Page 69 of Lilies in Autumn

Ava

Whenever I have butterflies in my stomach, they’re attributed to Grey’s hands, Grey’s dick, or just Grey in general. But when I woke up this morning, the butterflies kamikaze-diving in my stomach have nothing to do with my Viking warrior and everything to do with facing the student population of Marymount University twenty-four hours after the video leaked.

Grey sensed my anxiety this morning and paid extreme care to every dip and crevice of my body in the shower. Standing in front of his bathroom mirror, my skin heats from the memory of his touch. Images flash through my mind: Grey on his knees licking into me, feasting on me like I was the most delicious thing he’s ever consumed. He peppered kisses all over my abdomen and sucked on the stretch marks that decorate my skin, giving me new marks to soothe the hurt of the old ones. I didn’t tell him, but I had no doubt that he knew exactly what his ministrations did to me, how much it affected me and helped ease wounds, both new and old.

With every caress, every bite, and every grip, he showed me how much he loves me.

“Vixen, if you don’t get that look off of your face, you’re not making it to class, again,” Grey’s voice snaps me back to the present. I skipped my morning Algebra class, something I’ll probably regret when it comes time for finals. I look at him in the mirror, taking in the white Henley that molds to his body like a second skin and the gray sweatpants that seem to hug his dick. His backward Rockies baseball cap propels his looks from hot to fantasy-level sexy. How is this man mine?

“What look?” I ask though I know that I look like a dumbstruck idiot.

His eyes narrow and he approaches me, curling his hands around my waist and dragging me until my back meets his chest. Looking at me in the mirror, he says, “Like you want to suck my cock until I’m coming down your pretty throat.” He presses a kiss to my pulse at my throat and I draw in a ragged breath. Trailing his hands over my body, he gently cups my neck while his other hand lowers to my thigh. I can feel him against my ass, and I grind my hips into him, seeking his hardness.

“You look fucking delicious. After your class, you’re going to ride my face while I eat my dessert.” He pauses, nipping my ear before continuing, “But right now? You’re going to finish getting ready and then I’m taking you to class.”

“Lincoln said he’ll take me. We’re going to the same place anyway.” After everything that happened this weekend, I decided to skip my morning algebra class.

Grey’s shaking his head before I finish. “No, baby. Lincoln’s not taking you because you’re not his woman. Now, finish getting ready, and we’ll get food before we go.” He releases me and swats my ass before he turns around, heading back into his room.

“Freaking overprotective tease,” I mutter under my breath.

Grey’s laughter booms from his room, leaving little doubt that he heard me.

—

Despite Grey and Lincoln’s insistence that I get something to eat at Beans & Things, I can’t stomach the thought of anything other than a coffee.

“Aves, you got to eat something. We’re going to be on our feet for three hours; you’re going to pass the fuck out,” Lincoln scolds me. I’m surprised by his level of care; Lincoln tends to care about one person: himself. He continues, “If you pass out, you’re going to fuck my grade up, and I need Chef Adrian’s praise.”

Ah, there it is, the apathy toward everyone other than himself. “Don’t be a dick, you fucking twat,” Grey grumbles, hitting him in the chest. “He’s not wrong though, vixen, you need to eat something.” He pushes a chocolate croissant in front of me. As good as the buttery pastry smells, it makes my stomach sour.

Shaking my head, I grab my coffee instead. “The thought of food makes me want to projectile vomit.”

Lincoln’s face contorts, revulsion stamped across his features. “Do not eat anything. If you throw up in the kitchen, I will kill you.” He takes my croissant and tosses it in the trash behind the table we’re sitting at. “If you don’t fuck this up, I’ll buy you a fucking Whopper or Big Mac or some shit after.”

Grey doesn’t seem to be paying attention to Lincoln’s antics because his eyes are focused on me, trying to decipher the emotions rolling through me. “She’s going home with me, and I’m feeding her after her class. Fuck off, asshole.” He leans in closer, lowering his voice so that only I can hear him. “Are you okay, vixen? Say the word and we’ll go back to my house and hide from the world for a few days.”

I grab his hand, squeezing hard. “No, I need to get this over with. Besides, it’s probably better that it’s a class with Lincoln so that people will be less inclined to say something.” I look up, glancing around at all of the people that are zeroed in on us. Despite Grey’s video yesterday, the antagonistic and dirty looks sent my way are plentiful and wholly unwelcome. The barista that poured my coffee looked at me like I was the devil incarnate before Grey asked if there was a problem.

Clicking on my phone, I notice that there are fifteen minutes before our class starts. “Come on, guys. We need to get over to the culinary building and get our station ready before class.”

—

It took five minutes to get to our building and another five minutes to convince Grey that he could not, under any circumstances, come into the kitchen to watch over me.

“If anyone gives you shit, you’ll tell me? And let Linc handle it as he sees fit?” he questions, looking at Lincoln to confirm he’s down to defend my honor.

“Yes, Daddy,” I reply, rolling my eyes at his display of protectiveness.

“Dammit, Ava. Don’t say shit like that when I can’t do something about it.” He grabs my hip and draws me near.

“Woah, calm the fuck down,” Lincoln interrupts, grabbing me by the shoulders and pulling me away from Grey. “We’ve got a fucking practical to do, and no one wants to watch you two fuck. We’ve all seen the video and my eyes are scarred.” He turns to me. “Sorry, Aves, but you’re like a sister now, and I don’t need to see that shit again.”

I sputter out a laugh. “Dick,” I yell, punching him in the bicep. Looking at Grey, I see that he looks pleased, and if I had to guess, it’s because one of his best friends sees me as a sister. Shaking my head at him, I push him away. “Go, I need to get inside.” I lean up and give him a quick kiss on the cheek before turning away to walk into the classroom.

I feel a hand grab my wrist and pull me. Crashing into his chest, Grey grabs my chin and tilts it upward, positioning me until I’m at the perfect angle for him. “We can do better than that, vixen,” Grey whispers before his lips crash into mine. There’s nothing soft or gentle about this kiss, it’s a show of ownership, both his and mine. I pull away first and see that Grey’s eyes are dark storm clouds. Glancing down, the outline of his dick is on full display in his sweatpants.

A wave of possession goes through me, and I have to swallow down my need to continue staking my claim. Rising to my toes, I mumble, “Put that thing away before anyone thinks they can get a free show.”

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