Somewhere in the distance, I hear the slam of a door. I groan, turning over onto my stomach. "Li!" Mason whispers. His voice is faint, like it’s coming from my dreams. "She’s asleep, dude. Let her be," someone else replies. "She’s cute when she sleeps," Ramon says. I recognize his voice right before the sound of a slap on the back of his head. "Who’s got the tequila?" Mason asks, louder this time. He sounds drunk. "It’s in my car. Here," another voice responds, followed by the sound of keys jingling. I feel a hand gently touch my arm. "I’ll take her to bed. Don’t finish the bottle," Jace’s voice murmurs close to my ear. "Bro, she’s still in her wet bikini," Ramon says, making me groan again. I feel myself being turned over and lifted, towel and all. My arms instinctively wrap around someone’s shoulders, my head resting there. "Come on, little bean," Jace whispers softly. Another door slams, and the arms holding me tighten. "Mason!" someone hisses. "Be quiet!" I nuzzle into t
"I think I’m going to throw up," Mason groans for the fourth time this morning. I slow the car, eyeing him carefully. "I don't know how Jace is at work right now. He left at 6 a.m. for some important meeting, looking fresh as a daisy—and he drank more than me," Mason mumbles, leaning his head against the window to cool down. I press the gas again. We are ridiculously late. I heard Jace at 6 this morning too. Heard him in the shower. That’s when I finally turned on my phone and saw about 12 missed calls and a bunch of angry texts from him. The last one came just after I crawled into bed, and the bastard had continued the kink conversation like nothing has happened. -Mr. Grumpy: I have a new one for our list. -Mr. Grumpy: Put food kink on there. "You just can’t handle your alcohol, brother," I tell Mason, trying not to think about Jace’s texts. "Me? You should’ve seen the guys last night. Ramon tried to go up to your room, and Jace tackled him to the floor, put him in a chokehold
"Hey, Nora," someone suddenly says beside me. I turn and find Mitch standing close. "Can I sit here?" he asks, gesturing to Hannah's empty chair next to me. "Uh... sure," I reply, forcing a nervous smile. Mitch settles in, shifting his chair closer to mine. "Did you get my rose?" His eyes drift down my body. "I did, yeah. Thanks." I think about the rose I tossed in the parking lot days earlier. Mitch smiles, his eyes warm. "Do you need any help with Math? I can help you. I'm pretty good at it," he offers. Normally, I would just say no to a guy. He doesn’t attract attention like Connor or Jace, but he’s decent-looking. He’s quiet and mostly keeps to himself. Still, his weekly letters give me the creeps—sometimes they include details like what I had for lunch or what outfit I wore the previous week. There's something creepy about it. "Norali!" I jolt and snap my head forward, meeting Jace's eyes. I notice from the corner of my eyes that Mitch’s hand moves from his table onto mine
It feels like only seconds have passed before all that’s left is the tiny stick in my mouth. In reality, Charlotte’s already explained two pages of homework. Jace knows that I’m not sucking on anything and clears his throat. A signal for me. He’s still seated behind his laptop right in front of me, and I notice his typing has stopped. The funny thing is, I do have another lollipop in my bag. I could lie and say I don’t... but where’s the fun in that? Fun—by which I mean the overwhelming nerves that almost make me gag. Still, I lean down and dig around in my bag, my hand wrapping around another lollipop. I look at it. Cherry flavor. My favorite. Do cherry-flavored condoms exist—NO. Think of other things. Slowly, I remove the wrapper from the lollipop and feel my body getting warmer and warmer. The stick feels pathetic in my mouth, and when I put it in the wrapper and dump it in my bag, I stare at the purple lollipop a second too long. Still no typing from the laptop in front of me
"Happy now?" I ask, still facing the door. "Not yet. Where did you go on Tuesday when you skipped class? What happened?" Jace asks, his tone laced with curiosity. Rolling my eyes, I turn around and cross my arms. "You know, Jace," I say sarcastically, "maybe you should mind your own business." He steps closer. "I don't take well to disrespect," he says, his voice carrying a dangerous warning. "It sounds like you just need to get laid. Maybe find someone willing. Hopefully she can cuddle your rudeness away afterward," I snap back. Jace’s eyes narrow as he moves even closer. "Is that what you want? You want me to fuck someone else tonight? Because that's exactly what I'm going to do," Jace snaps, stalking closer to me. He’s such a hateful son of a bitch. But the worst part is, he has every right to be with someone else. And so do I. "I don’t care. Fuck whoever you want," I grit out. My words only seem to fuel his anger. He takes his last step towards me. "Oh, I think you do care
I try to walk calmly, pushing aside the panic rising inside me. I need to find the one person I trust more than anyone. Not that I could trust him with this. I open the door to the teacher's lounge and see Mason sitting at a desk, engrossed in his laptop. "Mason," I call softly. He looks up, frowning. "Hey, baby sis. Everything okay?" I hear some students behind me and quickly step into the room, closing the door. "Yup. Can we go home?" I ask as I walk further in and notice the stack of papers in front of him. "I could actually use your help. I need to grade these papers. Please?" Mason gives me a pleading look. Grading papers is the last thing I want to do, but his puppy-dog eyes are hard to resist. "What's in it for me?" I ask, tilting my head. "What more could I possibly give you that you haven't already stolen?" Mason teases, giving me a sideways glance. I walk over to him, eyeing the stack of papers. "If I help, you're cooking dinner tonight," I bargain. "Yes, deal. Sold.
