Chapter 43
Combined Arms
Harper
The house is quiet when I walk in and hang my backpack on my hook. Mom is waiting for me somewhere and it’s time to face the music. I don’t know how to explain to her that the guys have changed.
I’m not sure what Mr. Wick told her, but they aren’t the same guys from a few weeks ago.
Yes, they’re aggressive. Yes, we kiss and I like it a lot—maybe I’ll leave that part out. But they are mostly good guys who care about me. They protect me and want to keep me.
Yeah, maybe I won’t tell her all that. I guess I’ll just wing it.
When I enter the living room, Mom has the TV on. She hits pause and watches me walk in and sit on the chair facing her.
“What did Mr. Wick want to talk to you about in private?”
We don’t keep secrets from each other generally. There’s a lot she hasn’t told me about my dad, but I understand that. I was too young. She was too hurt. Time and distance got away from both of us.
Mom’s cheeks flush with color. I’m not sure if it’s anger or embarrassment or both. I brace myself for anything.
“He let me know that he’s seen you and them in the hallways.” Mom’s eyes meet mine. “That even though Nico seems new, he’s falling in line with the others.”
I nod. Nico is one of them.
“He also implied they’re like a gang.” Mom shakes her head. “But when I asked him what that meant, he didn’t really have an answer for me.”
“They’re close friends.” I’m not going to say they do everything together. “They walk me to class. We already told you someone at the school is targeting me. The principal is aware of the picture. The guys just want to keep me safe.”
“There was an incident with a guy tied to the flagpole?” Mom leans forward. “Were they involved with that?”
I shrug and my cheeks heat. “If so, it was a prank. They’re high school boys.”
Mom blows out a breath. “Are you safe with them?”
“Always.” I don’t hesitate because it’s true. I’m safest when I’m with them.
She shakes her head and looks at her hands. “I want to trust your judgement about them, Harper, but I’m also worried things might go too far.”
I swallow. We’re in deep now. I’m in love with them. They have feelings for me. I don’t know how to reassure her when I’m not even sure if I’m safe or how far others will go to get back at them through me.
“David also asked me out on a date.” Mom’s words are quiet.
My eyes widen. “My teacher asked you out on a date? Can he do that?”
It’s her turn to shrug. “I don’t have work on Friday night. You’ll be at the football game and whatever party afterward. It might be nice to go out and reminisce about high school days.”
“You’re going on a date with my teacher?” My brain is practically exploding.
She chuckles and shakes her head as she looks at me. “At least it’s not five teachers.”
“You’re just not thinking big enough, Mom.” I smile, because she’s right. I also know she hasn’t dated in all this time since Dad’s been gone. Maybe this is just the beginning of her dating. Mr. Wick isn’t a bad guy. He did try to help me.
She laughs. “I don’t know how you handle all those boys.”
Her cheeks flame red and she holds up her hands. “Not like that. And also, please don’t tell me. I really don’t want to know.”
I laugh and stand. “Do you need to get an outfit for your date?”
Her eyes widen. “Oh god, I don’t have anything to wear. Guess we’ll get dinner out and do some shopping.”
“I’m in.” If my mom is going out, then she should do it right. Even if it is with my teacher. Besides, it’s not like she’ll keep dating him.
Nico
It’s late when I sneak out of my house and into Harper’s. We made sure to talk in the locker room to see if we could get anyone to bite on the hook. We’re not sure if anyone is aware we’re still sleeping over since Luke and Caden are both busy at home.
Caden came over earlier to watch the house until I could get there. I sit on the edge of Harper’s bed and open my phone.
Me:
I’m in
Caden:
K. I’m off
Text before you leave in the morning
Me:
Will do
Caden:
Enjoy your night
I will. Harper is curled up on her side, facing away from me. I always enjoy my time with Harper. I run my hand through my hair and set my phone on the nightstand next to hers.
Tonight was rough. My parents were arguing.
Mom knows Dad’s having an affair and he keeps denying it. He’s never home, but he claims he has to work late. It’s just the job. Both Mom and I know it’s bullshit. Hell, he probably realizes we know it’s bullshit.
I can’t do much except be there for her. He makes me so fucking angry and makes me feel impotent to do anything as I watch her struggle.
I take off my clothes and slip under the sheets with Harper, spooning her. Her warmth coats me and it settles some of the anger. She lets out a little breath, but doesn’t wake up. How many nights have I laid in bed thinking about her since I’ve come back? Stroking my cock to the thought of her?
