One wrong step, p.10
One Wrong Step, page 10
“Don’t say I didn’t warn you.”
Glancing back, she was gone, but I steeled my nerves, anyway. I technically received an invitation, and damn it, I wanted a drink.
Pressing myself up against the bar, I caught the bartender’s eye – or my breasts did – and I ordered a shot of whatever his hand touched first. Sucking down the bright red liquid, I shivered at the bitter taste and ordered two more. His green, hazel-streaked eyes watched me amused, the corners of his lips lifting as I pulled another face.
“First day that bad?” He asked over the thumping music as he took my shot glass, replacing it with a taller one that swirled with golden liquid. Lifting it to my lips, I looked him over. Dark hair swept back from a tanned complexion, and I noticed a small scar on his temple, while rough stubble coated his jaw. Tall and broad, his muscles flexed under his dark shirt. He looked older than the surrounding students.
“Something like that.” Inclining my head, I enjoyed the sudden buzz from downing the drink. “How much do I owe?”
His eyes skimmed me again, and warmth pooled between my thighs. “I don’t think you can fit a coin under that dress, so I’m going to assume you have nothing to pay with.”
Running my hand over my hips, I had to agree and gave him a sheepish smile. “Should have probably mentioned that.”
“Nah,” He grinned, waving a polishing cloth at the bouncing crowd. “No one here pays. Just give me your name and I’ll put it against your school account.”
I almost gave it too when a thought suddenly gave me pause. “Won’t that then tell the school exactly what I’ve drunk and how much?”
Leaning against the bar, the guy smiled, his eyes now trained on my face. “You know, I think you’re one of the first students to figure that out. Tomorrow, in class, you’ll be able to tell who hasn’t.”
A laugh slipped past my lips. “Then you may call me Sabrina.”
He lifted a brow. “Sabrina what?”
My mouth opened… but for the life of me, I couldn’t remember the bitch's surname. “Damn.” I scoffed, pouting. “Guess nothing gets past you.”
“You’re right.” He breathed, just as the music died, allowing him to whisper across the polished wood. “Nothing gets past me, Sabrina Stefanovic.”
I grinned as a warmth travelled lower than my gut. Yet as I pressed forward, determined to get his name and his number, - hell- his pillow’s thread count, a hand slammed the bar top. Reeling back, I was forced away from the bar.
“What do you think you’re doing?”
Air sailed into my lungs as Larc’s eyes locked with mine, smouldering with unforgivable heat, ringed with delicious black eyeliner. Sweat dotted his brow under a backward cap, his stretched white tank top hanging off enough I could see the hard planes of his chest and the hint of dark ink. Snapping my eyes to the centre of his face, to my disappointment, his nose looked perfectly fine.
“Get the hell away from me.” I tried to push past.
But strong, callous fingers steered me away from the bar until we were at the edge of the room. People watched us, but I was slowly becoming used to the stares, knowing I couldn’t do a damn thing about them. Shoving me against the wall, I rebounded with a snarl, but Larc caged me in, a hand on either side of my head, leaning in close.
“Let me go.” But despite my fury, my voice came out as a squeak.
“Why did you tell Jade I made a pass at you?” he barked through clenched teeth.
“Wha- because you did!” I snapped, raising my chin to meet his fury. “You corralled me, snuck a hand up my skirt, and whispered about fucking me and Jade together. It’s not my fault your girlfriend's pissed you’re a cheater.”
“Jade isn’t my girlfriend.” He snarled, his nostrils flaring. “I don’t have girlfriends, so I don’t cheat. I am an alpha. I dominate everyone in my pack, and you’d only be so lucky to find yourself under me.”
“I’d rather be six-foot under than allow myself to be fucked by you, not that it's your business.” I looked him up and down, ignoring how my cheeks were still flushed. I knew I hadn’t had enough alcohol to influence them yet. The heat was coming from a different source…
And Larc could tell. Or at least sense, because his pupils dilated and though I didn’t want him to, his lips quirked. "My business?” His eyes trailed down, and I resisted crossing my arms over my bra-less chest. "When my groupie drools over some other man, it becomes my business,"
Jerking my gaze over his shoulder, I pouted, seeing the hot bartender was gone. “Groupie?” I seethed instead, wishing he’d back up a step. I wanted to shove him and put my hands on his chest, but I also knew the trouble that had got me into last time. “That would require you to have talent, which is apparently sniffing up skirts and playing fetch.”
