Page 22 of Ravage
My hand jerks and coffee spills over the cup. Crap! She’s earlier than usual.
I finish pouring both cups of coffee and then grab the nearest towel to wipe up the mess. My heart is pounding in my chest at the chance of being caught, but the adrenaline merely brings a wild grin to my face. Kellan will keep her out; I’m sure of it. He has my back.
“…and you look so, so…nice…today. I love the floral print.” Kell schmoozes in his deep voice that would make even the most uptight of teachers breathless.
I’m used to it enough to keep my focus, although I won’t deny a certain heat sparks beneath my skin whenever he uses that tone.
It makes me happier than I’d ever admit to him he refuses to call anyone beautiful but me.
Once both cups are made with sugar and creamer the way we like it, I sidle up to the wall next to the door and wait for Kell’s gaze to check on me. He smirks when he sees me, then turns back around to face Mrs. Callahan.
“There’s something I’ve been meaning to ask you, actually. Can we talk in here? It’s…private. I don’t want anyone else to overhear.” He lowers his voice conspiratorially while waving his hand behind his back for me to slip out.
I hurry out in the opposite direction of them, counting on Kellan’s large frame and off-putting words to distract her. I sneak a glance over my shoulder to see him using his body as a shield for me while he guides her into the teacher’s lounge.
He’s only fifteen, but already he’s reached six feet and looms over most of the staff and students here. His shoulders are broad, and his muscles developed from either a crazy metabolism, or as a side effect of his gift, which he only helps by working out daily on top of it.
Pair that with his bronze skin tone, messy dark-brown hair, and roguish grin, and it’s game over.
I make it to the cafeteria and slide into my seat next to Dane with the end seat open for Kellan.
Vera leans over Dane to look at my spoils and then rolls her eyes at me. “Really? You’d risk detention and extra work for that crap?”
My arms wrap protectively around the two Styrofoam cups on the table while I hover over them to keep them from view. I lift the one for myself and bring it to my lips. The hot, earthy bitterness sweeps over my tongue and nearly burns down my throat in my rush to drink it. I moan softly at the taste I haven’t had all week and have been missing.
It’s not fair that only the adults are allowed to drink this stuff. Kellan stole me some once, and I was hooked. But getting any is always a risk, so we try to limit it to once a week.
Vera huffs and sets her drink down on the table. “If you’re going for discreet, you’re failing with all of that moaning.” She stands and moves behind me, leaning down to whisper, “Unless you’re hoping for a different type of attention.”
My head pops up from my coffee. Jack’s giving me a small smile across from Dane, and Aiden’s no longer focused on the latest business book he’s reading. His chocolate gaze is locked on me.
Dane smirks, leaning his elbow on the table and his head on his hand as he watches me. “Back off, Ver. She can make whatever sound she wants. If anyone else dares to say or do anything, we’ll take care of it.”
She chuckles and ruffles her brother’s hair. “Oh, I’m sure you will, little brother.”
“Hey!” He knocks her hand away, but she’s already whispering in my other ear to keep her words private.
“Let me know when you’re ready for some girl talk, Rae. I think it’s time, don’t you?”
My cheeks heat at the insinuation. I bite my lower lip and turn my head to look at her. She tosses me a wink and a wave and then struts away from the table.
I’m not sure how she seems so confident about boys. Maybe when I go visit the guys at night, she’s spending time with someone in her class?
The breakfast hour ends with no sign of Kell.
“Relax, Rae. I’m sure he’s fine,” Dane tries to soothe me while we stand and clear our table. I cling to Kellan’s coffee cup that’s already gone cold.
“He should’ve been here a long time ago. Did he get caught?”
Dane shrugs. “Maybe he and Mrs. Callahan are still fucking.”
I smack his arm. “Don’t even joke about that. He wouldn’t—” My words cut off when I catch the smirk on Jack’s face. I rush over to him and tug at his sleeve. “Do you know something, Jack? He isn’t banging the teacher, is he?”
He pushes the hair in my face behind my ear, his smirk growing wider. “Why do you ask? Would that bother you, little one?”
“Yes! I mean…because it’s a teacher and…does that mean he is?”
Jackson chuckles. “Right. Only because it’s a teacher.” His blue eyes twinkle mischievously, but I don’t bite. That is the only reason I’m concerned.
