Page 45 of Corrupt Vows

He’s not declaring his relationship status; he’s claiming me. The macho posturing steals my joy even as my lower belly throbs in delight.

I consider pushing him away, but Ralf’s expression sours my stomach. The aloofness in his eyes hides his menace too well and clashes with the fury I saw a few seconds ago.

Nico flexes his fingers into my waist and quirks a brow down at me.

The challenge in his gaze is too much to ignore.

He’s not the only one who can mark his territory.

Knowing I’ll regret my actions later but eager to taste him again, I press my front against his and rise onto tiptoes to grab his hair. Relief pours through me as he willingly follows my lead when I tug him toward me—I never would have been able to show my face in school again if he’d denied me—and need pulses in my clit as hunger darkens his grey eyes.

I pull his lips down to mine and boldly invade his mouth, mimicking his domination despite every cell in my body turning to goo, and lose myself in his strength. To my surprise, he pulls back before I take it too far. He licks the corner of my mouth as he lifts his head. His heavy-lidded gaze drops the bottom out of my stomach.

“I missed you.” I shock myself with the guttural declaration.

Delight and surprise widen his eyes, but his lips curl in a satisfied smile and his expression intensifies.

“I missed you, too,” he says.

My heart flutters. He means it.

Donald clears his throat. I blush and release Nico’s hair before moving back to his side.

“Everyone, this is Nico, my fiancé,” I say, and deciding to play even dirtier, I place my hand on his chest and show off my ring. Becca’s eyes zero in on the multiple diamonds glittering from the band.

That’s right. I’m a petty bitch now. Just imagine how expensive the wedding band will be if this is only the engagement ringI project toward Becca.

Her jaw drops before her entire face tightens in anger.

Well, now that I’ve gained enemy number one in my class, I’m ready to hightail it out of here, but Ralf’s predatory glare fills me with queasiness, so I fist Nico’s shirt at the small of his back and lean into him as I introduce him to each of my group members.

He reacts the same to each name spoken, but his body tenses toward Ralf.

Predator knows predator, even without exchanging words. The silent posturing fills me with angst.

“Are you done for the day?” Nico asks.

“Almost. We haven’t—”

“You should totally just go,” Becca says. “We already discussed your piece, and you can give me your notes about the others, if you have any.”

I glance at the crumpled papers in my seat.

“I’ll rewrite my notes for tomorrow,” I say before pulling away from Nico. Surprisingly, he lets me go. I grab my bag off the floor and stuff the papers into the main pocket before zipping it closed.

Nico takes it from me without asking and swings it over his shoulder before weaving his fingers within mine.

“Ready?” he asks.

With my tongue twisted in my dry mouth, I nod. He grunts a farewell to my classmates before leading me up the stairs to the exit.

My new guard—I’ll need to hear his name a few more times before it’ll stick—rises from the bench and strolls through the grass a few paces behind us.

Nico’s eyes never cease scanning the area as he leads me down the walkway to the parking lot. When he realizes I’m struggling to keep up with his long legs, he shortens his stride, pulls me against his side, and throws his arm over my shoulders.

“Where are we going?” I ask.

“Your parents’ house.”

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