And now she’s all mine. I slip my hand under her tank top and cup her breast, teasing the nipple into a hard peak. I tease her breasts until her breath quickens and she squirms back against my hard cock.
I slide my other hand down the front of her sleep shorts and beneath her panties. When I find her wet, I suck in a breath. She lets out a low moan as I work her clit. I take my hand out of her shirt and cover her mouth so her mom won’t hear Harper’s needy little noises as I work her to the edge.
When her clit begins to throb, I draw her shorts and panties down to her thighs to uncover her pussy for me. I return to working her clit as my cock brushes her entrance. She moans into my hand.
If I go slowly, she might stay asleep while I fuck her, but all this rage bottled up inside me wants an outlet. When I pinch her clit, her muscles tighten as she comes.
I thrust deep inside her convulsing pussy and feel her tighten again. Her muffled moan is music to my fucking ears. Her thighs are banded together by her sleep shorts. I’m curled around her with my cock buried deep inside her. This is paradise.
I wait until her orgasm settles. Her fingers slide over mine across her mouth and she pulls my hand away.
“Nico,” she whispers. Her hips try to move on mine, but I have her pressed against me.
“Yes, sunshine?” I kiss the back of her neck.
“Please.” Her plea is everything. “Fuck me.”
I draw out slowly and ease back in. “Like this?”
She whimpers and shakes her head. “Harder, Nico.”
My cock twitches at the command, but I’m here for it. I draw out, feeling her tight pussy stroking me the whole way. “You ready?”
“Yes. Fuck me.”
I thrust into her harder and her pussy quivers around me.
“Again,” she whispers and brings my hand back up to cover her mouth. My fingers slide over her clit and she whimpers.
I press my forehead to the back of her head and fuck her, sliding out and punching back in over and over. Every inch of her pussy clings to me. I work her clit as she moans into my hand.
“You’re mine, Harper.” I keep fucking her, trying to keep the bed from making any sound that will alert her mother. “You and I were meant to be.”
She mumbles something against my hand before she arches against me.
Her whole body tightens as she shatters all around me.
I keep fucking into her, bringing little aftershocks that caress every inch of my cock until I can’t hold back anymore and my release overwhelms me.
I hold back my groan as I pump her full of my cum.
Marking her as mine. Claiming her in the most primal way I can.
Her clit pulses against my still finger. Her cunt clutches my cock. Our chests heave together. I wish her naked skin was on mine, but I didn’t take her clothes off.
I draw my hand away from her mouth.
“Do you think we’ll ever be safe?” she whispers.
My breath punches out of me as I stroke her hair away from her face. “I don’t know, but we’ll always be together.”
“Will we survive the real world?”
This place, this town, this school. It’s all different. Outside of here can this work? “As long as we have each other, I think it can. We all want it to.”
She draws my hand against her breasts and snuggles against me. My cock is softer, but still buried inside her. When I start to move, she reaches over and stills my hip.
“Stay.” The word is soft and alluring, just like her. “I want to feel you all night.”
I push in deep, growing harder at her words, but I’m not going to fuck her again. At least not yet. “Okay, sunshine, let’s get some sleep.”
Harper
I’m eating eggs at the island when Mom comes in and heads straight to the coffee machine.
“I work this weekend.” She fills her mug. Her eyes lift to mine. “Days. On for two and then off one and then back on nights next week.”
My insides twist. I push my eggs around with my fork. “Okay.”
“I take it Luke is staying home with his father and new sister?”
I nod. Not that I think Mom would be okay with me staying with Luke, but I most definitely don’t want to be in the same house as his father. So, that also eliminates Penny as an option.
“And Caden is home with his sister? His parents are still in town?”
I nod again.
“Maybe Kenz can stay with you?”
“I can check.”
But the guys will still be here. I don’t know if the others will be able to keep up this schedule. Do they need to wait as late to sneak out of their houses or do they wait because of my mom? I guess we’ll be talking about it today or this weekend.
Which reminds me.
“The guys mentioned going to Eli’s family home on Saturday night. Would that be okay?”
Is what Mr. Wick told her going to change her opinion of the guys? Will she make me stay at home instead? I like the idea of getting away with them. Not going to a party, but just hanging out, the six of us.
Mom sips her coffee. Her gaze never leaves me. “If you think it’s a good idea.”
“Things have been tense at school. It would be nice to get away from it.” I take a bite of my eggs.
She blows out a breath. Her brown eyes search mine. “You’re eighteen, Harper. I know you have a good head on your shoulders. But I also know how easy it is to fall under a guy’s or guys’ spell. I don’t want you to end up hurt.”