Cherry flavor. The lollipop Jace gave me is cherry-flavored. If anyone in class had turned around, they would have seen Jace tracing his fingers along my neck. We would’ve been caught, and that would’ve been it—game over. Stupid. So stupid. This game we’re playing is far too dangerous. My hair is still over my shoulder, and I leave it there, trying to concentrate on the numbers in front of me. But Hannah keeps snorting beside me. "Stop," I whisper, nudging her elbow. She shoots me a knowing look. "Me, stop? Our teacher just gave you a lollipop, and here you are, sucking on it right in front of him. And he's staring at you, not even trying to hide it," she whispers back, eyes glinting. "Want a taste?" I say, ignoring the rest of her comments. He’s still staring at me. Hannah grins devilishly and nods. I slowly pull the lollipop from my mouth and slide it into hers. I hold the stick while she swirls her tongue around it. “He even knows your favorite flavor,” she murmurs with t
The time drags on endlessly. I keep checking my phone, waiting for something—any message, warning, order, or demand—but nothing comes. I even change into leggings and a loose shirt, just in case he storms through the door. The silence is more unnerving than any message he could have sent. To distract myself, I crank up the music and sit on the floor downstairs with my laptop on the coffee table. My phone vibrates, and I glance at it, hoping it’s Jace. Instead, it’s a text from my father. My shoulders sag in disappointment. -Dad: We still up for dinner on Friday? Right. Dinner with Dad. I totally forgot. I’ll need to make an excuse to Mason. -Nora: Yes! I have school till 3, so I'll meet you after? -Dad: Sounds good, sweetheart. Can't wait to see you. I miss my father. I miss his face and the way he used to pinch my cheeks. Dinner with him would be nice. But he lives two hours away, so I’ll have to figure out how to fix the car. Or maybe... I could take the Aston Martin? Yeah,
He looks a little shocked and taken aback, but I feel a surge of confidence. If he wants to see my bra, he’s going to have to beg for it. Would he actually beg for this? He never says please, and I get the feeling he’s never begged anyone before. I hold his gaze, letting him process the challenge. Though he gives nothing away, when his eyes drop to my shirt, a smirk starts forming on his face. "You want me to beg you to get undressed?" he clarifies, raising an eyebrow. "Yes. And beg properly. Otherwise, you’ll never find out what my favorite color is," I say with an arrogant nod. He studies me, amusement glimmering in his eyes. "You really are something else, my sweet Norali," he whispers. I can feel his resolve in his gaze. Time seems to slow as his head moves closer, and I feel his lips graze my ear. He wraps his arm around me, his hand resting flat on my lower back, while the other, which was on my chin, slides to the back of my neck, holding me securely. "Consider this a one-
He’s right in my face, but I refuse to step back. “I’m going, Mason. I’m an adult and can make my own choices,” I say firmly, snatching his hand and forcing it down. That sets him off. Mason’s anger morphs into raw rage. I see him shaking, his fury palpable. “I said NO, LI!” he roars, stepping closer and hitting the fridge behind me with a force that makes me flinch. “Mason,” Jace snaps, appearing in the kitchen and glaring at Mason. Mason whirls around to face him before turning his gaze back to me. “If you’re that adamant about going, don’t go alone. Go with Jace,” Mason insists, his tone a bit calmer but still intense. “What? No! I don’t need a babysitter,” I snap back. Sometimes, Mason treats me like I’m five years old. “You will only go with Jace,” Mason says firmly, his mind made up. “I’m going alone,” I retort, just as resolute. Mason’s rage flares up again. His hand again slams against the fridge, and I'm half a second away of fearing him a little bit. Jace steps in, g
I haven't slept well. Mason cooked an amazing soup after seeing the work on my laptop, and he even got dessert from our favorite place. But all I thought about was Jace. It’s suffocating. He’s everywhere. And now he’s even going to meet my father tomorrow. As I sip my coffee on the grass outside, he drives into the parking lot in his black Porsche. The windows are too tinted for me to see him, but I still want to see him. I want to see his face when I confront him about Antonio. And Carter. And Dylan. What if he ends up beating up my father? Mason would be thrilled. "I think Ryker had sex with someone else," Hannah snaps me out of my daydream. "What?!" Lina jumps up from her spot against the tree, her eyes wide. Charlotte follows suit, looking at Hannah in shock. "He asked me to be his girlfriend three days ago..." Hannah says, her eyes on the grass beneath her. "I said I needed some time. You know, we have fun and all... But getting into a relationship is a big step." Hannah sig
