I shake my head and draw my eyes away from Oak, listening as Adrianna rattles on about why she won't be attending the winter formal with anyone. She comes across as a girl who likes to shun society's expectations.Oak can't be jealous, as he can't take me to the dance. It's not like I've agreed to sleep with him, attend a dance with him. It's been a week since we had sex in his cottage, a week since he took my innocence. Ever since, he's kept his distance from me, which hurts. All he does is stare at me hungrily from afar."I can't believe it's less than two weeks until winter break," Azira says, shaking her head. "This semester has flown by.""Right. What will I do without you three?" Natalya asks."Do we have to go home for the winter break?" it's crazy that I didn't even want to attend this school at first, but now the prospect of returning to my parents for two weeks makes me sick to my stomach. I can't think of anything worse than going home for winter break.All three girls look
Eva."I came here because I have a serious question to ask you.""Is that right?" He asks, gently hitching the hem of my skirt until he can see my buck naked ass. "And do you often wear no panties when you want to ask serious questions?""Oak, please," I say, knowing that if I don't stop him now, I'll forget why the fuck I was here.He lets go and takes a step away, allowing me to turn to face him as he pushes a hand through his thick, dark hair. "What is it, Eva?"I bite the inside of my cheek. "Is it permitted for pupils to remain at the school during the winter break?"His brow furrows. "Not usually, no."My shoulders dip at his answer."Why do you ask?"I sigh heavily. "I don't want to go home."The corner of his lip twitches upward in an almost smile. "If I remember rightly, you didn't want to be left here six weeks ago." His head tilts. "What changed?"I roll my eyes at him. "If you're expecting me to say it's because of you, then you will be disappointed." I fold my arms over m
I'm not a skilled cook, but people have often complimented me on my lasagne, so that's what I've made for Eva, as well as a large helping of cheesy garlic bread.It's crazy that I'm nervous.This is the first time I'll be spending time with Eva, outside of a classroom setting or fucking her, even if that's where I want this night to end. I need to learn more about her, learn if she could want to ruin her parents as badly as I do.It's quite clear that I can't keep my hands to myself when it comes to her. Instead of fighting it, it's about time I found out if we could become partners in crime and complete my quest for revenge with her by my side.The only issue is that it means I need to reveal my true intent for her. Before I knew Eva, I had every intention of destroying her, along with her family. It's not a subject I wish to broach tonight, but over the two-week break with her, I'll have to come clean.I glance at the clock, noticing that it's a quarter past eight. My jaw clenches.
I swallow hard, a lump in my throat forming. Eva is right, and yet I do exactly the opposite. No doubt, word about Henley's murder has spread through the school. This is the behavior I facilitate. "I'm sure that's true, but I wouldn't know." I stand and walk toward the kitchen, grabbing the bottle of scotch and pouring another large glass. "Unfortunately, my job is anything but rewarding."Eva tilts her head, watching me. "I don't know if that's true. You give these people a place to belong and teach them discipline, even if they go out into the world and do bad things. That's not your fault.""Isn't it?" I ask, my voice harsher than I intended.Eva doesn't cower, though. Instead, she shakes her head. "No, someone has to teach them. Perhaps the students that pass through here won't be as brutal as the ones who didn't."I raise a brow. "Have you not heard what happened to Henley Anderson today?"Her brow furrows, and she shakes her head. "I don't even know who that is.""This morning,
"What are you thinking?" Eva asks, watching me as she spoons her last piece of pie into her mouth.I raise a brow. "That I can't wait to get you in my bed," I lie.Her hazel eyes flash with a heat that makes my cock hard as I adjust myself beneath the table. "Is that right, sir?" She lets her spoon drop to the bowl and stands, walking over to my side of the table. Gently, she places her hands on my shoulders and works the knots in them. "I can't wait either," she murmurs.I growl and grab her hand, yanking her onto my lap.Eva gasps as I position her with her back to me, allowing her to feel the heavy press of my cock between us. "Oak," she moans, arching her back."Perhaps I'll fuck you right here, in this position," I murmur, letting my tongue dart out over the shell of her ear. "Perhaps I'll fuck you in every place in my cottage except the bed."Eva shudders, her head falling back against my throat."Would you like that?"Eva arches her back in response. "Very much, sir."I pull th
I wake the next morning and jerk upright when I see the light streaming through the drapes. "Shit."Oak sits up, rubbing his eyes. "What is it?""I slept over, and it's..." I glance at the clock on the nightstand, jumping out of bed. "It's eight-thirty." I grab my clothes strewn across the bedroom floor, quickly dressing. "Natalya, Azira, and Adrianna are going to wonder where they fuck I've been."Oak watches me, looking unbelievably calm as I get dressed. "You're adorable when you panic." He waves his hand dismissively. "Tell them you're sick. Text them now." Oak sits on the edge of the bed, running a hand through his messy hair. "I'll make us pancakes, and then you can ride my cock like a good girl." He shrugs. "After all, I have a free period this morning."My stomach flutters at the mere mention of having sex with him again. This can't carry on. In the end, someone will catch us out. "Well, I don't have a free period."He smirks. "I'll confirm that I've signed you off for one-on-
