by D. V. EEDEN
“What are you doing down here Africa? Because you’re in so much shit right now,” Hugo adds to my disappointment, but it’s expected. His hand rubs along the stubble on his chin, the atrocious glint in his eyes doesn’t falter. I know he’s holding it all in.
I wonder what would happen if he snapped.
Cocking my hip out, I cross my arms in front of my chest, trying not to show any fear because the four Royals can smell fear from a mile off. The scent of terror piques their interest and they torment you, make you fall and then they pounce to break you.
But not tonight, I’m putting my foot down.
Zach steps forward, giving Hugo a disappointed look. “What he means is, if anyone else found you, you would be in a lot more trouble.”
I know he’s a good guy, but who’s to say he wouldn’t hurt me like the rest of these cunts. I lean my back against the cold wooden door, noticing Royce and Charles haven’t said a word to me yet. Charles is leaning against the metal staircase with no care in the world. A haughty expression doesn’t leave his perfect, pale face throughout the whole of this confrontation. Royce on the other hand still looks sad and empty, and I haven’t spoken to him properly since the Royals think they outed me as a murderer. He’s a fucking prick and I hope he burns in hell.
“What? Is this your little secret society meeting of the Darlington Knights?” I tease, laughing at how serious these dicks are right now, but my humor doesn’t last long. I’m pushed against the wooden door by my throat. Hugo’s strong fingers grip my neck so tight I can’t breathe, and I know that his fingers will leave a mark but I’m not afraid right now. I’m finding his carnal behavior erotic and my body comes alive like a spark has just been lit.
Hugo’s eyes are dilated, baring his teeth as he’s finally letting out the anger, the vein in his neck pulsing and I have the urge to kiss it. I want to tame the beast in front of me, express just how much his anger turns me on but with the rest of the dicks in here it’s probably not a good idea. He lets go of my neck and finally I am able to breathe, and I let out a raspy cough, stroking my neck, already missing how Hugo feels against me.
God, what the fuck is wrong with me?
“I’m sorry, did I hit a nerve?” I retort, my voice croaky and harsh but fuck them.
What’s interesting is how the dynamics have changed this evening, usually it’s Blake who does the confrontation and threats at the academy, but tonight it’s Hugo. He did say he was the most dangerous one, and I’m starting to think he’s the real leader of this group, but at the academy he keeps it in check. Blake is just his puppet and Hugo pulls the strings on all of them. How interesting.
“What did you guys expect? I work here you idiots; did you really not think I’d find out?” I snap, and confusion is evident on all their faces apart from Royce, which means he didn’t tell them. That’s another interesting factor.
“You work here? Since when?” Charles now speaks from his little corner. He lets out a gruff laugh, shaking his head.
“A while. I’m surprised Royce hasn’t told you since he knew already,” I tell them. Now I’m the one with the arrogant expression as the group look between themselves and then to Royce.
Payback is a bitch, isn’t it? Royce shifts from one foot to the other, scrubbing a hand across his face as he lets out a deep breath.
“I’ll walk Africa back to the dorms, you guys can bring the cars around,” Hugo orders. Look at that. They all file out of the room to follow his orders.
“Well, I didn’t realize it was really you who is in charge,” I say as condescendingly as I can. So, he’s the reason for the other altercations. For me drowning, being smashed against a table, and worst of all, showing me a picture of my mums’ dead body in front of the whole academy. He is the true devil in disguise, ordering his little demons around, but he’s also the one who looked after me and has been the least confrontational. My perception of people is clearly really off.
Hugo chuckles, “I am always in control, and you wouldn’t want to be controlled by me Africa. You wouldn’t last a day,” he whispers, the rough sound of his voice traveling along my skin, causing goosebumps to appear.
Heat pools between my thighs whenever he opens his mouth and those emerald green eyes are hypnotizing. I should hate him, I need to loathe him, but my body wants something else and I know for a fact that’s impossible.
Hugo would never go near a little foreign, skinny, disgusting bitch like me.
