Promised in Blood: Chapter 13

The scent of his cologne combined with the rich blood that runs so tantalizingly close to his skin is enough to have my mouth watering as soon as I walk into Alexandros’s study.

He stands shirtless, staring out the window with his back to me, every muscle in his back taut and full of raw, potent power. Thin silvery scars snake around his left side. He places his hands into the pockets of his dress pants, causing those muscles to flex, each hardened ridge illuminated by the overhead light.

“Where is Ophelia?” he asks without turning his head.

“On her way back from class. Axl’s with her.”

“She is late.”

I drop into the seat in front of his desk and brush the hair from my eyes so it doesn’t obstruct my impressive view. “Yeah, but Professor Underwood wanted to speak to her about her test before the break starts tomorrow.”

He turns and runs a hand over his beard, staring at a spot over my shoulder for a few seconds before he changes the subject. “How was last night?”

“As smooth as can be expected.” I give him a quick rundown of the job two of our seniors were tasked with by their soon-to-be employers, the Russian Bratva. “Two wounded. The target was acquired and delivered to the Pakhan. I believe he was impressed,” I say in conclusion.

He nods. “And how are Ophelia’s lessons coming along?”

Is that a trick question? We do the lessons with her together.

He sucks on his top lip and stares at me, waiting for my answer. I clear my throat and sit up straighter in my chair. “Axl said her fighting is improving. She knocked him on his ass a few times yesterday, although he claims he let her. But she’s getting stronger every day.” I subconsciously rub my left wrist, which she accidentally fractured yesterday when I was teasing her and she tried to get away from me. “Is that a part of her power too? She’s almost as strong as we are.”

He hums. “I believe she takes on the powers of those she is bonded with.”

I guess that explains her sudden freakish strength then.

He takes a seat, his dark eyes boring into mine. “And our lessons? How do you think they are going?”

I shift uncomfortably in my seat. This feels like a test that I am not at all prepared for.

“You are always so suspicious of my motives, Xavier. It is a simple question, is it not?”

I chew on the inside of my cheek while I take a minute to think. Test or not, I guess all I can give him is the truth. “I, uh, think she’s doing great. She can already tune into your mind, can’t she? And from the little I know about your power, that’s some kind of epic feat.”

His eyes narrow, and he leans forward and rests his elbows on his desk. “You think you know little about my power?”

Shit, did I fail already? I suck on my teeth, thinking. “I guess I feel like I don’t know a whole lot about you at all if I’m honest.”

I brace myself for his ice-cold stare, the one that makes me feel entirely worthless, but he simply hums to himself. “You are correct; she is doing well,” he finally says. “Her powers are growing exponentially, and that is a very good thing.”

“Yeah. The sooner she gets a handle on them, the sooner the poor girl can get her rocks off. She’s like a pressure cooker right now.” I bark out a laugh, but he doesn’t join me. Composing myself, I blow out a long breath. Is it hot in here?

“And you, Xavier? Are the lessons helping you at all?”

What the hell does that mean? Does he think I need lessons too? Is that why he asked me to help him? I bristle. “Are they supposed to?”

The heat of his gaze has a bead of sweat running down the channel of my spine. “Not supposed to, but that is not what I asked.”

I glance at my watch. Where the fuck is Ophelia? He’s still staring at me, his expression unreadable while he waits for my answer. “I guess that helping Ophelia learn how to tune people out and listening to you teach her, in particular …” My skin heats under his scrutiny, and I inwardly curse myself for being such a fucking idiot. But it’s true—in teaching her, he has taught me too. I clear my throat. “Well, I guess that’s helped me sharpen my own skills, you know.”

He tilts his head. “How?”

Jesus fucking Christ, what does he want from me? Does he take some sick pleasure in making me squirm?

“I want you to simply answer the question, Xavier. And no, I take zero pleasure in your discomfort.”

“I fucking hate that mind-reading thing you do,” I snap. Ordinarily, I don’t, but right now …

“So you know a lot more about my powers than most. Now answer the question. How have you honed your skills?”

“I can tune Axl and Malachi out more easily. I can communicate with only Ophelia if I want to, even when they’re in the room with us, but I know they haven’t learned to do that yet. I can just …” I search for the words. “I can close the world out a little easier too. Does that make sense?”

