets me before pulling me into a hug. “I wanted to come and say hi,” he tells me. When he steps back, I notice the glint in his dark eyes.
“What’s that look for?”
When he shrugs, there’s a smirk dancing on his lips, and I wonder if Elian said anything to him about what happened last night. If he did, I’m going to kill him.
“You spend more time here than you do at work,” I tease as he grabs my backpack and falls into step beside me.
“I had to come see my brother,” he says, his voice tense, but he doesn’t show it in his expression when I glance his way. “Family shit I need to sort out before I head into work.”
“How is work going?”
“Good. The apprenticeship is fun, something I’ve always wanted to do, and the fact that I’ll possibly have something permanent once it’s done is a bonus.”
“That’s amazing.” We stop at the entrance to the school. Ahren has to head toward history, which is to my left, and I need to go right to English. “It feels like I haven’t seen you in a while.”
“A man like me keeps himself busy, pretty girl,” he informs me with a wink. “Will you be at Elian’s for dinner tonight?”
“I don’t know.”
“I’ll pick you up. Clearly my brother is lacking in his wooing skills.” He chuckles while shaking his head, his laugh infectious.
There’s something about Ahren that sets me at ease. His personality is calming, and I enjoy being in his company. Not that Elian makes me uneasy, but he’s more serious. “Let me know what time and I’ll be ready,” I tell him.
“It will definitely be nice to spend some more time with you,” he whispers, keeping his voice low as other students pass by us. “And I think you should wear something breathtaking.” His suggestion makes my stomach tumble wildly at the thought that this could be something more than just a friendly dinner.
“I’m sure I can muster up an outfit that will leave you both shocked.” This time, I wink as I take my bag and wave goodbye to Ahren before heading to class. Even as I consider sitting down with Elian and asking him to tell me what’s going on, what we are, after last night, I realize he was right. I do feel him.
“Hey, gorge!” Marleigh comes racing up behind me, slinging her arm around my neck as she joins me on the way to class.
“How are you?”
“Oh, you know …” Her words taper off, but the bright red on her cheeks tells me something has happened, and I’m actually excited to hear all the news about her and Alistor. The man she’s been gushing over is someone I have yet to meet, but with the grin on her face, I’d say he’s not doing all that bad.
“You do realize you cannot just leave it at that?” We’re at the door to class, and as the rest of the students bustle in, I know we’re not going to get to chat until after English.
“I’ll catch you up on all the gossip once we’re released from prison,” Marleigh tells me, her gaze latching on the door behind me. But the grin on her face looks like she’s about to burst with excitement at the details she’s keeping.
“I need to know everything,” I tell her as we laugh our way into the room and find our desks. I’m thankful for her friendship. At least with Marleigh, I can still enjoy my time in Black Mountain.
And of course, there is another reason that this small town has been a welcome distraction from the past, and his name is Elian Donati.
28
Elian
The class files in as the afternoon takes hold of the day, and I watch each student until I see her. The way her hair bounces in the ponytail, along with those slender legs, has my attention wrapped around her. Arabella doesn’t look at me; instead, she smiles at her friend before they settle into their seats. Last night has been on my mind since I opened my eyes this morning, and I still can’t believe she allowed me to take her so roughly. There’s a slight bruise on her neck where my mouth had been only hours ago, and she hasn’t hidden it.
“Good afternoon, class,” I greet them as they fall silent, their eyes on the front of the room as they focus on me. The stack of papers in my hands will ensure a few groans echoing in the room shortly. “Today, we’re having a pop quiz on the chapters we went over this week. I trust everyone is ready for this.” I can’t help grinning at the shuffling and unease that fills the classroom as they shift in their seats.
Moving toward the desks, I stop at each one, setting down the thick wad of pages that will soon be filled with scribbles and notes that are hopefully correct answers. When I reach Arabella’s desk, I can’t help but inhale deeply, taking in her perfumed scent.
