Page 34 of Darkened Truths
I look at the marks around my bicep and shrug. “What did you think was gonna happen when you three drag me around like a rag doll?”
His face softens, and he places a chaste kiss to each minor mark before interlacing his fingers with mine, leading us out of the gym. A few students walk through doors as we leave, but other than that, there isn’t much activity on campus yet.
“What’s Contend? I assume some sort of fighting ring, but I’m not supposed to leave campus.” He strokes the back of my hand with his thumb and I have a hard time focusing on anything else. I flush as I think about where we were moments ago and how I orgasmed from a little dry humping.What the hell is going on with me?
He gives me a lazy smile. “As long as you’re with me, you won’t get in trouble. Don’t worry about it. But to answer your question, it’s an underground ring. Amateur fighters, but that doesn’t mean it’s not thrilling. Lots of cash to be made if you bet on the right fighter.”
“Is it in town?” I ask. Barrington doesn’t seem like the type of community to accept anything that may fall into a gray area, the current campus not included. And even then, they pretend the dark stain that is the campus doesn’t exist.
“At Pointebreak, but there are ways for people other than students to find a way into the fights. You need to know the right people and have enough money for it. It’s surprising who shows up at these things.”
“On campus? Doesn’t the administration have a problem with that?”
A slow grin stretched across his face, crinkling the corners of his eyes. “You’re cute, do you know that?” I half expect him to pat the top of my head, but thankfully he refrains.
I wonder if good old dad has been spotted here before. The more I learn about this world, the more I’m convinced he’s part of it in some fashion. It’s like he can read my mind and offers a small nod of his head. Although maybe I’m reading too much into it.
“Can I bring Ava?”
His smile fades, and he shakes his head. “Zan wouldn’t like it. He’s already made it very clear we can’t involve her in anything.”
I roll my eyes and shake my head. “So stupid. She’s a legal adult. He can’t baby her forever.”
“There are things about him you don’t understand. Best to let him have his way.” He shakes his head. “No Ava.”
We walk up the steps to my dorm and he spins me around so we are chest to chest. Even though we both worked up a good sweat, he still smells great. He cups my cheek and lowers his face, brushing his lips against mine. I steady myself by holding his upper arms and press into his kiss, allowing him to control it. It’s gentle at first, but then he puts power behind it and I gladly open for him, moaning into his mouth.
I trail my hand down his chest and stomach and when I brush over his length, I’m met with a guttural groan.
He pulls away and I drop my hand to my side as I flutter my eyes open. “Get ready for class. I’ll meet you in the cafeteria in forty minutes for breakfast.”
I nod in a daze, and find my way up to my room where Ava is awake and showered. She looks at me through her mirror and smiles warmly.
“Looks like Wes trained you after all this morning. Not gonna lie, I’m jealous. It’d be good to learn more of this stuff, so I’m prepared.”
I sit on my bed, and she turns to face me. “Sorry, Ava. I had no choice. He snuck in here at four this morning and made me go with him.” I yawn and stretch, wishing I could lie down and go back to bed. Although if his training is any sign of what’s coming, I’m screwed. “Maybe Nick can help train you. Have you thought about asking him?”
She shakes her head. “No. I don’t want to bother him with that. Plus, I’m not sure how Zander would feel about it.”
“Who cares what Zander thinks?” I already know her answer before she says it, so it’s no surprise when the words, “I do,” come out of her mouth. Wesley said he didn’t want her involved in anything, but I can’t help but think that’s going to hurt her more than help her.
I get ready for breakfast as quickly as I can, and I’m starving this morning. I can’t wait to eat. Nick meets us in line and we fill up plates with eggs, toast, and fresh fruit. At least the food here is good. I’m not sure what I would do if I had to choke down something less than stellar. We sit down and Wesley pulls a chair up to our table and tosses his arm around me, then kisses my shoulder.
Jealousy hangs in the air like smoke—thick enough to suffocate. The student body watches our exchange along withhushed whispers. From what I’ve gathered from my web searches last night, Wesley is a playboy and isn’t one to be tied down. That, along with the King's stupid no touch rule, and I am target number one around here. Most of the guys are staring at me like I’m some mythical beast, but the girls…they have murder in their eyes. And I’m not sure I’d put it past them to try to take me out in one of these fighting classes. Maybe my shooting class. Oops, sorry, I missed the target. Yeah, no thanks.
I brush his arm off me, embarrassed to be the center of attention, and murmur, “Everyone’s staring.”
He looks around and when he locks eyes with a table full of girls; he gives them a flirty wink and they all giggle and put their heads together to chat.And my blood boils.He can’t go around flirting with other girls if he’s trying to get in my pants.
“No.” I say and he tilts his head. His eyes narrowed, examining me.
“No what, Hellcat?”
“I suppose you don’t offer to train all the ladies here?” He shakes his head, confirming my suspicions.. “Then I assume I’m considered special to you.”
“You have no idea,” he offers quietly.
“Then you’re not going to flirt with other girls. You put a no touch rule out there on me. Well,” I pause, deciding if my next words are wise to say, “I’m putting one on you. If you want to chase someone else, stop everything with me.” I’m not sure why I feel so heated about this, but I do. I refuse to be one of many side chicks. I know I’m worth more than that.
