“Yeah. I think so?” I really hoped so. “Thank you.”
“Anytime.” He pointed up to the cave. “Still want to go take a look or head back?”
My stomach answered for me. I threw my hand over it. “Sorry. I think I might be hungry. I’ve got to get food fast or…” God. I just had a breakthrough and now I was going to ruin it. But I didn’t want to shift.
“Don’t worry. You won’t change. Unless you want to?”
I waved my hands wildly in the air. “Definitely not. I mean what if I get stuck as a wolf?”
He touched his forehead to mine as he laughed. “You won’t get stuck,” he said when he caught his breath.
I shoved him. “I’m never telling you anything ever again.”
He rubbed his thumb along my bottom lip. “That’s not true.”
“Yes, it is. I won’t tell you anything when you do stuff like laugh at me.”
His lips met mine. I wrapped my arms around his neck and pulled myself into his lap. When I felt his tongue, I opened my mouth and let him in.
When my stomach growled again, he pulled away. “Let’s get you some food.” He gave me one last soft kiss. “I’d do anything for you, Tessa. I know you don’t realize that now, but you will.”
That thought made me grin, even if I wasn’t sure that it was true. He led us to a shorter part of the creek wall and started to climb. I’d never gone hiking without a clear-cut path before. It was fun, but hard. When we reached the top, rivers of sweat ran down the sides of my face. I lifted my shirt to wipe them away.
“Have a nice hike?” Mr. Dawson was standing there waiting for us.
I cleared my throat. I was supposed to be reading in his cabin. “Yeah. But I didn’t read—”
“It’s okay,” Mr. Dawson cut me off. “Seems like it did you some good.”
“I think so,” I said.
Dastien stepped between Mr. Dawson and me. “I’d like to ask permission to leave campus tomorrow with Tessa. I’ll vouch for her.”
Mr. Dawson crossed his arms. “Where? When? For how long?”
“To the bookstore. In the morning. Just a couple of hours.”
Mr. Dawson nodded. “Sounds like a good idea for both of you. Permission granted.”
Shock filled me. “Really? Dastien can take me alone, but Chris and Adrian couldn’t take me to the movies?”
Mr. Dawson smiled. I’d forgotten that he was handsome. “Yes. Dastien’s already proven that he can keep you under control.”
Shit. He probably knew about what happened in the gym. I don’t think my face ever burned so much.
When Mr. Dawson left, I jumped up and down, tugging on Dastien’s shirt. He laughed and put his arm around my shoulder.
“How did you know that I’d want to go to a bookstore?” I said.
“Who do you think set up your room?” He kissed my nose. My heart sped, wanting more. “Your mother gave me quite the lecture about keeping them in order.”
I laughed at the image of her lecturing Dastien. She could be a bad ass when she wanted to be.
As we started back to school, one dark cloud hung over my otherwise sunny day. What was I going to do about Shannon? Not to mention Chris and all the other guys. At least maybe they would leave me alone now.
And then there was the problem of Imogene and her dad and the vampires.
I said a little prayer that everyone was still out having fun when I got back. But my luck had never been that good.
Chapter Thirty-Two
Gabriel and a few of the guys strode up to me as we walked down one of the paths to the courtyard. Dastien’s hand came to rest on the small of my back and the guys stopped. I didn’t need to look up at him to know he was giving them a serious stare down.
One by one, the boys looked at the ground and stepped back to let us pass. Being with Dastien definitely had its perks. Maybe the rest of the guys would quit telling me what and how much to eat.
A few heads popped up to stare at us as we entered the cafeteria. But after we’d gotten our food, he led us to a table alone.
“Chris said you’re one of the best fighters.”
He shrugged one shoulder. “I had the best teaching me. My father and Michael. The two of them sparring was one of my favorite things to watch.” He leaned forward. “Do the rumors about you and our relationship bother you?”
“I’m used to being pointed at.” I ran my fingers through the ends of my hair. “I try not to let them get to me.”
“But they do?”
I squirmed under his stare. He saw too much of me already. “I’m only human.” He stayed quiet. “Whatever. You know what I mean.”
“So you really like all the groups you wear shirts for?” he asked.
“Seeing as how I made most of those shirts—yes. I really do.”
“Favorite show you’ve seen live?”