Chapter 22
I’m not going to lie. Now that I’ve had a few hours to cool off and released some steam in that alcove with Isla earlier…I’m starting to think I might’ve taken things a bit too far.
Isla’s living situation has been bothering me for days. I knew she wasn’t a fan of her roommates, but my gut kept telling me there was more to the story. And I hated not knowing.
Now that I know how bad it is—I’m in trouble.
I know it. And I didn’t give two shits about it this morning when I called the department store and rattled off everything I’ll need delivered today—money was no issue.
Thank fuck the woman worked on commission and kept adding miscellaneous items like throw pillows, a desk lamp, bean bag chair, and a bath collection basket. No idea if she’ll use it, but fuck it. The more I can give her, the better.
I heard changes in housing could be a nightmare once they assigned you a room. And knowing Isla, she probably accepted the first no they gave her.
Since I don’t know Isla’s last name, my first instinct was to find Tisch—since I know hers, unfortunately—and make her tell me where Isla’s room was.
But chances of that girl helping a Knight with anything were slim to none, so I did it the old-fashioned way—charmed the lights out of the student worker at the residence hall office to tell me where Isla lived.
I had to be super discreet about it too, since we’re keeping this on the DL, so no one suspects her of being Shadow.
I made up a story about a girl named Isla at our party last night and she left her phone on the couch. Being the good host that I am, I was bringing it back to her.
When I walked into the place, everything made sense. I mean for fucks’ sake, she was living with Chili and Olive.
Had I known that sooner, this wouldn’t have been such a mystery. Those two are lethal together.
I nearly lost my shit when I saw the closet she was living in.
Angry at myself for not looking into it sooner. Angry at her for not speaking up and defending herself. But I had to play it cool with the wicked stepsisters. Telling them Isla’s my tutor and a good friend of the team.
I may have slipped that I’d make sure they didn’t have a place to live next semester with the pull I have in this school if they didn’t make Isla comfortable.
That’s the only part I regret.
If she finds out I threatened them, well then maybe I won’t need to teach Isla how to defend herself after all.
Because I have a feeling she won’t hesitate to rip me to shreds.
It’s past seven. Isla never texted. But oddly enough, Shadow did—in the private locker room.
The Locker Room
Kane’s Shadow
Shadow: Is seven good?
Kane19: As in orgasms? A bit excessive for one night—especially for a newbie, but we could certainly try.
Shadow: Good to know. What about as in seven this evening?
Kane19: Better make it six if we’re shootin’ for gold here.
Shadow has left the locker room.
I re-read the exchange three times since the hour passed. Even texted her since I have her number, and now I’m wondering if I should start to worry.
The doorbell finally rings and my pulse picks up as I head toward it.
The knot in my chest finally loosens when I find Isla on the other side. She doesn’t smile.
She’s in an off-shoulder sweater and tights.
“You’re just in time.”
She steps inside without a formal invitation, pleasantly surprising me. She’s got what looks like an overnight bag with her and I lift my brows. “Planning on spending the night again?”
“No. I was hoping to use your shower. You have a private one in your room so…”
“Sunshine, you can use my shower.” I glance over at the kitchen and step close. “In fact, if you give me a few minutes to finish helping Grey in the kitchen, I can meet you up there.”
She looks up at me, and for a second, I brace for the worst. Instead, she places a hand against my chest. “Maybe another time. But you can meet me up there when I’m done.”
Hunter peeks out from the kitchen. “Hey, Isla.”
“Hey,” she calls back with a grin and an ease in her tone. And there it is. The difference. Something is off.
“Come on back here, it’s taco night.”
“Oh I’m good, thanks. Had dinner earlier.”
Hunter leans against the doorframe with a smirk. “I’d offer dessert, but looks like you’re already—”
“Dude,” I warn.
Isla giggles and I’m relieved she finds the humor. “I’m just here for a hot shower. But I’ll be back down in a bit.”
“Hey, are you sure we’re good?” I ask after Hunter tosses her a wink and disappears into the kitchen.
“Why wouldn’t we be?”
“I’m assuming you’ve…been home.”
“I have.”
“And you’re not angry at me,” I confirm.
“If I was, you’d know.”
I nod, not quite sure I believe her.
