I’m enjoying watching this game play out far too much.
Desire curls through my veins as I press my palm against his chest. “Maybe the fact that I let you walk me home comes at a price too, Teddy,” I murmur, and his eyes darken.
I don’t have time to blink before his lips press against mine in an instant, my back hitting the wall beside me as I'm left intoxicated by his touch, his lips, and his tongue as it dances with mine. Every brush of my lips against his takes another piece of my soul. I curl my hands into his shirt, tugging him closer as his fingertips find the edge of my skirt, skimming over my thigh.
I'm about to ride this man in public, and I've only ever had sex once.
I don't even care.
It seems the same can't be said for him as he lurches back a moment later, leaving me slumped against the wall as I try to catch my breath.
“You're playing dangerous games, Princess.” His thumb does that sweet thing, dragging across his lips in a way that makes my knees weak.
“What if I want to play?” I breathe, unsure where the sultry hint to my voice is coming from, and he grins.
“Then a little delayed gratification will work wonders on you,” he declares with a wink, eliminating the distance betweenus once again to press his lips against my forehead before quickly moving back.
“Now, go inside.”
“And if I don’t?” I tease, fixated on his every breath.
“Then I don't get to fulfill the promise I made you this morning,” he warns, his words thrumming through my veins as I press my lips together in a thin line.
Fine.
I head for the entrance, glancing over my shoulder before I let the flames take me.
My muscles clench with desire, begging me to throw caution to the wind. It’s overwhelming, but before I can do something crazy, I hurry toward the staircase. Thankfully, I’m alone, but it's eerily quiet, and I don’t like how that makes me feel.
Brushing my hair off my face, I take a few breaths, trying to prevent the tingles of euphoria from making me act any crazier than I already have today. My fingertips press against my lips, recalling his touch.
He's right, I am playing with fire.
Lost in my own world, I reach the second floor, only to stop dead in my tracks when I find three girls filling the hallway outside of my dorm room door.
My blood turns to ice.
I have two options: move toward my room as if they're not there, or make a run for it. Before I can weigh out the pros and cons, my body stiffens against my will and I fly through the air.
My scream is muted in my chest as my back hits the wall beside my door. Francesca stands before me, flanked on either side by Bonnie and Odesa.
Rage burns inside of me as I stare at her accomplices.
One has had the pleasure of breaking the heart of one of my hated mates; the other hasn’t yet realized that her heart has been shattered by another. As they stand before me, I make a silentvow to have a strong word with Baron and Archer when this is done.
I've got my own shit to be dealing with. I don't need theirs too.
The energy is thick with hostility, anger vibrating from Francesca as she slams her hands on either side of my head. My feet hang an inch off the floor as I struggle to breathe, my lungs filled with an earthy, fiery scent, laced with dread that threatens to consume me.
Francesca’s nostril flare. “I don't know who the fuck you think you are, Ivy Hayworth, but you don't get to come in here and take what you want.” The venom on her tongue is sharper than earlier. “Do you think you're special because you're a phoenix? I couldn't give a fuck what you are. I can ruin you no matter what you think you’re capable of. I can move you around this room and slam you against that wall over and over and over again. Please, try me. Watching you die is going to bring me so much joy, simply because I know I'll be able to do it all over again.” She bares her teeth as panic floods my skin with goosebumps.
“You're a cursed monster. We've read about things like you. It will be our pleasure to serve the Fifth Kingdom and ensure you’re of no concern to it,” Bonnie adds from behind her.
My hands grapple with my throat, and the inability to breathe makes it impossible for me to reply, while Odesa remains silent, but the glee in her eyes says more than words ever could.
“Now, what was it I wanted to do earlier?” Francesca murmurs, tapping at her chin as she thinks. “I wanted to see you use those tears of yours to heal someone. Unfortunately, Archer and his little wound aren't here for you right now, so let's find something else, shall we?” she states, before taking a step back, a glint of silver in her hand.
She bolts toward Bonnie, blood trickling from her friend’s arm a moment later.
