Page 31 of Oleander
“Shh!” I hiss, rushing over and pressing my hand to his mouth. “We don’t say those words out loud, Skyler.” I can feel his grin stretch underneath my palm, and he licks it, sending a jolt of desire straight to my cock. I blush, immediately removing my hand and returning to the vegetables.
“Whoops. Sorry. Forgot the professor mentioned that.” Skyler winks like it’s not a big deal.
“Skyler, Fae are warned of the threat in the woods as soon as we learn to walk. They’re still out there. Waiting for the right time. Ready to cause chaos and destruction at the first available chance. Some say they keep hellhounds aspets. But that could be a rumor.”
“I wanna see one.” A reckless gleam twinkles in his icy blue eyes, and my stomach drops. “A hellhound.Nota Blood Fae,” he clarifies. “Love dogs.But Mom never let me get a puppy ’cause we moved too much.”
Is he joking?
Humans have always been fascinated, if not somewhat obsessed, with the supernatural.The unknown.Is that what’s going on here?
“Skyler, you can’t justsee one. And they are most definitelynotdogs. You need to stay away from the other side of the wall. There’s dark magic out there, and it’s dangerous. We’reprotected here at the academy, and we mustn't take that for granted.”
“Figured you’d say that,” he teases, rolling his eyes and laughing playfully. “Always playing by the rules.” Skyler slings an arm around my shoulder, easily changing the subject. “So, what’s for dinner?”
I’m not sure what he means by that, but it gives me an uneasy feeling that this isn’t the end of our hellhound discussion.
“I love it when you cook for me.” His hot breath tickles my ear, making me flustered.
“Oh. Um. I was thinking coconut mushroom soup infused with lemongrass and fresh spring rolls.”
“No shit?Wow. Impressed yet again. I might even be a vegetarian by the end of the semester.”
“Maybe you should save your compliments until after you’ve tried it.” I turn the stove on, pouring coconut oil into a skillet and letting it heat before adding garlic, onions, and lemongrass.
Skyler crowds my back, whispering into my ear yet again. “Nah. You’re some kinda horticultural mastermind and a culinary genius.” He inhales deeply, sighing with satisfaction. “I’m gonna hop in the shower unless you need a sous-chef.”
“I’m all set.” The words come out breathy, and a flush heats my cheeks, traveling down my chest and warming my body.
Fresh aromatics fill the kitchen, heightening my senses as I glance over my shoulder and watch him slowly back away, chewing on his lower lip.
Goddess, do I want to kiss that mischievous mouth.
He reaches behind his neck, pulling his T-shirt over his head and revealing a smooth, rune-free chest, naked except for the black stone pendant he always wears. Skyler starts to unbutton his pants next, kicking off his shoes and apparently putting on a mini-strip show for me in the kitchen. “I’ll just be in here.” He ticks a thumb over his shoulder. “Naked. Wet. Andsoapy.”
I swallow thickly, fumbling the jug of coconut milk and nearly dropping it.
Skyler laughs loudly, shutting his bedroom door and locking it behind him. I only relax once I hear the shower turn on.
Stirring the simmering soup, I chuckle and shake my head, unable to stop the smile filling my face. I stir in the herbs from the balcony, layering more flavors and expertly finishing one of my favorite soups. Beyond the taste, it’s full of health benefits and packed with fairy greens. I pull the tray of spring rolls out of the oven next, plating them and setting the small table for two. By the time Skyler steps out of his room—with wet hair dripping down his bare chest—dinner is ready.
“Damn, O. It smellsincrediblein here.”
“Thanks.” I blush at his praise, tucking my golden locks behind the tips of my ears. “Well, shall we?”
“Hell yeah, I’m starving,” Skyler exclaims with a big smile.
We sit across from each other at the little wooden table. Skyler digs in enthusiastically, and I watch him enjoy it for a moment before I try my own soup, humming at the perfect flavor.
“So fucking good,” Skyler murmurs around another spoonful. I’ve never cooked for anyone before, and the satisfaction it brings is a heady feeling. He crunches into the spring roll, moaning at the taste. “Oh, yeah. This is the shit right here, dude.”
He’s charming and different from anyone I’ve ever met. My gaze zeroes in on his exposed ears, rounded and small.Adorable.My face heats, remembering the dream I had about them the other night. It wasn’t appropriate in the least.
“Quit ogling my little ears like a weirdo and eat your soup, would ya?”
I choke on nothing, mortified at being caught. Skyler chuckles when I silently lower my head and finish half my dinner before speaking again.
“So, we’re supposed to have Combat Class with my old friend Leo tomorrow. I haven’t seen him since I was fourteen. I shut everyone out after what happened with River and Flame. Even my closest friends. And now the three of them hate me.” I set my spoon down, embarrassed by my own whining. “I sound like I’m hosting a bloody pity party, don’t I?”
