“A best friend is just as good as a boyfriend—if not better.”
“Maybe,” she says with a sigh, sinking onto the edge of the faded floral quilt covering her bed. She doesn’t look convinced by my words, and it strikes me that at some point Elowen definitely had a crush on Asher, even if she knew she’d never have him.
I feel bad for the girl, but I’m not sure how to help her in that department. I’ve never had a boyfriend, either, unless you count the middle school variety. Before Mom died, I was too busy with school and helping around the house, and after that, I didn’t have much of a social life.
“Maybe we can go out sometime,” I say. “I’m sure we could both use a boyfriend. We can be each other’s wing-woman.”
Elowen lets out a sad little scoff. “Like you need one,” she says. “You’re gorgeous.”
“So are you,” I say lightly. “You just gotta work what you’ve got.”
“No one with light magic would go out with me.”
“Then go out with a dark magic student,” I say. “It’s not like they’re pure evil.”
“What if they make me even darker?”
I shrug. “You have that magic, Elowen. Just like I do. We’re just going to have to figure out how to work with it and not let it take over our lives. Sorcerers have dark magic. That’s why they come here—to learn to control it. Just like us.”
“I don’t know…” Elowen says.
“You can’t change who you are or what magic you have,” I remind her. “I know it’s not what you wanted, but it’s what you got. A boyfriend isn’t going to change that. All you can do is love yourself just as you are and find a guy who will do the same.”
“Yeah,” she says looking glum.
Suddenly, I know I can’t ask her to teach me dark magic. She’s more afraid of her own magic than I am. It wouldn’t be fair to push her into something she doesn’t want to do just because she stole Cleo last semester. It’s one thing to borrow Bella’s car, but this is different. For one, I don’t like Bella. Besides that, she shows no signs of remorse. And that was a favor that required very little of her, certainly not putting her in a position where she felt uncomfortable or scared.
What I need is someone confident in their magic, someone who has already mastered the Dark Arts. I need a proper teacher. And there’s one right downstairs who offered. Not only that, but I snuck a peek at the title he was reading—a battered volume called Potions of Persuasion. That’s exactly what I need. Sure, he makes me a little uncomfortable, but that’s to be expected. He has a magic that scares me a bit, one that I have but I haven’t even begun to learn.
“You know, I shouldn’t have asked you to teach me dark magic,” I say. “You’re not a teacher, and I shouldn’t put that pressure on you. Can we just forget it?”
She nods solemnly. “I won’t tell Asher.”
“Shit,” I say. “Yeah, he definitely wouldn’t be on board with this, would he?”
She shakes her head. “No. I think Professor Darius knows best. If he says you’re not ready to learn, then you should listen to him.”
I nod, deciding not to bring her in on what my real plan is. I leave a few minutes later, hoping to find Topher still manning the front desk. For once, I get lucky, and he’s still there reading his yellowed old tome. He looks up when I arrive, smiling pleasantly as I approach.
“Okay,” I say. “Let’s do it.”
He raises an eyebrow. “Are you sure you’re ready?”
“No,” I say. “But I don’t have time to wait.”
“Alright,” he says slowly. “When would you like to start?”
“Tomorrow,” I say. “I’ll come by after my classes.”
“Okay,” he says. “Feel free to bring your friend from upstairs if you’d like. I’m sure the extra practice wouldn’t hurt her, either.”
“Thanks,” I say, touched that he’d be so considerate. I don’t know him, and he’s making me feel safe by inviting one of my friends to join us so we’re not alone together. Not only that, but he’s discrete enough to make it sound like it’s for Elowen’s sake instead of coming right out and accusing me of not being comfortable around him. I decide maybe I misjudged him. Just because his eyes are weirdly black doesn’t mean he’s a bad person.
Maybe I can even put in a good word for Asher.
Chapter Ten
As I step out of the Dark Arts dorm on Friday night a few weeks later, I run smack into Rocco’s broad, muscular chest. God, even the man’s muscles have muscles.
