Page 82 of Cruel Academy (Princes of Ravenlake Academy 2)

Especially if he keeps in close contact with me.

John is vindictive, and he’ll want revenge if he finds out Caleb and I are friends. Especially if he finds out which benefits are involved.

Still, it isn’t my place to make any decisions for Caleb.

“Okay, sure. I’ll do whatever you want.”

When Caleb’s brow lifts, I worry he is doubting my sincerity, but then he plants his palms on the floor of the tent and rises to his knees.

The tent is small, no more than five feet wide, but it feels microscopic with Caleb moving towards me. My instinct is to retreat, but there is nowhere to retreat to.

“Whatever I want?” His muscles ripple under golden skin as he moves, like a lion crouching, ready to pounce.

As his prey, I should be utilizing every escape maneuver I know.

But instead, I lick my lips and nod.

“Say it,” he growls.

My heart thunders against my chest, and my voice is shaky as I follow his command. “I’ll do whatever you want.”

Caleb’s lips pull into a brief smile before he grabs my hip and pulls me towards him, sliding me across the slick bed of our sleeping bags and the tent floor.

I fall on my back, and Caleb is instantly over me.

Last night we were close, but the entire interaction happened against a tree.

Now, I can feel the weight of him pressing me down and it feels incredible. His kisses are slow and devouring, and I smooth my hands over every exposed part of him.

I’ve witnessed Caleb’s strength so many times, but feeling it beneath my own fingers is an experience I’ll never grow tired of.

His hands skim beneath my tank top briefly before he seems to grow frustrated with the fabric and yanks it over my head.

Instantly, I’m bare from the waist up. Caleb absorbs the sight of me for a moment and then leans down to circle his tongue over my nipple.

I arch my back into his mouth. Caleb moans against my skin. The vibrations feel as good as his tongue.

I want to feel him everywhere.

As soon as the thought crosses my mind, he begins a slow trek down my body, trailing kisses and fire in his wake, until he reaches the top of my cotton shorts.

What happened in the woods could be construed as a random hookup. It was emotional and adrenaline-fueled after John and his cronies showed up. We could both say we were under the influence of something else and made a rash decision.

But this is purposeful. Tortuously slow and intentioned. Caleb hooks his fingers around the waistband of my shorts and panties and pulls them both down together. I lift my hips to help him, but my entire body is shaky like I’ve had one hundred too many cups of coffee.

Honestly, I’m afraid.

The woods were mostly dark, so even though I was mostly naked, Caleb couldn’t see anything. But now? I’m laid bare in front of him in full sunlight, filtered only by the light blue tent material.

He can see every bit of me, and old insecurities creep up.

John always told me I was too thin.

Guys like girls with curves, not edges.

I learned to hate my thin thighs and arms. Whenever we had sex, the lights stayed off, and every time he touched me, I wondered what he was thinking.

Now, I’m stronger.

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