Page 235 of Blood & Betrayals

“You really want to know why I’m excited?” Connor asks, grabbing me and pressing kisses to my neck.

I grunt grumpily but slide my fingers into his hair, holding him against me.

“Well, it involves you and jewelry.”

Oh. I go still, the realization hitting me. Surely, he can’t be serious? He’s planning on proposing? At his graduation?

I’m not sure how I feel about that. I’m not sure how Ishouldfeel about that. Connor pulls back to look down at me, and I stare up at him, waiting for the terror to hit. I wait for the crushing, suffocating weight of being overwhelmed to settle on me. I wait for my instincts to kick in, telling me to run. But nothing happens, and I just stand there, blinking uselessly.

Connor trails more kisses down my neck again. “So that’s why I’m excited.”

Maybe I’m reading too much into this. Maybe he’s just got me some really nice jewelry. He’s never bought me jewelry before, so surely, the first piece he gives me won’t be a ring, right? Yeah, I’m being stupid.

“You’re annoying,” I say, pinching him lightly.

Connor laughs, still completely at ease. “You love me.”

I growl, and Connor playfully swats me on the ass before pulling me into the shower with him.

93

Summer

Ipout all the way from the dorm to the coffee cart. Alice and Connor happily chat together, which just annoys me more. You’d think the shower sex would have cheered me up, but something about the way he teased me this morning has me feeling sour. He has left me guessing about the engagement, and I hate being left in limbo. I think I feel okay about it, but I would also like time to prepare if that is what it is.

I grumpily order my coffee, and Connor wraps his arm around my shoulders, pulling me into his side.

“You’re so cute when you pout.”

I glare at him and order Alice’s coffee.

“What’s going on with you two?” Alice asks, looking between us.

“Nothing,” I grumble.

“Nothing at all.” Connor smirks.

I glare at Connor. The barista calls my name, and I grab my cup. “I need to go see the headmaster. I’ll see you later,Alice.”

I’m about to stomp away when Connor reaches out and gently grabs my arm. He pulls me to him, and I tilt my head back to face him.

“Kiss,” he demands.

I fight back a smile and give him a quick peck on the lips. “Bye,” I say, trying to pull out of his hold. Connor shakes his head and slips his fingers into my hair, his big hand cupping the back of my head. He leans down and claims my mouth. His teeth nip sharply at my lower lip when I won’t open for him. I gasp into the kiss, and his tongue slips into my mouth, sliding lazily along mine. A moan slips from me, and Connor pulls back, licking his lips.

“That’s a goodbye,” Connor says, flicking his tongue over my lower lip, soothing the sting. My stomach flutters with how he took control, took what he wanted. Connor smirks and brushes a whisper-soft kiss to my lips before pulling back and finally releasing me. “See you later.” He winks at me and walks away toward his first class, a definite swagger in his step.

I stare after him, dumbfounded. Where has this guy been? Who knew he had it in him?

“Wow,” Alice says, fanning herself, and the barista starts up a slow clap.

I nod and exhale. Still stunned and unable to think about what just happened, I wave to Alice and head toward the headmaster’s office. Outside his door, I stop and take a deep breath before knocking.

“Enter.” His steely voice slips from beneath the bottom of the door, and I take another breath before entering the office.

“Miss Tuatha De Daanan,” he greets me, barely looking up from his notes.

“Hello, sir.”

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