Just Me

by L. A. Fiore

  “What's wrong?”

  “I really appreciate you and Dom setting up a room for me, but I want to sleep here with you.”

  His eyes held mine as he pulled back the covers. It was all the invitation I needed. I slid in next to him as he pulled the covers up and shut off the light. Our bodies were pressed together from chest to thigh, my head resting on his shoulder. He held me so closely as if he never intended on letting me go.

  “Better?” I heard him whisper.

  “Perfect.”

  Chapter Nine

  I was having the most incredible dream…until I opened my eyes to find Bastian next to me—watching me—a slow smile spread over my face.

  “I wasn't dreaming.”

  By the expression on his face, he had a similar experience when he woke. Turning on my side to fully face him¸ I touched him without consciously knowing I intended to. His inhale was audible and his body hummed under my fingertips. My eyes tracked the movement of my fingers before I moved my gaze back to his sizzling one.

  “I'm eighteen.”

  He actually growled, deep in his throat. “We have school.”

  “Um.” Was my only thought on that as I leaned over and kissed his chest. With almost superhuman speed he moved on top of me and I had only a second to see the raw lust, which turned his features harsher, before his mouth took mine. The kiss was hot and slightly out of control, so I was surprised when he managed to pull himself together enough to move away from me: going so far as to climb out of the bed. He realized his mistake when my eyes moved down his bare body to the boxer briefs he wore. I hardly recognized my voice when I all but purred, “That is so not helping.”

  “Brat.”

  My eyes traveled back to his face to see a combination of desire, humor and frustration there.

  “As much as the idea of spending the entire day with you in this room appeals to me on every single level, we have school. Missing school the day after we first move in together will have the adults thinking too much and worrying. I don't want any reason for anyone to try to take you away from me so as much as I want you, we have to wait for a better time.”

  He was right, of course, but it was still a bitter pill to swallow because at the moment, all I wanted was him. I dropped back down on my back and moaned, “I hate when you make sense.”

  And then he pounced, caging my body with his own as he kissed me like it was his job.

  “After school, though, is another matter.” He lowered his head to nuzzle my neck before he whispered. “And I can't wait.”

  “Holy hell.” I muttered, Bastian chuckled before he pressed a kiss to my mouth. He climbed out of bed and looked back at me from over his shoulder.

  “Stop lazing about, we've got to get to school.” He started for the bathroom and I just stared my fill. Stopping in the doorway, he turned his head so I could see the wicked grin that curved his lips. “The sooner we get to school, the sooner we get home.”

  Yup, he couldn't have found any more inspiring words to get me out of bed. In under ten minutes, I was waiting at the door.

  ***

  As soon as we arrived at school, we were called into the principal's office. He didn't look thrilled to be having the conversation: the one about how he understood it wasn't really his business since we were legal, but if our business outside of school began to affect our school life it would become his problem. How he knew that Bastian and I were living together, I didn't know. It was an awkward conversation, to say the least, but we managed to survive it. The principal appeared more uncomfortable about the whole thing than Bastian and me.

  At lunch later in the day, Shawn patted my shoulder. “I never liked your aunt. I'm sorry she did that to you.”

  “Thanks, Shawn, but I'm fine. I'm thrilled with my new living arrangements.”

  Poppy knew me so well that she understood I didn't really want to talk about my aunt. She changed the subject. “What's the plan for Saturday?”

  She caught my smile of thank you and replied by winking at me.

  “I've booked a car to take us into the city and home again. It's scheduled to arrive at...” Bastian looked at me and smiled, “our apartment at four.” I got all warm and gooey at him calling the apartment ours. But wait—this was the first time he had divulged any information at all about my birthday surprise.

  “New York City?” I asked for clarification.

  “Manhattan.” He confirmed.

  “Tyler and I will go to Poppy's so you can pick us up there.” Sophia offered.

