Second Chance Soul: a paranormal reverse harem steamy slow burn academy adventure (Second Chance Academy Book 2)

by Ella J. Smyth

  "Hey, not that way."

  Slug had turned toward the back of the West wing, following the same path he'd done that one time in January. He ran to me, bit my jeans, and pulled. I stared at him. I had no idea cats did that. When I didn’t budge, he let go, skipped ahead, and waited for me to catch up. Oh, whatever. It wasn’t like I was doing anything else.

  "Take me to your lair, master," I said. A guy jogging past me turned his head and stared at me with his eyebrows raised.

  I shrugged. "Cat's calling the shots, man. What you gonna do?"

  The guy shook his head and carried on running. The story would probably be spread around campus by the afternoon, highly embellished, and convincing people how much of a weirdo I was. So what? I had resigned myself to being the oddball at the academy.

  In the meantime, Slug had bounced ahead and was waiting for me. When I caught up with him, he continued on the path, just as he'd done before. And just like then, he didn't stop until he'd reached the pile of bricks.

  I took my time walking up to him, curious about what he was going to do. Slug climbed a third up the pile, then scratched at something. When I got there, I bent down to see what fascinated him so much. But there was nothing there.

  Correction, my weird cat seemed intent to lick the dust off an old, red brick. There was nothing special about it. Just a clay brick like the ones the academy building was made of. The pile had either been here since the last renovation, or it had been brought to fix some crumbling part of the building. Lord knew it could do with some love. Some of the window surrounds looked rotten with paint flaking off the wood.

  Now Slug was biting the stone. I was worried he'd hurt his gums. How stupid was my cat exactly? "Come on, furball, stop doing that. You'll break a tooth or something."

  I grabbed him by the neck and tried to pull him back. Big mistake. Have you ever seen an alley cat turn into the Tasmanian tiger from the old cartoons? Well, that's what happened the moment I tried to stop him from doing whatever he was doing.

  I let go so fast, you wouldn't have seen my arm move. "Jesus Christ on a cracker, what the fuck is wrong with you?"

  I stood back at a safe distance and stared at my pet who'd lost his shit over an old brick.

  "What's gotten into Slug?"

  I jumped a foot straight up in the air. With all the commotion, I hadn't heard Lance creep up behind me. Actually, that wasn't quite fair, since there’d been no chance to hear him approach with the racket going on. Still, my legs turned to jelly, and my heart was beating double-time with the fright he'd just given me.

  I put my hand on my chest and took some deep breaths to calm down. Lance was laughing, the idiot. Then he pulled me into a tight hug. "There, there. I didn't mean to frighten you."

  His voice was mocking, yet fond. Asshole. But now I was in his arms. Everything felt better for a moment. Until I remembered it was my birthday today, and I was still depressed. Stiffening my body, I pulled away from him. He wasn't having any of it. Lifting my chin, he bent and kissed my upturned lips. "Hey, I missed you. What are you doing walking around by yourself this time of the morning?"

  Before I could hold it in, I blurted out, "It's my birthday today."

  He straightened up in surprise. "Happy birthday, Amber. How old are you?"

  When I responded, "Eighteen," his face broke into a wide grin.

  "Shit. You're an adult. How cool is that? What are you doing to celebrate?"

  I shook my head. "Nothing. You're the only one who knows about it. Julian and Kiernan are too busy to celebrate with me."

  And now I sound like a petulant child again.

  Lance rubbed his chin, regarding me with narrowed eyes. "I think you’re underestimating them. Why don't we get together tonight, the four of us, and do something to make this day special?"

  "What do you have in mind?"

  He grinned. "Can't tell you yet. I only just found out my favorite girl's all grown up."

  Sudden heat flashed through me at being called his "favorite girl." It warmed me from the inside and made the morning look brighter. Was I so predictable a simple statement like that could cheer me up? Either way, I felt my face split into a big smile. Maybe the day wasn’t a total loss just yet.

  24

  The day was looking brighter with Lance so close to me. I hadn’t had any chance to get physical with him. It was time to change that. He was slowly becoming part of our group of four, and I wanted to taste him so badly.

