Chapter 21
C lass passed in a blur, especially since I spent most of the time fascinated by Cole's understanding of the written word. He practically dominated a debate on modern adaptations, citing several different success stories. Even Mrs Clarence was impressed, and had said that Cole's Media studies experience would prove to be an intriguing insight in future classes. I was almost smiling as we packed away our notes and headed out of class to meet with Luce. That was until I remembered where we were going next.
I had never really used the University dining hall, which more closely resembled an elite restaurant than a lunch room for students. It was nothing like the small community college back home. I stepped through the double glass doors into the grand dining hall, the weight of Cole's hand on my lower back guiding me forward, with Luce at my side. Despite growing up around the elite, she seemed just as uncomfortable as I was, and I wouldn't have thought less of her for not wanting to be here.
It wasn't like our entrance had gone unnoticed. As we approached the Covenant table, the background chatter in the room seemed to dim, replaced by a palpable tension that made my skin prickle. Eyes followed our every move, and I could feel the weight of their stares pressing against me. Luce walked beside me, her usual bubbly demeanour subdued, her eyes darting nervously around the room.
Logan and Ryder sat at the other end of the hall at the centre of the table, surrounded by a group of students, a mix of other Covenant House guys and hopeful hanger ons. As we got closer, I saw Ryder's eyes light up with a predatory gleam that made my stomach clench.
Before I could even think about where to sit, Ryder reached out and grabbed me by the waist. With a sharp tug, he pulled me onto his lap, his grip firm, leaving no room for argument. I stiffened, my body going rigid with shock. The dining hall seemed to hold its collective breath, and I felt the heat of a hundred stares burning into my skin.
"Hungry, Poison?" Ryder purred into my ear, his breath hot against my neck. His hand splayed possessively across my thigh, fingers digging into the soft flesh just enough to make me uncomfortably aware of his touch, even through my jeans.
I wanted to leap off his lap, to push him away and assert some semblance of control over my own body. But as I looked up, my eyes met Logan's icy gaze. His eyebrow raised in silent warning, and I felt the fight drain out of me. It wasn't worth whatever humiliating action Logan took to prove to me again that I had no choice in the matter. Swallowing my pride, I forced my body to relax, though every muscle screamed in protest.
"I guess," I managed to whisper. Ryder's grin widened, triumph glittering in his eyes. He reached for his fork, spearing a piece of perfectly grilled chicken from his plate.
"Open up," he cooed, bringing the fork to my lips. The idea of being hand-fed like a child in front of the entire dining hall made my cheeks burn with humiliation, causing me to hesitate. Logan watched us, clearly enjoying my discomfort. A slow smirk grew on his face as he leaned towards us.
"He said, open up, Princess," he said slowly. "So do as he says, or you can get under the table and open up for a different type of nutrition." Ryder squeezed his free arm around my waist, pulling me hard against his body, and his quickly hardening cock. I quickly parted my lips, allowing Ryder to slide the food into my mouth as Logan leaned back in his chair, the smirk wider on his face.
Ryder's praise came out in a low, sultry drawl, "Good girl," he murmured, the approval in his voice sending a confusing jolt through me. "Although, for the record, I would have been fine with either choice." His words wrapped around me, making my face flame with a mixture of embarrassment and something darker, something I refused to acknowledge. His chuckle was a sensual sound that seemed to resonate in the pit of my stomach.
As I chewed mechanically, the food felt like sawdust in my mouth, my taste buds numbed by the turmoil of emotions swirling inside me. Ryder's hand, which had been resting possessively on my thigh, began to explore with a sense of entitlement that made my heart pound with a mix of fear and an unwanted thrill.
His fingers drew maddeningly slow circles on my skin, each loop taking him closer to the apex of my thighs. With every inch his hand travelled up my thigh, my breath hitched, and I felt myself getting caught in a series of conflicting sensations. The rational part of my brain was screaming at me to push him away, to stand up and assert my autonomy, but my traitorous body was responding to his touch in ways that both horrified and excited me. The heat of his palm seemed to burn through the thin fabric of my jeans, and I could feel a warmth building inside me, a warmth that I desperately wanted to extinguish.
Ryder's nose traced a teasing path from my shoulder to my ear, his hot breath fanning across my skin, making me shiver.
