Obsession: A Rejected Mate Shifter Romance (The Mate Games #1)(61)
Noah stepped forward, his fangs bared and his eyes flashing with venom. I shoved at his chest, putting myself between him and Caleb.
“That’s enough, both of you. I already said I would go with you. There’s no reason to antagonize him further.” Then I glanced back at Noah. “Rest up while I’m gone so that you’re not too tired for other things when I get back.”
He smiled at that, curling an arm around my waist and pulling me close so he could drop a kiss on my lips. “Well, when you put it that way . . .” His gaze left mine and flicked to Caleb, a wicked smirk on Noah’s tempting lips. “Looks like I’m the winner either way, Priest.”
I sighed and removed myself from his grasp, trying to keep from letting my face show the amusement I felt. “I’ll see you when I’m done, Noah.” Turning to Caleb, I said, “Lead the way, boss man.”
His nostrils flared with annoyance, but he merely turned on his heel and strode toward the elevator.
“Wait, that won’t work for you.”
Instead of responding, Caleb pressed his finger to the panel, which caused the doors to slide open.
“How come you can open it, and I can’t?” I grumbled, following him into the small space.
“I work here. There are few places I cannot get to. I’m surprised Noah hasn’t allowed you access. He seems taken with you.”
“It must have slipped his mind,” I said, crossing my arms. Despite my innocuous reply, annoyance simmered. If I was boning the guy, the least he could do was let me use his elevator, but no . . . I was stuck in stair city. Oh well, at least it was good for my ass.
As soon as the doors slid shut, Caleb positioned himself as far away from me as possible, his gaze trained on the panel straight ahead. The vampire was clearly uncomfortable, but was that due to being in an enclosed space or because I was here?
“So does this session include more punishment? Because I didn’t really dress to be fondled.” My nipples tightened at the memory of him spanking me. We hadn’t seen each other since the incident, but I’d thought of it . . . fondly . . . many times since.
Something shifted in Caleb’s eyes, a muscle feathering in his jaw. He glanced at me, seeming to weigh his words carefully. “No more punishments.”
“Oh?” Disappointment hit me hard and fast. Because I’d liked the punishment. A whole hell of a lot.
“I think last time proved well enough that I cannot be trusted when it comes to you, Miss Fallon. Things never should have progressed to that point. I was there to be the implement of your repentance, nothing further. And yet, I crossed a line that never should have been crossed.”
“Because you’re a priest?”
“Because I am your mentor. But also because of the vows I have made, yes. It’s inappropriate, and it will not happen again.”
“I’m willing to bet I’ll do something to land myself back in your office one of these days. Are you saying I have a get out of jail free pass now?” I cocked a brow. “Or does someone else get to spank me?”
His eyes narrowed, and he clenched his fists, a small tremor working its way down his rigid frame. “No. No one else will touch you. You’ll simply serve your time with the headmistress in the future.”
“Oh, lucky me. She’s a joy.”
“She is more powerful than almost anyone I have ever known. The only being who eclipses her in power is The White Lady. Madame le Blanc has lived many lives, seen and done a great many things. Her being here with us means there is something in motion we will all have to face.”
“So she’s here to help us?”
“She’s here to make sure everything that must happen does happen. Whether that helps or harms is of no consequence to her.”
“Well, that’s appropriately terrifying.”
His lips quirked.
“What’s so funny?”
“I was starting to believe I’d never live to see the night you’d be appropriately terrified of anything.”
The elevator stopped, the doors sliding open silently and shattering the privacy of our conversation. Just like that, we weren’t two people sharing information; we were student and teacher, distant once again.
“Come along, Miss Fallon. You have a story to recall for me.”
Chapter
Thirty-Two
ALEK
I climbed up the stairs to the second floor of the stacks in the Satori library, my mind wandering as I moved without hurry. I still had a few minutes before I needed to settle in. It was quiet up here, the bulk of the students choosing to remain downstairs closer to the well-lit study area and the more popular reference materials.
As for me, I enjoyed the hushed calm that only solitude and books could provide. The tightly packed shelves dampened the sound of the whispered conversations below while cocooning me in the warm scent of hundred-year-old leather and the sharp bite of ink.
My route was familiar, having come up here at least once a week since the semester began, and I was able to wind through the labyrinth of stacks without getting lost on my way to a small reading nook set just beneath a mosaic of the Satori sphinx. It was both familiar and ancient and reminded me of home, which is why I’d chosen it for these weekly meetings.