by K. G. Reuss
“Hey, girl,” Aubrey greeted me as I walked.
I was alone for once, or as alone as I could be with a future mob enforcer trailing behind me as he stared down at his phone. I was surprised Vincent could walk and text as much as he did. If it were me, I’d have run into someone already. I supposed it was easier when people just dove out of their way to avoid getting too close though.
“Hey,” I said, smiling at her.
“Did you take your trig test?” She let out a groan and let her head fall back. “If I passed that then I’ll be surprised.”
“I’m sure you did great,” I said.
She let out a sigh. “And I’m sure you passed with flying colors.”
“It was hard,” I said, wanting to make her feel better.
She nodded and glanced back at Vincent before leaning in close to me. “Do they ever leave you alone?”
“No. It’s OK though. They keep Hail and his band of goons away.”
She seemed to contemplate that for a moment before nudging me with her elbow. “Have you. . .”
I shook my head, suppressing a smile. “No. Not with Vincent. Definitely not with Levin.”
“Dom?” She gave me a knowing look. “Girl, that boy is hell on Earth. Please be careful.”
“I know,” I said. “It’s just. . . I don’t know. Once they stop being dicks, they’re actually not bad. I mean, Vincent and Dom. Dom pisses me off like no tomorrow, but there’s just something about him. And Vincent…sex in a leather jacket. Levin is always a dick, but there’s even something about him—”
“You like my boy Levin?” Vincent draped his arm over my shoulder.
My face heated. I had no idea he’d closed the distance between us and was listening to our conversation. The fact I was blowing hot and cold about the guys made everything much more confusing. I knew not to let my guard down with them but couldn’t help just wanting to let go. I wanted to know what it would feel like. On the other hand, it terrified me. Those boys were fire, destined to destroy everything in their paths.
But damn if I didn’t want to play in fire and revel in their heat.
“No,” I said immediately.
“I thought I heard—”
“You didn’t,” I said sharply.
Vincent lifted a dark brow at me, not bothering to pursue the subject, but there was something in the dark depths of his eyes that made me uncomfortable.
“Are you going to homecoming?” Aubrey asked as we walked.
Vincent still hadn’t taken his arm from around my shoulders.
“I don’t think so,” I started, but Vincent cleared his throat.
“You’re going,” he said.
“Do the kings attend such affairs?”
“Of course we do. Free food and drink? The chance for my date to suck my cock or let me bury myself in her ass? What a silly question, baby B.”
I wrinkled my nose at his crude description of his evening.
“Well, I guess one of you is going to be disappointed because I’m not going, so someone will probably have to stay back with me.”
Aubrey frowned and glanced between me and Vincent. I hadn’t told her the intricacies of my arrangement with the kings, so her confusion was warranted.
“You’re going,” Vincent said like it wasn’t up for debate.
I shook my head, not bothering to argue with him. I couldn’t take anyone, so what was the point. My gaze landed on Fallon across the courtyard. He stared back at me, an expression on his face that made my body tingle.
I missed him. We hadn’t spent a lot of time together, but he’d embedded himself inside my head. He said it wasn’t a one and done, but it definitely wasn’t something that could last. And it sucked.
He tilted his head at me when Vincent turned to put money into one of the outdoor vending machines. I followed his gaze to the science building. He inclined his head once more and took off in that direction.
When I turned back, Aubrey was staring at me with narrowed eyes. She glanced at Vincent bitching at the vending machine for eating his dollar and gave a quick nod of her head.
It didn’t take me long to figure out she’d seen my exchange with Fallon and was willing to distract Vincent for me so I could see Fallon.
I scurried off, darting between tables as Aubrey offered Vincent another dollar. By the time I’d made it to the science building, I was out of breath.
Since it was the end of the day, the building was empty. I wandered down the halls, wondering where Fallon had disappeared to. I didn’t have to wait long to find out. His arm snaked around my waist, and his warm lips met the nape of my neck as he brushed my hair aside.