The connection between us is evident when I set the pages down and her hand brushes along mine. Nothing about this is right. And if anyone were to look across at us, they would most definitely be able to tell from just the slight movement of her fingers along mine. It’s more intimate than I care to admit.
The hunger I’ve felt for her since she first slammed into my chest has me wondering if my plans should be stifled. Revenge is a bittersweet emotion, and breaking her may just hurt me. I move on, the students shifting in their seats as they take in the first page of the quiz.
“You have an hour,” I inform them as I make my way back to my desk. As I settle in to mark the previous class’s quiz, I can’t stop my attention from seeking her out, my gaze landing on her slender legs, and as she slowly opens her thighs, I have to cough to stifle a groan of pleasure at the sight before me.
She’s seated herself in the front row, and from the soft pink material between her thighs, I can tell she’s done it just to taunt me. Turning my attention to the papers on the desk, I settle in for the next sixty minutes, but every so often, my gaze rakes up, and I catch a glimpse of legs and pink.
By the time class is over, I’m hard as fucking stone. As they rise, heading toward my desk, I don’t stand. Instead, I allow them to set their papers on the desk before exiting the room. But when Arabella reaches me, I glance up, locking my gaze on hers.
“I’d like to see you once everyone has left, please,” I tell her, loudly ensuring the rest of the remaining students heard, including her best friend, Marleigh. The flash of annoyance on Arabella’s face causes me to grin as I settle back in my chair, still hiding my thickened erection.
As soon as we’re alone, I push to my feet and lean over the desk. Her pretty, stormy gaze flickers with uncertainty when my face comes close to hers.
“Close that fucking door,” I bite out, gesturing with my chin toward the exit, which is now empty from the last body who’s left my class. The click of the lock echoes loudly in the vast room.
Arabella returns to the desk where I’m perched on the edge, and I notice how her eyes land on the bulge in my slacks. Those lashes flutter, and I wonder if she’s remembering what we did last night.
“Did you enjoy your little show?” I question, crossing my arms as I regard her with a narrowed gaze.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” she sasses me, which doesn’t help my frustration. Her hip juts out, and even though she’s attempting to show her confidence, there’s still a hint of uncertainty in her stance.
“Take your panties off.”
Her mouth falls open, but she recovers quickly. “What?”
“You heard me.” I keep my expression schooled, but I want to smile. I want to laugh at the shyness so evident on those rosy cheeks.
Slowly, her hands inch under her skirt and then the scrap of material that covered her pussy falls at her feet. Arabella steps out of the item of clothing before picking it up and holding onto it. When I reach my hand out, her mouth drops into an O, but she doesn’t argue. She knows better than to disobey. The small, cotton panties in my palm feels like a bomb about to go off.
I lift it to my nose, inhaling her scent, which only makes my dick jolt with need to sink into her. When I open my eyes, I crook
my finger, calling her closer. She squares her shoulders, tipping her chin up as she walks toward me. My free hand reaches under the skirt, which I know she’s shortened, and I cup her pretty cunt, my middle finger sinking into the wet heat I find at her center.
“This is your punishment for that display earlier,” I tell her as I pump my finger in and out so slowly I earn a whimper of agonized pleasure from her plump lips.
“But … Elian,” Arabella moans as my fingers taunt her, causing her hips to move against me as she takes her pleasure from my touch. With every second of her nearness, we’re putting ourselves in danger. Anyone could knock on that door at any moment, but the wetness of her arousal dripping over my hand, the need painted on her pretty face, and every sound she makes forces me to continue.
I came here for one thing only—revenge.
But what I found was her. The broken girl with a pussy made for my cock. I put it down to lust. The hunger for connection, for a body against mine, but when her gaze locks on mine, her lips parting on a moan of pure euphoria, I wonder just how much more I can take without allowing myself to admit I have feelings for her.
Dipping two fingers inside, I feel her pulse. She’s close, so I use my thumb to circle her clit, sending her spiraling over the edge. Her nails dig into my shoulders as she trembles in my arms.
