Page 42 of Oleander
“I hope one day you’ll rethink your feelings, Skyler. But until then, I wish you well. I’ll be checking up on you still.” Onyx’s forlorn words interrupt my happy thoughts, and I only spare him a nod before he departs with Birch. I definitely have mixed feelings when it comes to Onyx. But not Birch. He’s an asshole through and through.
When Ander and I are finally alone, I hold my palm out, staring into his eyes and nodding my head. He threads his fingers through mine, letting our magic intertwine. The familiar sparks envelop me, dancing across my skin in a comforting embrace.
Home we go.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
OLEANDER
When we make it back to our suite, we’re both physically and mentally exhausted after the long ordeal we just went through, but we’re also closer because of it. I’m grateful for that, in a sense. Ihadto open the portal for Skyler, regardless of the regret I felt inside for being part of something that hurt him.
It was meant to happen.
I truly believe this. Fate is toying with us, and she has been for a while now.
“I’m going to put the kettle on. Would you like some tea?” I ask Skyler, opening the cabinet and peering over my shoulder at him. “Hmm?”
“Uh. Yeah. Sure.” His smile is weak, only giving me the tiniest glimpse of his dimple. We’re both silent as I prepare our tea with a splash of milk and a spoonful of sugar.
Skyler blows on his tea before speaking. “I’m actually fine having extra time with Headmaster Goulding.” He blows on his tea again. “Sure, he’s a little scary, but we get along okay when it’s just the two of us. And I need to catch up. Get on a more level playing field with the rest of the Fae here. I’m already half-human, so I need to make up for that.”
I sigh deeply at his easy dismissal of his human half. “Skyler, it’s nothing you need to make up for. Being half-human makes you more empathetic, more. . .” I pause, trying to find the right words to let him know how special and unique he is. “Strong-willed. Determined.Optimistic.All incredible traits to possess.”
“Are you saying you think I’m special, fairy boy?”
“I. . . um.” I rub the back of my neck but don’t look away from his silvery stare. “Yes.”
“You want mesobad,” he says cockily.
I can feel the tips of my ears burning.
“You do! Your ears are red!” Skyler reaches out and strokes them, stepping into my space.
I bite my lip and groan. “Sky, don’t. That feels too good. You don’t understand.”
“I’m glad to be back in our suite with you,” he whispers softly against my lips, continuing to caress my ears as he cradles my face.
Spurred on by his confession, I walk him backward until I press him into the wall, our fronts aligning. “Me too,” I murmur into his ear before licking and nibbling at it. I trail open-mouth kisses down his neck, trusting the magic to keep him safe.
When I pull back, we stare at each other for a moment, our chests heaving and our eyes blazing. Skyler surges forward, pressing his mouth to mine. His kiss lights me on fire, scalding every cell in its wake. The magic that runs through my veins is literal poison, but it doesn’t matter when I’m with Skyler. I’m free to be myself, free to be curious, and free toexplore.
Skyler flips us so my back is against the wall now, continuing to devour me. “I want you,” he murmurs into my mouth, stepping back and lifting his arms slowly. I take the hint, slipping the hoodie and T-shirt over his head in one go.
His tan skin glistens with a slight sheen of sweat, and I pounce, consuming his flesh like a starved animal. I kiss myway down his hard chest, licking the grooves of his obliques. Salt settles on my tongue, and I decide I like it, continuing my descent until I reach his trousers.
I glance up, and Skyler’s chewing on his lip in anticipation.
He wants this.
But not more than I do.
With trembling fingers, I quickly undo the button, tugging the tight jeans down to his thighs.
I kneel before him. A prince on his knees, ready to serve this man.
“I never wanted to let you go,” I whisper a little hoarsely, probably ruining the mood.
“W-what?” Skyler stutters, his eyes half-mast and heavy with lust.
