Drowning Studies (Artemis University Book 2)

by Erin R Flynn

  I cleared my throat and looked away from his naked hotness to my food.

  “I’d talk but my throat is sore from all the chuffing he did when he was pissed.” I tossed him one of the water bottles. “Thanks.” He took a chance and moved behind me, letting me sit against him instead of River’s leg. “I thought you ended things with me and we both lost it. I didn’t get it and I didn’t want to lose you and then my dragon just flipped its shit.”

  “Yeah, I get having rough stuff with not being human,” I said vaguely. “I’m not sure I didn’t end it. I admit I might totally be overreacting but no matter how innocent, you betrayed my trust and in my experience that doesn’t get better but worse and it was better to cut and run before I became a doormat.”

  “Don’t leave me,” he pleaded, his throat sounding rough and painful. “I need you, Tamsin.”

  “I need a time-out still and to think before I know what to do,” I muttered as he moved my hair out of the way and kissed the nape of my neck. “You hurt me, Hudson.”

  “I know. I’m sorry,” he whispered, his lips moving along my neck. “And no, I’m not trying to get laid. It wasn’t about sex.”

  “River told me. You know what he says to me, right?”

  “Yeah.” He moved his hands to my hips and massaged them as he gave my neck and open-mouthed kiss, his tongue teasing my skin. “My dragon is even more all about you now that you named him. He didn’t seem to get why you would but then you said he’s special and now I think he might level the school if you ditched me for good.”

  “You’re so much work,” I sighed.

  “Let me help your stress,” he murmured, his hand moving across my stomach.

  “No, you get a time-out.”

  “I will, this is for you.”

  I shook my head. “I need time to think and time to trust you again. I was fine with hooking up because I trusted you.”

  “I know, but I promised to always chase you. I’ll make it okay between us no matter what it takes.” His other hand moved to the fly of my low-rise cargos and undid them along with the belt. “Fuck, you’re so sexy. You be the boss, Tamsin. I promise, you’re the boss from now on. I won’t decide anything, you will.”

  “You can decide some things,” I argued, well, more moaned as his hand slid under my panties.

  “Give me a list. Presents? I can decide gifts for you. How about dates when you’re ready? Casual can include more than sex, right? When you’re ready. Fuck, I’m so hard for you. You decide the rest, I only want to decide how to spoil you.”

  “Yeah, you can have those three for now, but you’re still on probation.”

  “I’ll take it. Come for me so I can lick my fingers and taste my princess.”

  The stupid man knew all my buttons. He brought me a few times that way, apologizing and praising me for being kind to give him a chance, caring for his dragon enough to help when I was upset with him, as he did.

  “I’m not ready for sex,” I admitted, feeling like a bitch and needing to explain why I couldn’t give him a turn. “I gave you something big going bare with you, trusting you, and you broke that trust. I wouldn’t have trusted anyone else but Mel or Craftsman to lead me somewhere and not ask more questions. I’m not even sure Izzy if it meant going through a portal. But I trusted you.”

  “I’ll earn your trust back. We’re more than sex,” he murmured against my skin. “We’re friends too, right?”

  “I thought so.”

  “We are,” he huffed.

  Pushy damn dragon. Fine, we had been friends too.

  It still didn’t make everything magically okay.

  Though, he did ease my stress a bit.

  22

  The review for midterms was intense and every part of me hoped and thought I was doing overkill, but I still thought that better than crashing and burning. Once I got through geometry I could get this weight off my chest and Darby was awesome and made me a few practice tests.

  Thursday I had finished the first one and I remembered needing to close my eyes for a few minutes.

  I must not have been the only one because I woke with an arm wrapped around me… And a hand up my shirt. It took me a few moments to realize Darby was spooning with me and rubbing his thumb over the bare skin of my breast.

  He drew in a long breath and snuggled his face in my hair. “I don’t object to waking like this.”