“Princess,” he murmured, his voice low and raspy. The sound sent a shockwave between my legs as I turned in his embrace.
“It’s not safe here.”
“Come on.” He took me by the hand and tugged me to a closed door. He pulled it open to reveal a dark closet with cleaning supplies.
“Better than nothing,” he grunted, bringing me inside and closing the door behind us.
The moment we were inside beneath the old, dim light of the closet, he hauled me against his body, his lips crashing against mine.
I clung to him, groaning into his mouth as he eagerly licked inside mine, his hard cock pressed against my belly.
“We shouldn’t be doing this,” I panted out between frantic kisses.
“I know,” he answered, lifting my skirt up and running his fingers along my damp underwear. “But I can’t seem to stay away.”
He hiked my leg up on his hip, easing his finger under the elastic of my panties so he could drag it along my center, rubbing my clit. I ground myself shamelessly against his hand, knowing we could be caught at any moment and both of us hauled before the firing squad.
“Don’t think,” he said, his lips making a hot trail along my jaw and down my neck. “Let’s just enjoy the moment.”
I could do that. With eager hands, I shoved my panties to the floor and stepped out of them.
Fallon unfastened his belt, the jingling of the buckle sounding so loud in the quiet of the closet as he released his cock. Then he lifted me, and I wrapped my legs around him.
“Sorry it’s not sweeter, princess.”
“Just fuck me,” I breathed out against his mouth.
“As the princess wishes.” He pushed deep into my heat, making me gasp. Our kisses grew sloppy, deep, merciless as he plundered my heat with his cock.
“Don’t leave any marks on me,” I managed to gasp, my entire agreement with Dominic flying out the window with the first thrust of Fallon deep inside me. Hell, who was I kidding? It went out the window the moment I took a step in his direction moments ago.
I told myself doing this with Fallon was a way to tear apart the two gangs, but in reality, I was doing it because I wanted to. I knew it. I wasn’t a good girl. Maybe I never was.
Which made me perfect for these bastards.
It made me feel powerful as Fallon stroked breathlessly into me, my release building.
“I want to mark every part of your body so everyone knows what we do,” he rasped.
The shelves shook as he railed me against them, cleaners toppling to the floor as our teeth and lips gnashed against one another.
I tightened around him, the burst of euphoria shooting through my body as my orgasm took hold. I moaned into his mouth, riding out the waves. He followed a moment later, his hot seed shooting deep inside me.
Breathless, he rested his forehead against mine, still holding me up.
“Fuck, that was good,” he managed to breathe out. “Did I hurt you?” His gaze swept over me.
I shook my head.
He let me down, and I picked my panties up from the floor and quickly put them on as he tucked himself back into his pants. I needed to find a bathroom so I could clean myself up. Maybe I could convince Vincent that I ran off because I felt sick.
“You OK?” Fallon asked.
I straightened my skirt a
nd gave him a forced smile. “Yes. No. I messed up.”
He crinkled his brows as he stared down at me. “Did they hurt you. . . after?”
I bit my bottom lip. “Dominic was really pissed. The hickey. The scratches from the tree bark.”
He winced.
“He saw it all and lost it. It wasn’t so bad, I guess. He smacked my ass with his belt.”
“So that’s why you were limping the other day. I’m sorry, Bianca. I-I didn’t mean to mark you up.” He looked sick at the thought of the belt on my skin.
“Don’t be upset. It’s fine, really.”
“It’s not OK. I mean, unless you liked it.” He studied me. “Did you? Like it?”
“I don’t know. I’m really messed up I think.”
A smile twitched on his lips. “Just be careful. The thought of you being hurt. . .but then the thought of you getting off on it. . .” He ran his fingers through his hair again, mussing it up more than I already had. “You should do it.”
“Do what?”
“Fuck him. Or all of them. The kings. If you like them, you should do it. I want you to do whatever makes you feel good, makes you happy.”
