by Simone Elise
“I don’t need your help. Thanks anyway.” I went to close the door, but he stopped me.
“Tell me what you are working on now then?” He arched an eyebrow.
“English homework. Olivia brought it around for me.” My voice was calm and didn’t flutter like it normally did when I lied to him.
“I can help you with it.”
“I don’t want you to.” I gritted my teeth. Being with him in a room filled with people was hard enough. There was no way I would survive being alone in a room with him. Anyway, I had plans.
Xavier’s hand was still firmly planted on my door, as he stared at me; my body was half hidden behind it.
“I know you need help, Chloe.”
I rolled my eyes. He was right. I would need help, if I actually planned on doing the work, which I didn’t. Right now he was making me late.
“If I needed help, which I don’t, I would not want it from you. Now, leave.”
Xavier’s jaw clenched and his eyes narrowed slightly. “So you’re saying you don’t need a hand with the essay?”
“Nope, more than fine.”
Xavier brought his hand back in a flash and slammed it against the door, breaking my grip on it. The door swung open and I saw his eyes turn a darker shade of green as he stare my packed bags on my bed.
“Yeah, looks like you are set up for a huge night of studying.”
I crossed my arms. “OK. So I lied. Get over it.”
“Where are you going?” He crossed his arms. And I couldn’t help but notice the way his muscles flexed. “Are you running away?” Hurt flashed in his eyes.
I let out a little grunt. “As if! That would stuff up my future plans.” My future plans of leeching off my brother, that is. “I’m just going to stay at a mate’s house.”
Xavier gritted his teeth. “And which mate would this be?”
He was acting jealous, like he always did. But he denied me. If he really wanted me, he could have me, but he didn’t. So this whole jealousy thing was getting boring.
“Scott’s or Dan’s. I haven’t decided.” I took a step towards him. I saw his eyes widened as I did. “Are you jealous?”
Xavier’s lips tightened for a moment, as I took another step towards him, a slim gap now between our bodies. “Are you playing games with me, Chloe? Again?”
I knew the hurt showed in my eyes for a moment and I knew he saw it. Because games were the only way I kept him interested in me.
“If you want me, Xavier, you just need to speak up.” I dragged a finger down his tight chest. “And I don’t play games.”
I tilted my head back slightly so I could stare up at him. His eyes were locked with mine. I would often get lost in the sea of green of his eyes. Out of instinct I pressed my body against his.
He closed his eyes for a moment, before pulling my hand from his chest. “I already told you, Chloe. I can’t. We can’t.”
I shook my head and took a step away from him, pulling my hand from his at the same time. “Yeah, I remember.” Bitterness and hurt coated my voice. “You’re my teacher and another member of the pack. Pity I can’t just hate you. Instead I am consumed with love for you and I hate it.”
Xavier’s lips twitched into a weak, pitiful smile for me. “I can’t make you happy, Chloe. You have to realize we aren’t meant to be.”
“Then why the hell are you my mate in the first place? If we aren’t ‘meant to be’?” I crossed my arms. “I think the whole point of having a ‘mate’ is we are meant to be.”
“I’m your teacher. I am six years older than you. I have baggage. I don’t like commitment and I can’t settle down.”
I raised my head slightly and, with an air of determination, I stood in front of him. “I do not plan on being your student for long. My father is nine years older than my mother. I am an alpha’s daughter. I never asked you for commitment and I never mentioned anything about settling down!”
I pushed his shoulder with force. Xavier stumbled back out of the doorframe. “I never asked anything of you, Xavier. The only thing I expected from you was for you to say yes to me, to claim me.”
I slammed the door in his face and stormed off in the direction of my window, scooping up my bag of the bed, on the way. Screw him. Screw the whole mate thing.
I was going out to have fun with my friends and, well, he could just be my gym teacher. And when I wasn’t a student anymore, he wouldn’t even be that to me.
Dropping down from my window, I landed on my feet with ease. Good thing my room wasn’t on one of the higher levels, I thought, as I darted into the trees that surrounded the house.
