“Do you want to go somewhere more… private?”
“Yes.”
I indicated across the playground towards where the sixth form block was.
“Let’s go then.”
Feeling the stares at my back, I set off with Meredith next to me. She held her head up although her eyes darted around as if checking if anyone was looking at us. I could’ve told her no one would care, but I doubted she’d listen. She steered me away from the main part of the sixth form building and instead, making a beeline for a quieter area near the trees. When we were out of sight, she turned to me, her face void of any emotion. It made me wonder what she wanted. She fidgeted for a long moment as if trying to gather her thoughts.
“You wanted to talk to me?” I said when she didn’t volunteer anything.
“Yes.”
“About what?”
Her gaze flicked away from me, fixating on the tree behind me.
“I need to know if you meant it.”
“Meant what?”
I had a feeling I knew what she was getting at. Didn’t mean I would let her get away with not spelling it out for me.
“About wanting me.”
“Meredith.”
“Yes?”
“Look at me.”
This shy and timid girl in front of me was not what I’d expected. In fact, this entire situation was not how I expected any of this to go down. Where was the passionate girl who spit fire at me and everyone else she came into contact with?
She met my eyes and I could see vulnerability in those green depths. Something about it made my heart thump. I took a step forward, reaching out and placing a finger under her chin before I tipped her face up.
“I was entirely serious then and I still am now.”
She rubbed her arm with her hand.
“And this isn’t just about getting me into bed or anything like that?”
“No.”
It never had been. I wouldn’t deny I wanted to be between her legs. Hell, the thought of it made me fucking hard. But I’d never pursue a girl for that reason alone. No, my need for Meredith ran so much deeper than that. I wanted in her head. To understand her. And I wanted to make her submit to me.
“So you actually… like me?”
“I thought I made that clear.”
“No, you said you wanted me. That’s not the same thing.”
I cocked my head to the side, trying to understand the motivations of this girl in front of me. Understand why she needed me to state the obvious.
“I like you, Meredith.”
She let out a breath. Her hand clutched her arm as if she wanted to reach for me but held herself back.
“You know my secret… I’ve never been with anyone before.”
“That changes nothing for me.”
Her eyes searched my face.
“No, I suppose it wouldn’t. Better for you if I have nothing to compare it to.”
I almost laughed. As much as I relished the thought of being her first, ultimately, I didn’t give a shit either way. I’d have made sure the only person in her mind and her body was me. I’d have erased the memory of anyone else. This way, I didn’t have to go through that bullshit. I could make her mine and that would be fucking that.
“Are you saying you want me to…?”
Her eyes widened.
“What? No! Jesus, I’m not going to let you have sex with me, Cole.”
I smiled, knowing she hadn’t meant to insinuate she would in the first place.
“Why are you here asking me if I like you then?”
“I needed to know.”
“Why?”
Her eyes flashed. Those damning eyes I couldn’t get enough of.
My little queen. So beautiful. So strong-willed.
“I just do, okay?”
“Now who’s not giving straight answers?”
Meredith’s eyes scanned the area before she let out a huff.
“I should not be doing this.”
“Doing what exactly?”
She waved a hand between us.
“Standing here talking to you like this.”
“I didn’t realise talking to me was such a crime.”
The way her face contorted with irritation amused me.
“Why did I even think this would be a good idea? You’re obviously not going to take me seriously and if that’s the case, this is so not worth the fucking fallout it will inevitably bring down on me.”
I reached out, snagged her arm and pulled her closer. She blinked and tried to back away. My voice pitched low and my grip on her tightened, “You haven’t even told me what this is about, Meredith. So don’t you start flying off the handle with me.”
She glared at me, but it didn’t stop me holding onto her to make sure she didn’t run away. This girl was going to tell me why she brought me over here in the first place whether or not she liked it.
“I came to tell you I’d let you prove to me why I should give you a chance but now, I’m not sure you deserve it.”
Oh no, you are not getting away with that shit, Meredith.
“No, I do deserve one and I will show you why.”
I backed her up against the tree behind her. My hand curled around her braid and held fast, tugging her head to the side. Leaning down as I pinned her in place, my lips met her earlobe.
“You don’t allow boys near you, let alone to touch you in any way shape or form but here I am, right up against you and you’re not pushing me away. You want this but you’re too fucking chicken shit to admit it.”
Her hands came up and clutched my arms.
“Stop. Fucking. Lying. To. Me.”
A pant escaped her lips, the sound fucking tormenting me.
“I want you to look me in the eyes and tell me you don’t feel this. That you don’t want me to touch you, taste you and tease you until you’re a panting, writhing mess beneath me. Because that’s where you fucking belong. Under me.”
The more I ran my mouth, the more I could feel her arching closer as if she wanted it all.
“I’m not a nice boy, Meredith. I think dark, deviant and downright depraved things about you but I will treat you right. The way you need.”
“You make it sound like all you want to do is fuck me.”
Grazing my teeth along the shell of her ear, I pressed closer, feeling her soft, small body mould to my larger one.
“I want inside your head. This isn’t some kind of joke or game to me. I want everything about you. I crave it. Let me have you. Let me show you why you need me too.”
Another pant left her lips. Those beautiful lips.
“I’ll take care of you. If you were mine, you’d be my queen and I’d treat you so fucking well.”
The harsh sounds of our breathing filled the silence descending on us as I finished my last words. Meredith’s nails dug into my forearms. I didn’t tell her to stop. No, I fucking liked it. The sharp points of pain made me ache for her.