“Why did you want to spar?” I asked him, deflecting. “You rarely talk to me during class. I mean, you barely even acknowledge me in Death Class, and we’re partners in that one. Why today? Why now?”
He cocked his head to the side. “I’m tired of giving you space. You’re mine and I want to play. Now stop deflecting and give me a preview of your abilities. Then we’ll go from there.”
“I gave you a preview that first time you bit me.”
“Yeah, and you played with your elements and still lost,” he replied, unimpressed. “Now you have that collar around your neck hampering your abilities. Which makes this class a lot more important than you seem to realize.”
“Why? Because you’re anticipating I may need to fight you off again soon?” I countered.
He swept his leg across my knees, sending me to the ground on a whoosh of air. I coughed and sputtered as he landed on top of me, his hands easily capturing my wrists to bring them above my head as his hips pinned mine to the black grass below.
Not green, but black.
Like all the other vegetation in this realm.
“I’m anticipating that you’re going to need to fight others,” he whispered against my ear. “And soon. So I need you to stop flirting with me and actually pay attention, Aflora.”
“I’m not flirting with you,” I managed to say on a harsh exhale, my back throbbing from his unexpected attack. “I think… I think I hate you.”
He chuckled and pressed a kiss to my jaw, then drew his lips to my ear. “Best me and I’ll make you come later.”
I snorted at the offer. “Did that when I woke up, so I’m good, thank you.”
Only after I uttered the words did I realize what I’d just admitted out loud. My cheeks heated as Shade went to his elbows on either side of my head, his lips curled in amusement. “Yeah? And did you scream my name?”
“Get off of me.”
“Not until you detail the experience for me,” he replied, his wicked gaze falling to my mouth. “Did you think of me?”
“I’m not talking about this.”
“Then I guess we’ll be lying here all night. Works for me, as I find this position to be rather comfortable for all parties involved.” He gave a little thrust, allowing me to feel his growing arousal against my heated center.
My thighs clenched, my insides doing all sorts of weird somersaults in response to his small action. I’d told him the truth about my earlier release, but it hadn’t done anything to cool the flames burning inside me.
All because my mates wouldn’t leave my dreams alone.
And now this!
“Off,” I snapped.
He merely smiled. “Make me.”
I growled and tried to shove him off me, which did absolutely nothing. Well, no, that wasn’t true. Pressing my palms to his bare shoulders sent a zap of electricity through me, making me that much hotter for him.
Because he was shirtless and on top of me.
A fae could only take so much skin-to-skin contact after all these nights of sensual torture.
Or, at least, that was what I told myself. It had absolutely nothing to do with the fact that my three mates were irresistible males with the bodies of gods. And it definitely wasn’t because of their skills in the bedroom.
“Your squirming is only turning me on more,” Shade whispered, his lips brushing the shell of my ear as he trailed his mouth down my neck to my thundering pulse.
“Why are you doing this?” I asked him, desperate for a way toremovehim. I also wanted to ask him to shadow us somewhere more private so I could join him in the shirtless department.
Not voicing that desire. Nope. Nope. Nope.
“You’re not the only one amped up from all the dreams, love,” he said softly, his mouth teasing the sensitive spot behind my ear now. “I’ve waited for you to come to me all week, and you’ve stubbornly remained in your room. So I’m increasing the stakes in the game.”
