A Class of Conjuring Read online

  We turned around when the door opened. Kyler and Braeden joined us. The four of us needed a good talk in order to get through our feelings for Cassandra.

  “Oliver’s right,” Kyler said. “You need to embrace what you feel for her, just like we have. You need to talk to her. Tell her what’s going on. Eventually we’ll all need to.”

  Braeden squeezed between us and rested his arms on his knees. He knew Cassandra better than any of us. “You either tell her or I will,” he said. “I know she cares for all of us, including you. She feels the same way about you that you do about her.”

  “Bullshit,” Dash said half-heartedly. “I’ve been through that caring shit before, and we all know how it worked out.” He turned to Braeden. “And how do you know this anyway?”

  “Isn’t it obvious?” Braeden said. “Look at how happy she is when we’re all together. It’s like Christmas and her birthday all rolled into one.” He shrugged and chuckled. “Besides, she tells me everything.” He let his last comment hang in the air and stood, patting Dash on the shoulder. For the first time in a long time, Dash didn’t jerk away.

  Dash stood and left us outside alone. He entered the house without another word, and we all shrugged at each other. No one ever knew what Dash would do next.

  “That went over well,” I said. “How long you think it’ll take Dash to tell her what he just told us?”

  Kyler removed a gold coin from his pocket. “Thirty-minutes.” He slapped the coin on the table between the two chairs. “Pony-up.”

  Braeden removed a coin from his own pocket and laid it next to Kyler’s. “I think he backs out before he says a word,” he said. “But if he does that, we’ll all lose our connection. It has to be all or none.”

  “Ye of little faith,” I said and moved to my feet. “This needs to wrap up now. Come on, let’s see how well he isn’t doing.”

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN

  Cassandra

  I felt the hand on my shoulder but nudged it away. It had been weeks since I slept so well, so whoever was waking me up was about to lose a hand. They were also waking me from a pretty intense dream involving all four guys. I thought maybe if I returned to a deep sleep, I could pick up where we left off.

  “Cassandra,” Dash said, and I opened my eyes. For a moment I thought I was still dreaming. The last person I expected to see inches from my face was Dash. His breath was warm against my face, his eyes warm against my soul. I stared at him for a long moment, hoping it might be the time he finally kissed me. Fat chance. “Were you sleeping?”

  “No, Dash, I was studying my eyelids.”

  “Okay then, good. I didn’t want to disturb you,” he said. “Since you’re awake.”

  “Did somebody die?” I asked, and rubbed the sleep from my eyes. My body ached as if I’d been thrown around by one of Oliver’s water spells. I glanced at my hands and remembered my powers were gone, stolen by a woman I knew nothing about. It made me feel inadequate. As if I would be the one to cause our group to fall apart. “Are you okay?”

  “I need to speak to you in private. There’s something I’d like to say.” He licked his lips and appeared nervous. It was unlike Dash Bancroft to show any emotion other than the badass guy on campus.

  I tried to sit up, but my body protested. “Aurelius' spell,” I said. “It did a number on me.”

  “Yeah, it kind of knocked you out,” Dash said. “May be a few days before you recover. He did everything he could.” He placed an arm around my waist, and the sensation nearly brought me to my knees. The guy was a walking pheromone bank. “Come on, I'll help you. We’ll talk in the guest bedroom.”

  He helped me sit up and then helped me off the couch, placing my arm around his shoulders. His energy flowed through my body and although it rejuvenated me, I still hung onto him as if I really did need his help. He walked me to the bedroom, and the touch of his hands were warm and continued to help me relax as if I were in the arms of a man who had sworn his life to protect me. But there was something different about his touch and his urgency. A closeness. His body had lost most if not all of its intensity. He actually cared about me and not his tough guy act.

  “Right here,” he said and lowered me to the bed, his voice cracking as he spoke. His eyes told me what I wanted to hear months ago, him avoiding my gaze a sign I was correct. When he finally looked at me, his eyes were excited, his face red. He sat next to me on the bed and steeled himself as he prepared his speech. He didn’t like speeches and certainly didn’t like sharing his feelings, so I made sure he saw I was giving him my undivided attention.

  I glanced at his hand resting on his knee and placed my hand on his, inches away from the thing I often dreamed about. The thought of having him, of experiencing the great lover he must be, sent tingles through my body, causing me to blush. I composed myself and cleared my throat. “What do you want to talk about?” I asked. Right at that moment I wanted him to scoop me into his arms and kiss me. Touch me the way a woman deserved to be touched. I needed all those things I heard other girls talk about.