“Shit,” I mutter, glancing around for an excuse.
Rocco lifts his eyebrows and peers down at me. “Want to tell me what you’re doing here?”
“Not really,” I say, tightening the elastic in my hair. “What are you doing here?”
“I live here,” he says, as if I should know this.
I guess I should. He’s a Dark Arts student, after all.
“I was visiting Elowen,” I say, tossing my head and congratulating myself on my brilliant cover. It’s not technically a lie. I was with Elowen. She, Topher, and I have been meeting in a conference room off the lobby and working on some basics. He’s the Resident Assistant on duty for three hours every evening, which mostly entails sitting around reading, so he has plenty of time to work with us between occasional phone calls or requests from students in the dorm.
Rocco rests his hands on my upper arms and smiles down at me, those adorable dimples sinking into his cheeks and making my head spin. “Well, it’s a good thing I caught you,” he says. “You’ve made yourself scarce since ditching us as guards.”
“Are you saying you miss me?” I ask, fluttering my lashes.
“Maybe,” he says, wetting his lips as if to hide a smile.
I start toward my dorm, hoping to lead him away from the scene of the crime. “I knew you were a big softie somewhere deep inside there.”
“Not a chance,” he says, falling into step beside me and flexing so his pecs bulge inside his shirt. “Does this look soft to you?”
I roll my eyes and bite back a smile. “I said inside.”
“For the right woman, maybe.”
“And who might that be?” I ask, folding my arms and frowning at him.
“I’ll let you know when I find her.”
“Ouch,” I say, laughing.
“How could you be the right woman when you won’t even go on a date with me?” he asks. “I mean, I won that bet like four months ago, and you haven’t come to my door with flowers a single time since then.”
“I didn’t realize you wanted roses,” I tease. “That’s so traditional of you.”
“I might surprise you in even more ways if you got to know me,” he says. “But since apparently all that stuff you said about us being friends was bullshit, and you really just wanted me for my muscles, I guess you’ll never know.”
“Fine, fine, we can go on the date,” I say. “But I’m not sure about flowers. I mean, I don’t know if you’ll make it worth my while.”
“Oh, I’ll make it worth your while,” Rocco says, his eyes raking down my body in a way that makes butterflies flutter in my belly.
“No flowers,” I say. “But we can go out. Where to?”
He halts outside my dorm. “How about dinner?”
“Cool, I’m starving.” I start toward the parking lot, but Rocco takes my arm and turns me toward him.
“Slow down there, Cinderella,” he says, laughing. “Don’t you need to change?”
“What’s wrong with this?” I ask, gesturing to my uniform.
Rocco takes my hands in his, his brows furrowing as he searches my gaze with seriousness for once. “I want to take you on a real date. I mean it.”
I swallow, my belly fluttering for a different reason now. I know Rocco so well, know his jokes and his flirting and his teasing. But this Rocco, the serious one? Not so much.
“Okay,” I say. “Sorry. What do you want me to wear?”
“I’m going home to change,
too,” he says with a little smile. “I’ll pick you up in an hour.”
He turns and hurries away, leaving me frustrated and excited at once. Frustrated because I have no clue what to wear on a date, seeing as I’ve never been on one, and excited because… Well, because I’m about to go on my first date. And not just the kind that friends do, or the kind people do when they’re first meeting and just want to hang out in a group to see if they like each other, or even hang out alone with no commitment at a coffee shop.
This is a date-date. A real date. The kind where I need an hour to get ready, and he’ll probably open my door for me, and maybe expect sex afterwards. Okay, it’s Rocco, he’ll definitely expect sex. Am I ready for that?
Fuck. Suddenly an hour doesn’t seem like nearly enough time. I turn around and race into the dorm and up the stairs to my room. Having a roommate would come in real handy right now, but since I don’t have one, I grab my phone out and call Asher while I strip.
“I have a date,” I say, surprised at the excitement spilling from me. I mean, it’s Rocco. The guy who likes to tease me, the one who I’ve known for months as both an asshole and now, something more. But I’m as giddy as if it’s the first time we’ve ever hung out.