We walk through the tunnels, Hugo following from behind to make sure I make it back to the academy. The hallways are silent, with just the noise of the wind and the moon glistening bright, illuminating my way back to my dorm room. I put my key into the door, and as I twist it Hugo spins me around so that my back is against the wall. What is it with this guy and constantly pushing me against a wall? I mean, I’m not opposed to the gesture, but still?
He lifts his left arm, placing the palm on the side of my head, caging me in. His body towers over mine, and he has to lean down to whisper to me. “If you breathe a word of tonight to anyone…” he starts, just as I was expecting. “You will wish you never left your bed tonight.” His raspy voice kisses my exposed neck and my toes curl in my trainers, waiting for his threat. “And don’t think tonight’s little stunt won’t go unpunished,” he hisses, taking a step back from me, placing his hands in his slack pockets.
The moonlight highlights the blue tinge in his hair, two paralyzing eyes staring at me with ominous horror. The light emphasizes the structure of his cheekbones, creating a shadow which resembles demon-like features. He notices the rise and fall of my chest as I’m breathing so heavily, biting my lower lip involuntary, and I nod my head to obey his demand.
Probably not a good idea to go against his wishes, otherwise I will feel his wrath.
Chapter Twenty
I try to keep my head down for the next few days, not wanting to catch the attention of the Royals, but I have a feeling my ‘punishment’ is due any time soon. My anxiety is at the highest it’s ever been, and I’m constantly looking over my shoulder.
Zach has texted me a few times to make sure I’m okay, warning me to stay out of the Royals’ way but I haven’t responded. I don’t want to talk to that prick right now. He will have to do a lot more than just text to get my forgiveness. I want him to grovel, on his knees.
Doodling in my notepad again, my mind wonders somewhere else as I’m sitting in Business ethics class with Blake shaking the table by constantly bouncing his fucking leg. It’s as if he’s on drugs or some shit and he’s having withdrawal symptoms.
“We’re going to have to meet in the library at some point and work on our project,” Blake mutters under his breath.
I immediately stop doodling, looking at Blake with narrowed eyes. I look around to make sure it’s in fact me he’s talking to and not one of his friends who happen to be behind me. I furrow my eyebrows, pointing at myself to make sure I’m not making a mistake.
“Yes, you. Who else would I be fucking talking to?” he says, back to bouncing that fucking leg of his again.
Shaking my head, I roll my eyes at him, getting back to my doodling. I am still stunned Blake spoke to me, let alone asked to meet in the library to work on our project. This could be a trick so I should be careful.
Once class is finished, I pack my bag and make my way out of the room to meet Blaire and Maisie in the dining hall. After lunch, the stags are playing a field hockey game and the whole academy is allowed the afternoon off to watch the game. I’m not too thrilled about watching Blake play sports in the cold, but it’s an excuse to get out and enjoy the winter sunshine.
“Hey, we ordered for you,” Maisie says, looking at me from the top of her phone screen offering me one of her sweet smiles. Blaire is typing really fast on her phone, and I’m guessing it could be the guy she was seeing. She hasn’t really told me much more about him because she didn’t want to jinx what could happen.
Blaire sighs, “Sorry, it’s my father being
a dick as per usual. Wants me and Blake to go home this weekend,” she says, putting the phone down on the table. She puts both her hands on her cheeks as she frowns, but she actually looks so cute.
“Why, what’s the matter?” I ask.
“We have another stupid gala to attend this weekend.”
These posh people and their galas, it’s like they have one every weekend and they usually say it’s for ‘charity’ but really, it’s not. It’s a place to show off your money and parade expensive outfits. The waiter arrives at the table, placing our dinner in front of us and my eyes widen to find a cheeseburger and fries in front of me. I haven’t eaten anything this unhealthy in such a long time, and I’m really stunned as to why Maisie would order me this.
“I know you don’t normally eat unhealthy, but you need to get some sort of fat on your bones. Plus, you might enjoy it.” Maisie shrugs as Blaire giggles at the shocked expression on my face.