  “I think maybe Lark should come to my house too, so we can all get ready together. Mom and Dad have something they want to give you, Lark.”

  “Perfect.” Bastian said before he started to eat his lunch.

  “That's it?” I asked.

  “Yup.” He looked so cocky.

  “Not fair,” came out in more of a whine than I intended.

  ***

  I brooded over Bastian's evasiveness for the next few periods and while I changed for gym. What was he planning? Kira must have seen me space out, because she started over to me.

  “Is it true you are living with Bastian?”

  How the hell did she find out about that? “Yes, I am.”

  She reacted like I slapped her. “He deserves better than you, surely you must know that.”

  “What, someone like you with the pedigree even though you're vindictive and shallow?”

  Shock flashed over her face. “I'm not shallow.”

  “Yes, you are. You walk the halls like a goddamn queen. You degrade anyone who you deem isn't on your level and, let's face it, that's practically the entire school to you. It’s always all about you. You, Kira, are the definition of shallow. I may not have money or family, but I love him; I love everything about him and his needs will always come first, even above my own.”

  “His parents must really hate you—you actually have a backbone.” She turned from me and started away.

  My voice stopped her. “You really have feelings for him.”

  She didn't look back at me when she answered, “Yes, always did, but I knew he didn't respond.” Glancing back at me, she added, “When I saw the look he gave you, the look I always secretly hoped he would give me, I knew you were it for him. What is it about you that pulls at him so?”

  “I don't know, but I feel it for him too.”

  Without another word, she turned and left the locker room.

  ***

  After gym I went to art class in search of Ms. Whitney and found her at her desk.

  “I want the scholarship,” I said in way of greeting.

  “Excellent. I'll notify the committee this afternoon.”

  “Thanks.”

  “Lark, I'm sorry about what happened. I knew there was discord at home, but I didn't realize how bad it was.”

  “How does everyone know about it?” I asked a bit miffed.

  “Your uncle came into the school earlier. He wanted the administration to know what happened and to inform them that he stands behind your living arrangements one hundred percent.”

  My annoyance instantly faded. Go, Uncle Eddie.

  “I should have seen it and done something. I'm sorry I failed you.”

  “You didn't fail me—you gave me art.”

  “I'm glad you're taking advantage of this opportunity in Maine, you won't be sorry.” She said.

  “No, I won't.”

  ***

  After school I headed to my locker only to find Bastian waiting. We were heading home to our empty apartment and the idea of that had my body instantly warming. “We can just go home, there's no pressure,” Bastian said.

  And with those thoughtful words, the nervousness fled. I lifted my head to his and knew my answer was stamped clearly on my face. He looked positively edible.

  As soon as we got back to the apartment, I dropped my stuff on the sofa and turned to see that Bastian hadn't moved further than the door. As I studied his face, I realized something.

&n
bsp; “Why are you nervous?”

  He shoved his hands into the front pockets of his jeans and looked almost sheepish when he said, “I've never wanted anything more.”

  He couldn't have said anything more perfect and with those simple words my shyness dissolved. I walked across the room and wrapped my arms around him before my mouth found his. He framed my face as he tilted my head and kissed me so deeply it caused my stomach to feel all jittery. His hands moved, to roam down my neck over my back until he was cupping my ass and pressing me hard against him. A slow tension started to build deep inside me and with it I felt achy, almost needy.

  My hands moved over him, branding him, claiming him as they followed the corded muscles of his back. Bastian pulled his mouth from mine to find the delicate skin under my jaw, causing the ache in my stomach to spike. I reached for his tee and pulled it up over his head. Stepping back, I just devoured the sight of him until the need to taste him had me doing so, my lips brushing over his chest. When my shirt followed his, I might have whimpered, because the sensations coursing through me were so new and wildly exciting. He touched my bare stomach and I moaned in response.

  Bastian looked like I felt, wild and barely in control, when he lifted me into his arms and carried me down the hall to the bedroom. I went boneless when he placed me down in the center of the bed. He stood there looking like some pagan god. He asked in a rough voice, “Are you sure?”