“Oh my god,” Asher says. “Who is it? What are you wearing? Where are you going? Spill, girl.”
“Rocco,” I say, rushing into the bathroom and then back out to the closet. “Oh, shit, Asher. What do I do?”
“Okay, first, breathe,” he says, laughing. “This is exciting, but you don’t want to pass out and end up back in the infirmary instead of heading out on your big date.”
“Well, I don’t know if it’s a big date,” I say. “He won it in a bet.”
“Ohhh,” Asher says slowly, drawing the word out. “The one where you promised him your virginity?”
“Yes,” I groan, slumping against the closet door. “I like him and everything, but what if I’m not ready?”
“Girl, you keep saying you need to get laid,” Asher reminds me. “You’ll never be totally ready. After that first time, it won’t be such a big deal. I promise. And it’s Rocco. You’ve liked him for ages. It’s not like you’re going to Gideon’s Bar to meet the first rando who smiles at you so you can hook up in the alley just to get it over with.”
“Is that what you did?”
“This is about you, remember?” he says. “So, what are you wearing?”
“Asher!” I say, not sure if I’m more horrified or amused. “That’s terrible.”
“Actually, it was pretty special,” he admits. “No regrets.”
“Oh my god,” I say, rolling my eyes and opening my closet. As usual, talking to my bestie has totally settled me and made me feel better. I pull out a red dress, then decide it’s too fancy for dinner. Not that I know what that means, but I want to be comfortable. I decide on a pair of black skinny jeans, black stilettos, and a silky peach blouse that flatters my complexion.
After getting off the phone with Asher, I jump in the shower, making sure to run a razor over my legs and underarms. I’m not one hundred percent sure we’re having sex, but if it does happen, I don’t want Rocco to think he’s in bed with a porcupine. When I get out, I’m so giddy I think about calling Asher to chill me out again, but I power through, dousing myself in enough lotion to moisturize an elephant. I stand in front of the mirror as it soaks in, staring at my reflection. I usually don’t take time to look at myself after a shower, but I have to admit, I feel sexy standing there in the nude.
My blonde hair is full and wavy from having it up in a bun most of the day. My boobs are a handful with some to spare, my waist is trim enough, and my hips are nice and round. I don’t exactly feel like the goddess of life yet, but I’m definitely fuckable.
By the time I’ve dressed, done my makeup, and tucked Cleo into my belt, it’s been almost an hour. Rocco calls to say he’s in the lobby, inviting me to come down like he would a real date. Before I can gather my bag and get out the door, a knock sounds. I totter to the door on my heels, barely able to keep from giggling aloud in my excitement. He’s early, but I’m ready. I pull open the door to see Thorn standing on my doorstep.
“Oh,” I say, drawing back in surprise. “Hey, Thorn. What’s up?”
He looks me up and down with obvious admiration. “You look… Hot.”
“Don’t act so surprised,” I say with a grin.
“I wasn’t surprised about that,” he says quickly. “I just don’t see you out of uniform very often.”
“Well, here I am,” I say. “But I can’t stay. I’ve actually got a date.”
I raise my eyes to his, watching for a reaction.
He scowls. “You’re leaving campus?”
“Yes,” I say. “But don’t worry, I’ll have a guard with me.”
His frown deepens, as if he’s personally offended that I didn’t choose him. “Who?”
“Rocco.”
His emerald eyes darken, and his jaw clenches. “Your date is with Rocco?”
“Yep,” I say, stepping out into the hall and pulling the door closed behind me. I didn’t think that through before I did it, but now I’m so close to Thorn that I’m nearly in his arms. My heart picks up speed at his nearness, and when I catch the scent of his aftershave, it makes me dizzy. I should not be feeling like this about someone when I’m about to go on a date with his best friend. But my body doesn’t care. My body craves his touch, aches to close the distance between us and press up against his sculpted pecs and tight abs and…
Well, fuck. Here I thought it was my magic all along, but it turns out I’m a slut all on my own.
