I pulled away from the kiss and nibbled his lip. “Shall we go somewhere a little more private?”
“Bedroom?” Ryland suggested.
I shook my head. “I can’t wait that long.”
Ryland’s eyes lit up. He grabbed my hips and lifted me into his arms. He carried me to the men’s change room and locked the door behind us.
The change rooms and showers were almost always empty because people preferred to change upstairs. They were always clean and bright and, although never somewhere I would have imagined making love before meeting Ryland, an excellent place for an impatient girl like me.
“I want you, Ryland.” I whispered.
Ryland growled deep in his throat. He pressed me against the tiled wall and his warm body. “You do, huh?” He whispered against my ear. “Do you want me enough to beg for it?”
A shiver ran down my spine. “Yes,” I breathed. “I want you. Please, don’t make me wait.”
“Hm, I don’t know.” He teased, running his hands down my curves and slipping his thumbs into the waistband of my leggings.
“Please,” I said again. My lips were trembling. Somehow I was more out of breath now than I was when I was on the treadmill. My heart was pounding. “Please!” I begged.
Ryland nibbled my earlobe. “Alright, naughty girl, I’ll give it to you.” He spun me around and bent me over. With a rough tug he brought my leggings down over my ass and to my knees. “No panties?” He said with surprise.
“Don’t you know girls like to work out commando?” I giggled.
Ryland sucked in a breath. “I do now.” Without warning, he plunged his fingers deep into his prize, stretching me open and revealing my wetness. “You are so naughty.” He growled. He slipped his fingers along my slit, his touches sending waves of pleasure through my body.
I looked over my shoulder, gripping the bench tightly. I watched him pull his shorts down and his massive dick sprung free. It was glistening.
We made eye contact as he pushed himself inside me with a single thrust.
I moan erupted from deep within me. I closed my eyes, my hands trembling and clinging to the bench as he withdrew slowly to tease me. I whimpered. “More, please, more!”
Ryland chuckled, grabbed my hips and pushed inside me again. This time he wasn’t slow or gentle. His thrusts were quick and hard; he held onto me, pushing in to the hilt and sending a wave of pleasure through my body.
This is how I wanted it with him. Rough. Hard. Fast. Driven by an animal-like lust. My wetness was leaking down my thighs. “More!” I begged.
Ryland reached around to play with my nipples, forcing himself down on me.
I arched my back, tipping my head to kiss him. My body shuddered. I was getting close.
“Bianca, I think I’m going to,” Ryland grunted. We tensed and came together, both of us forgetting ourselves and letting our shouts echo in the empty change room.
I collapsed against the bench. My legs trembling as I sank to the floor. Ryland staggered back before kneeling beside me and kissing the back of my neck. Our desperate panting was in perfect rhythm.
“You don’t think anyone heard us did you?” I asked after catching my breath.
Ryland chuckled and pulled his shorts back up. “Nah. If they did, they got quite a show.” He shot me a devilish grin.
I blushed, twirling my hair around my finger. “I think I should take a shower before I go back upstairs.
Ryland’s grin widened. “Only if I can come too.”
We stripped down and entered one of the large shower stalls. The marble ties and chrome finishes would look out of place in any other gym. I turned on the water and shut the foggy glass door behind us.
Our lips met in feverish kisses, letting the water cascade over our bodies. I moaned against his kiss and the beast within him took over. He knelt down and spread my legs, kissing my folds and gently biting my inner thigh.
I looked down at him, my breasts heaving as I tried to calm my breaths. The water rolled down my body and onto his lips. “Ryland,” I whispered.
Hearing my unvoiced request, Ryland lifted me against the tiled shower wall and claimed my body for the second time that night.
CHAPTER NINE
I could barely concentrate the next day. I sat daydreaming during Ethics class instead of taking notes. I couldn’t get Ryland out of my head. He was so sexy, so addictive, so perfect in every way. Ever since he had come clean with his emotions, I was finally able to understand why he used his cold bad-boy persona to protect himself and it only made me want him more.