  “I find it shocking,” I muttered, not thinking that a compliment but more of his mixed signals. His reply was to extend the rest of his fingers and move his hand closer. “Accidents while asleep are different than what you’re about to do and I think you need permission for that.”

  “Hmm, are you objecting?”

  “I didn’t say that, just you be clear before you grope.”

  “So you wouldn’t object?”

  I rolled my eyes, knowing he couldn’t see it. “Ask and find out.”

  Instead he slowly ran his fingers over my midsection as he pulled his hand out from my shirt. He even made sure to touch along my hip and thigh to bring his hand back to his body.

  Was he seriously that obtuse or chicken?

  He sat up and stretched, yawning. “I should head out. If we’re falling asleep now then clearly we need the sleep more than cramming.”

  Was he serious? I was about to thump him on the forehead and ask if he was trying to drive me crazy.

  He threw me a smirk as he stood and stretched some more.

  Oh fuck. That was absolutely what he was trying to do. He was trying to drive me crazy and push my buttons like I did Craftsman until he was a begging, pleading mess and would do whatever I wanted.

  Hell no. That was my move.

  I rolled to my feet when he did and caught him before he got his glasses. Reaching for the back of his shirt and shoulder, I yanked it up as I pushed on his shoulder and had it over his head before he even realized it.

  I shoved him down to the bed and peeled off my own shirt before sliding my leg over his hips and straddling him. I leaned down until we were nose to nose, rubbing my breasts over his chest.

  “You’ve been there when I’ve warned people they don’t want to play with me unless they’re willing to go all out. Don’t think you’re any different because you’re my tutor or have a cock, Darby.”

  I leaned in closer and sucked on his ear as I ground my hips against his hard-on I felt growing under my ass. He let out a groan and moved his hands to my waist.

  “Have the balls to say you want to put it in me, or stop with the fucking games,” I hissed in his ear and nipped his lobe. I reached behind my back and undid my bra. “Do you want to touch my breasts or not? Say it.”

  “Yes.”

  “Yes what?”

  “Yes,” he hissed.

  “Chicken.” I sat up and let the bra fall off as I kept moving my hips. I pushed his hand off of me and touched myself, his eyes full of heat and his nostrils flaring. I pinched my nipples as my clit thrummed with pleasure at the friction. I gasped as I came, my eyes never leaving his.

  And then I stopped moving, smirking at him.

  The door flew open and Izzy stood there blinking like an owl at us. “I’ll just give you a bit.” She backed out of the room and closed the door behind her.

  Fuck, that was funny.

  I stretched and stared at him before reaching for my bra and letting my breasts run along his body before putting it on again.

  “Night, Darby, sleep tight.” I glanced down at his groin. “Or I guess you have something to take care of first.” I sighed as I turned away and bent over so he got a nice view of my ass. “Shame, it felt nice and would probably have been a good fit.”

  He groaned softly but also looked completely shocked and like I’d beat up his puppy, leaving him hanging. Honestly, for someone who normally showed few emotions, all of them seemed to be flashing through his eyes before he got up. He had his shirt on, glasses, and bag by the time I blinked and was heading for the door.

  “Night, Tams
in,” he muttered and was out of the room before I could reply.

  I blew a raspberry and fell back to my bed, not sure what to do with what happened and wondering why I was poking the bear when I had two guys I was hooking up with.

  “What was that?” Izzy asked after she came back.

  “I would tell you if I knew but I really don’t,” I admitted. “Pissing match between which of us is the Dom? Tutor revenge by winding me up? I thought he was just clueless but he was smirking when I egged him into saying he wanted me, like he was intentionally trying to push me.”

  She blinked at me and burst out laughing. “Has he not paid attention at all as to who you are? You are the last person I’d get into a contest of wills with. Maybe not a patience contest, but this is different and he will definitely break first.”

  “He didn’t tonight,” I confessed, nodding when she gave me a doubtful look. “I basically laid out the welcome carpet and gave him landing lights so all he had to say was he wanted to touch me and he wouldn’t. So I got myself off and sent him packing.”

