“I’m just… hungry,” I squeaked. “Yeah, um, can we go to the cafeteria?”
His scent, the earthy, iron-tinged aroma of burning wood and embers, washed over me in waves as he leaned close.
It was sending slick to build in my core, and I couldn’t even squeeze my thighs together to hide it.
“I’m hungry, too,” he said.
Relief had me bouncing to my feet. “So… a snack, then?”
I didn’t get to stay standing long.
He caught the waistband of my sweatpants in his hands and yanked them down, then pushed me back down to the thin mattress as I gasped.
Cool air washed over my sensitive core and I snapped my legs together to hide the evidence of my arousal on my thin panties.
It had been only minutes ago that I’d been hot and bothered thinking about being with them, but I didn’t know what he was doing. I thought he was supposed to be… on top or something?
Vandle chuckled, reaching out to grab my chin and tilt it so I was forced to look at him. “I wasn’t talking about a snack from the cafeteria.”
My thighs rubbed together on their own, trying to soothe the ache. The more he touched me, the more I needed something more than just escape from this pheromone filled room.
“What, um… other kind of snacks are there?” I whispered.
My cheeks were on fire.
His other hand went down to tease at the apex of my thighs. My legs parted at the tingles of pleasure, and he slid his hand down further to cup that sensitive part of me.
“You, princess.”
A shiver ran through me.
“Do you trust me?”
I almost said yes without thinking for a single second. My mouth opened and I let out a single syllable of sound before I stopped myself.
Think, Crescent.
He deserved a real answer and not one driven by instinct alone. I wasn’t sure exactly what he was proposing—but did I trust him to do what I needed? To make this anxious energy fade away so I could relax again?
“I trust you,” I said after my pause.
“Good girl,” he growled.
“I’m just… worried I won’t know what to do.”
His fingers slid under the fabric of my panties as his beautiful, mismatched eyes held mine. “Lift your hips.”
It was a wash of relief when he used a dark bond command—I couldn’t mess this up anymore. I lifted them instantly, tucking my hands into the sleeves of my sweater awkwardly. He didn’t try to get me to take it off, and I was glad. It was a comfort to be able to hide just a little bit when his hot breath hit my slickness.
Vandle inhaled deeply, exhaling on a laboured groan. “You’re all mine, Crescent, and thank fuck for that.”
“Don’t swear.” I bit my lip after I said it, cheeks heating.
He chuckled. “Your wish is my command, Princess.”
It didn’t matter, really. But I wasn’t used to the foul language they all seemed to use. Every time they did, I was reminded of how furious the Ascendants were when people broke the swearing rule. I could almost feel the sting of the cane on my hands from the one time I had. I didn’t want to think of that place, though. Not anymore, not with him.
I was right to say I trusted him, though. He was my mate.