Page 24 of Sold to the Devil
‘We don't have to do this if you're uncomfortable, darling.’
I don't hesitate to answer him telepathically, still wanting to maintain our privacy.
‘I'm not uncomfortable. Kiss me, Tom.’
Out of the corner of my eye, I see Mattheo looking at us intensely, his gaze dark. I'm almost certain he heard our telepathic conversation, judging by the rage in his eyes.
I cup Tom's cheeks and lean down, pressing my lips against his. He immediately licks my lower lip, asking for entrance, and I obey, my tongue meeting his. I bite back a moan, still aware of the audience we have, and let my hands move up into his hair, tugging lightly on his brown curls. He grips my hips tighter and pulls me closer, pressing my chest against his.
I let out a gasp of surprise when I suddenly feel two muscular arms wrap around my waist, and then I am yanked back roughly. My breath hitch as I’m thrown over someone's shoulder and they start walking towards the common room exit.
I'm too stunned and drunk to react, so I just stare at the group with wide eyes. Tom and Nancy jump to their feet awkwardly, the alcohol having also clouded their senses. My cousin seems alarmed but hesitant to intervene, and I suspect it has something to do with the murderous look my fiancé must be sporting. As for Tom, he takes a step forward, his fists clenched, but I shake my head, stopping him in his tracks. My eyes meet his and I offer him a small, hopefully reassuring smile.
‘I can handle it.’
He seems to hesitate for a few seconds before nodding, a resigned pout twisting his lips.
‘If he hurts you, scream my name telepathically. I'll hear you. Understand, darling?’
I nod just before losing sight of them. Mattheo walks quickly, and soon we're in the courtyard, the cool September air making me shiver where it touches my flesh. I almost sigh in relief when we step into building G and the warmth fills me again. Within seconds, we reach the door to our dorm, and he stops long enough to open the door. He slides briskly into the room and slams the door behind us, as I'm thrown onto the bed, my body bouncing on the mattress as I wince from the impact.
I'm no longer feeling the effects of the alcohol as I watch him lock the door, and I instinctively back away towards the headboard, pulling my knees up to my chest, arms holding them as my whole body trembles. I don't even notice my dress riding up and exposing my panties, too scared to think straight.
My eyes are wide open as I stare at him, terrified. He pulls out his wand and mutters a spell to the dorm room, his voice laced with anger. Then he faces me and frowns when he sees my trembling body. He puts his wand back in his pocket and walks slowly toward the bed, like a predator cornering its prey. He stops when the tips of his shoes hit the bed frame, silent, his dark eyes still locked on mine. His arms hang loosely at his sides, but his fists are clenched, so tightly that his knuckles are white from the pressure.
“What was that?” Hegrowls.
I flinch and close my eyes for a second before opening them again, too scared to let myself take my eyes off him. My trembling intensifies and I squeeze my knees tighter. His eyes rake over my body, his gaze hardening when he falls on my neck, where the bruise is still visible beneath the layer of makeup. His jaw tightens further and his darkened eyes meet mine again.
“Do I scare you?” He questions harshly, no emotion other than anger on his face.
I nod hesitantly, fighting the urge to lower my head, once again too afraid of what he is going to do. He turns and walks over to the desk. He places his hands flat on the wood and lowers his head for a few seconds before grabbing a glass of water from the desk and throwing it across the room, smashing it against the wall.
The gesture is so sudden and brutal that I put my hand over my mouth to stifle a cry of surprise as I feel tears escaping my eyes. I silently pray to the gods that he can't hear my stifled sobs or even the frantic beating of my heart.
But I'm not so lucky as his eyes land on me again. He watches me for a minute before rushing out of the room, slamming the door behind him. I flinch again at his gesture and let my eyes close in relief since I'm alone now. My head falls to my knees and I sob harder, feeling the fear slowly drain from my body now that I'm safe.
It takes me a while to breathe normally and for my tears to stop. I have no idea how long I've been crying on this bed, and I'm exhausted. All I want is to sleep now.
I slowly walk to the bathroom and take off my dress before putting on my pajamas. I remove my makeup and brush my teeth. I return to bed after, slipping under the cool sheets with my back to the door. I'm so exhausted that I close my eyes and it doesn't take long before I fall into a deep sleep.
CHAPTER 11
Aelys
I wake up with a splitting headache from all the tears I shed the night before. I immediately look at the other side of the bed and exhale in relief when I see it's empty. The sheets aren't wrinkled or torn on that side, and I deduce that he hasn't been back in the dorm since he left.
I'm safe for now.
I get up and go to the bathroom. I wince at my reflection in the mirror. My eyes are puffy and my cheeks are stained with dried tears. I look like a zombie. My hair is tangled, and I sigh at the thought of untangling it.
This is going to be fun.
I splash water on my face, enjoying the coldness on my skin. I grab my hairbrush and begin to detangle my brown hair. A knock at the door freezes me, and I don't move, afraid that Mattheo is back and is kind enough to knock before entering, even though this dorm is also his.
“Baby? Are you there?”
I start breathing again, relieved, I put my hairbrush on the counter, walk over to the door and open it. Nancy immediately engulfs me in a hug, squeezing too hard and forcing the air out of my lungs.