“You mean. . .”
“Bianca, life is too short, you know? I care about you. But I see the way you stare at De Santis. Valentino. And even that fucking dickhead Seeley. Don’t let me hold you back. The last thing I want to do is take more from you. Besides, they can protect you better than I can.” His expression turned to one of sadness.
“You’ve never taken anything from me, Fallon—”
“Trust me, princess. I have. I will. Just. . .have fun while you can, OK? I’m a fucking mess. This is a mess.” He blew out a breath. “Fuck.”
“Fallon, what’s wrong?”
He looked around before shaking his head. “Bianca, I know I said this wasn’t a one-time thing, but we both know it won’t work. We’re both metaphorically fucked. Stealing these moments is the only thing we have. How the hell are we going to do it? There’s just so much happening.”
“I know,” I murmured.
“Just. . . do what makes you happy. I need you to that for me. It’ll make everything so much easier. . .” His voice trailed off, and he paused before he spoke again. “Don’t go to homecoming.”
“What?” I frowned at him.
“Just. . . don’t, OK?”
“What’s going on?”
“I don’t know. Fuck. I-I need to tell you something, Bianca—”
The handle on the door jangled for a moment, and I darted as far from Fallon in that small closet as I could, my heart in my throat as the door opened. I held my breath, knowing if it was one of the kings, I was dead meat.
Aubrey popped her head in, her eyes wide.
“Vincent is freaking out and is calling Dominic or Levin. Maybe both. You better go find him before he gets here. I covered for you as long as I could. I just saw Stella go into the lab too, so be careful.”
What I liked most about Aubrey was probably the fact she caught on quickly and seemed like she was ride or die for whatever.
“Thank you.” I turned back to Fallon.
“Go,” he said softly.
I reached out for him, and he pulled me into his arms and planted a kiss on my lips which sent butterflies careening recklessly through my body.
“Be happy, OK?” he whispered, cradling my face.
“Is this the last time.?”
“I think it has to be, princess. There’s a lot of shit going on. Just. . .remember what I said, OK? Be safe.”
I nodded, my chest aching at the realization this was over before it had even started.
“For the record, I’ve never been so happy in my life as I’ve been in the short amount of time I’ve had with you. I’m sorry,” he said thickly. “I’m just not a good guy.”
“I’m not a good girl,” I murmured back.
He gave me a gentle, sad smile. “You’re the best girl, Bianca.” He pressed his lips to mine again before Aubrey urged us to hurry.
I stepped away from him, feeling sick to my stomach.
“When you get the chance, princess, run. Far and fast.”
I nodded at him, not questioning it. He was a lord. Clearly he knew something I didn’t.
“Don’t fucking look back.”
I paused at the doorway, my heart hurting because this felt like the end of something that could’ve been epic. He stared back at me, despair on his face.
“Come on, Bianca.” Aubrey grabbed my arm and pulled me away.
Fallon never looked away.
And then the door closed, sending tears down my cheeks as Aubrey tugged me quickly down the hall.
Thirty-Four
Levin
Bianca crossed her legs as she sat down on my bed three days after she’d disappeared on Vincent. I’d listened to Vincent read her the riot act after he’d found her. Much to his credit, he’d called me instead of Dom. I assumed he just didn’t want to fuck up anything.
I wasn’t surprised it had only been a few hours before Bianca had gone back on her word. There wasn’t a doubt in my mind she’d run off to meet with her mystery guy.
Knowing that only pissed me off.
“Are we going to watch a movie?” She looked up at me, a hopeful expression on her face. I fucking hated how innocent she always looked even when I knew her sexy ass was plotting something that would piss us off.
“No,” I grunted, leaning against my dresser. I hated that she was in my room. My place was big, but it felt tiny whenever she was there. Like I couldn’t breathe. Like I couldn’t get far enough away from her penetrating stare.