"You're so responsive, Poison," he whispered, his voice thick with satisfaction. "It's intoxicating." He then offered me a second forkful of chicken as if he wasn't groping me in public. I clenched my fists, my nails digging into my palms, using the sharp pain to anchor myself as I opened my mouth for the food. But as Ryder's hand crept higher and his palm ground on my jeans, pushing the fabric against my pussy like he knew exactly where to touch me, a soft gasp escaped my lips before I could stop it, betraying the effect he was having on me.
His touch was a spark igniting a fire that I had tried so hard to keep dormant, and I hated myself for it. And worse, it only spurred him on as he reached up to unbutton my jeans and lower the zip. My eyes widened and I wanted to throw his hand off, to stand up and walk away with my head held high, but I was acutely aware of Logan's watchful gaze, his warning hanging in the air between us.
Ryder flexed his legs, widening them, the action pushing my legs further apart, allowing his fingers to slip in against my panties and instinctively find a particularly sensitive spot. My body arched into his touch before I could restrain myself and his low, throaty laugh was a reminder that this was all part of a game for them.
"Ryder, please, stop," I hissed through gritted teeth, trying to keep my voice low enough that it wouldn't carry beyond our little bubble of twisted intimacy. But it was no use, and he managed to push aside my panties enough that he could push his fingers against my clit, applying just enough pressure to make me squirm.
"Why, sweet Poison?" he asked, his tone mockingly innocent. "You don't like it? That's not what your pussy is telling me. You're drenched right now." His fingers moved again, and despite my best efforts a moan slipped out, a sound that I hadn't meant to make, one that felt like a complete betrayal of my will.
My eyes darted to Logan, seeking some sort of intervention, but his expression was unreadable, his eyes dark and inscrutable. It was as if he was enjoying the spectacle of my discomfort, of my body's unwilling surrender to Ryder's touch. Even Cole watched us from across the table with something akin to hunger in his eyes. Everyone else at the table just avoided my silent plea for help, turning away when I met their eyes. I was completely alone.
"Ryder, please-" my plea was cut off by Logan's low, commanding voice, his words slicing through my protests like a knife.
"Faster, Ryder," he instructed, his gaze locked on mine, a cruel smile playing on his lips. Ryder's chuckle was dark and triumphant as he obeyed Logan's command without hesitation. His fingers moved with swift, expert precision, the increased speed sending jolts of pleasure through my body despite my desperate attempts to fight it. My breath hitched in my throat as I felt my control slipping away. Logan leaned in closer, his voice a whisper meant only for me.
"If you cum, Princess, you'll return the favour. You'll get on your knees right here and give Ryder the release he's earned." His words sent a shockwave of fear and unwanted excitement coursing through me. The thought of servicing Ryder in such a public setting was mortifying, yet the pulsing heat between my legs betrayed my body's response to the depraved scenario. The room full of students, the clatter of silverware, and the murmur of conversation all faded into the background as Ryder's merciless fingers drove me closer and closer to the edge. I could feel the eyes of all three Regents on me, their pleasure derived from my submission and the power they wielded over my body.
As I teetered on the brink, Logan's hand moved beneath the table, his own satisfaction evident in the tightening of his jaw and the intense focus of his gaze. It was clear that he was pleasuring himself at my expense, drawing out his own enjoyment from the torment he was inflicting upon me. Ryder ran his teeth along my neck and pinched my clit firmly, pushing me over the edge. My orgasm ripped through me, intense and all-consuming, as I bit down on my lip and clapped my hand over my mouth to stifle the cry that threatened to escape my lips. The world around me shattered into a million pieces, leaving me trembling and gasping for air.
As the waves of pleasure subsided, reality came crashing back down. Was Logan really going to make me perform such a lewd act in the dining room? My eyes met his, and in that moment, I knew he had every intention of following through with his threat. My stomach dropped and I felt like I was going to throw up.
Ryder shifted his legs again and a shudder ran through me as he pulled his hand out of my pants and slid his fingers into his mouth, sucking on them right next to my ear. Cole leaned forward, a curious intense look on his face.
"How does she taste?" he asked Ryder, his eyes not leaving mine.
"Like fucking perfection," Ryder purred, running his nose along my neck again. "You really should try some." Cole's eyes drifted down my body as if he was contemplating Ryder's words and the very thought sent a twitch through my sensitive pussy, causing me to clamp my legs closed, as much as I could.
