Page 33 of Her Devil

I’m not the only one that looks them over with as much trepidation as interest, but when I notice the ink peeking over his collar, I manage to pick Taylor out pretty easily, all things considered, and some of the concern I had tumbles from me. There might be a whole lot of dramatics involved, but this is just the guys from the house; Taylor, Nick, Jacob, Leo and Emmerson, amongst others.

Before any of us have a chance to do or say anything, one of them steps forward, a gold slash running from left to right across the black-as-night mask covering his face. He holds his hand out in my direction and demands, “Ivy.” I recognise the tone and inflexion immediately, his proximity in that coffee shop bathroom flashing hot under my skin. “And Jacob.”

My feet are moving towards him without thought, the same way Jacob’s are when the compare’s words stop us mid-stride. “Let’s stick with roommates for now, shall we? So, Nick, if you’re requesting Ivy, then, Wyatt, you’re up.”

Tension ripples across Nick’s shoulders as Jacob steps back into their lineup and whoever this other guy is joins Nick. The two of them arrive either side of me and my arms thread through theirs silently as they turn me towards the audience fully.

Any resemblance to a church is merely the building itself, the pews that probably once resided here stripped long ago. Most of the old stained glass is boarded over or covered up, small amounts of the night sky peeking through the odd broken square or triangle.

I’m distracted from the task of categorising the minutiae of the ancient building as Taylor’s voice booms from behind me. “Well, if that’s how we’re playing this, Tamsin.”

Her excited squeal echoes down the two small steps and across the room, the bodies parting to allow us passage as we head for the main doors at the far end.

“Jasper,” the compare adds. I guess, making sure everyone knows who everyone is as we’re paired off and sent away. Where to and what for, who knows?

ELEVEN

NICK

Irritation bristles as Wyatt opens the back door of his Guilia, waiting for her to climb in before closing it. “I’ll drive,” he adds.

I can only imagine the bemused look on his face, because it’s hidden by the mask. I got the girl I wanted, though she’s likely less than impressed about it, but I don’t have Jake. You win one, you lose one.

I thought I’d died and gone to heaven when she strutted through that doorway, the plush fabric hugging her every curve, the jewels at her throat accentuating the gentle slope of her shoulders and the column of her neck.

For the first time, her hair is tied up, pulled and twisted in some intricate thing that probably took hours to do. And yet, all I could think of was pulling it free and running my fingers through it, wrapping my hand around the delicate skin of her throat and reminding her just how hot she gets when she gives up that control.

The engine rumbles beneath us as I loiter with one foot in the car and one on the tarmac, Jasper, Taylor and Tamsin exiting the church laughing. They’re already making her more at ease than we are, and it’s about to get worse. Sliding the black velvet bag from the seat pocket, I finger the silicone-wrapped steel before pulling it out and dropping it in her lap, climbing in to fasten my seatbelt before Wyatt peels out of the car park and heads back to campus.

“What the hell is this?” she asks, holding the belt up, hung over one finger, a very unimpressed look on her face. She eyes the item warily, and so she should.

“Insurance.”

“And what on earth do you expect me to do with it?”

“That is a chastity belt.”

She flicks it on the seat between us with disgust, wiping her finger on the leather before looking out the window.I knew she’d do this.

Just because we knew what was happening tonight, doesn’t mean they did. And if the confusion that crossed her beautiful features after the lights wore off is anything to go by, they had no warning at all.

“We’re going to a frat party full of drunken teenagers high on freedom, and anything else they can find. You’re an Angel, so that should provide some amount of protection, but I’m not willing to risk it. Put it on.”

It’s not just the house full of strangers that has me on high alert, she’s been getting close with Leo and I don’t trust him as far as I can throw him, I imagine the feeling is mutual. There was also nothing said about the Angels being ours, now, forever, or at any other point, so I’m sure as hell going to make sure he gets nowhere near that sweet pussy.She’s mine.

“No.”

She doesn’t even turn, crossing her arms over her chest in defiance, pushing those tits higher than they already were and making my mouth water.What I wouldn’t give to wrap a tongue around one of those nipples right now, sliding the belt up her thighs willingly.Yeah, I knew that wasn’t how tonight would go.Wyatt catches my gaze in the mirror, shrugging his shoulders.

“It wasn’t a request.” The words tumble out on a growl and the atmosphere in the back of the car changes, a hint of the lust I saw on her face the other day breaking free.

“It’s a no-go,” she replies, turning to finally give me her full attention. Not that I haven’t had it this entire time. “Panty lines.” She smirks, thinking she’s won this round.Like I give a fuck.

The flush that creeps over her exposed collarbone is unexpected but hot as hell, as is the breathy way her argument falls from her.

“And how did you get around that one, Ivy?” The air between us crackles and sparks, the tension a physical living breathing thing. Her only response is a single raised eyebrow, and that almost takes my breath away. “Are you seriously sitting two feet away from me right now with no underwear on?”

Her embarrassed smile is the only answer I get as the seconds tick by. “We’re two minutes out, bro,” Wyatt adds from the front, only adding to the melting pot we’re trapped in.

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