51

Eva.
Five days later, I’m getting ready for the winter formal. It’s been so damn hard to keep my distance from Oak, only sharing stolen glances in class and not speaking to him. The sexting we do every night has kept my spirit up.
My stomach flips as I hear my phone go off and rush to check it.
Oak: You better be a good girl tonight. If I see Dimitry even try to touch you inappropriately, he will lose his fucking hand.
I swallow hard and type my reply.
I’m always a good girl. I can’t be held responsible for that boy’s actions. Just know I have no interest in being inappropriately touched by anyone but you.
I throw my phone down, knowing that Dimitry is likely to make a pass at me tonight. He’s been flirty since the day I met him. He wouldn’t keep his hands off me at the bar on the night Oak stole me away and fucked me for the first time.
My phone dings again, and I grab it.
Good. Send me a photo of you in your dress.
I type my response.
What do I get in return?
He fires back a one-word reply.
Now.
I twirl around, checking out my evening gown in the mirror. Natalya let me borrow it, and it’s utterly stunning. It’s pale blue with off-the-shoulder sleeves and has intricate lace applique detailing on the skirt.
Unfortunately, I didn’t have any dresses suitable for the winter formal, and my parents wouldn’t even talk to me to agree to buy a dress. I arrived here just over five weeks ago and they haven’t spoken to me once.
I snap a photo in the mirror, sending it to him before placing my phone down on the dresser.
It quickly buzzes, and I pick it up.
Beautiful.
And then, a picture comes through, and my heart stills in my chest. It’s Oak in front of the mirror dressed in a tux with his huge cock jutting out proudly from his black slacks. I clench my thighs together and groan, knowing I don’t have time to get myself off right now. Azira will be here any minute.
Cruel. I don’t have time to come, and now I’m hot and needy.
I can see the bubbles as Oak types back.
Good. Exactly how I like you.
A knock sounds at my door, and I turn off my phone and place it in my silver clutch before opening the door to Azira.
“Looking good,” she says, smiling. “Are you ready?”
“Yes, you look beautiful,” I say, trying to be polite. Ever since Natalya told me about what her family specializes in, I haven’t been able to view Azira in the light. I know it’s not her trafficking the women, but she’s a part of the family. It’s hard to believe she doesn’t speak out against such barbaric practices.
“Thanks,” she chirps before looping her arm with mine and dragging me out of my room. “Come on. We don’t want to be last to the party.”
“Where’s Natalya and Adrianna?” I ask.
Azira nods up ahead to Adrianna, who lingers awkwardly in the corridor. “Adrianna is waiting for us, but Natalya went on ahead to meet Alexander.” Her brow furrows. “Where are you meeting with Dimitry?”
“At the dance, he said he’d find me there.”
Azira nods. “Alek too.”
“Does Adrianna not have a date?” I ask.
Azira shrugs. “No, she didn’t want one, and Adrianna can be the most stubborn girl I know.”
Adrianna waves when she notices us coming. “Hey, guys. Eva, you are stunning.”
I smile at her. “Thanks, I love your dress,” I say, admiring her beautiful emerald green evening gown that compliments her tanned skin. “You would have looked lovely on Hernandez’s arm,” I say.
Adrianna punches me hard.
“Ouch, what was that for?”
“For being an asshole,” she says, laughing. “Hernandez is the last person I’d go to the dance with.” Adrianna takes my other arm. “Let’s get down to the hall before we’re the last there.”
I nod and allow my two friends to steer me to the winter formal. I’m not excited about this party. There’s a buzz in the air, giving the often cold and serious school a thrilling atmosphere.
“How late does this party normally go on until?” I ask.
Azira gives me an odd look. “This one we normally sneak away by about ten.” A wide smirk spreads onto her lips. “That’s when the real fun starts in the old ruins. The after-party away from the watchful eyes of the teachers.”
I swallow hard, knowing that I have no intention of sneaking off to that. All I want is for this party to be over and the winter break to be here, so I can stop avoiding the man that makes me burn for him. The man I long to kiss again. It’s only been five days, but it may as well have been weeks.
The moment I walk in through the grand mahogany doors into the events hall at the center of the school, I sense him. His eyes instantly on me from the corner of the room, drawing my attention to him.
Oak stands with Professor Daniels and Professor Jameson, looking magnificent in his dark tuxedo, but all I can think about is how he looked with his cock jutting out of the zipper. I never believed he could look more handsome than he already does, but in that tux, he’s devastating.
His eyes dip down the length of my dress, and when they move back to my face, they’re burning with desire.
“Did you hear me?” Adrianna asks, making me jump.
“Sorry, what did you say?” I ask, my attention snapping back to my two friends.
“I said that Dimitry’s over there.” She points. “Someone said he’s been looking for you.”
I sigh heavily. “Am I’m going to regret agreeing to be his date?”
“Probably,” Adrianna says, laughing. “Isn’t that what the formal is all about?”
I groan. “I don’t know. He’s coming over here.”
Dimitry walks over, a cocky smirk plastered on his face. “You look gorgeous,” he says, taking my hand and kissing the back of it.
“Thank you.” I glance at his tuxedo, which is an impeccable fit. “You look smart,” I say, trying not to be too forward. I can feel Oak’s eyes on my back, burning holes into me.
“How about a dance?” Dimitry asks.
I swallow hard, knowing that despite wanting to put it off, I can’t all night. “Maybe a drink first?”
He nods. “Sure, what do you want? I’ll get you a drink.”
“I’ll have a glass of white wine, please,” I say.
Adrianna clears her throat. “Make that two.”
He smiles, despite looking put out at becoming a server for the both of us. “Coming right up.”
“He wants to get into your pants. Otherwise, he wouldn’t fetch you drinks,” Adrianna says, shaking her head. “It’s best to tell him you aren’t interested in anything more than friendship sooner rather than later.”
“You’re probably right.” I swallow hard. “God, I miss going to an all-girls school. We don’t have this shit to deal with.”
Adrianna raises a brow. “True, but then it wouldn’t be as fun, would it?”
Dimitry returns swiftly with two drinks for us. “Here you are, ladies.”
I smile and take the drink. “Thank you.” I sip it, wishing his eyes weren’t fixed on me. I haven’t dared look in Oak’s direction since we entered, knowing he’s more than likely watching Dimitry’s every move.
Something tells me tonight is going to be painfully long. I can’t wait until it’s over. I can’t wait until it’s winter break, and I can spend two blissful weeks wrapped up in the arms of my gorgeous principal.