I barely even noticed when it was time to leave; Luke had to tap me on the head to wake me from my trance. “Huh, what?” I looked up.
“Come on, I have to take you to your next class.” Luke said patiently. Judging by his tone, he must have repeated himself several times by now.
“Oh, sorry.” I scrambled to put my notebook back into my bag.
“What’s up? You can’t concentrate today,” Luke said.
I blushed. I definitely could not tell him about my change room experience with Ryland. After all, I knew that Luke had feelings for me too and I was not the kind of girl who could hurt him like that. “Oh, just looking forward to tonight.”
Luke raised his eyebrows. “Why?”
I glanced around the classroom to make sure we were alone. “Because I’m going to meet Daniel.”
Luke stiffened and frowned. “Haven’t you learned your lesson? Don’t you dare ask me to teleport you anywhere.”
I shook my head and cut him off. “No, no. Nothing like that. He’s coming here to meet me.”
Luke relaxed a fraction. “Oh, I see,” He said. “Well, as long as you’re careful, I suppose.”
“Don’t worry about me,” I said with a smile. “Actually, you don’t have to worry about me at all because I’m Ryland’s problem after school.”
Luke shook his head. He reached out and touched my hand. Our eyes met. “Bianca, do you seriously think I don’t worry about you when I’m not with you? If anything, I worry about you more when I’m not by your side.
He sighed. “You’re headstrong and brave and beautiful and all the things that would make any guy fall head over heels for you. I just don’t want you to get hurt.”
I couldn’t tell if he was referring to Ryland or the world in general. I touched his cheek. “Don’t worry, I’m a tough girl. I won’t let that happen.” I smiled to reassure him. “Seriously.”
Luke closed the distance between us and rubbed his hands down my arms. “Alright, if you say so.”
I fell into his honey brown eyes and before I knew it, we were kissing. He tasted like mint and espresso. His arms wrapped around me and cradled me in warmth. I hadn’t kissed him in what seemed like a lifetime, my stupid heart had run scared after our night together and it had hurt him. I could feel it in his body as we kissed. The way he missed me. The way my body longed for his touch.
The door knob rattled and we pulled away from each other. Luke looked down and handed me my bag. I blushed and took it from him without a word. We walked awkwardly to my next class, brushing past the students that were already filing into the lecture hall.
‘Thanks for walking me. I guess I’ll see you at lunch,” I said.
Our good-byes were robotic and I prayed that I hadn’t messed something up some how. I watched him walk down the hall and look back over his shoulder. He flashed me a smile and then disappeared.
#
The rest of the day dragged on. I was suddenly aware of every minute that passed, counting down the seconds until I could see Daniel. It was times like this that I needed my best friend. I was confused and lonely and scared. Daniel made me feel like I was home again.
“So, shall I meet you in the gym?” Ryland asked as we walked back to the dorms.
“Oh, uh, actually I was thinking I’d skip the gym today,” I said.
“Don’t tell me you want to skip straight to the bedroom?” Ryland chuckled.
“No,” I tipped my head and replied in a sing-song voice. “Don’t tempt me like that. I actually have something I need to do.”
Ryland and I stopped at the elevator. The doors opened and we walked inside, finding ourselves alone in the dimly lit confined space.
“What do you need to do that’s more important than me doing you?” Ryland whispered in my ear.
I melted a little. My carnal desires would have to wait for now. “I promised Daniel I’d meet him today.” I whispered, expecting the same cold response as I got from Luke, I spoke quickly. “Don’t worry, he’s meeting me here. I won’t be in any danger.”
Ryland’s eyes narrowed. “Why?”
“Because he’s my best friend.” I shrugged. I hadn’t thought I would need to defend my choice in childhood friends to a guy I had only met a few months ago. The elevator door chimed and the doors popped open.
Ryland was quiet.
I turned to look at him. “What’s up?”
Ryland shook his head. “Nothing. I shouldn’t stop you from seeing your friend.”
