Page 10 of Lethal Truths

Should be a fucking breeze, right?

Whatever Creed sees in my face upsets him, and he strides back to me, taking my hand and kissing my knuckles. “You don’t have to pretend. Not with me.”

I give him a weak smile, but it’s the best I can do. “I’m alright.” Or I will be. I have to be. After this is done and I walk away from Blackwood University with the answers I came here for, I’ll allow myself to finally break down. To feel every painful moment of my time here. But not now. I have to push it all down deep and tuck it into a tight box that’ll lie forgotten until I’m ready.

Creed frowns, stepping closer and winding his free arm around my back. “Don’t hide your pain from me. If there’s anything I understand, it’s that. Show me your demons, Ember, so I don’t feel so fucking guilty about letting mine out to play.”

I don’t have the words he wants. I can’t give him any reassurance that I won’t break down the second I’m in class, surrounded by people, one or more of whom could be my attackers. But if I don’t do something to ease his worries, he’ll likely drag me right back to bed and order me to rest another week.

Which I just won’t do.

Pushing to my tiptoes, I softly press my lips to Creed’s instead, internally rolling my eyes at how much my body melts into his. While my mind is screaming at me to slow down and make sure I really can trust him not to break my heart, my body is curling closer, craving his warmth and strength. But it’s not every day a gorgeous, slightly unhinged man promises to be my savior. I guess I can’t totally blame myself for the needy sigh that escapes me as his fingers dig into my hips and his tongue pushes in and dances with mine.

We’ve kissed a few times since our… chat. I told him I’d try, after all, and Creed hasn’t wasted a second of our time. And the more he works his lips against mine, the more I find that barrier shattering. Creed kisses me like he’s been lost all his life, only finding himself on my lips. He’s demanding, stealing my breath with every stroke, but he’s also tender in a way that makes me feel special. I’ve never had that before.

When I finally pull back, Creed grins at me, his eyes heated as he swipes his bottom lip dry. “If it weren’t for the sorry state of your body, I’d find another reason to keep you in my bed all day,” he rasps, his voice so low and gravelly that it shoots straight between my thighs.

I get lost in his whiskey gaze, forgetting everything else except for the way he made my nerves sing the night I slept with him. I’d be flat out lying if I said I haven’t been thinking about that night more and more as my wounds slowly heal. Every day, I’m feeling a tiny bit better, and it’s as if the pain is leading way to unchecked lust.

Again, how can I blame myself when Creed sleeps beside me every night, wearing nothing but boxer briefs, showcasing his lean body?

I offer a shy smile, dropping my eyes down the length of him and back up to his gaze as I mumble teasingly, “But you said I was getting better.” I’m shocked by the sound of my voice. It’s sultry and low, and unlike anything I’ve heard coming out of my throat before.

Creed groans, tightening his fingers on my hips once more before dropping his hands and taking a step back. “Not enough for me to do what I want with you, baby. I don’t know how to be gentle when I want to devour every inch of your body and bounce you on my dick until you pass out. I didn’t get nearly enough of you last time.” He licks his lips, his pupils blown wide. “I’m going to fucking ruin you, Prudence. Again and again, until all you know, feel, and crave is me.”

Well.

Pretty sure the blush creeping up my cheeks is the brightest red, and I can’t stop my thighs from clenching in response to his words. I’d like that. Very much. In fact, I want it right now, except I’m almost certain my still healing body would protest every second of it and my cautious brain would scream foul things at me the entire time.

Creed must sense my reluctance because he gives me an easy smile, picks up his backpack, and opens his door, holding it wide for me. I’m thankful, because in a battle of will, I’m not sure my pain and reason would win out over the needs of my pussy, and I’m really not feeling good enough to appease the starving beast behind his eyes.

When I move to walk past Creed and out into the hallway, he grabs a handful of my ass and hums approvingly. I’m still wearing my loose clothes, but he looks me up and down like he’s seeing a runway model in the finest lingerie. It gives me butterflies, and a heady wave of confidence that I haven’t felt in years. But as I turn my attention away from Creed and walk out into the hallway, all those good feelings evaporate.

Griffin is stopped just outside his door, looking at me with a carefully blank face that tears my stomach open and lets all my insides spill out. I used to study his animated expressions. I used to yearn for the light in his eyes as he signed to me about any and everything. I know the curve of his perfect lips when he smiles, and the arch of his thick brows when he’s sassing me, and the softness behind his glacial gaze when he’s calm. But now, all of that is gone, and it’s as if I’m looking at a stranger. An empty, cold man who doesn’t care.

Creed is at my back in a second. He and Griffin share a quick, dark look before Creed is guiding me right past Griffin and down the stairs. Before I can escape this suddenly stifling hallway, though, Griffin grabs my arm and stops us. Just as quick, he releases me, but my attention is glued to my former friend all the same.

You’re leaving? he signs, looking past me to Creed with a hard stare.

“I can’t hide forever,” I answer him, keeping my voice calm. “I’m not broken yet, Griffin, no matter how hard you and everyone else have tried. I came here for a reason, and it’s time I get back to it.” I keep my words purposely vague. I’ll tell Creed the truth about my mom soon. Once I’m sure he isn’t toying with me. But right now, I’d like to keep my cards close to my chest. I already spilled it all to the silent giant in front of me, and look how well that ended…

Griffin grits his teeth, running his hand through his unruly curls. Be careful, he warns.

I smile sharply. “Seems I have to be, right? Never know who I can actually trust.” I don’t wait around for Griffin to add anything more. This little interaction is about all I can take. Grabbing Creed’s hand, I pull him behind me as I rush down the stairs and away from the mess of my bleeding heart.

While we head outside and walk across campus, the note I found in my backpack rears its ugly head once more.

Your death will come with the end of the semester. Find what you need and then leave before then. If you don’t know where to look, consider following your boyfriend around. He’ll lead you right to them.

With that lovely warning — from friend or foe, I have no clue — a new fire has been lit under my ass. I’m on a time limit, and failure isn’t an option. Not if I want to leave Blackwood University alive.

7

Prudence

My anxiety is at an all time high as I stroll through the crowded hallway of Lunar Hall. Every step I take past familiar faces and strangers alike has me itching to retreat back to a safe space. When we make it to our first class of the day, sign language, Creed beams at me. With his hand still in mine, he leads me into the room and to my usual seat in the middle, sitting beside me like he did on that very first day.

“You did it,” he whispers, stroking the back of my hand. “The hardest part is over. You got out of my room and back into campus life. Just keep your head up, and every day will get easier.” His gentle optimism still takes me by surprise. Where is the guy who was undressing me with his eyes on day one, propositioning me for a random fuck? I could have punched that guy.

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