Page 24 of Crown of Thorns
“It takes time to make such a difference in life.”
“That’s a no.”
“I’m still working on it,” he snaps, but the words have no bite.
“Well, you’ve entered the lion’s den, Professor.”
“What do you mean?”
I shrug. “The world of the ultra-rich. This is where the future is prepared, where business deals are being signed.”
He looks genuinely surprised at that, his face looking sinfully handsome. “Do students sign off deals, you mean?”
I give him a crooked grin. “Maybe. Would you like to know? If students sign business deals?”
He doesn’t say anything to that. He doesn’t need to, because the flicker in his eyes is unmistakable.
“Intrigued?”I knew he’d fucking be.
He scoffs, but I don’t miss the popping vein down his throat. “What exactly are you proposing, Louis?” Noah lets out a heavy sigh and lands a hand through his stubborn curls.
“A bit of fun, Professor. Come with me, and no one will ever hear a word of what happened in The Black Cat. Or are you too scared to let go for once?”
“I’m not having any more fun with you.”
“Ouch.” I flutter my lashes and laugh right in his face. “Those words hurt, Professor. Though not as much as you hearing that you’re getting kicked out of your job.”
His nostrils flare, and he clenches his jaw while visibly contemplating my offer. Yes, the more I think about it, the more I fucking love it. “So…where do you want me to go with you?”
“Such sweet words, Professor. I will tell you everything, but first, I need you to tell me you agree. Want me to show you some of Saint-Laurent’s darkest secrets?” Grabbing the bottle, I slowly make my way to him. Like a deer in headlights, he watches me, back pressed against the windowsill.
“Itsdarkestsecrets?” He licks his lips.
“Very dark,” I murmur. My voice has dropped, the words barely a whisper. My cock twitches in my pants. Fire licks at my insides, burning any logical reasoning. His faltering determination sharpens mine into something lethal. “Do we have a deal?” He’s going to give in, I can fucking feel it.
He allows me to settle between his spread legs, eyes narrowing when I press our chests together. Then he wraps his hand around my throat again. “If I find out you’re playing me, I will end you,” he snarls. “Don’t think you’re the only one who can screw with someone’s life, just because you have a pretty face.”
“Aww…you think I’m pretty?” I bat my eyelashes at him, hissing when his fingers tighten around the wound.
“Stop messing with me. Okay, I agree with this…madness. Now what?”
“Now I’ll invite you to our next gathering.”
Excitement floods my veins. Fuck me, he agreed. I didn’t think he’d cave this fast. I expected another fight, a snarl, anything but surrender. The ease of it unsettles me and turns me on even more. Which means I’m fucked. And not in the fun way. Because the Alpha Fraternarii is a secret brotherhood, and invitation is solely done upon invitation through ancestry. Taking Noah with me is against the rules. If they find out what I’ve done…well, let’s just say there will be consequences.
I don’t even know why I’m so adamant I want to bring him. Perhaps I just love riling him up further. My disciplined, sexy professor.
“You’ll invite me…how?” He pulls back his hand from my throat. My stomach sweeps when I catch my blood on his skin.
“Patience, Professor.”
He scoffs. “No more texts on my mobile. No more arriving late to class.”
“No, baby.” I lean forward and suckle his finger in my mouth, drinking down my own blood. He hisses—surprise and heat cause his pupils to dilate. I hum, spreading his thighs, his finger still between my lips.
“I’m not your baby.” His silver eyes darken, and his hand finds my throat again, tightening so hard I cough, my airways closing, and my lungs burning.
“Yes…you…are…baby…” I battle to speak every word.