  Standing on my tip-toes, I pulled his head down so I could kiss him. His lips parted in surprise, and I didn’t hesitate to slip my tongue into his mouth like I’d learned from the boys. It didn’t take long for him to respond. The longer we kissed, the tighter he pulled me to him.

  Finally, he broke away, breathing heavily. “You know what? I can’t wait until tonight. How about we move this to my bedroom?”

  I nodded eagerly. “Sounds great. Lead the way.”

  Lance tucked me under his arm, and we made stumbled towards the boys’ dorms. It took us much longer than usual because he kept stealing kisses from me. By the time we fell into his room, giggling like little kids, my bad mood had completely disappeared.

  Once inside, he pushed me against the closed door and covered my mouth with his. I closed my eyes and surrendered to his lips, his soft tongue, his need to taste me. In return, I opened up, clinging to his shoulders while my knees went weak.

  “I can’t believe you’re here, in my room.” Lance looked deep into my eyes. I should have been embarrassed, having somebody stare at me from a few inches away. But with Lance, my heart swelled at the want I read in his eyes.

  Bending his knees, he lifted me off the ground and laid me on his bed. His mattress was the same size as mine, so there was nowhere for him to go but half on top of me. I didn’t mind. His tongue swiped into my mouth until I was moaning quietly.

  Thoughts were whirling through my sex-addled brain. Am I really ready to go all the way? I’m eighteen. If I don’t get a party, at least I want to lose my virginity today.

  Decision made, I pushed against his wide chest to give myself some space. Then I sat up and pulled my top off before laying back down again. This was as far as my courage carried me. Now it was up to him.

  Lance only hesitated for a moment before shedding his clothes to his underwear. He moved himself up on his arms and looked me up and down.

  “The boys didn’t exaggerate,” he murmured.

  Should I be offended my boyfriends were such gossips? But the admiration in his eyes was so genuine, I decided I didn’t mind. Instead, I allowed my gaze to travel over his body as well.

  He was long and lean, broader in the shoulders than Julian, with a pronounced six-pack he hid under baggy sweaters most of the time. I lifted a shaky hand and brushed over his abdomen. It contracted where I’d touched, and Lance laughed. “You found my weak spot.”

  Opening my legs, I pulled him down on top of me. He kissed me again, and I closed my eyes. The brush of his bare skin against mine and his weight immobilizing me sent shivers through my body. I loved it when the boys surrounded me and occupied all my senses. Lance smelled like a stiff sea breeze—a combination of cool ozone and a hint of iodine. His body was warm, and his mouth tasted of coffee with a hint of sugar.

  His eyes closed as he focused on exploring my mouth. Our tongues tangled, but he never pushed too hard or too far. The longer we kissed, the more I felt the urge to create friction between us, rubbing against him with my hands and legs. As if he could sense my need, his hand snuck between our bodies and rubbed my nipple.

  I suspected the boys had talked about more than my looks, because he copied Julian’s move, pinching the tightening bud, and pulling gently. Moaning against his mouth, I arched my back and pushed my breast into his palm. Lance smiled against my mouth and pulled away.

  “Ready for more?” he whispered.

  I nodded, breathless after our prolonged kiss. Lance shifted and opened my bra. He helped me move the straps off my arm
s until my upper body was bared below his. His eyes were riveted on my chest.

  Slowly, he licked over the tip of my breast. Then he blew on the dampened skin. I sighed as my nipple tightened further. He licked his finger and circled the wet tip over the bud while watching with fascination.

  “Don’t tease.” I needed him to go back to what he’d been doing. He winked and lowered his head back into position. The suction he produced on my nipple shot pure arousal into my belly. Soon he had me writhing on the bed. My sighs turned into pants as he teased and turned me inside out.

  When I thought I couldn’t stand it any longer, he changed over to my other breast and started again. This time, he bit me lightly, running his teeth across my nipple. I flung my head back at the stinging sensation and keened. My hands were stroking down his back, feeling the smoothness of his skin and the strength of his muscles. Halfway down his back, there was a roughness, lines and circular indentations I traced with my fingertips.

