Black Promises (Blackwoods College)

“She doesn’t talk about it.”

“She wouldn’t. Robyn keeps all that inside.” He shook his head. “It’s her story though. I shouldn’t say more.”

“That still didn’t answer my question. Why be such a bastard to her in public?”

“I don’t know,” he admitted, facing me then. He put a hand on my cheek and I shivered. The guys near the pool screamed with excitement over something—I couldn’t tell what. “Frustration, I think. The same reason I’m a bastard to everyone. The same reason I get in fights and the same reason I killed that pedo. I have a fire in me and I don’t know how to quench it.”

“You’ve been better lately. At least I think so.”

He tilted his head. “Maybe that’s true.” His finger grazed my lips. “What do you think about that, freak? Why do you think I’ve been better?”

“You’re spending time with good role models.”

“If that’s what you think you are, then you’ve got a fucked-up idea of what we’re doing.”

I smiled a little and when his thumb came back to my mouth, I bit it gently. His face twisted into a mask of desire and need, but he held himself in check.

“I know what we’re doing. You’re having your fun with me. You’re getting your money’s worth. But when’s it going to be enough?”

“I don’t know if I’ll ever get enough of you, baby girl.”

He pressed his lips to mine. It was a soft kiss, gentle, probing. I was intensely aware of the people nearby. They’d see this and spread the story—dorky little Cora kissing popular athletic Jarrod—and I’d never be able to walk on campus without eyes tracking me again.

I didn’t care. As soon as I tasted him, nothing else mattered.

That was the problem. I was a rational person. I knew when enough was enough and I never let myself go too far in anything. I was restrained and careful, and the only fantasy I ever indulged in was the murder of Dr. Silver. Without that, I was unmoored and adrift.

Jarrod brought me back to earth. He centered me, gave me purpose. I didn’t know what that purpose was exactly—being his toy? His doll?—but I wasn’t sure it mattered.

Being with him was a dream. It was like being drunk, but all the time.

Dizzy and stupid.

One massive, dangerous mistake.

We broke apart and his hand lingered on my cheek. “You know I don’t care if they’re watching, right?” His eyes never left mine.

But I glanced toward the pool. The two girls that had been on the rafts were toweling off and both were staring and whispering to each other.

The whole party would know in the next few minutes.

“Aren’t you worried about what your friends will say?”

“I know what they’ll say. Addler will be all concerned but happy. Des will ask if I’ve fucked you yet. Calvin will glower and say I’m making a mistake.”

“Why does that guy hate me so much?”

“Calvin has his reasons.” He kissed my neck, then my cheek. “If you stay tonight, I’m going to devour you.” He whispered in my ear, his breath hot and fuzzy. I felt my mind go blank with desire.

“What if I don’t let you?”

“We both know you’re not capable of that, freak.”

“You shouldn’t assume.”

“Oh, my baby girl, I don’t need to make assumptions. I know what you feel like. I know your taste. If I wanted you right here and now, you’d let me have you, from your lips to that perfect, soaking wet slit between your legs.”

“Are you sending me away then? Or are you going to fuck me out here in the grass?”

His eyes looked strained, like he couldn’t believe I’d said that. “Take Robyn home. Make sure she’s not too drunk. I don’t want her parents blaming me for her stupid decision.”

“She wants to go to the movies.”

He smiled and thumbed my lower lip. “Sounds more your speed.”

“What about you? You’re not going to get in trouble, are you?”

“Not tonight.” He looked away, back to the house. “I was thinking about coming with you.”

I let out an involuntary laugh. “Seriously?”

“I haven’t been to the movies in a while and Robyn’s got good taste.”

“Okay, this is too much. We can murder a guy, sure, whatever, but you’re going to come see a movie with us? I’ve officially lost my mind.”

“Don’t make me regret this.”

“No, never, of course not.” I pushed his chest gently. “You have to be nice to her.”

“I will.”

“And nothing weird. She’s not a third wheel.”

“I’ll keep my hands to myself. I’m just not in the mood for a party tonight.”

“All right then. Let’s go get Robyn and get out of here.”

Everyone watched us. Robyn seemed more than happy to escape, though a little unsure about Jarrod coming along.

But in the end, it was fun. We hung out like normal people for once, and whatever hunger was locked down inside of Jarrod stayed dormant. For a few hours, I got a glimpse of how it could be.