Both my car and my last known location put me on campus, but thanks to Link disabling the Offline Finding feature on my phone, switching it off makes me untraceable. The chat logs show they even checked the system’s dorm records for Summer Night. But those are outdated. That’s why the guys couldn’t find her. Or me. I owe them an explanation and an apology for keeping them up all night.
I’m okay. Will be back at the house in about forty minutes.
That’s what I type in the chat when messages start pouring in, and Link calls me.
“Where the fuck were you?” He sounds livid. “We’ve been up all night, combing CCTV footage, checking every place we thoughtof, since your phone was off.”
I used the back entrance of the dorms to avoid cameras. Who knew that would come back to bite me in the ass? And the phone... they’ll all want to beat the shit out of me when I tell them I’m the one who switched it off.
“I’ll tell you everything, but I need to make a quick stop before I get back to the house.”
Link curses on the other end of the line before disconnecting. Yeah, I get it. He’s furious. I would’ve lost my shit too.
Summer’s schedule shows she has ECON 101 with Mr. Akles.
I sneak into that class, locking onto my redheaded menace right away. Three steps in her direction, and Mr. Akles calls my name, pulling my attention away from her.
“Mr. Holt! Last I checked, you passed this class with flying colors. Did you love the subject so much that you’re drawn to my classroom again?”
Everyone turns to check who the professor is talking to, including my Succubus, her eyes wide in surprise.
“Sorry to disappoint you, but I’m not here out of love for your subject. Don’t mind me! I need a few minutes, and I’ll be on my way.”
Mr. Akles makes a gesture for me to take a seat, and I head straight for where Summer is. Seems her looks have attracted attention, because some dickweed is sitting right beside her. I settle in the row behind, and the guy next to her turns to look at me, his eyes snagging on my tattoos.
“Take your shit and get the fuck away from her.” I don’t need to raise my voice to sound threatening, and he doesn’t wait a second before snatching his stuff, scrambling a row down to the far end.
Ignoring my presence, Summer pretends to write notes on her laptop, aiming to irritate me with that indifference. I reach out, wrapping her mane around my fist, tugging back so she can hear what I have to say.
“Morning, baby,” she whispers when I level my face next tohers. “How did you sleep?”
She’s twisted to the core, this little demon of mine.
“That’s the best sleep I’ve ever had,” I say to vex her, show her she did nothing with her tricks, and partly because I indeed had a great sleep with her by my side.
“Does that mean I should be expecting you tonight? I have a whole pack of little blue pills ready for you.”
Summer low-key threatens me in a room full of people, and a smirk creeps onto her face. I don’t know anyone else capable of pulling that off.
“You’re the sweetest surprise ever, and I’m going to enjoy our game so much.”
I seal those words with a loud smooch to her cheek so everyone drops any idea of approaching what’s mine.
When I let the cold fire that is her hair slip through my fingers, she’s in no hurry to pull away from me, giving me the chance to rumble, “See you later, Succubus,” as a promise I intend to keep. Then, I stride for the exit.
Despite the night I’ve had, I’ve never felt more alive, more wired, knowing what kind of creature I’m hunting. It’s no longer about the fuck. The stakes now are on a whole new level. I want to catch her, to own her. But how do you do that with someone like her? I guess I’ll figure it out while letting the game unfold.
It’s my turn to make a move.
Fortunately for her, I have business to take care of today. But before I even get to that, I need to face the guys.
Parking outside the house, I take a moment to brace myself before heading inside.
Sure enough, as soon as the door closes behind me, Link is in my face, punching my shoulder with full force.
“Fucking idiot! We thought someone offed you.”
“Where were you?” Connor shifts on his chair, staring inquisitively.
