Page 125 of Dare To Fall

Everyone is silent around us, staring as I stride across to my usual table, where Kellan is sitting and watching, shoulders shaking with his laughter.

Dropping Ari onto the table, I push her thighs apart and step between them, press two fingers beneath her chin to tip her head up and kiss her.

The room collectively gasps.

Her lips part beneath mine, and her hands lift to loop around my neck. I step closer, fingers threading into her hair so I can angle her head better. My tongue strokes over her lips, and I draw back slightly.

“That’s better.” I smile down at her.

“I thought you were avoiding me.”

My smile fades into a frown. “Avoiding you? No. Why would I do that?”

She shrugs, looking uncomfortable. “I don’t know. I just …”

“You let the fuckers get into your head,” I finish softly. “The car got a flat. We didn’t get back here until after midnight. Then Kellan wouldn’t let me come and find you. We slept through the alarms this morning, so I went straight into art.” I press another kiss to her lips. “I’m definitely not avoiding you.” I kiss a path along her jaw. “In fact, after classes end today, I want you to pick out some clothes and stay with me instead of upstairs in your room.”

“Really?”

I kiss the tip of her nose. “Really. I got used to having you in my bed.” My smile broadens. “Quite liked waking up with my dick in your mouth, as well.”

She turns pink. I laugh.

“As much as I am getting endless entertainment out of the gaping fish faces all around us right now, do you think you could hurry it along? Just tell the girl you love her, so I can eat my lunch.” Kellan’s words are loud in the silence of the cafeteria.

It’s Ari’s turn to laugh. A laugh that fades when I don’t join in. I’m staring down at her, my tongue flicking at my lip ring. Her tongue snakes out to wet her lips.

“Eli?”

“I have something for you.” Reaching into my pocket, I pull out a little black box and hold it out to her. “Two somethings, actually, but open this one first.”

She frowns and takes it from me but doesn’t open it.

“It won’t bite.”

When she lifts the lid, her lips part. The charm bracelet she lost all those months ago is nestled on the black velvet inside.

“Before you say anything, I didn’t take it. I found it in front of Zoey’s plaque just before spring break. I was going to give it to you during the week, but everything was so messed up, and I wasn’t sure you’d believe me when I explained, so I didn’t—” Her lips cover mine, cutting me off.

When she finally pulls away, she lifts a hand to stroke over my jaw. “Thank you.”

I press my lips to her palm, then reach into my pocket again. “Second thing.” I hold out a box similar to the first.

When she opens this one, her gasp is audible. A fine silver chain lays on the velvet, with a small padlock connecting the two halves. I reach up to touch the larger one around my neck.

“Just before my mom died, she gave me this. She explained that the padlock stood for security and safety. I never want you to feel anything but safe, Ari.” I run a finger over her lips. “This is my promise. No matter what, you can trust me to keep you safe.”

Her eyes are shining, wet with tears when she lifts her face to search out my eyes. “Why?”

My smile is faint. “Haven’t you figured that out yet?”

She shakes her head.

“Because I love you. First as Sin, and then as Eli. And I’m done pretending I don’t.”

Chapter 84

Arabella

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