Not like the men were beating down my door to seduce me, and even if they did, I knew it wouldn’t last once I told them I was a virgin.
If I learned anything from high school, it was men didn’t want a girl my size with my quirks and rumors, and they certainly didn’t want a virgin.
I shoved all the thoughts threatening to rise up and ruin this moment, the one where I might actually make a friend, in the depths of my psyche once more.
Not today, Satan.
“Thank you. It’s, uh... nice to meet you, Norman. My name’s Violet. Violet McCreanor,” I said as I moved to grab the bag gingerly from his grip. My fingertips graced the slippery suckers. It didn’t feel slimy or weird like I would have thought, instead it just felt like the raised plastic of bubblewrap.
Norman smiled haughtily, one of his tentacles sliding up into the back of Bane’s hair, ruffling the edges.
Bane sneered at the man with disdain.
“Fuck off, Norman,” he nipped.
“The pleasure is all mine,” Norman said as one of his tentacles simply picked up my hand and drew it to his lips while the other slid around Bane’s shoulders.
Bane made to push him off, letting out a throaty growl as he turned to shoot a look I could only describe asfieryat this tentacle-clad man behind us.
What the hell?
I must have been gaping, because the man chuckled as he pushed the bag into my hand, letting his suckers trail over the back of my hand. I couldn’t help but giggle at the sensation. It tickled!
“Keep your slimy suckers away from her,” Bane grit out.
“Mr. Locke and Mr. Chee, is there something you wish to add to my lecture?” Professor O’Connor said as he pulled all of our attention away. I set the tiny velvet bag of runes on the desk in front of me, avoiding the gaze of both the man and the tentacle-creature behind me. I pressed my legs together if only out of stress and a need to keep myself together.
What the hell was wrong with me?
Why did I feel so damn wet all of a sudden?
Surely I wasn’tthiseasy?
Was I?
The heat had started to rise, and I could feel the beginnings of sweat forming underneath my breasts. The tight press of my thighs did not nothing to quell my embarrassingly sudden, most certainly not welcome arousal.
Sweet lord, take me now...
I let out a sigh as I made to shield my face from my professor, shifting in my seat away from Bane and Norman, toward the wall. The desire to curl up into a ball and disappear was prevalent.
“No, no, I was just helping out our new first year, of course,” Norman said, his voice saccharine and smooth, like his tentacles.
Just for added effect, I felt one of his suckers grace my ankle, eliciting another giggle from me. I clamped my hand over my mouth, highly aware thateveryoneincluding Susanne and her minions were watching us.
Watchingme.
Bane shifted his chair closer, shifting his position as his fingers moved of their own accord. I felt the wind again, only this time, there was no heat, but in its place an icy chill that, in contrast to my insides, made the hair on my arms stand with goosebumps. The tentacle around my ankle skittered away, leaving little trails of secretion along the spots where it touched me.
Gross.
“I see. Mr. Locke, any other last words?”
Bane’s shoulders tightened as he sat up straighter, the wind around me rustling my pleats once more. His shoulders were tight and he held Professor O’Connor’s gaze easily.
When he spoke, his voice was commanding and direct.
“By all means, Professor.” He motioned for us all to get on with it.
