by Ivy Clyde
“I am not helpless,” I repeated. “You have no idea what I went through to keep my mom alive.”
“What did you do?” he asked with a scoff. “Worked for a rat like Sergei?”
“For a girl who grew up fearing criminals and thugs, yes, working for a rat like Sergei was a big deal. You have a big shot uncle like Nikolai but me? I was just a normal kid, living a normal life.” My breathing became hard and labored as rage pulsed through me. “Are you sure your uncle won’t mind if I battled bullies like Miranda my way?”
“Miranda is an heiress to the world’s largest automobile manufacturer,” he said, watching me with a lopsided grin on his face. “You’re just…you. What can you do to her?”
It was my turn to sneer back at him. “I am going to be infiltrating two mafia families on my own. She’s nothing compared to them, right?”
Christian’s expression tightened. He was no longer smiling. “You’re right,” he said after a while. He sat up straight. “I shouldn’t be mocking you.”
I pushed away the strands of hair falling over my face. “I don’t want to get involved with Miranda but if she comes after me with her posse, I will not keel over and let her stomp on me.”
He gave a nod. “What do you plan to do?”
“I will start by destroying her boyfriend. I heard he’s got quite the reputation too.”
His expression became grim again. “He is dangerous.”
“More than Andrei and Dimitri?”
“Andrei and Dimitri won’t hurt you immediately. They don’t do things needlessly. Saxon, on the other hand, won’t think twice about hurting you.”
I climbed off the bed and headed toward the kitchenette for a glass of water. Christian came after me and watched me pour water into a mug.
“It’s best to avoid them,” he said as I chugged the water.
“Like I said. I don’t want to get involved with any of those assholes.” Thrusting the cup on the counter, I stared at him. “Get me the computer and all the accessories attached to it from my room at your uncle’s house. I need some additional stuff too.” Going back to my room, I rummaged inside a drawer. After dinner with Stella that evening, I’d made a list. “I will need everything on this,” I said, giving him the sheet of paper.
His eyes moved down the list. “You’ll have them by tomorrow,” he said, folding the list and tucking it in his trouser’s pocket. Moving closer to me, he let his hands slide along the side of my neck. His fingers tightened over the slender column slightly as he drew himself closer to me. His breath fanned my face as he stared into my eyes.
My heart thundered in my ears, wondering if he would kiss me. My body thrummed with desire but just as I stepped closer, he pulled away, like he’d just realized what was about to happen between us.
A disappointed moan escaped my lips.
Christian looked torn for a moment, but then he was upon me, pulling me against his chest and crashing his lips to mine. My eyes blinked as I tried to think through the burst of heat spreading through my veins.
His lips moved against mine, forcing me to open up. Once I did, his tongue slid in, swirling around my mouth, tasting me deeply. He wasn’t slow or gentle about it.
I tried to keep up with him, probing his tongue with mine in a bid to mimic him. It was my first kiss and nothing like I’d imagined it to be.
In my fantasies, I always kissed a handsome guy with slow, sweet passion. This kiss with Christian was anything but sweet. It tasted of forbidden desires and desperation.
My back hit the wall as he pressed his body into mine, his hips jerking forward. I felt his hardness against my thigh as he sucked and nipped at my bottom lip. A tortured moan escaped me as hard throbs pulsated in my core, spreading throughout my body.
“We can’t do this,” he hissed, pushing off me. His green eyes were lit with desire and angst while his chest heaved as he took in ragged breaths. The bulge at the front of his pants was still noticeable. He wanted me. I could see it in his gaze. “Go back to bed,” he said in a rough voice as he strode out of the room.
My chest rose and fell as I struggled to draw enough air to breathe properly. The kiss had me panting and gasping, burning my veins with need and desire.
I want more. Pushing off the wall, I tottered toward the bed, feeling more frantic than when I’d thought Christian wouldn’t kiss me.
Sleep eluded me. My body was desperate for his heated touch.