-Mr. Grumpy: Standards? You mean Connor? Funny. -Mr. Grumpy: I will have you turned on within 2 minutes when I have you alone next time. You'll be begging for more. My stomach clenches at his words. Why does he say things like that? It’s so unfair.-Norali: Are you having fantasies now? -Mr. Grumpy: About you? -Mr. Grumpy: I’ll tell you if you tell me what happened on Tuesday.I knew he had heard Mason. Nosy man.“Hey, remember we’re visiting Mom tomorrow, right?” Mason asks, pulling me out of my thoughts. I carefully set my phone down on the table. “Yeah,” I whisper, feeling a serious weight settle in.“Come on, you’ve got plenty to tell her,” Mason nudges me, trying to lighten the mood.I smile softly, though the sadness behind it is undeniable. “I’m going to tell her how annoying you’ve been,” I joke back, but we both know there’s more beneath it. Mason’s smile mirrors my own—sad and understanding.“She’d probably tell you off for that,” he says. “Everyone knows the youngest is
"I just love this place. It’s so chic," Charlene gushes, sitting across from me. I glance around. Chic, sure. It’s one of those overpriced spots where rich people waste money on mediocre food that barely gets touched because they're too busy doing lines of coke every half hour. They do have top-notch whiskey, though—that’s the only reason I’m here."Hmm," I mutter in response, watching Charlene down the rest of her wine. She won’t touch whiskey. Says it’s "a man’s drink," not for 'classy' women. Classy women drink only champagne or the most expensive wine—and, of course, no shots.Such a load of fucking bullocks.I grab my phone for the hundredth time tonight and open the chat with Norali.-Jace: Are you okay, though? Still no response. And the little monster had the nerve to call me 'Mr. Grumpy'.She wouldn’t be with someone else, right? She wouldn’t dare. I told her not to, and she’ll listen. She has to."Darling?" Charlene’s voice snaps me back to the present. I cringe internally.
Jace thrusts into me again, and I gasp, trying to relax, but my muscles are too tense. The pressure is overwhelming. “I’m the only one who’ll ever enter your body,” he growls. Suddenly, he bites down just above my breast as he pushes further inside, and the sharp pain from his teeth dulls the ache between my legs. My body trembles as I try to adjust with him inside me. I’m in pain. I’m on fire. He’s dragging me into hell. He’s the devil himself, devouring me with his hands, teeth, and body. He’s marking me as his, forcing me to surrender with every torturous touch. And so I do. I stop fighting and let my body give in. I let my body drown in pain. The pain becomes part of me, and I push against him, craving more friction. When he pulls back and thrusts again, I meet him halfway, falling into a rhythm. I welcome it. I let my body become the devil with him. The pain is part of me, and I own it. My body is being pleased. These are bites of love, not hate. My brain automatically assu
And just like that, Jace closes the distance. His lips crash onto mine. His kiss is a wildfire—blazing, consuming, and leaving no room for air. I gasp into his mouth, but the sound is swallowed by the intensity of his kiss. His hands grip my waist, pulling me flush against him, and I can feel every inch of his taut body pressed to mine. My fingers automatically tangle in his hair, pulling him closer, needing more. His lips are relentless, moving over mine with such hunger, as if he’s been starved for this, for me. I moan softly into his mouth, and he responds with a low growl that vibrates through his chest. The sound alone makes my knees weak, but Jace’s strong arms are already holding me up, his hands roaming down my back, molding me against him. His lips leave mine only to trail fiery kisses along my jaw, down my neck, sending shivers across my skin. "You drive me fucking insane," he mutters against my throat, his breath hot against my sensitive skin. "I’ve wanted this... wanted
Jace releases me as soon as he notices Lina and Charlotte approaching, his expression hardening into a scowl. "Hannah, watch where your clumsy legs are going," he says, his voice stern but not harsh. "Hi, Mr. Adkins!" Lina slurs, clearly drunk. "You having fun?" "Not really," Jace replies flatly. I see Lina tilt her head, confused by his response. Charlotte bounces up beside her, her face dazed and unfocused. "I wouldn't consider this my definition of fun," he adds, a secret smirk to Hannah. "Gosh, maybe another whiskey will loosen you up, Mr. Adkins! Maybe you'll have fun then!" Charlotte suggests, half slurring her words. "You girls should head to bed. It's late," Jace orders, his tone shifting back to the strict teacher mode. "Ooooh, bed! Nora wants to go to bed!" Hannah squeals, suddenly wrapping her arms around me and pulling me toward the crowd. The dance floor has become packed, the air thick with sweat and excitement. Nearby, Ryker is dancing, jaw clenched as if he's chew
"Go wrap your hand around his dick. That should help," Hannah whispers in my ear, her breath warm against my skin as she lets me go. The suggestion shoots through me like lightning. Heat coils low in my stomach, and I have to press my thighs together to contain the growing ache. The thought of touching Jace... My breath hitches. I glance to my side, where I know he’s standing. His eyes are already on me, filled with raw, untamed desire. The intensity of his gaze makes my knees weak, my stomach flipping as if gravity just shifted. It feels like every coherent thought I had dissolves into that one moment. I release Hannah without a word, my body moving on its own accord toward Jace. The crowd blurs around me as I approach the bar. Jace, sensing me, casually dismisses the person he’s talking to. His gaze sharpens, but he doesn't look directly at me. He turns toward an empty spot at the bar, his posture deceptively relaxed as he scans the dancing crowd. I feel his tension, though.