But my insult only drew him in closer, pushing his nose up the side of my cheek. “Then why, little Rabbit, are you wearing my band’s t-shirt, personalised with my name like you’re waiting to be fucked in it?”
Sucking in a breath, I looked down at the tee and tried to read the words again, cursing Jade over and over. The bitch had to have done this on purpose to slight me.
Reaching out a finger, Larc placed it just at the top of my right breast, dragging it seductively across each letter. “Morphosis…” he lingered a moment more, the heat of his finger making my nipples strain. I desperately hoped the lights were dim enough that he couldn’t see them. “And here it says ‘Alaric…” He muttered, drawing his finger back the other way and cutting a nail right over them.
Swallowing hard, I forced myself not to tremble as I breathed him in. “I didn’t know it was your T-shirt. Had I, I would have rather turned up naked.”
“Really?” Larc’s eyes flashed, lips curving. “Well, then, it certainly wouldn’t be me starting any orgies.”
"I, uh, wouldn't…" I stumbled, feeling my face heat. Why were guys and their smiles such a thing here? I really needed another drink. So, despite everything, I was really thankful when a gasp grabbed everyone's attention and a pained voice interrupted us.
"Larc?"
Glancing over his broad shoulders, I noticed Jade with a fresh pink drink in hand. Her wings were fluttering out of rhythm, causing her body to sway in a funny way. However, she wasn't looking at me; instead, her gaze was fixed on the person who had tensed up upon hearing her voice but hadn't bothered to turn around.
“And that – ladies and canines – is my cue to leave,” I mumbled. Slipping past his outstretched arms, I took a couple of steps. To my satisfaction, Larc turned too, marking me pause. "Oh, and I almost forgot, I made a promise."
Larc's eyes widened when I placed a hand on each of his shoulders. He probably thought I was leaning in for a kiss. However, his eyes grew even wider when I swiftly delivered a knee to his groin.
"How about dedicating a song to me, Larc?" I hissed in his ear as he crumpled to the floor. “I heard you can hit the high notes now.”
Leaving him there, I span away, shooting Jade a knowing look as she teetered over him, lashes wet. But her sad, broken feelings were not my problem. Not ever. Not tonight.
Crashing into the bar, I found my gold drink gone, but with a wave of a hand, a new one appeared, though sadly not provided by the sexy bartender. Regardless, I drank it. Then another. Then more shots.
Surveying the room, body buzzing nicely, I couldn't help but notice the infectious energy of the lively crowd. Laughter and music filled the air as people danced and celebrated, creating an atmosphere that beckoned me to join in the revelry. The band had started up again, and I scowled as Larc sat at the drum kit. He looked pissed, but maybe that was because his tank was stained pink and he still walked with a hunch. Counting them in, he sent vibrations into my bones while my traitorous feet itched to dance. But seeing as enough of his groupies – or was it non-girlfriends - were screaming at him in adoration, the desire died.
Looking away, my eyes slid over the rest of the crowd until suddenly I saw a familiar face, hidden at the back, sitting at a table with a single goblet before her. Dressed in a soft, blue Peter Pan dress, hair curled around her face, Briar looked as perfect and as innocent as a doll. Yet everyone avoided her.
Gliding over, I crashed to the table, making the poor girl squeal. “I’m sorry.” I blurted, steadying the table… or maybe myself. “Not for sitting here or making you jump. I’m sorry I kicked you earlier.”
A soft blush coated Briar’s cheeks, and her hand tugged down the ends of her long sleeves. “And you had to get drunk to tell me that?”
“No.” I frowned, wondering how much I was swaying. “I got drunk because this school is a literal torture device. The teachers are psychopaths and the students.” I waved a hand around me. “They are all narcissistic assholes with egocentric and depraved god complexes.”
Briar bit her lips, but I still heard the giggle come out. “Well, thanks for the compliment. I’ll be sure to add it to my collection.”