  Her mouth dropped open and she shook her head. “When I grow up, I want to be just like you.”

  “I’m only a year older than you, brat.”

  “Teach me, Yoda.”

  “Whatever, I don’t know how to get girls gooey for me. I barely understand guys.”

  “Want to send him a hot picture implying he missed out?”

  “Nah, I won this round using him to get off and leaving him hanging. I didn’t start any of this so it’s up to him what’s next.”

  “How do you play it so cool?”

  I didn’t want to admit I already had two other guys so I just shrugged, saying goodnight and getting ready for bed. Yeah, that was the better answer for sure.

  And then the jerk pretended like nothing happened the next day.

  Fine, two could play that game; besides, I had midterms to keep focused on.

  Monday started fine, Professor White coming in with the tests and saying we had the whole period.

  “Google won’t help you, Ms. Vale,” she chuckled when she saw I had my laptop open. “But you’re on the list to use your book.”

  “I am. I typed all the chapters as I read them so now I have a searchable file of the book so far.”

  She gave me a shocked look. “Wait, you went so far as to scan all the pages?”

  “No, I typed them.”

  “Why would you do that?” someone else demanded, giving me a look like I was nuts.

  I gave him a bored one back. “I sucked at typing and didn’t have much experience with computers. I needed to fix that.”

  “And how’s your typing now?” he challenged, rolling his eyes at me.

  “I don’t suck at it anymore but I’m certainly not the fastest at the school.” I shrugged.

  “You will be the fastest done with the test, I’d think,” Professor White chuckled as she handed me the test. “Good luck then.”

  I thanked her and she was right. I was done in under half an hour. Most of the information wasn’t long answers and basically wanted us to focus on what she considered the points to take away before we moved on to the next section.

  Physical training wasn’t bad either, given I was still in the tournament. The best part? I was matched up with Darby this round so I absolutely had reason to bash his face in, but I didn’t.

  Personal shit aside, he needed the grade in this class to do well and keep his scholarship and he’d done a lot to help me.

  And was planning to spend his break doing more. So yeah, I didn’t beat his ass and instead took a few hits to make him look good before I won. It was my good deed for the day.

  Campbell’s test was actually Wednesday so I was done for the day, but I didn’t slow down my groove because I worried once I did, I’d take too long of a break.

  Tuesday was the roughest one. I had a midterm paper due in English that I had already dropped off but then I had my debate scheduled and geometry after lunch. Once I made it through that I was set as Campbell was open book, I’d kick ass in physical training, and then Thursday all I had was runes with Craftsman, which I’d already rocked.

  I could do all twenty-four runes we focused on that quarter after all the intro and history of runes, so I wasn’t worried at all.

  I tripped a few times in my debate but nothing major or too bad I should worry my grade was tanked. I listened in to Tate’s thoughts a bit after I went and while I didn’t like how much he focused on my cleavage, he seemed to think my argument was well laid out.

  Geometry was a bitch, but I was pretty sure it didn’t make me its bitch. Even if I didn’t ace it, I’d done well on my tests so far and all my homework plus participation, so I should manage. Hopefully.

  Fuck, please let me manage.

  I was ready just to crash after it was over and did, a knock at the door waking me. I glanced at my phone and saw I’d only been out for an hour. Sighing, I rolled to my feet and went for the door.

  “I talked to Richardson and you got a B-plus, so get your stuff as I keep my promises,” Darby greeted me.

  “Like a date?” I tried to clarify.

  “A reward.”

  I blew a raspberry. “Okay, cool. I’m not having my first real date with like dinner be some flimsy excuse of vagueness.” I turned to grab what I needed but not before I saw the flash of shock in his eyes.

  And maybe a bit of longing.

  Yeah, you could have had my first date if you weren’t being a chicken or playing games.

  I locked up and he led us to the student union portal and the window next to it that I hadn’t even noticed before as it was further from the wall and away from the main entrance. He rang the bell and after a few moments, a woman appeared.

