“It'll be official in three minutes.”
We sat silently until the clock read 12:03. Bastian leaned closer and kissed me, so sweetly. I'd like to recant my previous statement. What an incredible way to ring in my eighteenth year.
We had school in the morning so, in unspoken agreement, we both stood. Bastian took my cup and disappeared into the kitchen while I lingered in the hallway leading to the bedrooms.
“I know you offered me the second bedroom when you moved in, but I didn't realize you had a bed set up in it already.”
He joined me in the hall. “I didn't. That's what took me so long to get to your uncle's house. Dom let me pull out a bed he had in storage and helped me set it up.” He touched my cheek and added, “As much as I want you in my bed with me, I didn't want you to feel you had to: that there was no other option.”
And just when I thought it wasn't possible to love this boy any more, I am proven wrong.
“I'm a very lucky girl.”
At my door, Bastian turned into me and lightly brushed his lips over mine. This was our first night together and I was eighteen, but we were both feeling a little off because of the events that led us here. I was still angry and so was Bastian. When we made love for the first time, I didn't want anything to taint the experience. One look at him and I knew he was thinking the same.
“I'll see you in the morning, Bastian.”
“Sweet dreams, beautiful.”
Closing the door quietly behind me, I headed to the bed. It was a very comfortable bed, but I laid there as the minutes ticked by because I couldn't seem to slip into sleep. I knew exactly why I wasn't falling asleep. This wasn't where I wanted to be. I may not want to have sex tonight, but I did want to feel Bastian next me. Climbing from bed, I moved across the hall before knocking lightly on his door.
When I entered, he was just flicking on his light: an action that made visible his dragon.
“What's wrong?”
“I really appreciate you and Dom setting up a room for me, but I want to sleep here with you.”
His eyes held mine as he pulled back the covers. It was all the invitation I needed. I slid in next to him as he pulled the covers up and shut off the light. Our bodies were pressed together from chest to thigh, my head resting on his shoulder. He held me so closely as if he never intended on letting me go.
“Better?” I heard him whisper.
“Perfect.”
Chapter Nine
I was having the most incredible dream…until I opened my eyes to find Bastian next to me—watching me—a slow smile spread over my face.
“I wasn't dreaming.”
By the expression on his face, he had a similar experience when he woke. Turning on my side to fully face him¸ I touched him without consciously knowing I intended to. His inhale was audible and his body hummed under my fingertips. My eyes tracked the movement of my fingers before I moved my gaze back to his sizzling one.
“I'm eighteen.”
He actually growled, deep in his throat. “We have school.”
“Um.” Was my only thought on that as I leaned over and kissed his chest. With almost superhuman speed he moved on top of me and I had only a second to see the raw lust, which turned his features harsher, before his mouth took mine. The kiss was hot and slightly out of control, so I was surprised when he managed to pull himself together enough to move away from me: going so far as to climb out of the bed. He realized his mistake when my eyes moved down his bare body to the boxer briefs he wore. I hardly recognized my voice when I all but purred, “That is so not helping.”
“Brat.”
My eyes traveled back to his face to see a combination of desire, humor and frustration there.
“As much as the idea of spending the entire day with you in this room appeals to me on every single level, we have school. Missing school the day after we first move in together will have the adults thinking too much and worrying. I don't want any reason for anyone to try to take you away from me so as much as I want you, we have to wait for a better time.”
He was right, of course, but it was still a bitter pill to swallow because at the moment, all I wanted was him. I dropped back down on my back and moaned, “I hate when you make sense.”
And then he pounced, caging my body with his own as he kissed me like it was his job.
“After school, though, is another matter.” He lowered his head to nuzzle my neck before he whispered. “And I can't wait.”
“Holy hell.” I muttered, Bastian chuckled before he pressed a kiss to my mouth. He climbed out of bed and looked back at me from over his shoulder.
“Stop lazing about, we've got to get to school.” He started for the bathroom and I just stared my fill. Stopping in the doorway, he turned his head so I could see the wicked grin that curved his lips. “The sooner we get to school, the sooner we get home.”
Yup, he couldn't have found any more inspiring words to get me out of bed. In under ten minutes, I was waiting at the door.
***
As soon as we arrived at school, we were called into the principal's office. He didn't look thrilled to be having the conversation: the one about how he understood it wasn't really his business since we were legal, but if our business outside of school began to affect our school life it would become his problem. How he knew that Bastian and I were living together, I didn't know. It was an awkward conversation, to say the least, but we managed to survive it. The principal appeared more uncomfortable about the whole thing than Bastian and me.
At lunch later in the day, Shawn patted my shoulder. “I never liked your aunt. I'm sorry she did that to you.”
“Thanks, Shawn, but I'm fine. I'm thrilled with my new living arrangements.”
Poppy knew me so well that she understood I didn't really want to talk about my aunt. She changed the subject. “What's the plan for Saturday?”
She caught my smile of thank you and replied by winking at me.
“I've booked a car to take us into the city and home again. It's scheduled to arrive at...” Bastian looked at me and smiled, “our apartment at four.” I got all warm and gooey at him calling the apartment ours. But wait—this was the first time he had divulged any information at all about my birthday surprise.
“New York City?” I asked for clarification.
“Manhattan.” He confirmed.
“Tyler and I will go to Poppy's so you can pick us up there.” Sophia offered.
“I think maybe Lark should come to my house too, so we can all get ready together. Mom and Dad have something they want to give you, Lark.”
“Perfect.” Bastian said before he started to eat his lunch.
“That's it?” I asked.
“Yup.” He looked so cocky.
“Not fair,” came out in more of a whine than I intended.
***
I brooded over Bastian's evasiveness for the next few periods and while I changed for gym. What was he planning? Kira must have seen me space out, because she started over to me.
“Is it true you are living with Bastian?”
How the hell did she find out about that? “Yes, I am.”
She reacted like I slapped her. “He deserves better than you, surely you must know that.”
“What, someone like you with the pedigree even though you're vindictive and shallow?”
Shock flashed over her face. “I'm not shallow.”
“Yes, you are. You walk the halls like a goddamn queen. You degrade anyone who you deem isn't on your level and, let's face it, that's practically the entire school to you. It’s always all about you. You, Kira, are the definition of shallow. I may not have money or family, but I love him; I love everything about him and his needs will always come first, even above my own.”
“His parents must really hate you—you actually have a backbone.” She turned from me and started away.
My voice stopped her. “You really have feelings for him.”