  Lance shuffled his body without saying a word, shifting my fingers away from the markings. What were they? Before I could ask, his hand popped the button on my pants. I wiggled to give him a bit more space, but he was content to tease me for now. When his fingers stroked across my slick pussy, I gasped.

  “Do you like that?” he asked.

  I opened one eye and stared at him. His expression was mischievous, and his teeth were biting down on his lower lip, holding back a smile. All my self-esteem issues were raising their heads at once. Was he laughing at me because I was inexperienced? Did he think I looked ridiculous as I panted hard, responsive to every move he made?

  As if he could read my thoughts, he pulled his hand away and scooted up until he was able to kiss me. “You’re thinking too much. Just enjoy it. You look so hot like this, and you smell like heaven.”

  What a corny line, I thought, until he licked his fingers that were glistening with my juices. Then it was the hottest thing I’d ever seen. Well, ever since Kiernan had sucked on Julian’s finger. At the memory, another jolt of lust traveled to between the legs.

  “That’s it,” he murmured. “Let me hear how much you love it.”

  I needed to feel him on my skin, feel his chest and legs rub against my nakedness. Enough of his half-dressed making out. I pulled away and pushed at my pants. Lance moved aside to give me space as he watched approvingly. When I was completely nude, he ran a hand all the way from my chin over my chest and tummy to my sex.

  “How am I so lucky to have all this,” he whispered, so quietly I barely heard him.

  I preened a little at his admiration, and my negative self-talk ceased entirely."Are you going to be naked as well?"

  He stared at me, then chuckled. Quickly he shucked his underwear off, and then he was completely bare. When Lance slid back on top of me, my entire body exploded with sensitivity. The hairs on his shins scratched my shaved skin, and his naked chest pressed against my nipples. And most importantly, his cock slid over my clit. His hips were moving rhythmically forward and back, small movements that set me on fire.

  “Oh my God, that feels amazing.” My voice sounded rough, unfamiliar to my ears.

  “Do you want to go all the way?” Lance raised himself up on his elbows to look down at me. His eyes were full of warmth and lust and made me feel safe and sexy all at once.

  “My birthday present?” I asked, trying to cover up my nervousness with sass.

  Lance chuckled. “Sure. It’ll be my birthday present to you. Do you want to?”

  I didn’t have to think about it. Yes, I was ready to lose my virginity. I knew Lance was considerate enough to make it good for me, although I’d heard it would hurt the first time. But if I did it with Lance, wouldn’t I betray Julian and Kiernan? Shouldn’t I share my first time with all the boys? But then, that was probably a little ambitious. If sleeping with one guy freaked me, what would happen if I did it with three? No, this was the best way—

  And that was when Lance kissed me again. “Jesus, I can hear you think. I don’t want to make you do anything you don’t want to. I’ll stop anytime, okay?”

  I nodded. He was right. I called the shots, and so far, I’d really enjoyed myself. And maybe, once I’d done it with him, I wouldn’t feel so nervous about it with Kiernan and Julian. “Let’s do it.”

  Apparently that was the signal Lance needed. He angled for his jeans and pulled out a condom.

  “You come prepared,” I said.

  He peppered my face with kisses. “Not prepared. Hopeful.”

  He shimmied back down between my legs and licked and sucked until I thought I’d lose my mind. My focus shrank until I felt nothing but his wet tongue massaging and stimulating my clitoris. Shivers traveled across my skin, and my core tightened in response to his stimulation.

  That’s when he stopped. A loud, protesting groan left my throat. “I’m so close, don’t stop. Please don’t stop.”

  He didn’t pay any attention to my pleas. Instead, he rolled to his side and ripped the condom square open with his teeth. Grabbing hold of his shaft, he stretched the rubber down the length of it. It was the first time I’d gotten a good look at him, and my eyes widened. His cock was wider than Julian’s and longer than Kiernan’s. How was that supposed to fit? I wasn’t a tiny girl, but his cock was too big for me. I was sure of it.

  I must have made a noise, because Lance stopped moving. “Have you changed your mind?”

  I had to make a choice. Call it off and show what a scaredy-cat I was, or just do it and get it over with. I’m not a coward. I can do this. “Do it.”