  “Hi, Tamsin Vale is turning in one of her portal passes.” He pulled out a slip of paper and handed it over. “That’s the address in California and we’d like to use the closest portal, please.”

  She nodded and glanced past me. “And do you agree to this?” She waited until I sighed, agreeing to use one of my passes. “I need your ID and to sign the log.”

  I did and she came out from a door I couldn’t tell was there and touched the portal. It took a few moments but symbols changed around it and honestly, the permanent portals like that reminded me of a chalkboard where you could switch this and that around. My head hurt just thinking about what all the symbols represented but it all looked wicked.

  “Do you mind activating it?” she asked me. “We’ve had a lot of traffic today with people needing air after tests. I’m down on the tank.”

  “Sure.” I reached over and let out my power into her first before activating the portal.

  “Wow, um, thanks,” she whispered, blinking rapidly at me.

  “That’s another thing people don’t do that I keep not thinking about, right?” I grumbled.

  “Yes, but it’s why people like you,” she defended. “You’re not all uptight and bitchy with how much power you have like other elites.”

  I snorted. “I think the elites would be insulted if you included me in their party.”

  She shrugged and went back to her station. Fair enough.

  We went through the portal and after Darby pulled out his phone, he directed us two blocks south, where we arrived at a restaurant called The Catch.

  Yay food?

  “It’s two hours behind us here so you’re getting a big lunch after you barely ate in the cafeteria,” he said as we reached the door. He greeted the hostess and said we wanted seating at the lounge or patio.

  That didn’t bother me but it sounded weird to specify? He made sure to take both menus when she showed us our seat and set them down.

  “Um, want to explain that move?”

  “I will,” he promised, opening a menu and perusing it. He smiled politely when the server came. “Hi, she’d like to do the OMG burger challenge.”

  “I would?”

  “Yes, it’s why we’re here, but I want to surprise you
so that’s why you can’t see the menu,” he explained. “How do you like your burgers?”

  “Medium well, please,” I told the server.

  “Toppings are cheese, lettuce, tomato, red onions, their aioli sauce, and pickles. Fine?”

  “Um, can I try the sauce? I don’t do well with spice and I can’t eat raw onions,” I muttered, glancing between him and the server, who looked ready to burst out laughing. “Can I get grilled sweet onions instead if it’s like a weight or amount thing?”

  “Yes, that’s fine and the sauce isn’t hot,” he answered. “Drinks?”

  “Water for now, I guess.”

  “I’ll have a lobster roll and an Irish Red,” Darby said as he handed over his ID.

  “You’re getting booze at lunch?” I blurted, not hiding my shock.

  “I like a nice ale and you’re buying, so yeah, I could use a beer or four since we’re not driving.”

  “Wait, how is this my reward when I got us here and I’m friggin’ buying? Shouldn’t you buy if I did well on my midterm?”

  He raised an eyebrow at me as the server gave back his ID. “You’re rich, Tamsin. I thought of the fun outing as your reward because I promise you will like this. I’m a broke scholarship student so yeah, you pick up the check.”

  I got miffed when he said it like that. “I would have offered, Darby, but no one likes feeling like it’s assumed or taken advantage of.” I felt better when the server shot Darby a look like he was being an ass.

  So what else was new with my prickly, confusing, hot tutor?

  It ruined the fun of the outing for me though and I pulled out my phone, not caring it was rude to play games. It didn’t feel like a reward but an excuse for him to get a free meal at a nice place if he brought the kid along.

  I bit back a groan. And I was going to get in trouble for it. I didn’t have an escort. I texted Mel and Craftsman.

  Tamsin: I totally forgot an escort and I apologize but Darby wanted to bring me somewhere for doing well on my geometry midterm or really I think he let me tag along because I’ll pick up the check and he wanted a nice meal.

  “That’s not what this is,” Darby snapped, making me jump as I realized he could read what I was typing across the wide table. He cleared his throat as I blinked at him. “It’s not. I’m sorry I was short; I had a shit midterm when you did and I’m fucking wrecked.