He drops me down onto the bed and I fall back, my head nestled within my pillows as he climbs up my body. He pulls my nipple into his mouth as his finger slides inside me, pumps once, twice, and then it’s gone and he’s driving himself home. It’s messy, fast, and frenzied, and I never want it to end.
I cry out his name as I come hard enough to leave black dots in my vision and he follows behind, grunting out, “Moonbeam,” and it’s so fucking perfect, my heart swells and I fall over the edge.
No more doubts or possibilities, I’m in love with Tom Harkwright, and I guess it can only end in misery.
He pulls out and I miss the feel of him instantly; I watch as he disappears into the bathroom before he returns with a damp washcloth and runs it between my legs. He gives me a grin before he takes it back and I look at the time, knowing that he’ll leave, and I’ll be left here without a chance in Hell of falling asleep. It doesn’t matter that it’s almost midnight, there’s no chance my head will shut off now.
“You’re on my side,” he says as he walks back in and rolls me onto my side, before he climbs into my bed, and pulls me back against him. He slides an arm under my head, and rests his other one on my stomach, holding me close, spooning me. Treating me as though I’m more than just an Academy girl, at least, that’s how it feels to me.
“Stop thinking and get some sleep,” he whispers in my ear before he places a soft kiss on the spot where my shoulder meets my neck, then he settles down. I listen as his breathing grows deeper, steadier, until I feel safe in the knowledge that he is now asleep.
My mouth opens, ready to say the three words that will change everything, only… they won’t because he won’t hear it, and won’t feel any different when morning comes around. “I love you, Tom.” A whisper in the night, and no one but me will ever know it was spoken.
It’s been two days since my silent confession and any fears I had about him hearing it are gone, he hasn’t been any different with me and he visited me the following night. Having him sleep with me is strange, and I definitely wouldn’t have pegged him as a cuddler, but I’m not going to complain. Even if it is only making it worse, loving someone who won’t love you is a unique kind of torture, and I’m only prolonging the pain because I don’t want to refuse him.
It’s six in the morning and he still isn’t making a move to leave my room, instead he’s got his arms folded behind his head, and a smirk firmly planted on his face.
“Seriously, what is going on? You never stay this long?” I ask for the third time since I woke up and got myself ready.
“What’s the rush? I don’t have any classes until like ten. Besides, your bed is comfy.” He makes a show of getting comfortable, wiggling his body until he finds the perfect position.
“Well, mine start at nine, and I’m getting breakfast with D.”
“Is that an invitation to join you ladies?” His smirk grows into a smile, and my mouth drops at his words.
“Why would you want to?”
“Just making the most of your time before you get claimed,” he says dismissively, but his smile doesn’t drop even though my mouth pulls into a frown.
“Don’t remind me, I’m freaking out that I’m going to get given to Shane.” A shiver passes through me. He’s out of bed in an instant, gripping my shoulders, and dipping his head until we’re eye level.
“Shane won’t be the one to claim you, trust me. I’ve seen the list and I know what order the guys who want you are in. Shane is way at the bottom, courtesy of yours truly.”
“Really? Oh God, Tom. You have no idea what that means to me,” I say as I jump up and down before I throw my arms around his neck and plant a hard kiss on him.
“You’re not curious about the order?” he asks when I pull away and fix my lipstick.
“Not really. I’d rather not know who is or isn’t interested in claiming me, thank you very much.” I close my eyes for a moment before I open them and shake myself off.
“I wonder who you’re hoping for,” he says quietly before he walks into my bathroom and closes the door behind him.
I move into my sitting area to find a note on the floor by the door. I pick it up and I’m not surprised to see it’s from Emmet. It is his M.O. after all.
Meet me outside tonight at seven, by the topiaries. This is an order. Don’t keep me waiting, Star, and this is to stay between the two of us.
Emmet
I make a cup of coffee, and after a quick debate, pour a steaming mug for Tom. I wonder how his other favorites feel about him not being present in the evening, but then again, they’ll probably find another Harkwright to latch onto. Bitchy, yes. Do I care, Hell to the no.
“Is this for me?” he asks with another eye crinkling smile, I give him a smile, and a nod before wrapping up a lemon muffin for Maddox. He really seems to like my citrus concoctions.
“You should do one of those food blog things, I bet they’d be a big hit,” he says as he rests his mug on the counter.
“I guess, but it doesn’t really interest me. Besides, I’m not the most technologically minded person,” I shrug, and start washing up our mugs. Our mugs.
“D will be here to get me soon, so… unless you want to be caught leaving my room,” my voice trails off, and his face becomes a blank mask.
“Well, I guess I’ll go before I outstay my welcome any further,” he says flippantly, and I turn fast enough to give myself a head rush.
“Hey, I didn’t mean it like that. I’ve had nothing but trouble from the girls in this place over Emmet’s messed up special treatment. I don’t want it to start up again because they don’t enjoy sharing you with me. It’s hard enough not comparing myself with them, I don’t need to hear it first hand.” I feel like an idiot for putting a voice to my inner musings, but he didn’t leave me much choice.
“Oh, fuck me.” He runs a hand across his face as he steps into my space and digs his fingers into my hips. “Moonbeam, it doesn’t matter what they think, I won’t let them start on you because of me. I’m intoxicated by you, and the other girls don’t interest me. You saw yourself how bored I always looked. It felt worse. It’s different with you. So, for as long as you let me in, I’m not going anywhere.” He rolls his hips into mine, and a low groan falls from my lips and he swallows it whole.
By the time Daria comes for me, I’ve orgasmed twice and I’ve taken him in my mouth. Even after that, I’m still hungry for more, for him.
Ten minutes to seven, I’m standing here and I can’t figure out where Emmet is, my palms are growing sweaty and I’m fidgeting on the spot. As the time ticks by, I can’t help but smack myself in the face for my stupidity. Why didn’t I tell D about this? He ordered you not to.
If I had, I wouldn’t be standing out here alone. I walk around to the side door to get back inside the Academy, but it’s locked. I mean, of course it is, I shouldn’t be surprised by my bad luck anymore. It’s getting to the point of idiocy, I can’t keep expecting things to work out for me.
I walk back past the pool house, so I can try the main doors when a hand appears in the corner of my eyes. I only have time to release a short scream before it closes around my mouth, and I’m dragged kicking into the pool house. I get forced down onto the ground as another hand wraps around my throat, and a weight presses on my back, constricting my chest further. I try to force air into my lungs but it’s hopeless, my vision gathers black spots, and I know I’m about to pass out. I’m going to die, and it’s wrong what they say.