Chapter 3
“Don’t do it, Cho,” Dan shot at me as I ripped my top off, the night air whipping around my body. Grinning widely, I undid the buttons to my shorts.
“You’re going to regret this,” he said tauntingly, while shaking his head slightly and clenching his beer in his hand. We stood on the beach in the middle of the night.
Hurling my shorts at him, I darted off into the ocean. Underwear was like a bikini. Oh, screw it, who cares!
The water whipped up my legs. It was refreshing and cold at the same time. I turned my head over my shoulder and looked at Dan as he stood on the edge of the beach with his jeans rolled up to his knees. He smiled at me as he took a sip from his beer. “You coming in?” I raised an eyebrow.
Shaking his head slightly “You’re a tease, Cho.”
Smiling widely, I said, “I’m not teasing.” I walked deeper into the water. It was now around my waist.
“You’re going to regret this in the morning, you know?”
Shrugging my shoulders, I took another step back into the water. It was now up to my collarbone. The ocean was still, with only small ripples of waves.
Reaching to my back I unclasped my bra, pulling it down my arms. I tossed it in the direction of the shore, not caring if I couldn’t find it later. Cocking my head to the side and smirking at Dan, I said, “So you still want to wait on the shore?” I couldn’t wipe the smile off my face.
Sighing, he shook his head and dropped the empty bottle into the sand. Reaching to the hem of his shirt, he ripped it off. The moonlight flicked across his toned chest. He unbuckled his jeans and they dropped to the sand. He began to walk into the water. “Shit, it’s cold!”
Laughing slightly, I splashed a hand full of water at him. Droplets splattered across his skin. He narrowed his eyes at me, smirking as he pushed through the water.
Laughing, I dodged his arms. But then he caught my leg, laughing as he wrapped his arms around my waist. “Payback is a bitch, ya no.” His hot breath tickled the back of my neck.
Shivering, I pushed back into his chest and turned in his arms. His eyes locked with mine. He pushed a wet strand of hair out of my face. “You sure you want to do this, Cho?”
His eyes were intense as he watched me, thinking we were most likely about to make a mistake. Closing my eyes, I brushed my lips across his, drifting my legs up to around his waist. I clung to him.
Tonight I waited no longer. Tonight I gave myself to my friend and to the second hottest guy I knew. Dan was no Xavier. But guess what? Xavier was no Dan, and in this moment it was Dan I wanted. Because I knew he wouldn’t reject me.
So as our kisses began to build steam, I wasn’t scared I was making a mistake because life was too short to wait and I had waited for Xavier, but I wouldn’t any longer. Dan’s warm muscular hands ran down my bare back, as he continued to kiss me with passion.
And in the dead of the night, among the ocean waves, I gave myself to Dan. And I wouldn’t regret it in the morning.
***
I was nodding my head to Showtek’s F**K the system, as I opened my locker. I nodded my head, tapping my finger on my locker door to the beat as my iPod pumped the music through my ears.
Throwing my bag into the locker, I pulled out my phone and shoved it in my pocket. Stupid school. Stupid parents. I curs
ed silently to myself. I knew I had gym today.
I jumped as a fist slammed on the locker door next to me. Pulling an ear bud out, my eyes wide with terror, I turned to face Scott.
“Want to give me a heart attack or something?” I growled, tossing my iPod into my locker.
Scott shrugged his shoulders. “Well, it’s not like I could get your attention any other way.”
Rolling my eyes, I grabbed my gym clothes. “I hate Mondays,” I mourned while closing my locker door and beginning to walk up the hall with Scott.
“So you had a good weekend, then?” Scott chuckled to himself, wiggling his eyebrows at me.
“Does he tell you everything?” Gee, Dan doesn’t keep anything to himself, does he! Not that I really cared, but still, now I would have to put up with Scott’s loose comments.
“Didn’t have to. I can smell it. But now I don’t need to ask who it was with.” Scott laughed evilly as I froze.
“You can smell that?” I cursed myself for not thinking of it before. That explained Chad’s weird reaction to me this morning.