“Fuck, Elian. You can’t do that in here,” Arabella admonishes me, and I can’t help but chuckle. I retrieve my hand, bringing it up to my lips. The scent of her is intoxicating, and I slowly lick the arousal from each digit. The taste of Arabella is my high and my low—a reminder of what I’m enjoying even though it’s against the rules.
“Trust me, little deviant, I’ll do that and so much more while everyone fucking watches us. Do you think losing this job means much to me?”
“No. You don’t need it, but that leaves the question from replaying in my mind.” She tugs her skirt back into place while I devour the remnants of her from my fingers. “Why are you in Black Mountain?”
“The same reason you are,” I tell her, but the lie burns my tongue as it slips from my mouth. There’s a flicker of disbelief in her eyes, but she doesn’t challenge me. “Tonight, you’ll come to my house. We’re having dinner.”
“Ahren already invited me,” she informs me coolly.
I’ll need to talk to my brother. He didn’t mention it to me when he popped in earlier to tell me about our little problem—the past coming back to bite us in the ass.
My gaze tracks Arabella as she makes her way to the exit. “Don’t be late.”
29
Arabella
When I get to Elian’s house, I’m excited to spend a normal night with him and Ahren. Tonight offers up an opportunity to get to know the brothers without distraction.
I press the button of the doorbell. It doesn’t take long for the door to whoosh open, and I’m met with the dark stare of Ahren Donati. The cocky smirk that curls his lips greets me as he pulls me into his arms and gives me a hug I wasn’t expecting.
“Nice to see you, pretty girl,” he says, his voice low, whispered, and I wonder if he doesn’t want his brother hearing us.
“I hope you had a good day,” I tell him as we break our hug and I follow him inside. The door shuts with a click behind us, and I follow Ahren through the entrance and into the back of the house. The kitchen is filled with the scent of delicious food, and my stomach growls, causing Ahren to chuckle.
“Hungry?”
“Yeah, I haven’t eaten since breakfast,” I tell him, reminding myself as to why I didn’t get to have my lunch. And when I wanted to get something to eat after school, Elian kept me in his classroom sending me into euphoria with his fingers. The memory has me blushing.
“Not a good girl,” Ahren murmurs in my ear, the heat of his breath fanning over my neck, causing goosebumps to rise on my skin. I chose a thin strapped dress, which hugs my frame, and under I have soft, satin panties, but no bra at all. I planned to tease Elian all night, and with Ahren here, it poses a challenge I’m sure I’m going to enjoy.
“I never once claimed to be a good girl,” I sass the younger Donati and earn myself an amused chuckle.
“She’s a very bad girl,” comes the deep rumble of Elian Donati as he enters the kitchen dressed in a pair of black slacks and a matching button-up undone at the top, gifting me a view of his smooth skin.
“Oh?” This perks Ahren’s attention, and I pray Elian doesn’t tell him what I did in class today, but his smirk curls in challenge as he regards me.
“Indeed.” He closes the distance between us, his hands landing on my hips, and my stomach does somersaults at the contact. How can one man be so beautiful? “She attempted being a little brat.”
“I’m sure that should have earned her a spank,” Ahren laughs as he pulls a bottle of beer from the fridge. At this response, I want the floor to open and swallow me whole as my cheeks heat with an embarrassing blush. He hasn’t let go what I did in class today, but that only makes me tremble with anticipation of my upcoming punishment. Then Elian’s mouth captures mine in a gentle kiss.
“She deserves so much more than that,” he says, “which I’ll sort out later. First we need to eat.” He laces his fingers with mine, and in that moment, I feel as if I’m part of their family. The idea of being with him, with them, makes me feel special. “You look beautiful, by the way,” Elian adds as we make our way through to the dining room, which has been set for three.
Elian sits right beside me with Ahren across from me. The air has shifted; something is about to happen, and I’m not entirely sure of what it is. We’re served dinner by the lady who had ushered me into the house on my first visit.