She’s right, I haven’t eaten something this good and juicy and deadly in such a long time, and I do need to put on weight again. This whole up and down thing with my weight is becoming a real issue with my dancing and if I want to get a chance at performing at the club, I need to bulk up a little.
I take a bite out of the burger, and I’m in food heaven. My eyes go wide, as I glance up at the girls. The juice runs down my lips, but I don’t care if I look ungraceful right now. Why the fuck have I stopped myself from enjoying such a delicacy? All three of us polish off our burgers and fries, clearly needing comfort food and we slouch back in our chairs, stuffed from the big meal. Okay, maybe I should have a cheat day once a week at least.
“That was amazing. Good call Maisie.”
We let our stomachs settle for a while before picking up our bags and heading to the hockey field, where the whole school will be congregating. We walk at a snail’s pace, letting the rush of people past us as we don’t really care if we get a good spot or not. We just want to sit on the benches and relax. I catch Miles leaning against the brick wall outside in the courtyard, staring down at his phone.
“Hey, you okay?” I ask, catching him off guard. He quickly puts his phone back into his slack’s pocket, and That was a quick reaction, wasn’t it? Maybe I’m just being paranoid for no reason at all.
He smiles, his eyes squinting against the rays of sunshine in his beautiful eyes. “I was waiting for you; thought I’d come sit with you three.”
The four of us walk over to the benches around the hockey field, both teams already on the field. I really wish this were more of an exciting game like Rugby, not a boring old sport with sticks. I suppose posh people don’t want to injure themselves.
I stare down at the field, watching Ruby hang off of Blakes neck as she laughs. He doesn’t look so amused by her presence, his gaze anywhere other than her. His eyes find mine in the crowd, a smirk playing on his lips, then he dips down to Ruby and kisses her in front of the whole academy. Claiming her in front of everyone, warning others not to go near her. For some reason, a pang of jealousy plays in my mind, making me uncomfortable.
They deserve each other.
“Look at the two love birds, I wouldn’t be surprised if they announce their engagement soon,” Miles says, and I spin my head to stare at him, giving myself whiplash as Blaire winces from her seat. Something is going on that I don’t know about.
“It’s not confirmed yet, it might not even happen,” Blaire mumbles, shifting in her seat, clearly finding this situation awkward. “It’s just a business deal, two families merging for more money, it’s not serious,” Blaire adds to my discomfort.
My heart pulls at the thought of marrying someone for a business deal and not for love. I feel sorry for Blake because you can clearly see he doesn’t love her. As for her, she is drooling after him. But she doesn’t love him either, it’s just lust. Although I can’t imagine Blake having a nice side to him so what is she falling for?
We sit and watch the game for seventy long minutes, the cold air creeping through my blazer. I should have worn a coat. Miles notices my body shivering and places his coat around my shoulders, finally giving me warmth. “Thank you,” I whisper, kissing him on the cheek. Afterwards, he walks me back to the dorm as Blaire and Maisie are going off to the library to study for their art exam tomorrow. Miles takes my hand in his, and a smile forms on my lips.
Oh god, in a weird way Blake is like a brother in law if we’re both dating the siblings.
I shake the thought out my mind, enjoying our little stroll. When we get back to the room, I quickly change out from my uniform and into something more comfortable.
‘’Shall we watch a film? Be nice to snuggle up together and relax.’’ Miles suggests.
‘’Yeah that would be great. I actually wanted to watch step-up if you want to?’’ I raise my eyebrow, and smile because it somehow feels so relatable.
‘’Oh yeah, that sounds awesome.’’ Miles agrees from where he is already laying back on my bed, his head resting against my headboard. I load the film up ready on Netflix, and lay myself next to him on the bed, resting my head on his chest, listening to the beating of his heart. He plays with my hair the whole time we watch the film and I lean into him further, curling my arm around his waist, and a warm sensation fills my whole body, and I
As soon as the film ends, Miles flips me over on my back, his lean form hovering over me as he stares into my eyes with a cheeky smirk on his face. He leans down, kissing my lips, parting mine with his tongue. My eyes close, enjoying the feel of his lips on mine. My body shivers with heat and excitement as he deepens the kiss, sucking on my tongue. I let out a soft moan, feeling ready to finally give into the urges, especially with Miles.
