Wild and Out of Control

|chapter forty-nine|

|danica|

"It's time for you to realize that there's no one else for you, sweetheart. It's just me."

     I don't know how I let this evening get to this point. I should've fought more at the Ball, made a scene to get people to stop him from taking me. I shouldn't have followed him and shouldn't have danced with him because once I let him in, I'm afraid that I wouldn't be strong enough to let him go again. Even a mere touch is enough to ignite the longing in me. Enough to conjure memories of his touch, both gentle and rough. It's dangerous because the more I get sucked in, the more I forget why I broke up with him,

     The fingers holding on to his jacket tightly begin to tingle as blood rushes to my head from being bent over Xaden's shoulder for gods knows how long. After he went up several flights of stairs—all while carrying me and being unwinded—I can only guess he's taking me to his room. It's a risky move as first years aren't allowed on the Wingleader floor. Xaden would've never done this before, being too careful about our relationship. Still, since he basically announced our secret relationship to every cadet, professor, and leadership, it's safe to say he doesn't give a fuck anymore. I don't know if I should be excited or scared.

     I wrap my arms around his waist until they rest on his abdomen and press my head against his back, closing my eyes as memories of tonight resurface. I had a perfect man in front of me. Eric Beaumont was rich, handsome, and approved by my father. It also didn't help that, from what I remember from the past, he has a decent personality; he isn't a saint by any means, but compared to men in that circle, he's the better option. But Xaden is gorgeous, thoughtful, and a man who would burn the world for me. He knows me better than anyone, challenging me when I wanted it and comforting me when I needed it. He's beautifully lethal, the kind of man danger bows to, and the trap I was taught not to get caught in.

     Eric is stable, Xaden is deep.

     Xaden's grip on my thighs tightens so hard that it pulls me out of my trance, and I realize we're walking down a hall of dorms toward the end. The energy radiating off him shifted from possessiveness to frustration. He pushes open a door, then slams it shut behind him with his foot, but I barely get to register the room surrounding us before Xaden places me on the bed, and not so gently, might I add. I bounce from the sudden drop, my arms shooting out to try to balance myself out while my senses are ambushed by everything Xaden.

     The room is cold and dark, the only light coming from the moon illuminating through the window. A few weapons scatter the walls, and a wooden post with knife and fist marks occupies the far corner. The bed is hard yet soft at the same time, and the blankets smell and feel like him—a faint hint of leather, smoke, and rain, all warm and enveloping, so you could get lost in them. Xaden looms over me, the picture of a dark prince as he grips the wooden bedposts.

     My throat constricts, and my fingers and toes tingle as my darkest fantasy comes alive in front of me.

     Xaden's fingers slowly undo his intricately-made tie and vest, my eyes following very closely. He pulls the tie off and flings it away, leaving the vest open but still on, all while never taking his eyes off me. The gold flecks were distinct against the onyx storm. The eye contact ignites the passion within me.

     "Xaden," I say, my voice coming out more breathlessly than I intended. He climbs on top of me, and even though I feel the warmth of his body, he doesn't crush me, making sure to keep a few inches between us, and not trying to push my legs apart. He nuzzles his nose in my neck, his hot breath against my skin causing goosebumps. "Xaden."

     "You're saying my name," he murmurs, his lips moving gently on my neck.

     "I—what?"

     "You're saying my name." He pulls his head away from my neck to look at me, his eyes searching mine. A slight smile touches his lips as he says, "There's still hope."