“When are you going to learn to keep away from my mate, Silas?” Archer snarls, and I sway on my feet, unable to handle the heat that burns through my veins, and the reality of the consequences of my actions in this room. Never mind the brawl threatening to unravel between Archer and Silas.
Thankfully, Sax tugs me toward the door, and I go willingly, bag forgotten, as we head out of the classroom.
My chest aches, my breaths coming in short, sharp bursts as heat consumes me.
I have no idea where we’re going until we slip into the next closed door along the hall, and straight into a musty classroom. I cough and splutter as he closes the door behind us, immediately stepping out of his hold as I take in the empty space.
Sax flicks a switch, blanketing the room with a dim light. I don't know when this room was last used, but it might not have even been this century. The chalkboard sits on the wall to my right, chalk and erasers still held along the shelf beneath it as cobwebs fill the corners. Chairs and desks line the space, but it looks like they haven’t been used in a very long time, and the windows are so dirty that you can barely see outside.
My chest heaves as despair riddles my entire being. Pacing back and forth down the aisles near the window with my hand planted on my chest, the realization of what I’ve done in the past few minutes dawns on me.
“I didn't mean to hurt her,” I blurt, my chest tightening at the lie. “Yes, I did,” I correct, my eyes widening as I jolt to a stop, staring at Sax, searching for what, I don’t know, but he doesn't say a word as I continue to unravel. “Is it hot in here? I can't fucking breathe. It's too hot,” I ramble, tugging my blazer off and throwing it on the closest table.
I can't breathe, I can't breathe at all.
I feel like I'm going to self combust into a million pieces.
Tugging at the buttons on my shirt, I hike the tie over my head, undressing until I'm standing in my skirt and bra.
It's still too hot.
Spinning on the spot, desperation claws at me as my vision blurs.
I yelp when the door blasts open and Professor Viola appears in the doorway.
She gapes at us for a moment, glancing back and forth before she lingers on my lack of clothing. Somehow, she doesn’t even bat an eyelid as she rubs her lips together and clears her throat. “You may need to consider grounding her,” she states with a nod before closing the door, leaving just as quickly as she entered.
“What does that mean?” I blurt, rushed and frantic, as Sax grimaces, dragging a hand down his face.
My hands clench at my sides as I march back and forth, waiting for his answer, holding back from clawing at my skin in a poor attempt at making the burning sensation stop.
“It may have been mentioned that people with more than one mate may need grounding because their magic is so strong.”
His words halt me in my tracks.
“What does that involve?” I ask, willing to consider anything right now, while uncertainty floods his features.
He scrubs a hand over his cropped hair. “A spiritual connection,” he states, and I scoff, understanding immediately what he's not saying.
“You mean sex, don't you?” I grunt, breathless, and he nods.
My muscles clench on command, as if that's exactly what my body craves, but I can't go around feeling like this.
As if sensing my thoughts, Sax takes a step toward me.
“That's what you need right now, isn't it?” he asks, his eyelids closing a millimeter as he assesses me.
“No,” I blurt as I nod against my will.
He rakes his eyes over me from head to toe and back again as I fidget with the strap of my bra, desperate for more air to touch my skin so I can at least attempt to cool down.
“I’ll be fine. You can go,” I grunt, and he scoffs.
“I’m not going anywhere.”
Instead, he takes his blazer off, draping it over the closest chair before reaching for his tie. He loosens it, but stops there.
“How do you want to use me?” His voice is far too sultry and alluring.
