Page 196 of Blood & Betrayals

Summer

Inip at Connor’s perfect lips and pull back. “You should study.”

Connor groans, trying to pull me back in, and I laugh, covering his lips with my fingers.

“Study with me?” he asks.

I drop my hand. “Sounds goo?—”

“Naked,” Connor interrupts.

I laugh. “Big guy, what did we just decide?”

He sighs heavily. “I already regret it.”

“You won’t when you get your results in January. I’ll go get my notes,” I say, slipping from his lap.

Connor stands and closes the window. “I’ll walk with you.”

I shake my head. “You should get started. I’ll be back soon.”

“I’ll get one of my brothers to walk you.”

I turn to face him, placing my hands on his chest. “Connor. I can walk across campus on my own. I’ll text you when I get home and when I’m walking back.”

Connor stares at me, consideringly, his jaw working.

“Con, what’s going on? Nothing has happened in weeks. Even the authorities have scaled back.”

Connor exhales. “I know. I just… I’m sorry that I’m being crazy. Text me, and I’ll see you soon.”

I give him a quick kiss. “I love you, and I’ll bring lunch back with me.”

Connor smiles. “I love you, too.”

“I’ll be back in an hour.” I wink at him and leave the house.

No sooner am I out of sight of the Morningstar House when I receive a message.

Connor

58 minutes.

My lips twitch, and I send a selfie of myself blowing him a kiss.

Connor

There’s my super hot girlfriend.

I’m about to lock my phone when I get another message, this one from the stranger.

I look up, uselessly scanning for him, but there is no one around. It seems everyone has started bunking down in preparation for finals.

Fuck. Does that mean he watched Connor and me fuck outside the gym? Surely not. Surely, even he would not cross that boundary. But then I remember that time in the library when Connor had his head between my legs, and I felt eyes on me. I remember not hiding myself from view. I stood there, turned on by being watched. Did I think it was him? No. It was just anonymous eyes that ended up not being there. Fuck, this is different.

He doesn’t reply right away, and I feel myself getting angrier with every moment that passes.

My anger cools, but just a fraction.

---