He wants me.
My heart beats like crazy with nerves and anticipation as we head out, cutting back across the campus to the North Quad. It’s dark out, the paths lit by street-lamps and busy with party-goers and students heading back from the bars.
I sneak a look over at Ash, and feel my pulse kick all over again.
He definitely wants me.
The flirting doesn’t mean anything. We always flirt, it’s what we do. And that footsie in the bar might have been an accident. But the way he looked when Professor Hadlow came over and started hitting on me?
That was jealousy, pure and simple.
Ash was jealous. The knowledge makes my thighs clench with lust. If any other guy pulled that ‘arm around the shoulder’ possessive bullshit, I’d have told them where to get off, but when Ash pulled me closer, it was so damn hot.
Everything the man does is hot.
“So where are we going?” I ask, hurrying to keep up with his long strides.
“Patience.”
“And what are we going to do? We can’t get caught,” I add, worried. “I’m too close to graduating to get kicked out over some stupid prank.”
“Relax.” Ash gives me a panty-melting grin. “It’s tradition. I asked around, and they never discipline for this kind of stuff.”
I relax. “OK then. So what exactly do you have in mind?”
Ash comes to a stop suddenly on the far edge of the quad. “Meet Oscar,” he says, gripping my shoulders and turning me to face a statue on the edge of the lawn.
“Hi Oscar,” I wave to cover my shiver. God, it feels so good to have his hands on me. Firm. Commanding. There’s always been a steely thread running through Ash, his no-bullshit attitude to business and social events. Now I find myself hoping it extends to the bedroom.
What this man could do with a pair of handcuffs...
“Poor Oscar has been starved of the touch of a woman,” Ash continues, laughter in his voice.
I stare up at the statue of a stern-looking old man, one of the founders of the college, I think. He’s got a book in one hand, and a pipe in the other. “I’m not surprised. Guy looks like he’d rather read a novel than get laid.”
“Which is why we’re going to do him a service,” Ash adds. “And show him how delicious a woman’s panties can be.”
I burst out laughing. “Seriously?”
“I never joke about panties,” Ash replies, grinning. His accent sends shivers down my spine.
I look at him a minute, then grin. “OK.”
Before he can say a word, I reach down, slide my dress up, and then shimmy out of my panties. I hook them on one foot and lift, plucking them up. The black lace dangles from my finger. “Spot me.”
“What?” Ash looks dazed.
I grin. “The statue’s ten feet off the ground. I’m going to have to climb that tree if Oscar wants a taste.”
I take off across the lawn before Ash can reply. I know he’s watching, so I’m sure to put an extra swing in my step, feeling the night breeze cool between my hot thighs.
The sensation is strangely erotic. I’m already turned on from being around Ash, and now that I’m not wearing any panties, it adds a whole new heat to my desire.
The statue is set on the edge of the lawn, in the shadow of a thicket of trees. Luckily, it’s far from the pathways. I check around, but this side of the quad is empty. Nobody will see me. I reach the nearest tree, and find a foothold. I swing off the ground. “You better be there to catch me,” I call, not looking down. I climb higher.
“I’m here.”
His voice sounds strangled. I grin. He’s standing right below me, which means he’s getting one hell of a view right now.
I reach a thick branch, about level with the statue, and crawl out on my stomach. A twig catches on my dress, yanking it lower. “I should just take the damn thing off,” I mutter, pulling free.
I think I hear a groan from below.
I reach close enough to the statue, then take my panties and artfully arrange them over Oscar’s head: his nose buried in the crotch. “Perfect!”
I shimmy back, and start climbing back down the tree. “Is that it?” I ask, feeling a little disappointed. “Because no offense, but that was pretty easy as far as pranks go---”
I lose my grip and slip, plummeting toward the ground with a scream. It’s only a few feet, but it feels like forever -- until strong arms grip me, yanking me against his body.
Ash.
I gasp for air, clinging on to him. His blue eyes are shadowed in the dark, but they strip me naked. My nipples tighten. My body aches.
Fuck.
“Thanks,” I say, as he places me back on solid ground. My legs are shaking, but it’s got nothing to do with the fall. “I guess I wasn’t looking--”
Before I can finish, Ash grabs my waist and shoves me up against the tree. His body covers mine, hard planes pushing me back. His eyes lock on mine, full of lust.
Heat surges through me, but still, I gulp with nerves. This is it. The moment I’ve been waiting for.
The point when everything changes.
“What are you doing?” I murmur, thrilled and scared.
“Something I should have done a long time ago.” Ash leans closer. I feel his breath on my lips. I shiver, preparing myself for his kiss. But it doesn’t come.
Instead, Ash sinks to his knees.
“Don’t make a sound,” he orders, looking up me. His lips curl in a possessive grin. “You’re going to want to scream for this. Don’t.”
He pushes up my dress, and parts my thighs, and licks up against my bare pussy in one hot, mind-blowing stroke.
Oh. My. God!