Five days later, I'm getting ready for the winter formal. It's been so damn hard to keep my distance from Oak, only sharing stolen glances in class and not speaking to him. The sexting we do every night has kept my spirit up.My stomach flips as I hear my phone go off and rush to check it.Oak: You better be a good girl tonight. If I see Dimitry even try to touch you inappropriately, he will lose his fucking hand.I swallow hard and type my reply.I'm always a good girl. I can't be held responsible for that boy's actions. Just know I have no interest in being inappropriately touched by anyone but you.I throw my phone down, knowing that Dimitry is likely to make a pass at me tonight. He's been flirty since the day I met him. He wouldn't keep his hands off me at the bar on the night Oak stole me away and fucked me for the first time.My phone dings again, and I grab it.Good. Send me a photo of you in your dress.I type my response.What do I get in return?He fires back a one-word rep
I clench my fists by my side, watching as Dimitry's hand tightens around Eva's hip, pulling her closer to him. They've been dancing for a fucking hour nonstop, and I'm almost ready to deck him in front of everyone.Eva's trying to wind me up, as she hasn't looked at me once. I saw her try to get out of dancing about twenty minutes ago, but that rat Dimitry won't let her out of his clutches.She's insane if she thought I'd be okay watching him all over her like this. I'm a fucking loose cannon, ready to explode at any moment.Archer claps a hand on my shoulder. "You look tense, Oak. What's up?" He squeezes my shoulder. "You feel tense too. Perhaps I should introduce you to my masseuse."I narrow my eyes at him and nod toward Eva and Dimitry. "That's what is up," I growl.He smirks at me. "Jealous, aye?"Arch knows how to wind me up like no one else. "Careful, I'm on the edge of doing something I'll regret, and you taunting me will not help."Archer laughs. "Chill. It's not like he has
Archer holds my hand as we pad barefoot through the sand, the sun just setting beyond the horizon and casting a warm, orange glow over the beach.Natalya's wedding was beautiful. And even though I still can't believe she's married the man that tormented her for years, I'm happy that she is happy."It's beautiful, isn't it?" I ask, stopping to watch as the sun dips slowly lower.Archer smiles at me. "Shall we sit down and watch?"I nod in response. "Sounds good." I sit down in the sand and he sits behind me, placing his legs on either side of my thighs and his arms around my waist. "This is nice," he murmurs into my ear.I lean back into him. "It is.""Did you enjoy the wedding?" He asks."It was beautiful, even though I still can't quite believe that Nat ended up with Elias after he was such a bully."Archer moves my hair to the side and skims his lips over the back of my neck. "Is it any different to you being with me after I blackmailed you?"I stiffen at the reminder. "Not sure it'
Motherfucker.I search the closet for something to pick the bedroom lock with. If Archer is facing my father and his goons, then I need to be by his side.Another shot echoes through the air, making me tense. I work even harder to focus on the lock, knowing I need to get out of this room. Finally, the lock clicks and I'm thankful I took the class on safe breaking two years ago when it was being taught.Quickly, I run out of the room and down the corridor, hardly thinking about what I'm doing.My heart skips a beat when I see my father and Archer standing outside of the window, each pointing a gun at one another. "No." I rush out of the cabin without a second thought. "Stop!""Adrianna," my father growls, pointing the gun at me. "What the fuck are you doing?"I freeze at the other end of his gun, knowing that he would without a doubt shoot me dead. "I'm not coming home to Mexico," I say.He growls. "Like hell you aren't.""I don't want to be married off to some mobster.""No, you want
I pull my jeep off the main road in the middle of nowhere, driving down an unmarked track. It may be secluded, but I know the path to this place like the back of my hand. After all, I spent just under two years living up here in my cabin.I notice Adrianna shudder."Are you cold?" I ask.She shakes her head. "No, this place just gives me the creeps.""The creeps?" I never thought of it as creepy."Yeah, like maybe you are actually a serial killer and this was your elaborate plan all along."I laugh, shaking my head. "You have a wild imagination." The woods open up to a clearing where my cabin is, and it's not just any old cabin. It's modern and sophisticated."Wow, do you own this place?" Adrianna asks.I nod. "I bought it when I needed to remain low while my family was looking for me." It was a difficult time in my life. One fraught with loneliness and a little too much alcohol, but this place saved me. "It's actually how I met Oak. He owns a cabin near to here and we met while we we
