While keeping the camera aimed at the professor, I focus on the screen, my chest expanding with pride and other emotions that weaken me in ways I don’t want to think about right now. Delilah is stubborn and willful, but I fucking love that about her. If she ever holds back, I’ll provoke that spirit in her, reignite her spark.
Delilah scribbles notes the entire time, her forehead creased in concentration as though she’s learning how to defuse a bomb. Her intense expression turns me on. My dick immediately gets hard, but I ignore it, keeping my focus on her.
When the class is over, I head outside and find a secluded spot to talk to her. I don’t like the idea of anyone seeing Delilah in her current state: wearing my t-shirt with her hair loose around her shoulders and her eyes bright with happiness. That’s for me alone.
“Did you get everything?”
“Yeah,” she says. “Thanks.”
“Good. I’m off to your next class.” When she bites her bottom lip, I stifle a groan. “Stop doing that thing with your lip, unless you want me to show up with a raging hard-on.”
“I don’t think Professor Ames is going to let you call me during his lecture. He’s very strict about cell phones in his class.”
My mouth thins. “I’ll handle Ames.”
“Xavier, be careful.”
“Are you worried about me, little raptor?”
When she shakes her head, a pang of disappointment shoots through me.
“Professor Ames is the one who’s overseeing my… bride contract,” she says, lowering her voice. “I can’t afford to piss him off. He literally holds my future in his hands.”
The revelation hits me like a punch to the gut, making my stomach clench. Although I knew someone in the Order manipulated Delilah’s situation for her to become a bride, I didn’t know who or why. I should’ve asked before now, but I’ve been too distracted by having the woman of my dreams in my bed. And keeping her alive.
I search Delilah’s gaze for answers. She drops her head, hiding her truth from me. I scowl.
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
She shifts on the mattress, tugging at the sheets. “I didn’t think it was important. Was I wrong?”
“Every detail of your life is important to me.”
“Honestly, I didn’t think it mattered who was managing my contract once I became yours.”
“Once you became mine,” I repeat slowly, letting every syllable coat my tongue. Pride and possessiveness rise in me at her words. I take a deep breath to keep myself in check. “I can’t tell you how long I’ve waited to hear you say that.”
Delilah finally looks at me. She gives me a shy smile, and the expression has my pulse racing. And my dick getting harder.
“Really?” she asks.
I nod. “What else?”
She studies me, her green eyes sparkling with curiosity. And something else. Longing. What does my little raptor yearn for?
I would deny her nothing.
And give her everything.
“There are so many things I want from you,” I say. “But that’ll have to wait.”
“What about Professor Ames?”
“Like I said, I’ll deal with him.”
Delilah stares at me, her gaze searching for something. I keep my expression open. If she can’t see that I’m willing to fight for her, then she needs to.
My girl gives a reluctant nod. “Thanks.”