My question only just made him laugh harder as we walked out the doors in the direction of the gym. “Oh, your face right now.” Scott clenched his stomach. “Classic.”
Rolling my eyes, I sent a punch into his arm and stormed off alone. Great, now everyone would know that I was no longer a virgin. Being a werewolf sucked.
***
Stomping into the locker room, I pulled my top off as soon as I walked through the door. Gym sucked, life sucked, school sucked and Scott sucked. Grumbling lightly to myself I tossed my gym clothes onto the bench.
I swear if I get one more comment referring to my virginity, I will deck the one responsible. Pulling my jeans off and stepping out of my sandals. One comment that was all it would take for me to lose my shit.
Someone clearing their throat made me turn around. My eyes went wide. Oh, this day just gets better and better, doesn’t it?
All the boys were staring at me like lovesick puppies. Why had I walked into the boys locker room! Dan tore his eyes away from my chest. “I…umm, wrong locker room.”
“No shit, Sherlock.” I shot in his direction, as he stood on the other side of the room with about nine other guys from my gym class.
My head snapped to the door as Scott walked in with a small smile on his face, which only got wider as his eyes drifted over me. “Can’t keep your clothes on now, can you, Chloe?”
Throwing my head back I let a frustrated scream. “DAMNED MEN!” I yelled. Picking up my clothes, I was still standing in the middle of the room in my underwear.
Scott laughed and there were some dull snickers behind me.
“What the hell is going on in here?”
Xavier was now standing behind Scott at the entrance of the locker room. He glanced at me before ripping his eyes away, He’d taken in the fact I was wearing nothing. He turned his attention to the boys, analyzing them.
“Is someone going to answer me?” Xavier growled, pushing past Scott, who was holding in silent laughter.
Grumbling to myself, I picked up my gym shorts and threaded my legs through them before picking up my top and walking towards them.
“Oh nothing, Mr. Clark. Fate just thought my life didn’t suck enough, so it threw another wrench of embarrassment in my life.”
I pulled the top over my head. It was in this moment that I realized it wasn’t my top; it was Olivia’s, who had a smaller bust than me. “Oh, great!” I glared down at the top, which stopped at my belly button. “Just when I think things can’t get worse, they do.”
Scott broke out in laughter and all the other boys followed. I ignored Xavier’s eyes as I pushed pass him, leaving the boys with a morning strip show and giving Scott more ammo to make my life hell.
“Chloe.”
I turned on my heel to face Xavier, who had followed me out of the locker room. “Yes, Mr. Clark?”
“Are you ok?” His eyes drifted over me for a brief moment before locking with mine.
“Just peachy.” I couldn’t help the bitterness that coated my tone. I let out a sharp sigh. “Sorry, that was rude. I’m fine. Sorry, Mr. Clark.”
Xavier frowned as he took another step towards me. “You sure?” I heard the worry in his voice as he moved a tad closer to me. I couldn’t suppress the twisting of my stomach as feelings of hope drifted through my blood. “You smell different.”
The feeling of hope was crushed with dread as I now realized why his eyes held so much wonder. Rolling my eyes and grinding my teeth, I said, “So, you want to have a go at me?”
My eyes turned into slits as I watched for his reaction. He would work it out and when he did, I wanted to see his face.
“I didn’t mean to offend you.” Xavier lowered his voice. I could hear him trying to not let it leak concern.
I scoffed, “Whatever, Mr. Clark.”
“Would you stop calling me that?”
“It’s your name.” I tapped my foot and cocked my head to the side slightly. “You’re my teacher. Remember?”
Xavier exhaled sharply. “As you continue to remind me.”
I shrugged my shoulders; my attention was torn from his handsome face as the boys walked out of the locker room, laughing. I ground my teeth slightly when I saw Scott’s eyes land on me.
Any minute he would say something. I had to stand here and wait for his sly comment or insult. The boys walked past us, laughing slightly to themselves. Dan sent me a wink and a smile as he eased by. See, that is what I like about Dan. He’s easygoing and doesn’t get a thrill out of embarrassing me, unlike his stupid best friend.