We were alone in the lobby. I grabbed his hand. “But?” I prompted, knowing there was more he wanted to say.
“I can’t help it. I just get so jealous at the thought of you being with someone else,” He said.
I almost laughed. “Daniel and I are just friends.”
Ryland didn’t seem convinced.
“Seriously,” I repeated. “Just friends. We go way back. He’s more like a brother to me. Don’t worry.”
“And what about Luke?”
My eyes widened and my face turned red, giving away any excuse I could have made.
Ryland’s lips pressed into a tight line. “I see.” He shoved his hands in his pockets. “I know we’re just casual, but it’s hard for me to look the other way sometimes. I don’t want you to get hurt. I want you to be happy. But, I’m a selfish guy, Bianca. I want you all to myself, even if I know there’s more that you need.”
I didn’t know what to say, so I hugged him tightly, resting my head against his shoulder. We stood in silence for a minute. “If you’re that worried about my safety, you can come with me tonight. Stand guard?”
Ryland chuckled. “And defend m’lady’s honor?”
“Yeah, something like that.” I grinned and kissed him on the cheek.
“And when we get back in, I’ll take you back to my castle and make a real lady out of you.” Ryland’s lips touched my ear and I shivered.
The cold shiver gave way to a warmth that bloomed in my core at the mere thought of another night with him. “I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
#
We left the dorms shortly before midnight. Ryland was obviously trying hard to not let his jealousy show, even though I had told him dozens of times that I only saw Daniel as a friend. No one else was awake at this time of night, so the walk to the back of the property was uneventful. If any cameras saw us, it would look like an innocent late-night walk.
The breeze was still warm and the air was thick with humidity. I never much liked the late summer weather, but I decided not to complain about it, knowing that a snowy Michigan winter was only a few months away. Crickets chirped and fell silent as we walked down the path that lead to the teleportation point.
Daniel was waiting at the fence when I got there. His face lit up with a bright smile.
Happiness burst through my body. I ran the last few steps up to the fence. “You made it!”
“Of course, wouldn’t miss this for the world.” Daniel replied. His eyes flicked back to Ryland and he frowned. “Uh, what’s he doing here?” He asked in a low voice.
“Oh,” I looked over my shoulder. “A teacher has asked that I have a body guard at all times because of everything that’s happened.” I explained. “Ryland and Luke have been accompanying me everywhere, even on campus. We have to until the Rogues are captured.”
‘They do seem to have a sick obsession with you,” Daniel said. I wasn’t sure if he was talking about the boys, the teachers, or the Rogues.
“Don’t mind me,” Ryland said with a shrug. “I’ll leave you two alone. Bianca, call out if you need anything, I’ll be over there.” He gestured to a small grove of trees and benches. During the day they were a popular spot to hang out, and night they looked dark and almost forbidden.
I noticed the clipped tone in his voice, but didn’t confront him about it. Ryland was just going to have to get used to the fact that girls could have friendships with boys that were platonic.
“What’s his problem?” Daniel asked once Ryland was out of earshot.
I sighed and shook my head. “Just boy problems,” I said. “I told him not to be jealous.”
Daniel blinked. “Oh, so are you two…”
“Seeing each other?” I finished as he trailed off. “Kind of. I mean, I guess so. Nothing serious.” I added.
“Hm,” Daniel nodded. His tone had shifted. He was quieter. His excitement had been dampened.
“Anyways,” I smiled, trying to brighten the mood. “It’s so good to see you.” I reached through the fence and held his hand tightly.
Daniel squeezed my hand. “Yeah, it is.” He agreed. “I’m glad we can at least meet like this.”
The metal between us made me feel like a prisoner. “Soon enough I’ll be cleared to travel again.”
“Don’t you think it’s weird?” Daniel asked. “I mean, why are you the only one who’s not allowed to leave. Something isn’t right. Like they’re not telling you the whole story.”
Daniel had always been the kind of guy who gravitated towards conspiracy theories. I laughed it off. “No, I think they’re just looking out for me and my family. You saw how crazy those Rogues were. I mean, they kidnapped you!”