I’d often heard the girls at my old school discussing sex with their friends. How they had to touch themselves after their boyfriends had come too quickly inside them, leaving them unsatisfied and disappointed.
Christian had kissed me once, leaving my body throbbing and aching for more. Perhaps, it was time I tried touching myself too.
Pressing my head into the pillow, I reached for my throbbing core.
My fingers slipped through my wet folds. I liked the spark of heat that shot through me at a touch on the hardened bud there. My fingers rubbed over it, exploring and learning how touching that spot made fire course through my veins.
My back arched as pleasure coursed through my body, condensing into my core as hard throbs pulsed through me. I rubbed the sensitive bud harder, coaxing my pleasure to rise higher until all thought disappeared from my mind.
My body trembled with the force of my first self-caused orgasm. My core throbbed with the beat of my frantic heart, making shivers of pleasure cascade down my body. Gasps escaped my lips as I tried to hold onto that fleeting sensation of intense pleasure.
And even as I lay on my bed with a heaving chest, I still craved for more.
19
Skye
It was only the second day of school and by lunchtime, the teachers had already given out assignments for the rest of the month. “I won’t have any free time,” I groaned, putting my head down on the desk.
“Welcome to Knightswood Academy,” said Stella with a grin. “Workaholism is actively encouraged here.”
Thick makeup hid the bruises on her face, making her look better. She seemed in a good mood as well, enjoying my horror of all the assignments we’d been set. We’d gone to the cafeteria for an early breakfast and then headed out to the Science Building for our morning classes, effectively avoiding Miranda and her gang.
“Does anyone have a life in this school?” I asked as we packed our bags after an Advanced Math class.
“Most don’t but a few others get people to do their homework and assignments. Somehow, they manage to pass the exams too. The more money you have, the more power you have here.”
I shrugged. “The law of the concrete jungle, huh?”
“Let’s hurry to the cafeteria before Miranda gets there,” said Stella, checking her watch. “I want to be done before she sees me.”
I followed behind her as she practically ran toward the cafeteria building. It was annoying to be running around just to avoid that psychopathic queen bee but when there was a choice, I would always choose to avoid trouble.
The cafeteria was getting busy as more students came in for lunch. Stella chose a nook, hidden effectively by other tables around it. I sat down and picked up a menu on the table. The food they served was enough to risk getting bullied. They had an amazing selection of dishes that included vegan options too.
“I’ll have the salad and eggplant parmigiana,” said Stella as soon as a waitress came over to get our order.
“I’ll have the salmon,” I said when the waitress looked toward me. It had been years since I got a taste of my favorite fish.
“Do you want to go to the library this afternoon?” asked Stella, looking down at her iPad. “We just have one class after lunch. Maybe we could get started on the programming assignment?”
I shook my head. “Sorry. I’ve got some plans today. Maybe another time?” The school had already sent me an email, telling me about the packages that been delivered to my room that morning. It had to be the computers and other accessories I’d asked Christian to get me last ni
ght.
“You barely know anyone around here. It’s okay to tell me you don’t want to hang around with me,” said Stella, her large brown eyes already filling up with tears.
“It’s not that,” I said, taking out my phone and pulling up the school email. “I just got stuff delivered. See?” I pushed the phone toward her so she could glance at it. “They need to be unpacked.”
“Oh.” Her expression cleared up at once.
Our lunch was soon brought to us. Stella wolfed down her food while I took time to savor the large fillet of salmon they’d served me.
“I’m done!” she announced when I was barely done with half my salmon. “Hurry up, Skye.”
“Look over there,” I said, nodding in the distance. “Miranda is already sitting with her posse. They’re too busy with themselves to pay us any mind now.”
She paled immediately. “I just want to get out of here.”
“Why doesn’t the staff do anything? I noticed how they disappeared just as trouble began.”
“They don’t want to be in trouble either,” said Stella with a dark expression on her face. “If asked to be witnesses, they can just say they weren’t around when an incident occurred. It’s a standard tactic on their part.”
