Page 101 of Cruel Steps

I shook my head and returned to my work. I only had a few more questions to finish. “Knew I’d regret telling you.”

“Nah, you love me, Peanut.”

“You’re tolerable.”

I smiled, lifting my eyes to his. Cody had been my rock all week. The attention had only grown from that first class, especially after Hope didn’t return to campus and word spread that she’d withdrawn.

Cody had walked me to class when Colter wasn’t free and kept people from bombarding me. The only benefit of the added attention was that there were so many people around me now in Astronomy it kept Icky Ricky away.

How sad was it that out of everything that happened last weekend, he was the least of my worries now?

Wolfette practice had improved the rest of the week, and I’d been given a different locker, thanks to Leigh. Our uniform for this week had arrived, and I’d already ensured it hadn’t been tampered with. Several of the girls had taken to wearing football jerseys during practice, much to Kimmy’s dismay. It had become an unofficial claiming, a way for the dancers to display who they were sleeping with that week. I hadn’t worn Holden’s again, but it didn’t mean the gossip mill hadn’t speculated on it.

Thankfully, Club Ember was immune to Hayward gossip, and no one had approached me there. Having a place where I wasn’t the center of attention was comforting.

“Would you look at the time! I need to go,” Cody said, shoving his stuff in his bag. “See you tomorrow, Peanut.” He stood and kissed my cheek. “Oh, hey, Colter. Didn’t see you there.”

I snorted. Cody was a lot of things, but an actor was not one of them. “Bye, Cody.”

Colter smiled, his eyes trailing over my body as he approached. “Hey, Mer.”

How did my name sound so indecent from his mouth? I leaned forward, my boobs spilling forward, and bit my lip. I hadn’t stayed with him last night, and I missed it. Not that we had sex every night, but it was comforting to have him next to me. But he’d had a big test today, and my dad had asked me to come home. It had seemed like the right choice, but looking at him now, I regretted missing out on his cuddles.

“How did your test go?”

“Good. I think I aced it.”

“You know, I might need some help with one of my subjects. Do you think you could spare some time to tutor me?”

His grin widened. “I’m sure we could work something out.”

“Perfect. Are you free now?”

He glanced at his watch. “Would you look at that! I am!”

I giggled. “I think the book I need is at the back of this floor.”

His eyes heated, and he stood. “Lead the way, sweetheart.”

I quickly shoved all my belongings into my bag and lifted it over my shoulder. I’d learned my lesson by leaving it unattended. I wouldn’t do that again.

Colter followed me down the rows of books. I didn’t see anyone else on this floor; partly why I’d chosen it in the first place, so I could study in peace. The fact it worked for Colter’s fantasy was a bonus.

I dropped my bag in the last row and pretended to look at the books on the shelves. “Hmm, I can’t remember which book it was. Do you?” I asked.

Colter trapped my body against the books and braced his arms on the upper shelves. He leaned down and kissed my neck, and I shivered. “I missed you last night, Merbear.”

“Oh, yeah?”

“Mmhmm.”

“Then show me.”

I tilted my hips back and nudged his front with my ass. He growled and steadied me with his hands. His hands roamed, cupping my breasts and squeezing. My head fell back on his shoulder, and I bit my lip to keep my moan quiet. His hand kept roaming and lifted the plaid skirt I’d worn today. Totally not on purpose. Not at all.

“You look so hot in this skirt. I would’ve failed my test if I’d seen you before class.” His hands trailed over my panties, his touch light and exploring, but I wanted—no, needed—more.

Whimpering, I shifted my hips so he hit me where I wanted. Reaching back, I gripped his hip and pulled him closer. His cock was hard as steel against my ass cheeks. Looking up at him, I drank in his darkened orbs as he breached my panties. The first touch of his finger was heaven, and I spread my legs further apart for him.