Page 82 of Just One Bite
His smug smirk is back. All is well in Vviveren.
That’s one crisis averted. We really do need Ryker. He’s one of the most levelheaded strategizers we have on the team. Honestly, the best part of being captain is getting to lead. That, I’ll miss on a pro team.
“Have you heard anything from Aster?”
I hate that prick’s name in her mouth. Olivia’s lips are wet from alcohol, and her eyes are heavy while she stares at me with her back pressed against the wall.
She rubs her leg against mine. Teasing. Playful.
“Just this morning when he told me he hoped I'd drop dead after his speech to the school about what a great addition to the council I’ll be.”
“Do you think things are shifting? You’ll become friends and then the threat is gone.” She’s playing with my fingers, tracing the tips of each one. “Then this will be over.”
I swallow the lump in my throat, choosing instead to focus on how her fingers move up my arm. Even with the music blasting behind me, it just feels like me and her.
“Is that what you want?”
She stops, biting her lip. “I don’t like pretending.”
She’s going to break my heart.Fuck. Can’t I have this just a little longer?
“So maybe you should mark me.”
The wordsmark meon Olivia’s lips send my blood south. Especially when she’s looking up at me like that. Her hands have moved to the inside of my blazer, her eyes soft and anticipating. She only gives me that look. I think. I’ve kept careful watch on her with other guys, and it’s never the same. This is just for show, but she’s very convincing. Ballet does require acting skills, I’ve learned, but this is different. Or do I just want it to be? It has to be the alcohol.
“Uh, come again?”
“Maybe … you should mark me. There’s no arguing with that. It’s real.”
“You believe in Were mating rituals now?”
“If I choose it, yeah.”
I cup her cheek and run my thumb over her lips. Her eyes widen. Does she really mean what I think she does?
“What about after? You know that means you’ll be bearing my mark on your skin, right? Even in your leotards.”
“I won’t be able to cover it with makeup?”
I chuckle while leaning into her neck to smell her. My mind is alive with the thought of that. My teeth sinking into her skin while I fully take what’s mine.
“No way. I love the enthusiasm, but marking is … well, it’s easy to put a mark on someone, but until they accept, it affects people in different ways. It can hurt, make you crazy with lust, all sorts of things. I want you to understand what you’re getting into.”
“How would I accept?”
“Uh … sex. That’s the only way to solidify the bond. And you have to bite me.”
“Oh.”
She looks down, thinking. She hasn’t told me about the dream, but I’m certain she’s had at least one sex dream about me. I wish I remembered my dreams and could say the same.
“You wouldn’t need to accept. We’d just have to ride out the effects until it fades.”
“I just wear your mark until we’re out of here? Easy.”
“Like end of year?”
“End of school.”
