Page 66 of Forged in Blood

I press my lips together and suck in a breath through my nose. “But I really need to go to class. And I have a meeting with my advisor.”

Malachi’s reply is to seal his mouth over mine. He flicks his tongue over my lips until I part them on a moan, allowing him entry. His free hand glides up my neck to palm the back of my head. He holds me in place, my wrists still pinned in one of his large hands. And then he kisses me so hard that my trembling legs almost give way. I would crumple to the floor if he wasn’t holding me up. My body melts into his like I’m made of hot wax. His expert tongue dances against mine, drawing out a series of moans and whimpers. Unable to help myself, I grind on him, painfully aware of how hard he is. Am I really the kind of girl who melts for a boy just because he’s a good kisser? I shouldn’t even be contemplating letting him do this, but I keep picturing him throwing me onto the bed and taking me while Axl and Xavier watch.

Wetness pools between my thighs, but Malachi pulls back all too soon, leaving me gasping and needy. “You really should get to class, Ophelia. Because I haven’t slept for two nights, and I’m feeling a little…” He rolls his neck. “Unrestrained.”

I swallow the unexpected bubble of disappointment that jumps into my throat.

He tucks my hair behind my ear and smiles. “What time do your classes finish, baby?”

“Um.” I’m distracted by his hard length still pressed against my stomach and his hand on my ass. “Four-thirty.”

“I’ll come meet you after. Okay?”

I nod.

He releases my wrists and taps me on the ass. “Go get showered and dressed before I change my mind.”

I glance at his brothers and find their eyes still locked on me, but they don’t protest me going to class either. I’m grateful because I really do need to go, and I suspect any one of them could convince me to stay.

I’m leavingthe Commons after grabbing a cup of coffee when Cadence links her arm through mine. “Hey, girl. You want to grab some lunch together today?”

Lunch with Cadence sounds amazing, but I shake my head, disappointed. “Can’t, sorry. I have a meeting with my personal advisor during my break between classes.”

She pulls a face like she’s disappointed too. “Maybe some other day, then?”

I nod eagerly, a smile stretching across my face. “I’d love that.”

She keeps her arm linked with mine, and I continue walking alongside her. We may not be able to have lunch, but I have a bit of time. “You missed a fun party Saturday. It was a shame you didn’t come. Better than sitting in your room on your own crying over some douchebag.”

I clear my throat and avoid eye contact as I’m struck by the vivid memory of how a few nights earlier I spent the night losing my virginity to said douchebag, well, one of them at least, and letting him drink my blood. “Maybe the next one?” I say, trying to stop the thoughts of Axl and Xavier and their sinfully delicious mouths, not to mention their huge?—

“You feeling a little better, though?” Cadence interrupts my thoughts and spares me from blushing. “You seem brighter today.”

“Yeah. Much better. Thank you.”

She squeezes my shoulder. “That’s my girl.”

An unexpected sob wells in my throat, and I swallow it back down. Surely none of this is real, right? I’m going to wake up from a coma any moment now and find out the past few days have been a dream.

Happiness like this cannot possibly be real. I, Ophelia Ilyria Hart—orphan with no money who has never had a friend in her life—am actually in college. I love all of my classes, and despite missing a couple days, I’m holding my own in every subject.

My dream of becoming a social worker and helping kids who have no one else to look out for them isn’t the unattainable dream I considered it for so long. One day, Iwillchange lives. And not just any lives. The lives of kids who are like me.

On top of all that, I have three absurdly hot guys interested in me. Even if it’s only because my blood is special, I can live with that.

But some part of me always knew there would be a guy—definitely notthreeguys, but still. After everything that’s happened, I never imagined true friendship, so Cadence wanting to be my friend is probably the best part of my unbelievable new life. She’s friendly, funny, and so much cooler than all the other girls who’ve treated me like shit since I got here.

Cadence comes to a stop as we reach the building that houses all the natural science classes and labs. “This is me,” she says, pulling me into a quick hug. “Don’t forget what I said about coming by Silver Vale, okay? I’m at study group tonight, but I’ll be home the rest of the week.”

“Yeah, okay, sure. I’ll drop by sometime.”

“Cool. See you around, Ophelia.”

She spins on her heel and goes inside Urania Hall, and I tip my face toward the sun and smile. Today is going to be a great day.

Chapter

Forty

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