Marked By Pain (The Marked #2)(39)

I open my mouth to argue all the reasonable reasons I have to worry, but he silences me by pressing his lips against mine. He kisses me softly, and then pulls away to look at me.

“East, I can't help but—”

He cuts me off, crashing his lips back against mine harder this time. I return his kiss eagerly, as his hands thread roughly into my hair, and he walks me back to the wall. My back slams into the cold wall, feeling the chill set into me quickly. He slides one hand down my body, resting it on my hip, gripping it tightly. His teeth graze my lower lip, and he moves his body closer to mine, trapping me tightly against the wall. I'm not so cold with his hot body against mine. I manage to pull away, just about convincing myself that I do indeed have to go to class. I probably pushed my luck as it is with the door slam.

“Sorry, but we have to go to class,” I say. I really don't want to go though. I never wanted to go to this damn school anyway, and I was right not to want to be here, considering all the trouble that's happened. But there have been good things too, I muse as I look at East.

“Class...that's what they wanted? You can't be serious?” he questions, his eyebrows shooting up.

“So serious, and they said you had to go to my classes with me rather than your own.” I sigh. “I need to get changed, I slept in these clothes,” I say, gesturing down at my crinkled jeans and top. Luckily I'd already tamed my long, black hair back in a thick, high ponytail.

“I should probably change too,” he concedes, stepping back. I look at him properly, noticing the tight grey workout top and black joggers he's wearing. The top clings to him, showing off every muscle. Does he really have to get changed?

“If you keep looking at me like that, we're not going to class, Kenz,” he says in a low tone.

“Is that a threat or a promise?” I ask teasingly, and he steps closer again, leaning down so his lips brush my ear slightly, making me shiver.

“A promise, and I always keep my promises,” he answers. He then pulls back again, and heads for my room, where he and the others have stashed their clothes. I watch him as he goes, and then groan to myself. I'm going to have to follow him in there to get my clothes too, damn it!

I move slowly across the sitting room, creeping into my room quietly. East has his top off, and is rummaging through a backpack for another. He turns around, catching me staring at him. He grins, crossing the room to me and leans around me to shut the bedroom door.

“What are you doing?” I ask innocently, even as I flutter my lashes a little.

“I don't break my promises, Kenz,” he says, he steps closer to me, and I move back.

“We're going to get in trouble,” I say slowly, taking another step as he matches mine. He moves in time with me, watching me like a predator eyeing up its dinner. My back hits the wall.

“They'll live,” he whispers, and then he pounces. His arms pin me to the wall, and his lips easily find mine again. Slinking my arms around his neck, I jump up, wrapping my legs around his waist tightly, feeling his hardness press against me just right. I moan into his mouth as he grinds his hips against me, and he pushes me even tighter between him and the wall. There's no way we're leaving this room anytime soon now.

We were already late, might as well just try and be on time for the next class instead, this one's a lost cause. I smile as he pulls his lips from mine to kiss along my jaw. So worth missing class for.





Chapter 26





Mackenzie





Despite the best of intentions, we are still running late as we rush through the main building to pain class. The door of the room is still open, so we can't hover outside when we get there. The teacher, Mr Tower, is leaning against his desk watching the door. He scowls at us both as we walk in slowly, hand in hand.

“Mr Black, I wasn't aware you were joining us today. Did you suddenly develop the pain mark over night?” he asks mockingly.

“No, sir. I'm just sitting in,” East replies politely.

“And you, Miss Crowe, after Mr Anders informed me you missed healing class earlier, despite Headmaster Lockhart’s reassurances you would be attending, I assumed you must have fallen gravely ill. What other possible excuse could you have?” Mr Tower says, as he slicks his greasy, black hair back. He gives a pointed look between me and East, and I glance away from him to look around the room.

Stella is sitting there with a wide grin on her face. She's dyed the tips of her hair purple since I've last seen her. I normally love seeing colours in people's hair, but on Stella, the purple looks tacky. Especially considering her top is the exact same shade of purple.

“I wasn't feeling great earlier, but I'm feeling much better now,” I lie, and then I head towards the only two free seats together, tugging East along after me. Unfortunately for us, that puts us right next to the desk where Stella is sitting alone. Dropping his hand, I quickly snag the seat further away, leaving East to take the spot between me and Stella. Only a small gap to walk between separates them. He gives me a dirty look as I grin evilly at him from my secured spot. Without any other option, East settles down in the seat.

“Now, before we were so rudely interrupted by a late student, where were we?” Mr Tower asks the class, I can't stop my eyes from rolling at that. “Something funny, Miss Crowe?” he asks, narrowing his eyes on me. Shit.