  Lance’s eyebrow shot up. “That doesn’t sound like a full and happy endorsement.”

  Then his voice softened. “Don’t worry, I’ll be careful. If it hurts, I’ll stop, okay?”

  Goddammit, now he made me feel like a blushing virgin. Which I was, technically. But how dare he call me out on it. So I took the initiative, wrapped my legs around his waist, and pulled him inside of me in one go.

  Bad mistake. It hurt. A lot. He was even bigger than he’d looked. The lubed condom helped with the slide, and I was wet enough, but the sheer girth of his shaft would have made a slower entry a lot more comfortable. I grimaced, and Lance paused.

  “Idiot,” he grumbled under his breath. He held totally still until the burn stopped, and I got used to the intrusive feeling inside of me. But instead of pumping as I’d expected him to do, he pushed himself onto his knees, staring down at where we were connected.

  “Fuck, you look gorgeous.” His voice was rough with arousal, and a fine film of sweat covered his skin. I could tell just by looking at him how much he was holding back. His shoulders were tense and his jaw clenched. Reaching down, he traced my pussy where he penetrated me. Then he focused on my clit, running his fingers around and around, until the feeling tightened into a sharp pull. I grimaced, but just as quickly as the pain had hit me, it disappeared again.

  “Can I move?” Lance whispered hoarsely. I nodded, rocking my hips against him. Lance grabbed hold of my ankles and pulled me nearly onto his lap. Dropping one hand, he did the circle-thing again on my clit while sliding in and out of me.

  I was reduced to begging. “Don’t stop, I’m so fucking close.”

  The whole world narrowed down to my pussy. The feeling started in my lower belly, intensified by the way he moved. I held my breath, riding the wave as it built higher and higher until it crested. I clenched rhythmically around Lance’s cock, crying out my release as it flooded my body. This wasn’t an orgasm. It was a tsunami, a wave washing me clean of every imperfection I’d ever worried about. Eventually, I drifted into a state of post-coital lassitude like I’d never experienced.

  All I could do was stare at Lance towering above me, still pounding into me. His head thrown back, he was holding both my ankles, pulling his gorgeous cock out and plunging it back into me with ever increasing urgency. Every time he sheathed himself fully, a groan escaped his chest. He was so fucking hot, I could feel myself getting interested again.
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  This time, my orgasm happened even faster. Lance shifted and hit something inside of me. My eyes flew wide open, and my lips formed a perfect “o”. Whatever that place was, it intensified the sensation and made me clench down hard on Lance’s cock.

  He stared at me and never looked away. I felt the connection between us like a living tether, like we were connected more deeply than just through our physical bond. As our gazes tied us together as much as our bodies did, we both reached our climax. Lance stilled and groaned long and hard. I was carried away beyond time and space as my sex clenched around Lance’s cock again.

  When we came back to ourselves, Lance had collapsed on top of me, and I was finding it hard to breathe with his weight on me. When he felt me stir, he rolled to the side and grinned. “Did I perform to your satisfaction, Milady?”

  I punched him lightly. “Not bad for the first time. Also, this would sound a lot more polite if you weren’t still inside of me.”

  He laughed while holding the condom and pulling out of me. His softened cock sliding out hurt a little, and I remembered I wasn’t a virgin any longer. “Did I bleed?”

  Lance checked and nodded. “Just a little, though. Was it very painful?”

  “Only at the start, and then you made it all better.”

  He stroked my cheek fondly. “I’m glad you enjoyed it. Happy birthday, darling.”

  I couldn’t wait to share the news with Kiernan and Julian. I just hoped they didn’t mind Lance had gotten a head start on them. Either way, my birthday had started badly and ended with a bang. It had been perfect.

  25

  I spent the rest of the day with Lance. Right after coming for a second time, I’d fallen asleep for a few hours. Lance woke me for some lunch, and then we had sex again. And again. And every time, I passed out afterwards.

  In the late afternoon, Lance left the room to take care of some business, but I was so exhausted, I barely noticed. I was asleep when he returned. When he woke me up this time, his face was worried. “Are you sick? You seem completely out of it.”