Page 50 of The Huntress and Her Hound

“I think you could use some additional help in the class,” he says with a frustrated sigh, leaning back in his chair. “Do you have a tutor?”

“Um... No...” My voice trails off, and I swallow hard. “I didn’t... I don’t... I don’t know how to even find one. I’ve never had a tutor before. I’m sure I can talk to my brother though.” My forehead beads up with sweat as I think about telling Henry of my shitty English grade. He’s working his ass off to put me in this school. I don’t want to let him down.

“If you don’t have the funds, I wouldn’t mind tutoring you. You’re a bright student, and I saw your request for a recommendation letter.”

I bite down on my lip. My stomach rolls with something that I can’t discern—nerves, maybe? Either way, what choice do I have? I don’t want Henry to know... “Okay, I guess.”

“Perfect,” Dr. Nile says with a nod. “We can start ASAP.” He pushes back from his desk, and then stands to his feet. “What does your schedule look like after school?”

“Um, I usually go to the library to do my homework, but that’s it.”

He nods, his eyes dropping to the hem of my uniform skirt. “I’ll give you my address, unless you’d rather meet at the library? I just know I might not be able to give you my undivided attention since there will be other students present. I tend to be popular.” Dr. Nile chuckles, giving me a smile that makes my stomach do a flip-flop.

“Okay, that’s, um, fine.” I feign my nonchalance. “Thank you for offering to tutor. I really want to make it into Berkeley.”

His smile falters. “Then you are definitely going to need some help, Miss Bayne.”

My eyes flutter open, landing on the ceiling fan blades spinning in the dark-lit room. I shudder and roll over onto my side as a tear slides down my cheek. Deep and ragged breaths slip from my chest. I close my eyes again, but I’m met with the images of the man who ruined my fucking life and gifted me with the demons that won’t leave me alone.

I push myself up from where I’m sitting and inhale, running my fingers through my hair. I check the clock projecting from my nightstand and seeing that it’s only fucking five o’clock in the morning, I know no one will be awake.

But I don’t want to go back to sleep.

My bare feet hit the floor, and Cash doesn’t move, still snoring softly. I stand to my feet, and ease toward the bedroom door. Part of me feels like I should check my phone for another message, but I don’t want to know if there is one. I slip out of the room and close the door behind me. Pausing, my gaze drifts to Jude’s door.

And suddenly, I really don’t want to be alone.

I chew the inside of my cheek as I see the flickering of blue light. Is he still awake? My heart picks up its pace, and I silently approach his room. I try the doorknob, expecting it to be locked. However, it turns in my hand. I twist it the rest of the way, and push it inward, wincing at the creak.

I squint into the room, catching sight of Jude in his desk chair—asleep. I can’t help but smile at the sight for reasons I don’t understand. I close the door behind me, breathing in the comforting scent of him. His cologne permeates the air, and I inhale it like it’s oxygen. My dream memory slips away as I make my way to his unmade bed.

‘He’s going to think you’re a freak when you wake up.’

I shrug. I don’t care.

‘What if Henry catches you?’

I’ll tell him I got drunk.

I slide into the cool sheets and pull the covers up around my face. I don’t even know if Jude has slept a single night in the bed, but as I close my eyes, I don’t see anything but him. And I fall right asleep without any nightmares.

Chapter 19

The Hound

I grunt in pain as I straighten my head, my neck stiff from falling asleep in the chair. The sun is already streaming through the window, and I know I need to get back to work. I haven’t even finished a full profile on Jaxton Banks. I wiggle the mouse, and then freeze at the sound of a sigh behind me.

Spinning in the chair, my gaze lands on a heap of a person...in my bed. Raven hair cascades across the pillow, and I find myself utterly confused and enthralled—until I consider the fact that Henry could walk in at any moment. I stand to my feet and creep across the room to the door and flip the lock.

My cock grows hard as I strip my shirt and pants off, my gaze unmoving at the woman beneath my covers. She wants to go slow, but she’s in my fucking bed. Cher is a puzzle I’m not sure I’ll ever solve, but I don’t even care. I slide into the bed from the opposite side, and as I pull the covers back, she rolls with her back to me, giving me a glimpse of her nearly bare ass.

I run my tongue along my bottom lip, and then reach out to her, slipping my arm underneath her waist. I pull her into me, her ass digging right into my throbbing cock. She lets out a light sigh again, and my lips find her shoulder. I kiss her lightly, though I want to fucking ravage her.

She wants slow. I’ll give her slow.

But at the same time, I need a release. I bury my cock in as much as I can, a groan catching in my throat as my itch is finally scratched enough to only make me want it more than ever. To make it worse, she rocks back against me, stroking me. I flip the covers back. I know I shouldn’t be pushing this. I saw the lack of confidence in her eyes—and something else I can’t pinpoint.

“But I need you,” I murmur into her neck, breathing in her scent. My cock needs to be inside her. Now.

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