I think I’m in love with him.
I break the kiss, feeling out of breath. “Hang on, let me go freshen up and then I’ll be right out.” Miles lays back down on his back, smirking as I scurry off to the bathroom to make sure I’m shaved, and everything is up to standard.
My heart races with nerves. I’m having to consciously breathe in and out to calm myself down, but I’m just so excited to take the next step. I rough up my hair, brush my teeth and spray on some perfume, giving myself a once over in the mirror to make sure I’m happy. There’s nothing much more that I could do, and I haven’t really got any nice lingerie here at the academy, so this will have to do.
As I come out of the bathroom, I see that Miles has picked up the photo album with all my mum’s pictures in it.
“Hey, what’s this?” Miles asks.
“It’s all the photos I have left of my mum.” I come and sit back down on the bed with him. Usually, I would be nervous for someone to take a look into my old life and memories. In a weird sort of way, it’s like I’m introducing him to my mum.
He looks at the first picture and smiles. “You really look like your mum — absolutely beautiful.” he smiles softly, as a tear threatens to escape my eye.
“Hey lovebirds,” Blaire bursts in the door, throwing her satchel on her bed.
Great, my time with Miles is ruined. Tonight is clearly not the night to pop the cherry.
He smiles, putting the photo album down where he found it and kissing my lips once more. “Looks like we will have to wait a little longer,” he says against my mouth.
He stands up from the bed and picks up his bag from the floor, saying our goodbyes before he leaves.
“Damn, you are one big cock block,” I tell Blaire, quirking my eyebrow at her as she laughs.
“I am so sorry.”
I end up having a cold shower that night.
Sitting in the library, I’m waiting for Blake to turn up so that we can work on our project together and at this rate I’m starting to doubt if he’s going to turn up. I plug in my earphones, ignoring the world around me as I start on my half of the project when a hand yanks the plugs from my ears. Hugo.
“Seriously, you need to stop doing that,” I hiss. The fucking dick is going to get punched if he does that one more time. I look up, st
aring at Hugo as he takes a seat in front of me. I wasn’t aware that he would be joining us.
Hugo rolls his eyes, shrugging. “It’s still tutoring night. Plus, Blake will be a little late. he’s fucking Ruby in the supply closet.”
I scrunch up my nose at the level of detail given, rolling my eyes at how forward Hugo is.
He smirks at my discomfort. “Don’t get jealous Africa. I’m sure anyone is willing to take your virginity,” he says.
My eye twitches as I bite the inside of my cheek, trying not to explode. “How did you know?” I demand.
Hugo leans back in his chair, the emerald beauties of his eyes staring down at me as an arrogant smirk takes over his face.
The dick.
He sits forward, resting his forearms on the table, the arrogant smirk not leaving his face. It’s weird seeing his personality change from being a completely reclusive asshole to a handsome tease. My eyes narrowed, I look at Hugo, wondering what’s going to come out of his mouth this time and I know, somehow, it’s going to be an insult.
He lifts his right hand, rubbing the stubble on his chin, his Rolex glistening in the light as he studies me further before speaking. “I can tell, whenever I’m near you, like right now for example…” he starts, rubbing his thumb along his perfectly plump lower lip.
Subconsciously, I bite my lip, my eyes drifting to the movement. I’m suddenly breathless, the palms of my hands moisten, and as I shift in my seat, rubbing my hands along my skirt. My eyes do not leave Hugo’s conceited face.
“The way you just bit your lip, your breathing has increased rapidly, and the fact that you’re squeezing your thighs together to ease the ache between them,” he continues, his eyelids hooded as he leans back in his chair, not breaking eye contact.
Damn that smug look on his face.
The corners of his mouth turn into a smirk, the emerald gems in his eyes sparkle from the light that shines through the stained glass and I’m breathless. I’m not even sure how to respond to that, but in a way he’s not wrong.