“I’ll be on guard duty,” he says after a long pause.
“Rocco can guard me just fine,” I say, rolling my eyes.
“You deserve your date’s full attention,” he says darkly. “Don’t worry, I’ll sit across the restaurant. You won’t even know I’m there.”
“How do you know we’re going to a restaurant?”
Thorn scoffs. “I know Rocco.”
I try not to think about what that means. That Rocco’s had lots of first dates. They probably all start with a restaurant, and they probably all end with sex.
“Okay,” I say. “If it’s okay with Rocco, then I don’t mind.”
“I’ll get my car,” Thorn says, not bothering to stick around to ask Rocco. He takes off down the hall, sidesteps Blonde Bella as she steps out of the stairwell, and disappears down the stairs.
Bella’s gaze follows Thorn down the stairs before she turns to me. Her eyes narrow as she looks me up and down before pursing her lips. “Where are you going?”
“None of your business,” I say.
“You’re going out with Thorn, aren’t you?” she asks, her jealousy so apparent she might as well have it tattooed across her forehead.
“Not that you have the right to know, but no,” I say, shaking my blonde waves back.
“Liar,” she hisses.
I roll my eyes. “I may be many things, but a liar’s not one of them. Not that you deserve it, but I’m in a good mood, so I’ll put you out of your misery. Thorn’s my guard tonight, not my date.”
“You’re leaving campus?”
“Yep,” I say. “I’m going on a date. But not with Thorn.”
“With who?” she demands.
“That,” I say. “Is none of your business.”
I get way too much joy from her sour expression. I give her a smug smile and push past her to the stairs, seething inside over the fact that the bitch fucked my date before I had the chance. I try to put it out of my mind and focus as I make my way down the stairs in my heels. This night is about me and Rocco. Not Thorn, and not Bella.
Rocco stands in the lobby, his hands in the pockets of his dark jeans. His hair is styled back from his forehead, and he’s wearing a blue polo shirt with tiny stripes in the exact same peach color as my shirt.
I narrow my eyes at him. “Were you spying?” I ask. “Your shirt cannot be a coincidence.
”
He widens his eyes, a picture of innocence if not for the smile twitching at the corner of his lips. “I have no idea what you’re talking about,” he says, sliding an arm around my waist and pulling me close. He gazes into my eyes and gently brushes a stand of hair from my forehead while still holding me against him. “You look ravishing, Jade.”
“You, too,” I say, lightheaded at the sensation of his body pressed up against mine. A shiver of anticipation races through me, settling into a delicious pressure between my thighs.
“Ready?” he asks.
I lift my chin, but he steps back instead of kissing me, leaving me with an ache for more. Damn, he’s good.
He takes my hand and leads me outside, opens the passenger door, and helps me into his car before circling around to climb in the driver’s seat. I expected him to drive something big and flashy like he is, so I’m surprised to see a small SUV that I recognize as an electric model.
“What are you smiling about?” he asks as he shifts into drive.
“Nothing,” I say. “Just that I didn’t expect a big, mean sorcerer to be environmentally friendly.”
He shoots me a grin. “Any other assumptions you’ve made about me that you’d like to clear up?”
“I’m sure I’ll think of something,” I say, glancing in the side mirror to see Thorn’s little black sports car on our tail. “Oh, yeah. We have a chaperone.”
Rocco glances in the rearview and flashes his dimpled smile. “I see that. Want to give him his money’s worth?”
“Why do I have a feeling you’re about to do something stupid?”
“Me?” He bats his eyes at me and slowly runs his hand down his abs to the bulge in his pants. “I was thinking you could give me a little something on the way to the restaurant. That’ll make him think twice about crashing our date.”
“Very funny,” I say, turning to the window to hide my smile.
“Just a little taste?” he says. “Aren’t you even a little curious about what’s under all these clothes?”
Academy of Sorcery: Term 2: Fallen Master Page 8