I press my fingers to his lips as he comes in for another kiss. “But I do.”
His mouth twists beneath my touch, then he steps back. “Fine. But be warned—I’m gonna have you comingso loudly that the entire dorm will know what I’ve done to you.”
My lungs forget to breathe as blood rushes to my core.
“I…”
I have no words. No response. Just a thundering in my chest as an ache curls between my thighs.
“Is that what you want?” Caeo’s gaze pierces through my uncertainty.
Yes,my body says.Desperately.
My chin dips, then trembles into the smallest of nods.
A mischievous smile races across Caeo’s face, then he interlaces his fingers with mine, pulling me down the steps, across the campus, and toward the dorms.
* * *
My hands shake as I fumble with my key, failing to slide it into the keyhole. Caeo wraps his fingers around mine, warm and steady, and guides it in.
The lock clicks open, and he takes both my hands, gently pulling me inside. Dark shadows blanket our sitting room, lit only by moonlight trickling in through the window.
“You’re nervous,” Caeo says. “You sure you’re ready?”
I swallow as doubts creep up, but I banish them all—except one.
“Alexis said I couldn’t get pregnant on Academy grounds?”
Caeo shuts the door behind me, then steps closer. “As far as I know, that’s true.” He cups my cheek with his hand, his face only a breath away from mine. “If you’re sure… I’ll go slow. Just tell me what you like.”
I nod, my nerves twisting my throat so tight I can’t speak.
But I want this. I feel safe with him. Seen. So I squeeze his hand and lead him into my room.
With a quick incantation, I ignite the candles on my desk, filling the darkness with a warm, gentle glow as Caeo takes me in his arms. My hands come to rest against his chest, and the vines that bind us unravel, crumbling to dust.
The candlelight dances in his stormy eyes, reflecting a hunger so intense it burns into me, sending my heart simmering with anticipation. He brushes his lips against mine, teasing them open with his tongue. I let him in, melting against his heat.
His hands twist against me as he fumbles with his buttons. Our kiss breaks when he shrugs off his jacket, and I pull open his shirt, revealing the toned muscles of his chest, bare save for his corded necklace. I’d seen some of it before, in the clock tower, but now… his pale skin glows in the moonlight pouring through the window, and I want nothing more than to touch every inch of it.
He shivers as I trace my fingers along his firm abdomen. My other hand toys with the necklace; it seems to be an embroidered pouch, sewn shut, with something inside it.Perhaps dried leaves?
“Do you always wear this?”
“Pretty much.” Caeo pulls his shirt the rest of the way off, his muscles rippling with the motion. He brings his hands to the back of my neck, fingers pinching the fabric of my collar.
He raises an eyebrow. “Your turn?”
I take a deep breath, then nod.
Caeo releases the clasp, and the top of my dress tumbles down, cool air kissing my breasts. His gaze drops, fingers tickling my skin, then he scoops them in his hands, brushing my nipples with his thumbs. I gasp as they harden at his touch, a spike of pleasure surging between my legs.
“You like that?” He pinches my nipple between his fingers, then flicks them away with a sharp tug. My knees buckle as a sound I’ve never made before bursts from my lips.
A mischievous grin stretches across his face. “I’ll definitely have you screaming by the end of this.”
Just like that, my body runs out of patience. Carnal desire floods me, drowning whatever inklings of hesitation my mind had left.
