That made me pause.
Dad would be furious, and Ironwood would be soulless.
I turned back to the mirror, grabbing a scrunchie before tossing my hair up on my head and tying it up. “Okay, good point. Ironwood’s a problem. I’ll stay away from him.” I shrugged like it wasn’t a big deal because, in the grand scheme of everything else, he wasn’t. “He’s only a professor.”
“A sleazy professor,” Dex muttered, twirling a piece of his white-blond hair.
I sighed. “We can agree with that.”
“One that you have for a class,” Hunter grumbled.
“That’s true.” I frowned.
Nebula took pity on me and interrupted. “We’re going to be late if we take any longer.”
“He’s right. You and Skel stay safe, but I want to at leasttalkabout murdering the sleazy asshole, okay?” Hunter wasn’t ready to let this go, but at least the reminder of dinner redirected the energy in the room.
“That’s fair,” I mumbled my agreement.
“Good.” A flicker of relief went through our bond as he walked over to me and kissed my neck. “You look stunning, starlight.”
“Fuck yeah she does,” Dex practically moaned as he tilted his head back.
“You look gorgeous,” Reed murmured from his spot next to Gumdrop’s tank.
“Truly,” Bram agreed.
“I think so, too.” Skel got to his feet and strolled over to me. “Thanks for coming with me tonight.”
“I’m going too,” Nebula commented.
Dex stood up, brushing off his pants as he stared over at Nebula. “You’re going with her to Skel’s?”
“Yes.” He offered nothing more than that.
Nebula had been very adamant about not being away from me with Sybil out there, and I understood his anxiety for it.
“We’ll see you guys later,” I promised Bram, Hunter, and Reed after putting Nebula in my bag.
Dex slipped his hand around my wrist and shadow-traveled Skel, Nebula, and me to Skel’s family home.
We landed smoothly in the entryway, where a familiar excited squeal greeted us. “You made it!”
Kat practically threw herself at me, wrapping me in a hug so tight that I nearly lost my breath.
Before I could respond, she pulled back and Dex ruffled her hair in that brotherly way that I’d read was annoying to sisters. Honestly, it was sweet that Skel and Dex were so close that Dex considered Skel’s sister his. “Good to see you, little sister Kat.”
“You too.” She pouted at him but didn’t protest.
Then, without warning, Dex’s hand found my throat. I barely had time to gasp before his lips crashed against mine. It wasn’t gentle. It was possessive, demanding, and it sent desire pouring through me.
If we hadn’t been around Skel’s family, I would’ve caved and begged him to take me against the wall.
By the time he pulled back, my knees felt weak, and my lips tingled. “Dex...”
“Have fun, trouble.” He smirked, as if pleased with himself, then turned and disappeared into the shadows.
I blinked, still dazed.
