Chapter 37
Chapter thirty-seven
Annalise
“It’s not that I don’t miss you guys, I really do,” Sasha says sheepishly, though she hasn't stopped smiling.
“But spending every afternoon trying out new recipes with the endless resources I have is literally a dream come true!
Yesterday, I started working on a powder that, if I can get it right, can be mixed in while blades are being made, allowing them to be able to ignite with the flick of a switch…
or maybe a press of a button—I haven't decided yet.”
“Holy Shit, Sash! You’re incredible! I didn’t know you guys would start working on such complicated spells as soon as the rest of us were out of your way,” I say, completely in awe of my friend.
“No, the rest of the class is learning how to make self-accelerating throwing stars, but since I made my own set like ten years ago, Professor Martinez is letting me work on this idea instead.”
“Dang, Sasha, and here I was thinking you would be bored not going on long runs or missing all the targets in Vanguard now,” Matt says with a wicked smile.
“Don’t forget not being able to ride any more dragons,” I add, bumping her hip.
“Oh, definitely not! I would rather sit in Strategy all day than ever have to fly again.”
“Yeah, you can count me ecstatic not to be in Spell Casting or Arcane Healing anymore,” I say. “I will happily use the weapons and tonics, but we all know I have no business making them.”
Matt nods, not only because he knows it’s the truth, but he’s more than happy to be done with those classes, too.
“Don’t get me wrong, I’m still all in to bond a dragon, but I’m glad I get to take Vanguard classes for the next seven months.
I can’t imagine going into a fight and not being able to use the most advanced weapons.
Like, what if Clowess shoots down my dragon and I end up imprisoned in enemy territory? ”
“Aww,” I coo. “Don’t think you’re pretty enough to be spared?”
“Oh, you know I would be. I’d be their favorite sex slave,” he fires back. “All the single ladies would be lining up to use me like a steed.”
“I can see it now…Half of the next generation of Clowessian fighters calling you Dad...”
“And the other half calling me Daddy,” he says with a wink.
We both break into laughter, only to realize Sasha has stopped a few steps behind us, mouth hanging wide open.
“Seriously?” she sputters. “There is something so wrong with you two!” Her voice says horrified, but the little curl at the corner of her mouth betrays her. She’s at least slightly entertained.
As she catches up, I hear her murmuring something under her breath about us needing therapy ... she’s probably right.
Aiden stands waiting a few yards away near the courtyard steps, uniform hugging his biceps as his arms cross loosely over his chest, the late-afternoon sun catching in his raven hair.
He looks annoyingly good for someone who’s merely standing still.
When he notices us approaching, his expression softens, and his lips quirk up in the way I’ve only seen him look at me.
“How was your walk in the woods?” he asks.
“We were practically invisible,” Matt says, his obvious reference to the Ghost Walking classroom a little too direct for my comfort. “Just send us to Castle Ayr, and we’ll take out the royal family without anyone knowing we were there. End of war. Boom. You’re welcome, Thandroan.”
Aiden’s eyes go wide for a second, either feeling the same way I do or still not used to our sense of humor, before he deadpans, “I’ll alert the King immediately. You’ve found the solution to all of his problems.”
“Thank you,” Matt does a dramatic bow. “We accept payment in coffee and pastries.”
Aiden shakes his head, biting back a smile. Then his gaze moves to me, “I was thinking maybe we could go into town for dinner?”
Before I can respond, Sasha cuts in, “Oh my gosh, there is a new restaurant I’ve been dying to try, we should go there…unless you already have a place in mind.”
“Sasha, I think he meant—” Matt starts to correct her as Aiden looks to me, letting me decide how tonight is going to play out. Gods that shouldn’t turn me on, but I can’t help the way it makes me rub my thighs together.
When I shrug, Aiden finishes, “I meant let’s get cleaned up first, and then I’ll drive. Will you send Ana the location so I can get directions?”
“I could. Or I can create a new group text.” Sasha chirps. “What’s your number? I’ll add you now.” I knew she would be the first one to suggest it.
Aiden rattles off his number. Sasha’s thumbs fly on the keypad. “All done! What do we think? Thirty minutes?”
“Let’s make it an hour,” I try to say casually, not wanting to give away how I plan to show Aiden my appreciation with that extra time.
Matt snorts. “TMI.”
I swipe at his shoulder. “I didn’t say anything!”
“You didn’t need to,” he mutters, pointing at my face. “Your expression was a whole declaration.”
Aiden chuckles under his breath, soft, low, and so unfairly attractive.
“What did I miss?” Sasha asks as Matt pulls her to keep walking in front of us.
He smirks knowingly. “Relax. I’m sure you’ll find out in, what, five minutes, Lee?”
He’s walking away, but I have no doubt he can still feel me glaring at him.
“Come here,” I say seductively, curling my finger and summoning Aiden to join me in the shower.
His breath stutters, as his eyes drag over me standing in the bathroom doorway in nothing but my lacey black bra and matching underwear; the music I turned on only adding to the ambiance.
“Did I not leave you fully satisfied before class, Sweetheart?” he asks as he reaches me.
My hands immediately slide up his shirt, his breath catching as my cold fingertips meet his warm skin. Slowly I trace the defined lines of his abs, feeling each muscle tighten under my touch.
Rather than answer, I bend down and trail my tongue up the same path my hands just took.
“You’re absolutely insatiable,” he groans.
My lips curve, and I look up at him as I help him out of his pants. “Only for you.”
Without any warning, he lifts me up by my thighs, my legs instinctively wrapping around his waist until my back is pinned against the wall.
“You are so fucking sexy. Now, pull those panties to the side so I can show you how much I missed you all day.”
“Put me down, and I’ll take them off.” I protest, squirming against him.
Riiipp.
“What the hell! I just bought those!”
He laughs low and brushes a stray lock of hair from my face. “I told you what you needed to do. You didn’t move them out of my way, so I took care of them for you.”
“A girl needs underwear, Honey.” I scold with all the mock anger I can muster. In truth, that was fucking hot.
“I’ll buy you more this week,” he says, trailing kisses up my neck as he positions his hard cock at my entrance, “Right now, I need to be buried deep in your pretty pussy. Hold on to my shoulders.”
Then, without another word, he drives his hips forward, taking my breath away on a moan.