Hollow Hearts (The Harkwright Trilogy)

“If you want my forgiveness, you’ll have to order it or stop feeding me excuses from your hand,” I say and even I’m shocked by what just came out of my mouth. I shouldn’t be this self assured, the lines are getting blurred and I’m beyond making sense of it anymore.

“Look, my family is messed up and a few of them really know how to fuck with my head. I turn into an asshole for a little while until I can put it behind me. Hence why I’ve been nothing short of cruel towards you since you got a real number. It doesn’t help that I’m not allowed anywhere near you,” his eyes grow brighter as he stares into mine and I think I should feel embarrassed that he might kiss me after what Tucker just did, but I don’t.

“Why should that matter? There’s plenty of choices here for you,” I point out and he smiles slightly as he lowers his face to the crook of my neck, running his nose up the column of it as his hands rest on my hips.

“Because I’m a fucker who always wants what he can’t have, no matter who I have beneath me I keep coming back to you,” his hand trails up my side, leaving goosebumps in its wake, and he’s not even touching my bare skin.

“You came to the k-kitchen b-before he made his decree,” I point out and his lips trail across my collarbone, trailing further down until his chin is hovering over the gap between my breasts.

Why did I choose a strapless top today again? Oh yeah, it was easier. At least I know for future reference to leave it lying in my closet.

“Because it intrigued me, how he and Sir Harkwright reacted when they saw your photo and then again during the last stage. Not to mention replaying the way you reacted to the flower repeatedly in my mind, when I shower or sleep alone. Getting myself off to images of you,” his words shouldn’t excite me, should they? Because they are, so damn much. My panties are growing damp and I’m relieved for the first time that I’m wearing a skirt. “Fuck it, I’m not a gentleman, I’ve even pictured it’s your hair that is in my fist when a girl is going down on me, someone I will never recall because I’m picturing you.”

His hand drops to my stocking covered thigh before he hitches it up until it’s around his waist, my head drops back as he pushes his face between my breasts and thrusts his hips into me. His hardness pushes against me and makes me moan low, as I try to hold it in.

He lifts his head up, pins me with his eyes and his hand runs over my propped up thigh, taking my skirt with it.

“What a-are…”

“Shhh, just testing a theory I have,” he growls out, making his dirty as sin voice even hotter, didn’t even think that was possible.

I don’t think or dare to breathe as his hand pushes up even further, sliding over my thigh until his thumb is brushing over the fabric of my panties and I’m almost crying at the act. His eyes are burning into me as he rubs once, twice and then once more with his thumb before pulling his hand away.

“It seems I affect you as much as you do to me, this is going to be a lot of fun Little Zero,” he bites down on my ear lobe before returning my leg to the now unsteady ground and stepping back.

“I truly am sorry for being an asshole to you, I can’t say it won’t happen again but you’re at least safe for the next couple of months,” he winks at me before leaving me a shaking wreck in the middle of a maze.

14

A Pleasant Surprise

One month left of this uneasy order that the Prince put on the guys. Aeron hasn’t touched me since that day in the maze and I have to tell myself it’s a good thing. Nothing good can come from Aeron, other than his fingers, tongue and wicked mouth. Fuck, not again.

Liam’s visits are my favorite part about my classes coming to an end, mainly because he’s the only one in this place, other than the rest of the staff who isn’t trying to avoid me. That being said, sometimes he looks at me as though he’s waging a war with himself over whether he should try to kiss me again. I guess that part by the way his eyes keep dropping to my lips and it isn’t when I’m speaking either. The worst part is that sometimes I want him too.

It’s confusing me and I feel guilty for it, because of Cole. I haven’t given him an answer yet and I haven’t seen him since he told me he would wait for me but even so; it feels as though I’m betraying him. Then I start to question the way I feel for him and wonder if it is just a silly crush like I’ve told myself for so long. Can I really ask him to wait for me if I’m not sure we could even work? I’ve built him up in my mind for so long, what if I’m wrong? Besides, if I’m sitting here thinking about letting Liam kiss me, do I even deserve that level of commitment and devotion?

“Thirty-Four.”

My head snaps up as I look at my tutor, my cheeks turning dark from utter embarrassment, I wasn’t paying any attention and she knows it.

“I-I’m sorry,” I say and she smiles gently before looking to the side of me.

“Don’t worry, class is over for the day,” she says with sympathetic eyes before turning her back to me and I turn to see Maddox still sitting in his chair. We’re the only ones who haven’t vacated the classroom. I know why I haven’t but what’s his reason?

“I was wondering if you wanted to get some extra studying in, I can grab us a table in the library?” he asks, and I don’t think it’s the first time.

My first thought is that I should probably say no and make up some kind of excuse, but he’s been nice to me for no other reason than to be a decent person. Plus, it will give me an excuse to not have to see Liam today, and I think some space is a good thing right now. I need one less guy occupying my mind until I can work the others out.

“Yeah, I’d like that,” I say and his smile is infectious as he stands up and holds the door open for me.

We head straight for the library when a thought occurs, and I hate myself for even asking this, but I’m hoping he’ll say yes.

“Maddox, I know this is really selfish of me but can I ask you a favor?” I look up at him through my lashes and he nods his head.

“Could I wear my own clothes,” it comes out as a jumbled mess as I try to say it as quickly as possible and his brows knit together.

“Those aren’t your clothes?” He indicates what I’m wearing and I can’t help but laugh at his reply.