Hunter, Grey and I bullshit for a minute after Isla disappears up the stairs, but I can’t get my mind off her.
Especially after I hear the shower stop running.
I’m not listening to my roommates talk about the upcoming game against Lockwood this week, even though I should be.
As captain, I should be planning our defense, remembering this team’s strengths and weaknesses so we know what drills to focus on next practice.
Instead, I keep listening for footsteps overhead, even though I know I won’t hear them from here. My room isn’t directly above the kitchen.
“Aaand we’ve lost him.”
I snap out of it. “Huh?”
Grey holds up his hands. “Dude, I get it. There’s a hot naked girl in your room. And you’re down here talking to us.”
I shake my head. “We’re just friends.”
Hunter looks at Grey and grumbles. “None of my friends offer to sit on my face.”
I toss a dish rag at him.
Grey meets my eyes. “Dude, seriously, why are you still sitting here?”
I shift in my seat. “I might have done something not very…friend-like today.”
“You kissed her.”
I side-eye Grey. “That was last night, keep up.”
I continue, “I might have gotten up early, stalked over to the Northwind House, tracked down Isla’s dorm room, confronted her roommates for bullying her and...bought her a few things.”
The two glare at me.
“Run that by us again…” Hunter says flatly.
“That why you were so mad this morning?” Grey asks, keeping up.
I shake my head. “Guys, it wasn’t good.” I glance behind me. “She was living…they didn’t…give her much space. And I kind of overcompensated for it. And now she’s…acting funny.”
Grey shrugs. “She’s here. Can’t be that mad.”
Hunter gives Grey a look. “Dude, you do not know women. For all we know, this is Isla’s I’m fine before all goes to hell.” He turns to me, horrified. “You better get up there.”
I don’t know what I’m so afraid of.
I want to think the fear stems from losing my sure thing. My key to making the Frozen Four.
But I’m genuinely concerned I crossed a line today with someone who doesn’t trust easily.
I knock on my bedroom door and gently push it open. “Isla?”
My dick instantly grows hard at the sight I find.
Isla is on my bed, wearing one of my jerseys. Her hair is damp, her legs bare. Pretty sure the rest of her is too, judging by the way she’s sitting against the headboard. Legs parted, the sheet pulled just below her waist. She side-eyes me as I shut the door.
“What are you doing?” I shift my gaze to where her hand moves between her legs under my sheet.
“Violating your privacy. Going through your things. Breaking rules.” A vibrating sound starts and my stomach drops. My dick hardens in my fresh sweatpants and I picture totally blowing in them again.
“Isla.”
She throws her head back, her spine arching. Her ass rising off my bed, giving me a sick side view. Fuck.
I draw closer but with caution. “Isla. Give me that.”
“No.”
I tear my shirt off and toss it on the floor.
Her eyes roam my bare chest and this time, there’s a whimper as she continues to stroke herself.
“Need some help?” I ask calmly.
She glares at me and pants. “I don’t need anything from you—and if this is a deal breaker, then consider it broken.”
Okay, she’s mad.
Wait…did she say if?
A sliver of relief washes over me. But I know I’m not out of the woods yet.
I climb onto the bed. My hands gripping either side of the sheet as I hold her eyes.
“Well?” she prods.
“Not till you say when, Sunshine.”
She sighs. “You’re insufferable.”
She watches me for a moment, and I know she’s either too angry or too in her own head to be enjoying herself.
I keep my eyes on her face, which any other time would knock the air out of me, but right now, wrecks me in a whole new way.
Her eyes break contact and she groans. “When.”
I yank down the sheets at her command. Her bare, slick pussy in front of me. She doesn’t pause like I thought she might. She slides the dildo up and down her slit. Then slowly pushes in the tip.
I swallow, cursing. “Don’t you fucking dare.”
“Oh,” she pants. “I dare. And I’m not apologizing for it.”
“You will. Hand it over, Isla.”
“What, before I hurt myself? You’ve already done that, thank you.”
Something inside me cracks.
Shit.
She arches again, this time with a moan as she pushes it further. “Fuck,” she stretches, pushing deeper.
“Stop,” I growl.
She pauses, flicking her eyes to me.
“You made your point. I crossed a line today, now please. Let me.”
Isla drops her gaze down my abdomen then back to me. “Come and take it.”