Before she leaves us, she tells Elian everything for dessert has been set out. Then we’re alone.
“Take off your dress. Leave it on the floor beside you,” comes the voice from my left, sending cold awareness through me. My gaze snaps to his, finding no amusement shining in it. “I don’t like repeating myself, deviant,” he practically growls. And the dinner I thought would be endearing and an opportunity for me to learn more about the brothers, Elian flips on its head. For a beat, neither Ahren nor I move. We don’t reach for our cutlery. Even though I’m starving, I wait.
My glance falls on Ahren who’s smirking with utter satisfaction on his face. He watches me for a moment before saying, “You must have really pissed big brother off today.”
“Don’t be ridiculous.” The words tumble from my lips when I look back at Elian who doesn’t look at all like he’s joking. “You’re serious?”
“Oh, I’m deadly fucking serious,” he answers in a husky growl.
Fine. He wants me to show off for his brother. This is his funeral.
I slip the straps over my shoulders, but before I can allow the material to fall, Elian’s hand grips my wrist, and he presses it against my breasts. There’s no hint of a bra, and his glare burns right through me. From the corner of my eye, I notice Ahren shaking his head, his smirk still firmly in place as he picks up his cutlery.
“I didn’t say we could eat yet,” Elian’s voice cuts through the air, and Ahren glances up to arch a brow at his brother. My dress, still firmly in place, covers me, but the way Elian is watching me, I may as well be naked. “This naughty girl …” Elian traces a slow, white-hot path over my shoulder with his fingertip, tugging the straps back up, leaving goosebumps to explode over my skin. “She was in my classroom, showing off her wet panties.” In an attempt to taunt me, he circles my nipple over the material gently before moving onto the other. They’re hardened peaks, and I know Elian’s rock hard because he shifts on his seat.
When he leans in close, his warm breath fans over my neck, causing me to shiver. His touch trails lower. My stomach tumbles wildly as I watch Ahren sit back, enjoying the show. The way his gaze burns me tells me our friendship is so much more.
“Now, you’re going to eat your dinner like a good girl and then I’m going to show you just what naughty teases get whe
n they misbehave.” The illicit promise that skitters over my skin in a hushed whisper makes me squirm in my seat.
Elian sits back, picking up his cutlery, and both men settle into their meal, leaving me needy and frustrated. My appetite is raging, but it’s definitely not for the food in front of me. But I behave and pick up the knife and fork before digging into the delicious dinner.
The risotto is probably the best I’ve ever tasted, and the grilled vegetables along with the beef have me moaning as the flavors of rosemary has my tastebuds tingling. Everything seems to melt on my tongue, and I can’t help but groan in pleasure.
“If you keep that up, I’ll have to put you on the table and devour you. I’m sure Ahren won’t mind,” Elian warns under his breath, but it’s loud enough for his brother to hear.
“I’d like to know more about our pretty girl. Remind me again where you’re from. Miami, am I right?” Ahren asks suddenly, causing both Elian and I to snap our gazes toward him.
“Yes, born and raised,” I tell him, feeling Elian stiffen beside me. His hand on my thigh tightens, as if he’s warning me of something, but I’m not sure what.
“Mm …” Ahren’s dark stare flicks to his brother. Silent questions dance in his eyes as they regard each other. It’s strange—the interaction is almost as if they’re reading each other’s minds.
“What?” I find myself asking, glancing between the men, but neither of them says anything. “If you won’t tell me, I’ll leave.” I push the chair back, causing a loud screech along the tiles before I turn for the exit.
I don’t make it out of the dining room when hands snake around my waist, lifting me against a hard body I know is Elian. He spins on his heel, causing me to face Ahren who’s seated, watching the display.
Elian stalks to the table where he puts me down and grips my shoulders. I’m leaning back against the smooth wooden surface, and Elian is looming over me, causing me to want to scoot back.