I approach Adrianna, who is standing with all her friends. My nerves are fried, mainly because I'm practically kidnapping the princess of the Vasquez Cartel. Thankfully, I saw Damien Vasquez leave ten minutes ago in his armored SUV. I'm pretty sure he hardly even said a word to Adrianna after the ceremony.I clear my throat. "Adrianna, can I have a word?""Stil not giving up?" Natalya teases.It's clear no one knows about us among her friends, except for Azira, and that was my fault.She meets my gaze and nods. I can tell from the look on her face that she's just as nervous as me. "Sure."I nod toward the exit of the hall and she follows me out of it."What's up?" she asks, as I lead her into an empty classroom and shut the door."I just wanted to double check you are all set for the plan?"She nods. "Of course. I'm packed, only essentials and no tech.""Good. And your father has gone. I watched him leave."She purses her lips. "I don't even know why he bothered to come. He didn't say
My father is standing at my door half an hour before the ceremony."Hey, Adrianna." He looks at my outfit. "You look well."I swallow hard. "Thanks for coming." I glance down the corridor. "Where is mom?"He shakes his head. "Your mother couldn't make it."It hurts a bit, I must admit. Out of the two of them, I'd expect my mom to be here over my father. She may not have ever been emotionally supportive, but she's always been a little less cold than him."Oh, is she busy?""No, but I don't enjoy traveling with your mother. You know that."I clench my jaw. "I know that." He doesn't like to travel with her because he likes to pay hookers whenever he stays away from home. The man disgusts me, but my mother isn't much better. Their marriage is a sham, and it has been all my life. Exactly what I want to avoid by escaping, as that was my future. My mom was married by arrangement to my father, hence the toxic relationship between them."Shall we get going then?" I say.He nods. "Lead the way.
Adrenaline has been racing through my veins since I woke this morning.It's sickening, but today is the day. Graduation is this afternoon and then all my friends and I will go out to celebrate. My father agreed to my plan and told me he'd booked into a hotel twenty miles away in the nearest city, as he's above the little inn in town and the motel near here. It actually makes the plan easier, as he won't be nearby when I make a run for it.However, after the celebrations are through, Archer and I will disappear. Our friends will know that we've left for good, but not where we are going. No one knows that, not even I do. I've let Archer figure the entire thing out and where I'm going to go.It's been hard trusting him in this way, as I've always relied on myself alone. He can't disappear with me, though. He has a life here at the academy, and so he's going to set me up with my new life and then leave. That's the part I've been trying to avoid thinking about entirely.I'm not sure how I'
I walk up to the door of Archer's apartment, my heart thumping at a hundred miles an hour.Am I crazy for being here?Perhaps. I knock on the door and wait a few moments and then I hear the thud of footsteps descending the stairs. Archer opens it and smiles at me with a smile that could stop most women's hearts. "You are here."I smile back at him. "I didn't get murdered.""I'm glad," he says, stepping aside to allow me in.I pause for a moment, knowing that now I'm coming to him of my free will rather than because he's blackmailing me. I'm not sure how to feel about that. It changes everything.His brow furrows. "Are you going to stay there or come in?"I purse my lips. "Still trying to decide."He laughs and grabs my hand, yanking me into the apartment and against him. "Don't be an idiot.""I'm normally the one saying that to you."He leads me up into his apartment, where he has a table set with candles alight. "I was prepared since I hadn't heard of any murders on campus." There is
My plan to get my revenge on Archer is backfiring.Why the hell do I feel so excited whenever I see him?And when he touched me earlier by the stream, he was trying to comfort me, but his touch ignited butterflies fluttering in my stomach and made my head spin. He keeps talking about feelings and how he wants us to continue after I graduate, which is insane.I can't work out if he's only saying it because I've never admitted I want him. All the while, I've made sure I keep detached and cold, even when he talks about his feelings.As I walk into the academy, I'm ambushed by my father. "Where have you been?"I cross my arms over my chest. "I went for a walk. Is that a crime?"He sighs heavily. "I'm here to take you back home."My brow furrows. "But what about the academy?" I ask, wondering why he didn't come to get me during spring break, especially as he said he had a meeting set out for me the week before.He yanks my wrist and drags me into an empty classroom, slamming the door behin
I sense Adrianna isn't used to relying on anyone for anything."Seriously, Adrianna. Let me help." I need to help her as I need to know her plan. She's so pigheaded. It wouldn't surprise me if she disappeared forever and I couldn't find her. It's the only way to ensure I keep tabs on her."Fine, you can help."I smile, relief coursing through my veins. "Good, as I have quite a few ideas.""Such as?"I pat my lap for her to come and sit on it.Her eyes narrow, but she sits anyway."Your father is coming to graduation, and that's a complication, but not the be all and end all. I mean, you dictated to your father before, so do it again.""What do you mean?""Tell him that you are going to celebrate with your friends. They're all going to be celebrating, right?"She nods. "Yeah.""Then tell him to book a motel and you'll leave with him the next morning."A crease forms in between her brows. "I'm uncertain it will work, but I can ring him beforehand. It's an option, I guess.""Well, tell m