“He’s human,” he says with a frown. “I thought you wanted to research fae lovers.”
My mouth falls open. How does he know? But of course he does. He heard the same conversation I did. He had to have overheard Daphne and Monty talking about my fae characters’ inaccuracies in my book.
“There’s research, then there’s our bet,” I say, keeping my voice as steady as I can. I can’t give him the satisfaction of making me flustered if this is a repeat of what he did on the balcony. “If I can’t get both from the same partner, I’ll be happy with one.”
He lowers his head and blows out a slow sigh. “There are other ways to research. Safer ways. If you’re going to have meaningless sex with someone you don’t even like, then…” He finally lifts his head and meets my eyes again. There’s heat in his gaze, mixed with something that reminds me of the vulnerability he showed me on the balcony. His next words send my pulse skittering. “Use me.”
I blink at him, piecing his words together.
He steps closer, our bodies mere inches apart. “Use me,” he says, his tone firm. Resolute. “Use me like you did in the northwing. You want a fling with a fae lover and a point in our bet? I’ll give you both. A free pass. Just say those two words, Weenie.Free pass.”
He’s so close, his breath mingles with mine. I can taste it, the faint liquor that infuses it, and I find myself leaning closer, wanting more. Would his lips taste the same? If I say those two words,free pass, would my curiosity be sated?
Intellectual curiosity, of course.
That’s all.
I tell myself this, but the fluttering in my stomach says this might be more. This might be…desire.
He speaks again, and I go limp against the wall, more pliant with every word. “Say it. Say it and I’ll give you a point without taking one myself. I give you my word. A fae promise. Position me however you want and I’ll make sure it’s for more than academic study. I’ll let you find out exactly what touch you like best, what position, and then I’ll withhold it from you. I’ll tease you, torment you, until you’re begging me, whimpering and whining like one of your blushing heroines. Just when you can’t take it anymore, I’ll give you what you want. I’ll touch you in every way you like. Then I’ll make you come.”
I bite my lip to stifle the gasp that rises to my throat. My breaths are sharp and short, my knees going limp.
“Use me,” he whispers over my lips, and heavens above, I can’t remember a single reason not to do exactly what he says. Not even the thought that his lips were on someone else’s so recently can cool the sudden fire burning in my core. I can’t stop the irrational certainty that he’d kiss me better. That I’d kisshimbetter than Jolene or anyone else ever could.
The hand beside my waist creeps closer on the wall until it rests against my side. Just the slightest angle of his wrist would allow him to grasp me. I wonder how firm his hand would feelat my waist. Wonder whether it would rove over my hip and bottom first or curve over my breast?—
“William.”
I stiffen at the distant voice. It’s Jolene, and she’s coming from the men’s dormitory farther down the next hall. While the memory of William kissing Jolene only made me crave him more, the thought of her actual presence banishes the illogical ardor I’d been filled with. I straighten and expect William to push off the wall, but he doesn’t. He remains in place as if he has no shame in getting caught by the woman he’s supposed to be wooing. His brow is arched in question, the memory of his last words still dangling between us.
Use me.
How close I was to falling for that. But…but there’s no way he truly meant it. The fact remains that he kissed Jolene. Which means he’s attracted to her. She’s the one he wants to spend the night with.
I put a hand on his chest and force him back. He lets me, despite being strong enough to resist my greatest efforts.
“You’re a really good actor after all,” I say, a tremor in my voice. “But you’re just trying to sabotage me.”
“Is that what I’m doing?”
I launch myself toward my door, desperate to put space between us. I cling to the handle as if it’s a life raft. “Go focus on your own sex life and stay out of mine.”
Jolene calls William’s name again, and this time she comes into view. He glances toward her, and I take the opportunity to rush inside my room.
As soon as I slam the door behind me, I slump against it, throwing my head back with a heavy sigh. Even with the door and several feet between us, I can still feel William’s presence. I can still feel the memory of hands that never quite touchedme. Can still taste the liquor on his breath. I’m hot all over and desperate to remove some layers.
I reach for the clasps at the back of my dress when movement stills my hand. My attention whips to one of the two beds in the room. Archie reclines on one, arms propped behind his head, fully nude and fully aroused.
He winks. “Hey, sweet girl.”
My stomach sinks. I’d forgotten about him.
I give him a tired smile, my gaze sliding to his unimpressive erection. “Oddly enough, this is the second time this has happened today.”
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
WILLIAM
