“My girlfriend, Pandora,” I say, glancing sidelong at Pandora.
My girlfriend, who’s feeling threatened by another woman, apparently. I’ll have to reassure her later, or I’ll be the one with rats climbing all over my balls.
“Ah.” Bobbi scratches her chin. She’s a few inches taller than Pandora, and although she’s wearing a sweater, I remember how well-muscled she is. Pandora keeps fit, but I don’t think she’d have a chance against Bobbi in a fair fight.
When does Pandora ever fight fair, though?
“Nice to meet you, Pandora,” Bobbi says. “You’re lucky to have River. He’s got one hell of a right hook.”
“Yes, I also look for the ability to punch my lights out when picking a partner,” Pandora answers breezily.
“She’s not looking for a partner,” I say, squeezing Pandora’s hand.
I’ll definitely have to reassure her, and sooner rather than later before she can think up something to remind me that I’m hers.
“See you later, Bobbi,” I add. I tug at Pandora’s hand and drag her down one of the side tunnels. “Where are you heading, Pandora?”
“I was going to go to class,” Pandora says, glancing back over her shoulder. “It’s kind of rude of you to ditch your friend like that, River.”
I’ll need to apologize to Bobbi for the abrupt departure later. But I’m more worried about Pandora than I am about someone I barely know, and with how everything has been…
It’s not even that I’m worried that she’ll lash out atme.
I’m more worried about what any potential instability might do toher.
I continue to pull Pandora along the tunnel until we reach a remote spot without other students.
Pandora glances around, her eyes landing on a storage locker. “Huh, I think this is where?—”
I don’t give her the chanceto finish the sentence.
I shove her against the wall, my lips colliding with hers in a harsh, demanding kiss. “There is nothing to be worried about,” I say against her mouth. “Not a single thing. I’m not interested in anyone but you. Understand?”
Pandora groans and grips my shirt. “I don’t. You were gettingawfullyclose with Bobbi, who didn’t even know who I was.”
I grab her by the back of the neck. “I wasn’t getting close with her, Pandora. And the only reason she doesn’t know who you are is because I don’t know her well enough to talk to her about anything. She hasn’t hit on me, and I haven’t hit on her.”
Pandora leans forward and nips my jaw. “You’re so hot, River. And Bobbi is hot, too. She definitely wants you. Why wouldn’t she?” She pulls my shirt up enough so she can get her hand on my stomach. “Who wouldn’t want you?”
“I don’t care if she wants me,” I tell her before crushing my lips against Pandora’s again. This kiss is longer, harder, and I release her neck only to trail my fingers along her throat. “You don’t trust me?”
The idea that she thinks I’d even look at another woman is infuriating and hurtful all at once.
Pandora freezes for a few seconds, then she smiles. “Of course I trust you. Why wouldn’t I trust you? You’d never do anything to hurt me. You’ve never hurt me.”
I wish that was true.
But it’ll never happen again.
Her nails rake down my stomach.
“I don’t want to hurt you,” I say, sliding my hand down from her throat to her chest, then farther down until I reach the button of her jeans. “And I’m never going to cheat on you, Pandora. For fuck’s sake.” I unbutton her pants and unzip them, then slide my hand—the one with four fingers—inside her underwear.
Pandora gasps and arches to give me better access. “Here?” she whispers, her smile wide. “People mighthear, River.”
“Only might?” I ask her, finding her clit and starting to slowly stroke over it. It’s an awkward position, but that doesn’t matter. “Maybe I should do a better job, to make sure they all hear. So they all know you’re mine.”
And Blaze’s, and Asch’s, but that doesn’t matter. Right now, I need to stake a claim on her that she can’t deny, and if that means making her cry out in pleasure in the tunnels, that’s what I’ll do.