I turn around and meet Jace's stare, which is full of interest. Suddenly feeling a bit shy, I quickly look away and walk past him without saying anything. He turns around with us and starts walking next to me and Hannah. My book is clutched to my chest, providing me with a false sense of safety. Jace has slept around a lot, and I'm a virgin. How in the world would we ever match? He would probably see me as dumb, inadequate, slow—just not good enough. Where are these insecurities coming from? What's going on with me? "Miss Raven. A word," Jace says in his teacher's voice, making me close my eyes in defeat. The last thing I want right now is to talk to him. I would probably stumble over my words and feet and embarrass myself further. “I have class,” I respond, continuing to walk, making Hannah glance at me from the side. Lina and Charlotte keep heading to our class. Suddenly, Jace grabs my arm. I almost flinch. “Class can wait. Hannah, can you tell whatever teacher you have that Nora
The first thing I notice when I get home is a pile of boxes in the hallway. “Hey, baby sis. These all came for you,” Mason calls from the living room, opening the door to the hallway. “For me?” I ask, frowning. Mason frowns back at me. “Yes. You didn’t order anything?” He reaches for one of the boxes. "No! Don't!" I swat his hand away quickly and pull the box away from underneath his hands before he can think of opening it. "I want to know what's inside," Mason protests, bending down again. "They're mine! I suddenly remembered I ordered underwear when I was drunk!" I manage to lie. Mason jumps back. “Ew, Li!” he shouts, backing away quickly. “Oh, shut it. You see my underwear in the washing machine,” I retort, grabbing the first box and stacking it on top of another. “Not by choice.” He scans the boxes again before retreating into the living room. I quickly dash back and forth, carrying two boxes at a time. I have a feeling I know who sent these. They’re addressed to me but lack
My night was terrible. All I could think about Jace beating up my dad or the other way around. This situation has only a few outcomes, and each one is worse than the last. My head itches, and the high ponytail feels like a beacon as I wait for Jace to arrive for class. He’s late. And he’s never late. Before I can worry about whether he might have ditched me, I feel his eyes on me. I turn my head and find him watching me intently. His gaze first lands on my hair, and I think I see a flicker of a smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. But maybe I’m imagining it. His eyes drop to mine, darkening as they meet my gaze. Grace is next to him, talking animatedly about something, but he seems to be completely focused on me. The awareness of being alone with him today makes me reconsider. Maybe I should cancel my meeting with Dad and not mention it to Jace. Maybe I should just... Fuck him after class. "And the instructor asked for my number! Can you believe that?!" Grace says as they app
"And you call me a dirty slut?" I laugh loudly. Hannah grins but then looks worried. "I haven't seen Ryker yet... I don’t really know how he feels about it. Thank God you also wanted to skip breakfast because I couldn't deal with it that early." "But how did they... calm you down, exactly?" I ask, curiosity bubbling up. Gods. This ski trip just keeps getting crazier. "Well," Hannah begins, thinking back on last night, "Michael went down on me while Ryker was kissing me. And then... uhm..." Her cheeks turn pink again, and I nearly slap her in excitement. "Tell me!" I almost shout. "I gave Michael a blowjob while Ryker was... you know, fucking me," she whispers. "And then they both... well, pleased me. I think I came four times." My jaw drops even further, leaving me completely speechless. "I don't know what to say," I admit, honestly at a loss for words. "It was intense," she recalls with a satisfied sigh. "I bet it was," I snort. "Look at you, getting all this life experience
And nobody can ever know. Except for Hannah, of course. I can’t wait to tell her. I walk a bit like Bambi, my sore body protesting with each step, but I manage to make it down the hallway. A smile tugs at my lips, knowing exactly how Hannah is going to react. Suddenly Mitch is in my face. My smile dies instantly as his piercing blue eyes meet mine. He’s way too close, and before I can react, he grabs my arm with one hand and cups my cheek with the other. "What are you doing here, Nora? All alone?" His voice slithers through the air. "Just going for a walk," I lie, trying to hide my shock. Mitch knows I’m drunk. He sees my dilated pupils, senses my lack of control over my own body and mind. Without warning, he pulls me roughly, dragging me toward him like I weigh nothing. My body aches too much to fight back, and I wince as I collide with his chest. "You’re drunk," I manage to say, my voice shaky. He forces me to look up at him, his gaze lingering on my lips. His face inches clo
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