Chapter 12
twelve
Kade Langley
Tutoring
It’s been a few days since we scared Rowyn in the woods, and I’ve been itching to annoy her, so what better time than during a tutor session?
Opening the library doors, I look around but don’t see her, so I make my way to the back and spot her, smiling at her phone. Who has my little Shadow Mouse so happy?
Walking over to her, I slam my bag onto the wooden desk, and she jumps.
Excellent. She places her phone face down and looks up at me, but doesn’t say a word.
“Hey, Kade, I’m so excited to work with you on your studies.
I’m just overwhelmed with joy to share this space with you for two hours tonight.
How was your day, sweetheart?” I chastise, and her eyes turn into slits, making me laugh.
“Funny, let’s get to work. What do you need help with?” she asks, and I tilt my head, looking at her.
“Who were you on the phone with?” I ask, and her eyes widen.
“None of your business. Now answer my question so we can get this over with,” she says in a tone I don’t particularly like.
“Let’s try this again, except I want you to respond without the stick up your ass. Unless you’re into that. Then I’d like to watch.” I grin, and she gives me a look of disgust, then fidgets in her seat.
“I don’t have time for this, Kade. Are we going to work or are you going to spend the next two hours making fun of me?” she huffs, and I laugh.
“Correction. You do have time for this. You’re being paid to be here. So I’ll do what I want with my allotted two hours and there isn’t a goddamn thing you can do about it!” I grit, and her eyes widen.
“I can go to the admins and tell them you aren’t doing shit with me, and I’ll have you removed off my roster,” she threatens as a sly smirk lifts at the crease of her top lip, and a sinister smile spreads across my face. Oh, she's feisty tonight. I lean in, licking my lips.
“I fucking dare you, Shadow Mouse. But let me save you some time. They won’t believe you. Remember who runs this place. Your word over mine will get you nowhere,” I spit, leaning back in my chair and unzipping my backpack, taking out my sketch pad.
“I’m really getting sick of you and your friends always telling me, 'I dare you.' It’s really fucking annoying,” she snarks, and I laugh. I love her fire but if she keeps it up all it will do is get her burned.
“What’s wrong, Rowyn, are your panties wadded?” I ask, and she rolls her eyes and huffs.
“My panties are none of your business,” she fires back.
“Hmm. That's where you're wrong. I bet if I slide my fingers into your leggings, I’d find you soaked. You like it when I’m mean to you. You get off on it. I’m surprised you’re not ordering me around yet.
” I laugh, and she doesn’t say anything.
Instead, she reaches into her bag, slides earbuds into her ears, and flips me the bird.
Jesus, this girl has grown balls overnight.
Opening my pad, I start working on a new sketch, ignoring her, which is hard to do when she keeps looking at me and fidgeting in her fucking seat. Her phone vibrates, but she ignores it. I continue to draw, yet it vibrates again. This time, I pick it up.
“Let’s see who is interrupting my time with you, shall we,” I taunt, and her eyes widen.
“Kade, give it back,” she demands as I light up the screen, seeing she has two missed text messages from Elliot. Elliot. Elliot. Elliot.
Gritting my teeth, I swipe it open, but it’s password-protected. Fucking hell. My eyes snap to hers as she rises from her seat and rounds the table. I push my chair out and face her. “I’m asking nicely for you to give me back my phone, please,” she says, but I hold it up in the air behind me.
“Come take it from me,” I tell her with a wink, and she places her hands on her hips.
“Kade, please,” she begs, making me grin, so I lick my lips and look up at her.
“Anyone ever tell you, you look so hot when you beg. So much prettier than usual,” I taunt, then take her in.
She huffs as my eyes scan up her body. Tight black leggings and a dark gray hoodie that covers all her curves.
Her hair is up in a bun, messy as hell. I’d love to run my fingers through it, making it messier.
Her face has no sign of makeup except for a fading bruise.
The fuck? I immediately stand, which causes her to take a step back.
“W-what are you d-doing?” she stutters as I run my fingers gently over the bruise on her cheek then down her jaw. She flinches and her lips tremble, making them inviting. I just want to sink my teeth into her pink flesh.
“I’m not doing anything. I was just curious as to how you got this bruise. Did someone hurt you?” I ask, because I am genuinely concerned. It’s one thing to be outwardly mean but it’s another to put hands on a girl. I don’t play that shit.
“I don’t trust you enough to tell you,” she states, and I growl. I bet you she told Elliot though.
Looking around the room, I’m glad no one is back here.
I’m not like Grayson. I don’t get off on having an audience when I need to get my point across.
So, I let my fingers linger near her throat and watch how fast the vein in her neck is beating before leaning in.
“Is that right?” I breathe, snaking my tongue along her bottom lip.
She takes a deep shuddering breath when my hands find her hips, giving them a squeeze.
“I just want to know what happened, and if you tell me, I’ll give you your phone back and then we can get to work.
Time is ticking,” I whisper, but the words leave my mouth as a command, then I suck her lip, flicking it with my tongue.
She gasps and squirms in my hold, forcing her body to rub against mine.
I clear my throat as a shiver crawls up my spine.
“Fine, I was almost raped the other night at the bonfire and the guy I was with hit me,” she says, and I take a step back.
“What?” I answer, extremely confused because we scared him away.
“Don’t make me repeat it. It was hard enough to just say it. Especially to you considering—” But I cut her off.
“So what you’re telling me is the night of the bonfire some guy tried to rape you and he hit you?” I say, reiterating what she just said.
“Yes,” she states, and I take another step back. Interesting. I spin and go back to my seat, then hand her the phone as promised, but now I’m fucking curious about what else happened that night.
“Did you go to the football game?” I ask, and she nods. “Okay, then the bonfire?” And she nods again. “Walk me through the night,” I tell her, and she raises a brow.
“Why do you care?” she asks, and I’m stunned to silence, because why do I care? It’s a very valid question, one that I don’t have an answer for.
“Just answer the question. Stop making everything difficult,” I say, and she takes another deep breath and sits in her seat opposite of me.
“Like I said, Me and Misti went to the game then the bonfire. She went to hang out with Spencer and they introduced me to Mike. I don’t remember much of the night,” she says, and I sit back in my seat, shocked that she doesn’t remember me and Grayson fucking with her and scaring that guy off.
“Does Mike go here?” I ask, because I don’t think he does.
“No. He’s out of college apparently. I really don’t want to talk about this,” she says, her hands shaking as she moves her paper absentmindedly.
Her movements scream to me that she’s uncomfortable and frightened.
It's one thing when I’m the one making her feel like that, but the information she just spewed is what she believes happened, so I just nod, leaving it alone.
“Okay. Let’s just work independently this session and the next one we can work on something together,” I tell her, and she nods. Still, I sit here, and I’m confused as fuck, so I take out my phone and shoot a text over to Grayson.
Me:
Yo bro.
Almost immediately.
Grayson:
What’s up?
Me:
We need to talk.
Grayson:
About.
Me:
Rowyn
Grayson:
Why the fuck do we need to talk about her?
Me:
I got some interesting information tonight, and you’re going to want to hear it.
Grayson.
Fine. Where are you?
Me:
I can’t right this second. I’ll come to your room when I’m finished.
Grayson:
Fine. Don’t keep me waiting long. You know how I get.
Me:
I’ll see you in an hour.
Sliding my phone back into my pocket, I pick up my sketch pad and finish what I’m drawing.
I still don’t get it. Why wouldn’t she remember?
Was she drinking that night? Could that guy have drugged her, which would make sense as to why she doesn’t remember?
Did he come back after we left? What the fuck?