She frowned. “What the hell are we going to do all night? Dom said you had to keep me company tonight, and since you didn’t want to be in my room. . .” Her voice trailed off for a minute. “You can’t lean against your dresser all night.”
I can, and I will.
She rolled her eyes and pushed her shoes off before getting to her feet and padding over to her backpack. Hungrily, I watched as she bent over in her tiny uniform skirt and rifled around before she straightened up with two bags of unpopped popcorn in her hands. Wordlessly, she stuck them inside my microwave.
Night had fallen not too long ago, and Dom and Vincent had run out to take care of something for Dom’s dad. They weren’t on campus, leaving the babysitting to me, despite me pleading to trade spots with Vincent and go do whatever Dom’s dad needed. Hell, I’d rather be ripping heads off people right then than be stuck in my room with Bianca.
My stomach gave a soft gurgle as the smell of buttery popcorn filled the air. Bianca rummaged around in my apartment-sized fridge for a moment before pulling out a small bottle of apple juice and raising her brows.
I grunted but said nothing.
I’d noticed her drinking apple juice lately at lunch. I didn’t know what had possessed me to pick some up out of the vending machines earlier, but I had, and now she was looking at me like I’d saved her damn life.
When she didn’t comment on it, I let out a breath of relief and shifted my weight, already irritated that I’d been backed into a corner in my own room. This was my safe place. My sanctuary. It was the only damn place I could really relax. Bringing Bianca back here had been a terrible idea. I should’ve just leaned against the wall outside her dorm while I waited for Dom and Vincent to get back.
She sauntered over to the shelf where I had my record collection.
“These weren’t here all the times I cleaned your room. I didn’t know you liked music.” She brushed her fingers along the sleeves and bit her bottom lip as she paused to read the titles. A tiny smile cut her full lips upward, making me fidget.
I shrugged. “They were in a box in my closet. I just unpacked them a couple days ago.”
“My dad loved this album,” she said, pulling out my Rolling Stones Aftermath album. “One of my favorite songs is on here.”
“Which?” I asked, watching as she pulled the record out and put it in the p
layer.
She looked at me over her shoulder and gave me a tiny smile as “Paint it Black” started playing. I was mesmerized by her hips swaying to the music. She hummed along with it. I took in each hip swing, my throat aching as I tried to remain calm. I had no idea what was coming over me, but I didn’t like it.
The microwave dinged, and she sashayed over to it and removed the freshly popped corn and dumped it into a large bowl on the counter. Sexily, she moved back to the record player and turned it off before perching on the edge of my bed, the bowl of popcorn in her lap.
I clenched my jaw as she ate a few fluffy, buttery pieces, her eyes on me.
“Can we watch a movie? It’ll be a long night if we’re just going to sit here and stare at one another.”
“I don’t care. Do what you want.” I turned away from her and focused my gaze out my window to the campus grounds. I hadn’t even realized she’d moved until she was standing in front of me, peering up at me with that innocent look she wore so well.
She reached out for me and took my hand, her small one trembling as her palm slid along mine.
“I don’t want you to stand there all night. Come on. It’s your room. Sit on your bed. I’ll sit on the floor if you want.”
I hadn't even realized I was following her until I was sitting on my mattress. She released my hand and handed me the remote before she took off her navy-blue cardigan and spread it on the floor for her to sit on.
Before she could drop down on it, I reached out and snagged her by the wrist, not sure what the hell I was doing or why I was doing it.
“Don’t sit on the floor. You can sit with me.”
Her eyes widened as I pulled her to the edge of the bed. She sank down beside me. We both fidgeted awkwardly for a moment. I felt like I was thirteen again with a girl in my bedroom the first time.
I was just about to tell her she could just go back to her room, and I’d stand outside, when she grabbed her bowl of popcorn and slid back, nestling into my pillows. Never had a girl been so bold with me. She crossed her long legs at the ankle and started nibbling on her snack.