"Maybe after she's paid the fee," Logan said with a smirk. "If she does a good job that is." Ryder's hand landed on my thigh again and I flinched, and not entirely from fear.
"Maybe," he mused, pulling my ass against his rock hard cock, "If we were to miss afternoon classes and go back home, Cole could eat Poison out to his heart's content while she swallows me down her throat." Oh god. I wasn't sure how much more I could take of this, especially the way Cole's eyes lit up at the idea. Ryder ran his hand up my clenched thigh again and pushed the rough fabric of the jeans against my sensitive clit.
"You would like that, wouldn't you Poison?" he asked mockingly. "A Regent at both ends."
I didn't know how to answer, I mean what the fuck could you say to that? Especially as my body was screaming yes. I didn't have to answer, because at that moment a sickeningly sweet voice cut through the air.
"Look at you." I looked up to see Julia leaning across the table, her perfectly manicured nails tapping against the polished wood. "From scholarship trash to the Regents' little pet. It's almost impressive how quickly you've adapted to your new... position." Her words were designed to cut deep, and I felt each one like a knife to my gut. Was it really that obvious what had just happened? I clenched my jaw as tears threatened to spring to my eyes. Still, I couldn't help but feel a surge of anger at her smug expression. I heard Luce shift uncomfortably in her seat and realised to my horror that she had been there the whole time. When I glanced at her, I saw a mix of concern and helplessness in her eyes. She looked like she wanted to say something, to defend me, but the oppressive atmosphere at the table kept her silent. Her eyes met mine and she blushed before looking away again.
Ryder's grip on my thigh tightened, his fingers digging in painfully. Was he annoyed at me, or at Julia?
"Now, now, Julia," he drawled, his voice dripping with false sweetness. "No need to be jealous. I'm sure if you ask nicely, one of the other guys might consider giving you a turn. If there are any left that haven't already ridden you that is." He leaned us both forward as he looked down the table.
"Any takers, fuck faces?" Not one guy spoke, and Logan chuckled.
"I think that means, fuck off," he said as he looked back at Julia. Julia's face flushed an ugly red, her mouth opening and closing like a fish out of water. She spun around to storm off, but Logan wasn't done. “Oh, and Latters," he called, and she stopped. "If you disrespect our Consort again, I will personally see to it that the apartments project our fathers are collaborating on have a personal touch to their foundations." Julia's face paled and I didn't need to look at Logan to know he wasn't joking. Julia turned again and walked away without another word. I felt a twisted sense of satisfaction at seeing her knocked off balance, even as I recoiled at the insinuation that Julia had been with the Regents. A surprising wave of possessiveness rushed through me at the thought, making me want to slam her perfectly made up face against the table. What the fuck was wrong with me, why would I even care who the guys slept with?
The tension at the table was broken by the arrival of Melody, her gentle presence a stark contrast to the suffocating atmosphere. She slid into an empty seat, offering me a small smile that didn't quite reach her eyes.
"Cade," she said, her voice low and careful. "I wanted to remind you about the Courts meeting this afternoon. We'll be discussing the Halloween Haunted House event. There's a lot to cover, so make sure you're there on time." For a moment, hope fluttered in my chest. I wasn't aware of the meeting, but it would be a reprieve, a chance to escape the suffocating presence of the Regents and reconnect with some semblance of normalcy. But before I could even respond, Logan's voice cut through the air like a whip.
"I'll be escorting Cadence to the meeting," he said, his tone brooking no argument. His eyes met mine, a clear message in their depths: I wasn't getting away that easy. I lowered my gaze, unable to bear the weight of Logan's stare or the triumphant smirk I knew would be plastered across Ryder's face.
The rest of lunch passed in a blur of unwanted touches and forced bites of food. Ryder seemed to take perverse pleasure in going back to feeding me, his fingers often lingering too long on my lips. Each time I caught Logan's eye, I saw a mix of possessiveness and something darker, something that made my blood run cold. When the bell finally rang, signalling the end of the lunch period, I felt like I could breathe again. Ryder's grip on me loosened, and I practically leapt from his lap, my legs unsteady beneath me.
"I'll see you after your last class," Logan said, his voice low and firm. It wasn't a request, but a command. I nodded mutely, gathering my things with trembling hands and rushed from the room before the guys realised that I still hadn't returned Ryder's apparent favour.