Daniel shrugged. “Oh, speaking of that. I overheard my dad talking earlier today.”
“What happened?” I leaned in closer, as if someone might overhear us.
Daniel’s palm was getting sweaty. He let go of my hand and crossed his arms. “I’m not sure. But Agent Thompson has gone missing.”
“Thompson? The lady that brainwashed my parents? The one who tried to wipe your memory?” I asked. I did not like that woman. Anyone who justified their actions as “just following orders” was not a good person in my book.
“Yep, that one,” Daniel said. “I didn’t hear much. But my dad seems to think she’s been compromised somehow. She hasn’t shown up for work in a week. None of her family knows were she is. It’s not like that to happen to someone, but extra suspicious because she was involved with the attempted capture of those Rogues.”
“Does your dad think they’re targeting people who know me?” I asked. It sounded so self-centered to even ask that. I wasn’t anything special, even if the Rogues seemed to think so. There were so many talented and strong psychics, I didn’t even come close to that sort of power.
“Maybe,” Daniel said with a shrug. “I don’t know anything besides that, but I wanted to make sure that you were aware of it, in case it leads to trouble with you.”
I choked out a bitter laugh. “Remember when my biggest issue was not knowing what college to go to?”
Daniel smiled softly. “Yeah, those were the days. I’m sorry this has happened to you. I was so excited when I found out you were a psychic. It made all that research I did worthwhile. But now I see that it just destroys lives, just like it did my parents’ marriage.”
I leaned against the fence, wanting to be closer to him. Daniel didn’t speak of the divorce often, but I knew he blamed his dad’s job for it. Keeping secrets hurt more than anything, now I understood why. “Daniel,” I said. “Thank you for being my friend and sticking by me. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”
Daniel leaned against the fence and his hand found mine again.
I wished the metal would disappear so I could hug him, but holding his hand would have to do. I looked into his eyes, wishing for a moment that everything would just go back to normal. His warmth drew me i
n. The way his curly hair framed his face, the way his eyes softened when he looked at me. Daniel made me feel normal again. In this crazy world, Daniel was the only link I had to a regular life. He was home.
There was a magnetic pull between us that I found myself unable to escape. As I looked into his eyes, I found myself wanting to kiss him. I pressed my lips together, fighting the urge.
Daniel leaned in and I turned my head away, blinking furiously. How could I come so close to kissing my best friend? I struggled to find my voice. “Daniel, I,” I said.
“It’s ok,” He said. “Sorry, I was letting myself get carried away. I just worry so much about you.” Daniel pushed off the fence, his true emotions locked down and closed off again.
The moon was high in the sky now. How much time had passed?
“I should get going. I’d hate to get caught out here at night.” Daniel said.
I nodded. “Can I see you again soon?”
Daniel smiled. “You know I’d do anything for you.”
My heart ached. “Same. I just want you to be safe. Call you tomorrow?”
Daniel nodded and began to back away in the direction of his car. “Wouldn’t miss it for the world.”
I stood by the fence, watching him leave. We made eye contact briefly as he started his rusty car and then he drove off into the night, his tires kicking up gravel as he went. I clung to the fence until his car disappeared around the corner.
What was I thinking? I almost kissed him! Daniel. This boy I had grown up with was looking more and more like a man every day. Handsome, caring, and honest. He was everything any self-respecting girl would dream of. Marriage material even. But I had never seen him that way until tonight.
I shook my head. “Don’t even think about it, Bianca,” I said to myself. “The psychic world has done enough to break his heart. You don’t need to do it too.”
CHAPTER TEN
I had never been in the academy’s auditorium before. It was small, but clean and modern with enough tiered seating for twice the amount of students currently enrolled. At the front of the room there was a stage and projector screen. The staff sat near the front of the room with the rest of the space for students to gather in clusters.
Psychic Lies: An Urban Fantasy Academy Romance (Psychic Academy Book 2) Page 6
