Reward.
Connection.
I don’t know what it is, but I want every bit of it as badly as he does. His lips tear over mine, palm squeezes my ass hard enough to leave fingermarks. His other hand controls my head, holding it for the onslaught of lips and tongue, lifting my face toward him.
My whole body trembles for him.
I have no sense of time, but it goes on for an eternity. The blink of an eye. I don’t know.
Then he suddenly pulls away, releases all of me and steps back. A moment later, a teacher rounds the bend and stops, hands on her prim hips, “Aren’t you supposed to be at practice, Cole?”
Did he hear her coming? That doesn’t make sense. But he cocks his head like he’s listening to something and then he grins. “You missed your bus, Pink. Looks like you’ll have to walk.”
Asshole.
Is he taunting me? Did he do that on purpose? Make me think he likes me, make me tremble for him, just to make my life hell?
I scowl and turn on my heel, hurrying down the hallway to hide my flaming face.
“Pink.”
I don’t stop.
“I want you at my game Friday.”
I hold up my hand with my middle finger extended, still not stopping or looking back.
I hear his chuckle as I exit the building.
Fuck him. I’m sure he plans to humiliate me in some new way. I would be stupid to comply.
Cole
I saunter down the hall, past Ms. Eller, the French teacher and a member of the pack. I couldn’t let her catch me kissing Pink. She’d probably tell Alpha Green I’m screwing around with a human. Or maybe she was trying to save Pink from my torment. That’s a good possibility too. I’m not known for my kindness around here.
I didn’t mean to kiss Bailey again. But those tears. I don’t know what it is. The fact that this little slip of a human sheds tears for me—the guy who’s been nothing but an asshole to her. It does something to me.
She tasted like strawberries and melon today. And her sweet honey and cookies scent, which for some reason, my wolf is coming to love.
It’s on me now—on my palms, on my face. The front of my shirt from when I pressed up against her. I bring my palm to my nose and inhale deeply.
Pleasure rushes through me.
Pleasure and need. I sprouted a chub the moment I touched her and my cock aches now for release. And it’s not like I have time to beat one off in the locker bathroom before practice. I’m already late enough that Coach is going to make me run laps.
In the locker room, I yank off my t-shirt and bring it to my nose. Fuck it smells good. I shove the shirt down in my bag to jack off with later.
Maybe Bailey will leave her shade open while she changes tonight. I caught a glimpse of her boobs once when she first moved in. She came in from the bathroom in a towel and let it drop before she realized the shades were open. I laughed my ass off as she dived for the shades with one hand trying to cover those pert little nipples.
Maybe I’ll order her to leave it open and see if she complies. She just might. I felt the way she trembled when I kissed her. She opened to me again, like she’s been waiting for me to claim her. Even though she knows I’m the worst thing for her.
I’m her weakness.
Just like she’s mine.
Chapter 8
Bailey
“I think we need a gossip column.” Rayne taps her pen against the glass of my kitchen table.
I haven’t told her what happened. It’s not that I don’t think she’d give me the support of a friend, it’s more that I don’t have my own head wrapped around it. And Cole’s story is tied up with mine and it doesn’t feel right sharing that part of it.
I did tell her I’m going to start a school newspaper and offered her an editor position, which she accepted.
Hence, the big editorial meeting at my house after school.
We haven’t come up with any good ideas, but I don’t mind. It’s nice to have company.
It’s been a long time.
“This town definitely doesn’t need any more gossip. But we could do feature articles. Highlight some of the less popular, lesser-known students and their talents.”
Rayne’s mouth falls open like I said something shocking. “Wow. We could do that?”
“Why not? Everyone probably already knows everything about Adriana, the sweet, cuddly homecoming queen who wants to kill me.” Rayne laughs. “But do they know… I don’t know, about some secret talent of some shy girl no one talks to?”
A scheming glow comes over Rayne’s face. “I want to write these. I know exactly who to highlight.”
“You do?”
“Yep. And I’m starting with you. There are a lot of kids like you who people sort of refuse to get to know.”