Page 131 of Blood & Betrayals

Connor looks at me, his brows furrowed. “I’ve had classes with fae for years, Summer. They aren’t like you.”

What does that mean? Do I even want to know?

I flutter my eyelashes and move in closer, doing my best to act cute. “Are you proud of me?” I ask, deliberately making my voice a little higher.

Connor wraps an arm around me. “I’m always proud of you, babe. But I wantyouto be proud of you.”

I melt at his words but then cringe at the impossibility of what he’s asking. There have been very few reasons for me to feel pride in myself. Shame and I are much better acquaintances. I sigh softly. “I’ll try. Okay, big guy?”

Connor smiles, brushing his lips over mine in one of the most tender kisses I’ve ever received. “That’s good enough for me.”

Alice nudges me and drops her voice so the others can’t overhear. “Everything okay?”

I nod, still leaning into Connor’s side. “I’m good.”

Rafe slams his tray down on the table, making me jump in surprise. “Fuck Emrys,” he growls.

“What happened?” Connor asks, squeezing me a little, the tension already building in him.

“He’s making me take on an extra class to make up for missed work,” Rafe growls.

I glance at Rafe, his face set into a furious expression. “Maybe I can help?” I offer.

“Can you attend my class for me?” Rafe asks, his words dripping with ungrateful sarcasm.

I shrug. “Okay, my bad.”

“Rafe, she was being nice,” Connor scolds.

Rafe looks at Connor, his eyes flashing. “I don’t need your girlfriend’s fucking pity offer.”

“Rafael,” Connor warns.

“Fuck this, I’m out of here.” Rafe stands from the table and storms off.

Connor sighs, kissing my temple. “Sorry about that, babe. He didn’t mean it.”

My heart warms at the way he is sticking up for his little brother, even though I can tell he’s struggling to justify his actions internally. I turn my head to face him and kiss the corner of his lips, comforting him.

“My offer stands. I’m happy to help Rafe if he’ll accept it. I know he’s a junior, and I’m just a freshman, but I’m also a nerd.”

“Ain’t that the truth,” Alice scoffs into her blood bag.

Connor looks over my face and exhales. “I don’t deserve you.”

I stare up at him, my stomach clenching. Connor is right. He doesn’t deserve me. He deserves so much more.

53

Summer

Connor leans against the stacks, bracing his arm against the wood of the shelves. He pants, his breath hot against my cheek. “Fuck, babe.” After the showdown with Rafe and my offer to tutor him, Connor pulled me to the library and to the stacks that are slowly becomingourplace. He barely managed to shove my panties down before he was thrusting inside me.

“Did that feel good, big guy?” I purr into his ear.

Connor brushes his lips along my cheek, shakily searching for mine. “So fucking good,” he moans as our lips meet, and I kiss him deeply.

“What are you doing later?” Connor asks into my mouth, still pressing me against the stacks.

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