I narrowed my eyes as I watched Scott walk slowly past Xavier and me. To my utter surprise, he passed in silence. Looked like he was going to keep his comments to himself. I let out a small sigh. Thank god.
“Hey, Chloe.”
You thought too soon, Chloe. You thought too soon. Glancing over my shoulder, I glared at Scott, who was grinning at me.
“I can help you get dressed after gym, if you want? Maybe even a shower together.” Scott rubbed his chin while smirking. “Though I guess I am no Dan. I heard water is your thing, right?”
Groaning, I slammed a palm to my forehead. Oh the humiliation. I snuck a sideways glance at Xavier, whose face was wiped clean of any expression. He was just staring at Scott.
Turning on my heel, I darted away from him. I elbowed Scott in the side as I passed him and joined the group of students waiting for gym.
I would kill Scott the first chance I got. Running up to Dan, I stood by his side. “I really hate your friend,” I grumbled to him while crossing my arms.
Dan smiled and threw an arm around my head, hooking my head and pulling me into his chest. “He’s your friend too.”
I scoffed, “Don’t think so, buddy.”
Dan leaned down and whispered in my ear, “He’s just jealous, you know.”
“I am not jealous of anything. After all I did get a strip show.”
Groaning, I tucked my head tighter into Dan’s chest. “Kill him for me, would you?” I mumbled into his chest.
I felt Dan’s chest rumble as he laughed and then moved to punch Scott. I heard the thump of Dan’s fist connecting with Scott.
“Gee, man. Chloe has already abused me twice today, you know. Now my other arm is dead.” Scott grumbled next to me.
I pulled my head out of Dan’s chest. “And you deserved each hit.”
“Class, pair up.” Xavier’s voice boomed, signaling the beginning of class. Pulling out of Dan’s grasp, I glanced at the students already pairing up. I smiled up at Dan, “You want to be pairs?”
Dan opened his mouth but Xavier cut him off. “Chloe and Scott, pair up. I want Dan with Tyler.”
“What!” I turned on my heel and screamed at him. “Why do I have to be paired with IT?” I pointed a finger in Scott’s direction.
Xavier crossed his arms. “I am the teacher,
Chloe. Now pair off.”
Rolling my eyes, I walked off to stand next to Scott. “Now you’re a teacher,” I grumbled as I walked past Xavier. He didn’t reply as he walked to the head of the class.
“We are doing a fitness test in pairs. You will work together to push each other to your limits. So outside we go.” Xavier instructed, as the whole class grumbled behind him, walking outside to the field.
“We begin with laps. Remember, everyone is different. So keep that in mind when pushing your partner.” Xavier blew his whistle and people began to break off.
“Excuse me, sir?” Scott moved forward to speak to Xavier, gaining the class’s attention as everyone watched him. How could Scott have a question about this activity? It was straightforward.
Xavier studied Scott for a moment before nodding his head for Scott to continue.
“You said we had to push our partner to their limit?” Scott pointed a thumb over his shoulder in my direction. “But I can’t see a bed. So how can I get Chloe to that point without one? Because her fitness in the bed has really gone downhill.”
The class broke into chuckles, just as Scott had planned, I bet. Groaning and glaring at Scott’s back, I saw Xavier narrow his eyes. “I suppose you and Chloe can work on that, in your own time.”
I turned my head to the side and shot Dan a pointed look. He really needed to learn to control his best friend. “You need to buy him a muzzle.” I snapped in Dan’s direction.
“See, Mr. Clark, she just can’t stop herself from thinking kinky thoughts!” Scott said with a note of annoyance, shooting me a smirk over his shoulder. The class continued to laugh at my expense.
“Enough, class. Scott and Chloe, if you two stir up any more trouble in my class, you will face detention.”
“What!” I yelled, pushing past Scott to look at Xavier. “I haven’t done anything. It’s not my fault you paired me with the perv!”
“Enough!” Xavier yelled, “If you two can’t keep your relationship problems out of my class, I will remove both of you! Now, get started on the activity!”