I exhaled a long breath, scooping the rest of the fish in my mouth. Once it went down, I proceeded to clean up the roast potatoes and salad it had been served with. There was no way I was wasting any of this food.
“Let’s go,” whined Stella, tapping her feet on the floor.
“Okay, I am done.”
The cafeteria was even more crowded now. We managed to walk without attracting any attention toward us, coming out into the open grounds. Stella looked visibly more relaxed now. “We can spend some time around here before heading back to class,” she said, raising her face to the cool breeze that blew by.
We strolled through the grounds, reaching close to the edge of the woods. It was a gorgeous September day with the afternoon sun shining down on us. I was beginning to enjoy the walk when an unfamiliar voice cackled and called out Stella’s name.
She came to a stop immediately, her face draining of color and emotion.
The voice came closer, jeering and cursing at her. I turned around, wondering who’d come to bully her again.
A tall guy with a couple of other boys walked up to us. His face was stretched in a huge smirk as he stared down at Stella before letting his gaze fall on me. I would have said he was handsome but there was something savage about him. There were no tattoos marking his exposed skin but my instincts told me to stay on my guard.
“You must be the new charity case here,” he said with a glint in his dark eyes.
“And who are you?”
The young man looked around at his friends like I’d said something funny. Stepping close to me, he bent down until we were at eye level. “Didn’t your friend tell you about her crush?”
I glanced at Stella who stood rooted to the spot with her fists balled to her sides. She was looking at her feet, refusing to look at me or the guy.
“You’re Saxon?” I guessed.
“The one and only,” he replied, raking his fingers through the mass of untidy dark hair. He stepped closer, his chest brushing against my breasts. “You’re kind of hot, charity girl.”
I stepped back immediately. “Why do you keep calling me that?”
“We all know who your parents are,” said Saxon. “And we know who you are. You went to Kensington High, didn’t you? Lived in a shithole smaller than the toilets in this school? We all know you’re here on charity. Miranda has told everyone about you.”
“Great,” I muttered. “Now that’s all cleared up, we’ll get the fuck out of your way.” Catching hold of Stella’s wrist, I was about to drag her away but Saxon stopped me, blocking my way. Snatching my hand, he made me drop the hold on Stella’s hand. “Let go!” I hissed.
“Not so fast, charity girl,” he whispered, pushing me against a tree trunk. Putting his arms on either side of me, he caged me in, leaning close enough that I could smell the pot he’d been smoking. “We never had one of your kind in here,” he said, bringing his nose against my neck. The boys standing behind him moved in closer too.
“Leave her alone,” said Stella in a low voice.
“Nah. I like her already,” said Saxon, meeting my gaze with a sneering grin.
“You better do as she says,” I said in a soft voice. “You don’t want to mess around with me.”
A chuckle escaped him.
“She’s threatening you?” said one of the guys behind him as Saxon laughed in my face.
“Get off me,” I hissed, pushing against his chest. He stayed in place, sniffing along my neck. Rage, hot and swift, flowed through my veins. Next moment, I kicked him in the leg. I’d been aiming for his crotch but my foot ended up hitting him above the knee.
He pushed me back against the tree trunk, his eyes spitting sparks as his expression turned angry. “How dare you do that, bitch?” His hands moved down to clamp onto my shoulders. “Do you have any idea what I can do to someone as insignificant as you?” He was breathing hard, his eyes taking in the shape of my mouth.
“Let her go, Saxon,” said a familiar voice.
Saxon didn’t get off me as he merely glanced behind his shoulder. “What do you want, Dimitri?”
“Let her go,” Dimitri repeated.
Saxon chuckled softly. “You want her too?”
I looked toward Dimitri. His amber eyes were shards of ice as he stared back at me. Turning to look back at Saxon, he added, “Yes. I have business with her.”
