Page 18 of With This Mask
"Tomorrow night," I whisper to myself, a strange mixture of wild anticipation and trepidation settling in my chest. "What the hell did you get yourself into, Salem?"
chapter eight
The moment I step into the classroom, my heart races in anticipation. He’s there, seated in his usual spot. I walk over to the empty seat next to Alec, not bothering to meet his gaze as I sit down. He doesn't say anything, just continues staring straight ahead.
All those confessions, his fingers inside me, and we’re going to pretend nothing happened, like a couple of pros.
"Alright, class," Professor Harlow starts, his voice commanding attention. "Today we'll be discussing the implications of the socioeconomic gap in our society."
“I picked up the birth control first thing this morning,” I say as quietly as I can.
“Oh,” Alec says simply as he stares straight ahead at the professor.
“A few days and then we’ll be good,” I say.
Alec gives a noise of affirmation but continues to act like he’s listening to the professor.
As the lecture continues, I can feel Alec's presence beside me, and it's unnervingly distracting. Suddenly, I feel the warmth of his hand on my thigh beneath the table. My breath hitches as his fingers slowly inch their way closer to my center. Just as I'm about to tell him off, the professor calls on me.
"Ms. Winters, can you give us an example of how this gap affects education?"
My mind goes blank as Alec's fingers continue their teasing journey, making it impossible for me to focus on anything else. I open my mouth, trying to form words, but nothing comes out.
"Um..." I stammer, praying for the ground to swallow me whole. "I...uh..."
"Perhaps," Alec interjects smoothly, saving me from further embarrassment, "Salem meant to mention how students with wealthier backgrounds have greater access to resources and opportunities, while those from lower-income families face financial barriers and fewer chances for success."
"Very well put, Mr. Vanderholt," Professor Harlow nods approvingly, moving on. I shoot Alec a mix of gratitude and irritation, my cheeks burning.
"Thanks," I mutter under my breath, trying to regain control of my racing thoughts.
"Anytime, Dora," Alec replies softly, his voice dripping with smug satisfaction.
“Dora?” I question quietly, my brows furrowing.
“As in the explorer,” he says with a smirk as his fingers brush against my center, over my panties. I want to die when he finds me wet already.
Fuck.
“You can’t use that nickname,” I growl. “It’s a kid’s cartoon.”
“Still seems fitting,” he says quietly, keeping his eyes fixed on the professor so as not to be caught.
As his fingers continue their torturous exploration, I fight to concentrate on the lecture, each word spoken by Professor Harlow becoming increasingly difficult to focus on. Alec's touch is electrifying, consuming.
And when I’m two seconds from falling over the edge and making a complete embarrassment of myself by crying out with an orgasm in the middle of class, I grab Alec’s hand and shove it away from me.
“Something wrong, Dora?” he asks with a smirk.
“You’re evil,” I say, my chest rising and falling much too quickly. “Let’s see how you like it.”
My heart races as I gather the courage to turn the tables on Alec. I shoot a quick glance at Professor Hughes, making sure he's absorbed in his lecture before I slide my hand onto Alec's lap. The momentary shock on his face tells me he doesn't expect what's coming.
I grip him through his pants, feeling his length and hardness beneath the fabric. Oh, fuck. How is that ever going to fit inside me? Caught off guard, Alec lets out a soft moan that barely anyone can hear but me. My pulse quickens, the thrill surging through me like electricity. I savor the satisfaction of having him at my mercy for once.
"Fuck, Salem," he whispers so quietly only I can hear it, his jaw clenched as he tries to maintain composure.
"Careful now," I murmur back, squeezing him just a little tighter, feeling a heady mix of power and arousal. "Wouldn't want our classmates to catch on, would we?"