“Perfect.” I’m sure his lips twitch in a smile, but before we can go any further, the hurricane that is Ophelia Hart blows into the room.

“I’m so sorry I’m late,” she blurts, all smiles and pink-haired sweetness.

“I do not tolerate tardiness, Ophelia,” he says, his tone mild enough, but it still carries a strong warning.

She keeps on smiling at him anyway. “I know, but Dr. Underwood wasn’t happy with my test grade, and he wanted to give me the opportunity to retake it after Thanksgiving break.” Ophelia perches sideways on my lap, and I wrap my arms around her, burying my nose in her hair. My cupcake. “I missed a few classes when I first started living here, remember?”

I smirk. Those first few days after we bonded, we barely let her leave our beds.

He watches her intently. “I recall all too well. The house shook all the way down to the foundation.”

“Well, that’s not happening again any time soon, is it?” She huffs, blowing some hair from her eyes.

In seconds, Alexandros is on his feet and around his desk with her jaw cupped in his hand. “If you want to come so desperately, Ophelia, then arrive on time for your lessons.” The dangerous rumble in his voice sends a shudder down both our spines.

“Yes sir,” she purrs.

His right eye twitches, and he rubs his thumb over her bottom lip, tugging it down until her mouth opens, and then he stares at her like he’s contemplating what to do with her gorgeous, wide-open, expectant mouth. I know what I’d like to do with it.

But he releases her and steps back. “Xavier is going to take today’s lesson.”

I am?

She blinks at him. “You’re leaving?”

“Today you are going to work on closing off your mind to others, and Xavier is more than capable of assisting you with that task.”

Was that a compliment?

Through the window, I watch the clouds obscure the sun. A steady drizzle begins to fall, and her lower lip quivers. “I really am sorry I was late.”

He bends down and drops a lingering kiss on her forehead. “This is not a punishment, Ophelia.” He waits until she gives him a shaky nod before continuing. “Do as Xavier says, and behave yourselves in my study.”

He walks out and leaves us alone, and I’m left wondering what the hell to do now because he’s taken the lead in all our sessions so far. Now it’s just me, and I’m no teacher.

She spins on my lap so she’s straddling me and wraps her arms around my neck. Her eyes rake over my face, and she licks her lips. “So … what do we do now?”

Bend you over his desk and fuck you is the answer that immediately springs to mind, but I don’t voice it.

Every opportunity is a learning opportunity, Xavier, Alexandros says.

I stare into her shining blue eyes while I speak to him. You’re seriously giving me permission to fuck Ophelia over your desk?

You do not need my permission to do anything with Ophelia. I am trusting you to deliver her lesson. Whatever means you choose to employ in pursuit of that goal is up to you. But do not sacrifice her learning for your own selfish needs.

She grinds herself over my cock, which is now hard and aching—its usual state around her. Fucking her would be giving into her needs too, right?

Damn him for putting his fucking faith in me. When did that happen? I think I prefer being the fuckup he expects little to nothing from.

With a sigh and a gargantuan effort, I lift her from my lap and set her on her feet. “We have work to do, Cupcake.”

She rolls her eyes, and I jump up and wrap a hand around her slender throat, enjoying the feel of it working beneath my palm. “Rolling your eyes is only going to make this lesson longer and harder, Ophelia.”

She licks her lips. “Longer and harder sounds good to me.”

I growl, part frustration and part desperation. She’s a horny elementai who needs a good fucking, and I know she’s trying to break me. If the professor were here, she’d be all well-behaved and studious, but with me … I lick my lips and press them to her ear. Two can play at this game. “I know you want me to fuck you, sweet little Ophelia. So eager for me to fill your greedy cunt with my cock.” She gasps, and I slip my hand beneath her skirt. After tugging aside her panties, I slide a fingertip through her center. “Already dripping wet for me.”

She presses her lips together, stifling a moan.

“But only good girls who do their lessons get fucked.” I place my finger into my mouth and suck her sweet juices from the tip.

She glares at me defiantly, and it makes me want her even more. I want to watch as her body submits to mine, because it would. She always submits.

I tip her chin up with my forefinger, the same one I just sucked clean. “Are you ready?”

“Always.”