I lean over, ghosting my fingers over hers. “You look good wearing my number over a bare pussy, Sunshine. Now let go and let me get to work.”
She bites her bottom lip as her hand falls to her side, the toy with it.
I scoop it up and hold it steady against her entrance. “Wanna talk about it?”
“No.”
“Alright.” I move over her, my free hand finding the headboard as I crowd her, my lips lingering above hers. Then I tap the button to raise the speed, breathing her in when she gasps. “If at any point you want me to stop, say it.”
She nods.
“I’ll accept that but from now on, when I ask you something, I need words. Yes, no, stop, more, I don’t care what they are. I just need to hear you.”
Another nod. “Okay.”
I slide the tip up and down her slit, teasing her swollen clit. “Too much?”
She writhes and moans under me. “Oh fuck. More.”
She’s so fucking gorgeous like this. And I no longer regret a single thing I did today. “Hands on my shoulders,” I tell her. She complies instantly, and the moment I feel her grip, I slide the vibrator inside her a few inches.
A sharp gasp brushes against my ear.
“You like that?” I ask.
Her breath comes fast. “Y—yes.”
“You sure? You wouldn’t rather have the real thing, baby? Or my fingers? Or my tongue?”
She whimpers for more when I pull it out, drawing lazy circles around her clit instead.
“You want more?”
She whines and grinds against it. “Yes. Yes, more.”
“I should tie you up right now. Show you just how fast I can develop a kink in hearing you beg.” I run my hand along her curves. “But we’re not peeling my layers right now. We’re peeling yours.”
She stills with everything she’s got, not giving me the satisfaction.
“Now be a good girl and lift up my number.”
She frowns and looks down at the jersey. Holding my eyes, she lifts it over her chest.
And fuck, she’s gorgeous. Her tits are perfect, plump and round. I’m desperate to feel them. To cup, suck, and nip them until she can’t take any more. Begging me to fuck her with anything… the dildo, my tongue. My cock.
But finding her eyes shut, I have a sudden change of plans.
Pulling the wet tip of the toy away from her pussy, I place it over her hard nipple, making her gasp, watching her eyes go wide. “Good girl. Don’t close those pretty eyes again.”
I lift the teal dildo to my mouth and suck the tip clean. “Fuck, I knew it.” I shut the toy off and drop it somewhere between her legs, quickly replacing it with my fingers. “Could practically taste this sweet cunt when I read Shadow’s message.”
Her lips fall open in a state of shock.
“Are we stopping yet?”
She shakes her head. “No.”
“Tell me why you’re mad.”
“You know why I’m mad,” she growls and fuck that’s sexy. Not enough that I want to piss her off again, but enough to want to remember her just like this.
“I do. But I want to hear you say it.”
She writhes under me again. “Now?”
I slide my hands between her thighs. “That depends. Do you want to come now? Or can it wait until tomorrow?”
She sighs. “Because you violated my privacy. You jeopardized my secret. You…” She twists and moans against the ache of my teasing. “You…you…stood up for me.”
I stop, hearing nothing but her panting between us.
“No one’s ever done that for me. I was angry about it all day. And it took a call with my therapist to realize I was angry at myself for how much I loved and hated it at the same time,” her voice cracks.
Fuck me.
“I know the feeling. Felt the same way this morning. I loved and hated what I did for you. Loved that I could finally help you. Hated that you’ve been living like that as long as you have.
If we’re going to be friends, Isla, I’m not just going to sit back and ignore things that affect you.
I’m not going to pretend I don’t see the way you stiffen when we’re in a crowded room.
Or when you sit alone in a library waiting for students who have nothing better to do on the weekends.
Or that you come up with any excuse not to go home.
Because I do notice. And I am going to do something about it. ”
She looks up at me wearily. “I’m still not apologizing.”
I grin. “Neither am I.”
I toss the toy on the floor, knowing I’m going to have to come up with something to explain the loud thump to my roommates later.
I replace my fingers between her legs again and lower my lips to hers, rocking my hips against her bare pussy.
She moans.
“Now, how are we taking care of this ache, baby?”
She cups my face. Eyes dropping to my mouth, then meeting my gaze.
“Another day I’m making you ask for it. But right now, I know better than to risk you not.”