  All I could think about was I was going to have sex for the first time and I was going to be doing so with this Adonis-like creature. I had given a great deal of thought to my first time, well, more so recently, in all honesty. So I expected the nerves, the excitement, even the fear, but what I was completely unprepared for was the boldness that came over me. I wanted this boy, wanted him in a way which was both foreign to me and so very strong.

  Moving to the edge of the bed, I kneeled in front of him. He held himself completely still while I took the moment to really appreciate his ridiculously beautiful body. His arms were flexed making his tattoos seem almost animated and his dragon was positioned in such a way that my eyes were drawn to the individual muscles of his abs. I had always thought abs like his were airbrushed in magazines for effect, but, oh no, I was so wrong.

  He had to be feeling the range of emotions I was, but instead of pouncing, he waited patiently, allowing me to grow more comfortable. Heat burned in his eyes and he fisted his hands to keep from reaching for me.

  He watched and waited as I pressed my mouth to his chest. My lips lingered over his heart, which was beating hard and fast, before I trailed kisses down his chest toward the waistband of his jeans. He inhaled sharply when my tongue darted out and dipped into his navel.

  He lifted me up to him as his hands pulled through my hair, fisting it just at my nape to hold my head steady, before he plunged right in: sealing his mouth over mine. Even though my eyes were closed, they still rolled into the back of my head. We tumbled backward onto the bed, which drew a laugh from me and to think I could laugh at a moment when every nerve in my body was heating to a combustible level was amazing.

  Bastian's body was being cradled by mine; his arms were holding him up so he could look down at me. It was only love and anticipation I felt then. He clearly read my thoughts when I saw the smile that cracked over his face seconds before his mouth covered mine.

  His lips glided over my collarbone and down to the swells of my breasts. I didn't realize his fingers were on my bra clasp until he flicked it open. Heat and lust burned in his gaze before his head lowered and he touched his tongue to me. I felt that all the way down to my toes. And when he sucked me into his mouth, I lifted up and offered him more as I grabbed his head and held him there. He moved his mouth lower, pressing kisses down my belly, until he reached my jeans. His head lifted and his eyes were so dark just as his fingers worked at the button. Moments later he was pulling the zipper down. His fingers curling at my waist, as he peeled my jeans and panties down my legs, had me feeling almost desperate to feel him inside me. I was completely naked, spread out on the bed like some sacrifice, and Bastian looked his fill.

  “You are so fucking beautiful.”

  His gaze lifted to mine as he unsnapped his jeans and yanked them off. I followed the denim down his legs and when he straightened, my heart jumped into my throat. He was exquisite, his body so flawlessly beautiful. I kneeled in front of him again. I hesitated, looking at the part of him that most interested me, but my need for him was stronger than my nervousness as I wrapped my hand around him. His hips jerked as he closed his eyes on a moan. His hand wrapped around mine and he moved it up the length of him showing me what he liked. It was a heady experience knowing that my touch drove him crazy. He didn't let me play for long before he pulled me onto the bed and covered my body with his own. His legs spread mine even wider just before his hand moved down between our bodies. He touched me, right where I ached, a slow brush over that nub before he moved lower. My breath hitched in my throat when he pushed one finger inside me.

  “You're so tight.” He whispered but his eyes never left mine. He circled me, stretching, before he pulled out leaving me feeling empty. My hips moved, eager for him to do that again and he did, but this time with his tongue.

  “Oh, my God, Bastian.”