“Oh, not you.” I gasped, horrified, reaching for her hand. “I’m a blabber-drunk, which my friend Max says is because I hold nothing back – but that’s not the point. You are not a narcissistic asshole because you haven’t been mean to me. Not yet anyway. Unless I mean… Do you plan to be mean to me?”
She released a small laugh again. “No. I have no such intentions. I promise.” But she pulled her hand from mine with a polite smile. Even in my drunk state, I could sense her weariness.
“Do you want me to go?” I asked, hooking a thumb over my shoulder. “Because I can go. Sorry, I shouldn’t have assumed. I just thought as everyone hates me and they whisper about you, we could… I don’t know, chat.”
“Chat?” Briar twisted her lips, amused.
“Yer,” I shrugged. “I like chatting.”
“I can tell.”
Gasping in mock surprise; I slammed a hand on my heart. “I can't believe it. After you just promised to not be horrid to me, too.”
This time, Briar really did laugh, though she dipped to hide it. “Oh, I’m sorry. I take it back, we can… chat.” She seemed to taste the word hesitantly.
“Yay!” I grinned. “Score one for the pariah.”
“Score for both of us, I imagine.” She shyly twisted her fingers around the stem of her cup, though still not taking a drink. Slowly, she looked at me through thick lashes. “Why do you want to chat with me, though? You must have heard their whispers. Know what a disgrace I am?”
A loud, unladylike snort ripped out my nose. “I don’t know what they say about you,” I admitted. “And I don’t care.”
“Really?” Briar looked at me doubtfully. “You don’t care at all?”
Pursing my lips, I gave it a thought but knew I didn’t need to. “Do you care what they say about me? That I’m a traitor and that my blood polluted the Inks or some other equally stupid reason?”
Briar pursed her lips too, but whatever she was thinking, I couldn’t tell. I only knew the conclusion shook her head. “No. I don’t care.”
“Great! Then we should celebrate this newfound bonding with a drink!” I waved a hand in the air, meaning to grab the passing bartender, but with a light clink, two shots landed in the centre of the table, like it was magic. I grinned, raising a shot. “Too chatting.”
Laughing, Briar lifted one too. “To blabber-drunks.”
“Hay that’s me!” I cheered, tossing the liquid back. But, coming back down, I noticed Briar hadn’t drunk hers. “Don’t want it?”
“I think I’ve had too many.” She smiled. “Here, you have it.”
“If you insist.” Downing it in one, my head spun, but I shook it clear. “Come on. Let’s dance.”
“What? I- no, I’m too big. And, I mean, I can’t dance.” Briar backpedalled.
“No one can dance to this shit band. The drummer is completely out of rhythm. But let’s make the fuckers watch us pariahs for a reason.” I stood, pulling her hand, when suddenly my bladder cramped. “Ooo, on second thoughts; bathroom break first.”
“Are – are you going to be, okay?” Briar reached out, rising slightly from her seat as I wobbled, but I waved her down.
“I’ll be fine. As long as no trolls have escaped the dungeons, I can pee on my own.” Yet facing the rest of the tavern, I swayed. “Though where might I find them?”
Briar pointed to the second floor, checking once more that I’d be okay before I pushed myself forward. The heat that rolled off the crowd swelled against my skin. Bodies brushed mine, hands and fingers caressing my skin as people pulled me in to dance. Eventually, I made it to the other side, panting in ecstasy, but forced myself to the next floor.
The bathroom was thankfully clear of any trolls. Relieving myself, I stumble to the mirror, washing my hands under cold water, and dabbing the excess onto the back of my neck. Lifting my gaze, I assessed the damage. My lids were half closed, my vision blurry, and I could stand straight for about a second. “About halfway to oblivion, then.” I smiled.
Heading out, I headed toward the stairs when a sharp tug pulled me into a dark room. The door slammed closed behind me.
“You’re late.” A husky breath whispered in my ear, a large hand running over my hip and across my stomach, stirring those earlier butterflies to life. “I was beginning to wonder who’d got their fangs into you.”
“No fangs. Just sticky claws and poor judgment.” I murmured and turned in Killian’s arms, finding him dressed as before, his hair dishevelled, his pupils dilated, and the alcohol rolling off his breath. Instantly, all my worries mellowed away. He looked so… perfect. “And being late would suggest we had plans to meet. I don’t recall that.”
