Is that the point? No.
This is.
“You know…I could use a fake boyfriend to the Emerald Lake Ball next week,” I murmur sosoclose to Stark’s face.
“Need me to fend off more horny men, little Valdawell?” An eagerness is sparked in those amber eyes.
“Mmm-hmm. If you’re not careful, I may start needing you more often. Dayandnight.”
Niklaus is still staring. Seething. Smoke pouring from his skin in lethal waves.
“I think I’m up for the job,” he says.
Mabel Rose makes several attempts to get Niklaus’s attention to no avail.
“And what about right now? My boyfriend would have kissed me by now, don’t you think?” Whose voice am I using? It’s…perfect!Low, sultry, full of raspy spice.
Stark blinks before he processes my request. He doesn’t smile. Doesn’t respond. He doesn’t waste this opportunity. Gripping his hands to my waist, he pulls me flush to his chest, lifting his chin so that I get the hint to lean in the rest of the way.
And I do.
My lips tease his at first. A light brushing of my skin to his. But then I let out a soft moan and lick his mouth lightly. That’s enough to undo the stoic composure that he’s known for. Stark takes me by the neck, opening his mouth to meet my tongue with his own. The kiss is hot, wet, and honestly? Delicious.
“Goddamn, little Valdawell,” he groans into my mouth.
Make it hotter.Alcohol swims in my thoughts, taking the reins and leading me to go further. I slide my hand down the tight muscles of his stomach, caressing his belt buckle.
His kiss is bruising before it stops abruptly. My mouth is greeted by a violent gust of air as Stark is ripped from my lips, my hands, even my backside is no longer supported by his lap. I crash to the floor.
“Shit!” An ache shoots up my tailbone. I scramble to get back to my feet in case I’m drunkenly flashing anyone in this dress.
Niklaus has taken Stark to the ground. Foot on his throat. “I. Said.No.”
Internally, fireworks erupt, the sun rises, and I do a little dance.
“Stark?” I place a hand on Niklaus’s shoulder, so I can get a better look at his best friend. “Pick me up at eight for the ball.”
And I make my exit. With one last look at that storm of bewildered, ocean eyes, I send him a message that’s made of hot coals and rusted blades.
What took you eight months, I can do in one night.To fuck my friend. To charm her pants off. To get into her heart.
Rot, Motherfucker.
6. Storm of The Void
I throw my red hoodover my head with a victorious smile.
Flecks of snow sprinkle over my lashes as I stare up at the winter starry night. It’s past midnight, so the Chandelier City is quiet aside from this tavern. A peaceful setting for a walk back to my house in the Red Oaks.
As I move down the cobblestone street, I replay that look on his face over and over again. The confusion. The rage. The—
“Do you even realize how pathetic you look for that?” The Demechnef spawn shows up behind me, crunching through the snow until he’s walking with me.
A slow smile creeps over my red lips. “Was he still hard when you tackled him to the ground?”
A muffled growl escapes his throat.
I smile wider.