  I had never felt anything so incredible. There was a part of me shy that he kissed me there, but there was an even bigger part of me that loved he was kissing me there. His tongue moved over me, tasting and exploring and I couldn't help moving against his mouth. The ache that started in my stomach now took over my entire body. I felt as if I was about to burst, the sensation intensifying when Bastian slipped two fingers into me and sucked on the sensitive place between my legs. My body splintered apart and I cried out from the magnitude of the orgasm. He lingered a moment, his tongue lapping up the moisture between my thighs before he kissed his way up my body: taking his time when he reached my breasts. His hand moved down between my legs and when his fingers pushed into me, I lifted my hips to take him deeper. He moved with deliberateness, sliding his fingers in and out, all the while feasting on my breasts until I felt the ache again.

  He reached over to his bedside table and grabbed a condom. I couldn't take my eyes from the sight of him slipping it on because I was impatient to feel him inside me. He didn't make me wait long. He settled between my legs as the hard tip of him pushed at my opening.

  “I'm sorry, but this is going to hurt.”

  His mouth settled over mine and I tasted my own arousal on his tongue which turned me wanton just as he shifted his hips and pushed into me. He was only about halfway in when I wrapped my legs around him and forced him to me, needing to feel him in me. I felt the pain, but it was nothing next to the feeling of being connected to this boy. He started to move slowly at first and I felt my body start that climb again as lust twisted in my belly. Any lingering shyness faded as a boldness came over me, desperate to reach climax with Bastian. My hands moved all over him, but it was the feel of him so hard pushing so deeply inside me that had me grabbing his ass, urging him to go even deeper. This time when I came, I felt his magnificent body tense and watched as his own orgasm moved through him. The sight was so raw and sexy. His eyes opened and the soft look that spread over his face, stilled my heart.

  “I love you, Lark.”

  And then my heart leapt as love burned through me. “I love you.”

  Still inside me, he brushed his fingers across my cheek. “I wasn't too rough?”

  “No, oh my God, Bastian, no. That was...amazing.”

  He pressed his lips to mine in the sweetest of kisses before he pulled from me, rolled from the bed and headed to the bathroom. My eyes were glued to him, watching as he came back to me gloriously naked. He settled in bed, pulling me into his arms. “You sure you're okay?”

  “Okay? Bastian that was so much better than I imagined and I imagined it crazy good.”

  He looked a bit smug and he should because, wow.

  “You're really mine n
ow.” he whispered.

  “I was already yours.”

  ***

  I woke in the middle of the night to the sight of Bastian sleeping soundly at my side. My thoughts turned to earlier as a warmth burned through me. I knew sex with Bastian was going to be incredible, but even my imaginings paled in comparison.

  Climbing from bed, I went to the bathroom, where I flicked on the light so I could study myself in the mirror. I didn't look any different, but I felt different; felt a connection to Bastian that was as binding as the handcuffs had been during my stint as Victory. I was so lost in thought I didn't hear him in the hall until he appeared in the mirror behind me, looking all disheveled and sleepy.

  “Are you okay?” He asked groggily.

  “I feel wonderful.”

  “You’re sure I didn't hurt you?”

  “You didn’t hurt me.” I lowered my head as my heart started pounding just thinking about it. I turned my gaze back to him. “It really was amazing.”

  Something sinful flashed over his face. His arms wrapped around me right before his lips brushed across my cheek. “You're amazing.”

  My body started to burn and I wanted him again. He knew what I was thinking because I felt his body grow hard. He lifted me into his arms before he kissed me, and then he started back to the bedroom. “My thoughts exactly.”

  ***

  I was on cloud nine the following day in school, and if people guessed why I was, I didn't care. Poppy cornered me before lunch and pulled me into an empty classroom. “Spill.”

  “What?”

  “You and Bastian had sex, didn't you?”

  “Yes. Is it that obvious?”

  “You're both walking around with moon-dog eyes. He can't stop touching you and the look you keep giving each other...”

  “What look?”

  “The one that says ‘we share a secret.’ It's such a freaking hot look, I'm surprised you haven't spontaneously combusted. You have to tell me what it was like!”

  “Heaven, Poppy, with just the perfect hint of sinful hell.”

  “Oh, my God.”