Backing me up against a wooden wall, I realised we were in a cramped store cupboard, the only light a small lead-lined window. “Did I not mention it was a party to get to know one another?” Killian kept his eyes low as he enjoyed the swells of my dress. “I believe it was around the same time I told Jade to provide you with something… suitable to wear.” He ran his hands over the knotted seam. “I see she failed on that account.”
“You don’t like?” I hitched a brow.
His grin widened. “I find it covers too much.”
Alcohol warmed my veins, and I couldn’t help but suck in my bottom lip as I narrowed my gaze. “You’re the third person tonight to tell me I don’t belong in this t-shirt. I’m going to take offence soon.”
“Well, we can’t be having that, now, can we?” Killian brushed the back of his hand against my cheek, the intoxicating buzz in my head chasing away any rational thoughts. “However, might I make it up to you?” My breath hitched as he yanked our hips together. The thin fabric of my t-shirt did nothing to hide the hard ridge of his cock, nor how it pressed perfectly at my apex.
“What about your girlfriend?” My questions stuttered out, hating how my body flushed with desire and my back arched into him.
“Sabrina was… promised to me when we were young, and she hopes to be more at the Amour.” He spoke as he fisted my hair. Pulling my head back, pain prickled my scalp, but I panted through it, watching his lips with a ravenous gaze. “But that isn’t a part of my future I want to celebrate tonight…”
Tracing my hand up his chest and neck, my thumb swept to his lower lip, before forcing its way into his mouth. Around me, the room faded away that inch more. So many questions swirled my drunk brain – what was an Amour? Wasn’t promising one to another a little archaic? What future did he want to celebrate? Did Sabrina know all this?
I went with the latter, causing him to chuckle darkly, teeth nipping my thumb pad as his hand massaged the back of my head. “Well, what she doesn’t know…”
I frowned, feeling something icky curl in my gut. But as soon as it appeared, Killian swept it away, squeezing my hips and ass.
“But if you’re worried about Sabrina bothering you, I can protect you?”
“Protect me?” I sucked in a breath, forgetting what had annoyed me as he swept up my hand.
“Yes.” He breathed, rubbing his thumb lightly over my peaked nipple. “I would help you, Azariah. Save you from distress. Keep you safe when the wolves circle…”
Shifting his hips, Killian slipped a leg between my thighs, kissing my neck. I bit my lower lip with a groan. The friction of his jeans made my knees quiver.
“But… w-why me?” The question fluttered from my lips, the tension and the stress within my body coiling, begging for release. I was distantly aware of how I rutted against him, my dress riding up…
“Because you need it, Azariah. You need a powerful man to keep you safe at night.” He suckled on the sensitive skin over my pulse.
“Ugh…” My lips parted, dragging him closer as I registered only half his words. “All night…”
Kilian chuckled. “Look at you, so needy. Moan for me, princess.”
Sliding his hand up my waist, he wrapped it around the soft flesh of my breast, pinching my nipple hard. I couldn’t hold back my groan as I demanded more. This was oh-so-wrong on so many levels. But his talented fingers pulled down the shoulder of my dress, kneading my exposed breasts harder. His thigh lifted, scraping against my core, and I moaned, knees parting further.
“Don’t you wish to please me?” Fingers latched onto my nipple; Killian gave it a sharp tug.
“Ugh- yes.” I hissed as pleasure raced down my spine.
“That’s right. And don’t you want to thank me?”
“Thank you…?” I muttered like a damn parrot. Between the alcohol and the serine peace that fluttered through my senses, I couldn’t keep a single thought straight.
“That’s a good little princess. You know where you belong….” He mused against my neck before I felt the sudden weight of his hand on my shoulder. “Make sure to thank me thoroughly.” He growled.
My back began to slide down the wall, his form towering over me as he guided me towards my knees. Grabbing one of my hands, he rubbed it down his crotch length with a flare of lust in his eyes.
I knew where this was going.
“Oh, hell no.” I side-stepped out of his grasp, my drunk buzz vanishing as those fluttering butterflies died a sudden death in my gut. “This is why you invited me? Why you were nice to me? You want a damn blowjob?”