Saxon stepped away from me, finger-combing his hair backward. “You can have her today but I’m coming back for her later. She’s quite an interesting girl.”
“I don’t think so.” Dimitri walked toward Saxon. “She is under my protection. Unless you want unnecessary trouble, stay away from her.”
Saxon glanced at me. “How good of a cocksucker are you, charity girl? Even Dimitri Volkov is lording over me to have you.”
“I don’t need anyone to fight my battles,” I said, glaring at both Saxon and Dimitri.
Saxon laughed, glancing at Dimitri. “Where do you think she gets that sass from?”
Dimitri stayed quiet, his piercing eyes on me. “Leave us alone.”
“As you wish, Your Highness.” Saxon gave a mock bow, walked up to Stella and draped an arm over her petite shoulders. “Guess you’re gonna have to amuse me all by yourself.” He dragged her away with him. His three friends followed after them.
“Let her go,” I shouted, about to run after them when a hand clamped around my arm, pulling me backward and shoving me against the tree roughly.
“Where do you think you’re going?” asked Dimitri, his gaze darkening as he stared at me.
“They’ll hurt her,” I said. “I have to help her.”
“And who is going to help you?”
“I don’t need help.”
I tried to move past him but he pushed me back again. “He is not someone to be messed with.” His words reminded me of Christian’s warning. “Are you this confident because the Ivanovs are sponsoring you to attend Knighstwood Academy?”
I scoffed, staring back at him defiantly. “I accepted their money because graduating from a place like this would benefit my future. Since you already know everything, you know that my mom is going to die soon. I have to fend for myself. That’s the only reason I agreed to come to this school.” Taking a deep breath, I continued. “The Ivanovs only gave me money in return for doing them a favor. They don’t give a shit about me.”
“You don’t have to take their money.”
“What?”
The anger drained from his face. “I am willing to help you.” His fingers moved up to graze my cheek. Annoyed as I was with him for letting Saxon take Stella away, I couldn’t ignore the trail of heat that bloomed on my skin at his touch.
“I don’t need your help.”
His beautiful f
ace turned grim. “I can protect you from people like Saxon. He won’t let go once he’s got his sights on you. Staying by my side will keep you safe.”
I wanted to hurl out the fact that staying by his side did no good for his fiancé. Maria still ended up dead and I was being forced into her place.
“Please, move away,” I said. When he didn’t shift, I pushed at his chest, feeling the hardness of his muscles under my palm. Not only was he beautiful, but even his body was sculpted to perfection. It took real effort not to give in to the attraction my body felt for his. It’s all Christian’s fault, I thought, bristling with frustration. He left me feeling this way and now my body was enjoying being pressed up against Dimitri.
Lost in my thoughts, I barely noticed Dimitri’s sudden move. His body pressed against mine as his lips captured mine in a demanding kiss. I tried to push him off but his hands captured my wrists, pinning them over my head, deepening the kiss.
My mind was lost to the confusion. Anger warred with desire. I didn’t want to kiss him back but my body was making that decision for me. My struggles only made my body gyrate against his, fuelling a hotter fire to flow through my veins.
Dimitri broke the kiss, staring down at me with a strange expression. He leaned in to kiss me again but I was fast enough to turn my face away in time. “Please,” I whispered in a choked voice. My heart beat hard, thundering in my ears. His gaze was piercing me, freezing me in place so I couldn’t move but only beg. “Please, don’t.”
Keeping his gaze on me, he slowly stepped back.
My legs felt weak as I slumped against the tree.
“Keep this with you,” he said, stuffing a piece of paper in my hand. “Call me anytime you need help. I promise to keep you safe.” My heartbeat slowly returned to normal as he turned away and walked back toward the cafeteria.
20
Skye
My hand was clutched around the paper Dimitri left there as I ran toward the Science building for my afternoon class. Heart thundering in my chest, I prayed Stella wouldn’t be hurt. Miranda’s friends were brutal enough yesterday.