Chapter 4
Sten
“Oh,this is vile. This is ghastly,” Amrin said, holding her breath while she stuffed a pile of dirty clothes into the washer.
I admit, it’d been a while since I cleaned out my room and things were getting pretty ripe in there. She was wearing one of my t-shirts, since hers was completely ruined by the rain.
Who wore white on an island that saw rain seventy percent of the time?
Only one curvy little Witch that I knew. This girl with her head in the clouds, she was completely unexpected. Not that I’d minded the view. The surprisingly adorable pink bra she wore beneath it was on full display.
Whoever invented bras must have been a most powerful sorcerer, indeed. How two dainty little half cups of lace and a bit of wire could elevate her massive breasts, as if cupping them and lifting them in offering, was the most incredible magic I had ever seen.
And my ancestor was the fucking moon.
Rrrrr.
Stealing a glance as she bent down to retrieve the now empty laundry basket, I bit back my moan.
Those tights!
Fuck.
I adjusted my hard length beneath my black jeans, hoping she did not see. But I didn’t have to worry. Pretty little Luna was as oblivious to my leering as she was to her own appeal.
How could she think she was anything other than beautiful?
All those curves and dips, the way she wiggled and jiggled with every bouncy step.
Fuck.
I was hypnotized, and this was getting ridiculous.
She’d tied my t-shirt right under her tits, showing off her indented waist and soft, curvy stomach. I was pretty tall, and before she’d done that, the thing hung down to her knees. Probably more comfortable, tucked up like that. I certainly liked it better.
The dryer was going with just her t-shirt in it, and I wondered if maybe I should break it or something. I mean, I liked her in my clothes, and I wanted to keep her in them.
Are you crazy or something?
Calm down.
As far as pep talks went, it kind of sucked, but it was just what I needed to hear. I don’t know why when she told me she would do anything in exchange for my help, I’d asked her to clean my room. But there it was, and there we were.
The next day, things went smoother. Amrin had hung the shirt she’d borrowed on a hook and told me to leave it there, and I did. I mean, obviously I was not much of a cleaner. I’d just reached my room, which was actually a tiny little shed apart from the castle. I blew out a breath, ridiculously disappointed that she wasn’t there waiting for me.
We didn’t have every class together, and I didn’t know her schedule or I would have met her. Last night, when she left, I cloaked myself in moon shadows, those were the dark spaces opposite of the moonlight. It was part of my power, being able to manipulate them and move discreetly among others when I wanted. I said discreetly, but more like invisible.
I’d never used it to follow someone home, but the thought of Amrin walking back through the forest to her dorm room with her bouncy step and her ass outlined perfectly in those hot pink leggings had made me downright homicidal.
What if someone saw her?
What if they liked what they saw?
What if they tried to talk or, gods forbid, touch her?
No.
No fucking way.
I couldn’t handle even imagining such things, so yeah, I took to the dark and followed her in complete silence. Pretty little butterfly was a daydreamer, and it didn’t surprise me how often she had stopped to look at something—a tree, a night blooming flower, the stars. She seemed to take it all in with a sense of serenity I could not remember ever feeling.
Now I was pacing in front of my rooms, wondering if and when she would show up. I should have remembered the wandering eye thing sooner.
“Fuck,” I muttered, knowing I was going back through the woods to track her and worrying she’d left the path or gotten lost.
The moon had not risen yet, so I couldn’t pull on its shadows to hide myself. I had to go look, though. Couldn’t risk her marring that soft, pale skin. Anything could happen in the forest. That’s why it was off limits. The only reason I stayed there was because my unique powers made it possible for me to cover my entire dwelling with night, hiding in plain sight from other Monsters and beasts.
Headmistress Blackthorn knew I was volatile, and she’d reluctantly agreed to allow me my space. After all, I could not sleep with the very same dogs that had hunted down my family for eons. The academy was neutral territory, and my identity was secret, but that didn’t make it any easier to take.
Back to Amrin.
No, I didn’t relish outing my ridiculous feelings for the almost human girl, but what choice did I have?
I was just about to head off into the trees when I heard humming. I paused, canting my head so I could listen to the sound better.
Five minutes later, my pretty butterfly emerged from behind a tall white pine, and my heart thudded heavily at her approach. She wasn’t looking at me, so she didn’t know I was there. But I was looking at her. And the picture she made, this time in a pair of cut-off jean shorts that showed her legs off up to her thighs.
Her shirt was bright blue and tight across her chest, showcasing those perfect tits for all and sundry. My mouth went dry, and my cock grew hard beneath my pants. I should have put on something other than sweats. It was almost fucking impossible to hide a boner in sweatpants, for fuck’s sake.
Where the fuck was her robe?
I wanted to growl out loud, but then I saw it folded over her arm. She was walking and humming, a book in her hand, and I shook my head, allowing myself a slight grin.
Fuck.
She was adorable.
“Oh, hi,” Amrin said, smiling widely when she saw me.
“Hey,” I grumbled, putting on the sullen mask I’d decided to wear in her presence.
Yeah, I was crushing on her, but I was smart enough to know I shouldn’t. I mean, she was too good for me. I was a fucking fuck up. Really, I should just tell her to forget it. That I wouldn’t help her with her extra credit, but I couldn’t bring myself to do it.
The truth was, I was greedy for every second I could get with her. And I wasn’t willing to give it up just yet.
Maybe not ever.