The warmth of her skin against mine is intoxicating. I giggle when Charlotte bounces excitedly on the barstool, eager to order a drink. She pulls me in front of her, pressing her body into mine, and I have to swallow a moan. The contact is electric. This night is going to be interesting. But Mitch is still hovering nearby, too close. I barely have time to react before his cold fingers slide across my back. The icy touch shocks me, and I instinctively flinch away. He doesn’t back off, though. His eyes widen in surprise, mirroring mine, but he holds his position. "Your hands are freezing," I manage, my voice breathy. He chuckles, low and unapologetic. "Sorry," he says, though it feels more like a lie than an apology. A tray of cocktails is suddenly in front of me, and I don’t hesitate. I grab one, any one, desperate for distraction. Before I can take a sip, Hannah wedges herself between Mitch and me, forcing him away. Her glass clinks against mine, and her knowing eyes tell me she sa
The elevator doors open far too quickly, and instead of feeling calmer, I’m a bundle of frayed nerves. I walk to the hotel room assigned to us and can already hear the excited shouts of Lina and Charlotte. Without knocking, I push the door open. Instantly, my mood lifts. Lina’s dancing on her bed in sexy underwear, Charlotte is playing an imaginary air guitar, and Hannah’s busy filling up glasses of alcohol. “Baby!” Lina yells as soon as she spots me. The three of them turn to look at me, and I can’t help but smile widely. “How are you feeling? A little better?” Charlotte asks, eyeing me closely. Behind her, Hannah smirks but wisely turns back to her task. “Good enough for another glass of wine,” I say, shutting the door behind me with a bang. The girls cheer in response. The room is small, just enough space for two double beds and a tiny bathroom. Our stuff is scattered everywhere, leaving little room to walk, but it feels cozy—exactly what I need after being in a too-large s
He waits for me to respond, but I don’t have an answer. So I stay silent. The pasta looked rancid, and all I wanted was some wine. Mr. Control freak. “What’s wrong with you?” he snaps, his voice sharp. I stand up too quickly, spilling some water onto the carpet. Jace has the decency to step back slightly, but his intimidating gaze remains unchanged. “I can’t stay long—people will notice I’m gone,” I say, my annoyance rising. Jace takes a slow sip of his drink, his calculating gaze never leaving me. It softens briefly when he looks down at me, but I try to ignore it for my own sanity and take a sip of the cold water. “Can you just finish your water, please?” His tone is firm, but the "please" is enough for me to down the entire glass in one go. The cold liquid jolts me awake, dulling some of the alcohol's buzz. He takes the empty glass from me, setting it on the nightstand. Some of his anger seems to fade. “I’m dying to know what you chose,” he says with a hint of desperation, and
I manage to keep my hands somewhat hidden, but they sting. Tiny cuts crisscross my skin, and all I want is for the attention to shift away from me. “How was your afternoon? Can you ski?” I ask, turning toward Mitch, desperate to deflect. It's the first real conversation we’ve ever had, and my discomfort is almost unbearable. I force a smile, trying to mask my unease. He instantly smiles back, a little too easily. “Yeah, I go to the Alps every year. My parents own a house there.” “So, a true professional then,” I laugh lightly, but it sounds hollow even to me. “Not as good as Connor!” Brent shouts from his seat beside Ryker, his voice cutting through the chatter. Connor grins, pointing his knife at Mitch. “Yeah, I could race you too.” He lifts his brow, challenging. The table erupts in laughter, Mitch included, and I realize this is the first time he’s really joined in with the group. “You’ll have to beat Mr. Adkins first," Mitch says smoothly, “then I’ll race the winner.” An imm
The chaos of the situation swells around me as Jace cuts through the crowd, his voice commanding and sharp, sending students scattering out of our way. His arms remain firm around me, his skis gliding effortlessly across the icy ground. Despite the surge of pain and embarrassment swelling within me, I can’t help but notice how focused he is on getting me to the doctor. "Norali!" Lina calls out from the edge of the group, wine glass in hand. "Are you okay?" I glance at her and give a weak nod, relieved I don’t have to explain much. Brian and Michael swoop in, eager to recount the drama, and everyone’s attention shifts to them. Jace takes the opportunity to pull me away, steering me toward the entrance. By the door, Jace sets me down briefly, his hand still gripping my arm as he removes his skis and boots. Connor and Adam appear, their expressions tense with concern. "I fell," I say quickly, cutting off any questions. "I need to see the doctor." "What hap—" Before Connor can finish