  Dash cleared his throat and seemed to consider his words carefully. “I just wanted to let you know that I feel the same way the other guys do and always have, but I’ve just been too afraid to share those emotions with you because I wasn’t sure if you felt the same way and if you didn’t, well, I didn’t want to be hurt and if you did, then that’s great because I thought we’d make a great team. I know there are four of us and only one of you, but I hope you understand I want you as much as they do.” He took a deep breath and then let it out as if speaking those words were the hardest thing he’d ever had to do. Though nothing he said made much sense, just him trying warmed my heart and made me love him even more.

  I squeezed his hand and a rapturous vibe traveled through my soul, igniting the embers of a fire that had been waiting months to be flamed. I wanted him to understand I’d wanted him for a long time. “Enough,” I said, stopping his struggling speech. “I didn’t hear a word you just said.”

  “Great,” he muttered and looked away.

  “Dash,” I said, hoping to encourage him.

  “I’m not sure I can repeat any of it. Should have kept my mouth shut.”

  “Dash,” I said again, and then the things I wanted began to happen.

  He pulled me close and moved his delicious lips to mine, the kiss awkward at first but then becoming long and blissful, his nervousness dying as my excitement rose. He wrapped his arms around me, and my body gave into his touch, the warmth of his breath, the softness of his lips. His hands were strong, his arms tight around me like the protection of a thousand soldiers. I finally had what I thought I would have to wait a lifetime to get.

  I placed my hand against his jaw and felt his day-old stubble, a feeling I didn’t mind at all. He was here, and he was next to me. That was what really mattered. I put aside the thought he hated me. I forgot about all the questions and all the doubts. I pulled back, my lips hovering an inch from his, my hand still against his cheek, his arms still around me, warm and titillating. I wanted it to happen more than I’d ever wanted anything in my life.

  “Are you sure?” I asked. “Because there’s a lot more going on than you and I. I like, I care for all of you. I just don’t want you to be jealous of the others.” I stroked his face, and it took every bit of willpower not to throw him down on the bed.

  His response was simple. He laid me on the bed and leaned over me and nodded. “I told the guys how I felt about you and why it had taken me so long to come around. We talked about you and about the feelings we shared for you. We all feel the connection to you, Cassandra. We all belong here with you, to you.” He glanced down my body and then returned his gaze to my eyes. To be wanted in such a way electrified everything inside me. A wetness worked its way between my legs, a feeling I’d longed for.

  “Braeden,” I said, barely able to speak.

  “Yes, even Braeden. You’re lucky to have him, and he’s done a great job of protecting you over the ye
ars. And now he has help, help he’s welcomed with open arms.” He kissed my forehead and ran his hand gently across my cheek. I pressed into his touch and whimpered, my eyes fluttering.

  I pulled him down and stole another kiss, this one hot and filled with battling tongues. I breathed him in, taking in his breath, filling my lungs, feeding my need. His body trembled against mine, and a shudder of a breath lapped against my lips. My body gave in to his touch, his hands gliding across my breasts, gently moving, and caressing against my shirt. I needed more. I needed his skin against mine, his heat against my warmth. Finally, the ravenous aches were going to be fed.

  Dash opened his eyes and stared into mine, his hand skillfully removing my shirt. I nodded, sensing him fighting with himself, wanting to go faster but also wanting to please me. His hand moved back over my bare breasts, the first time a man had done so. My breath hung in my throat, and my pulse quickened. When he gently squeezed my nipple, I writhed in pleasure, wondering why I had waited so long to feel a man’s hands on my body.

  His lips moved from mine and traveled across my cheek and chin, finding a home against my neck just below my ear. An unfamiliar wetness continued to grow between my legs. He moaned and his mouth opened, his wet, warm tongue exploring, moving down my neck to my shoulder. He salaciously moved his hand down my stomach and stopped between my legs. I opened my eyes and let out a breath I didn’t know I was holding. “Dash,” I struggled to whisper, my hand playfully tugging at his hair.

  “Your touch,” he said, his voice strong and confident. “Your taste.” He licked my neck, his tongue pressing into my skin. “I’m sorry I waited so long.”

  “Make love to me,” I said softly.

  I had no doubt Dash was experienced. I had no doubt he would treat me well. And I had no doubt he wanted what was best for me. I reached up and unbuttoned his shirt, revealing his strong chest and flat stomach, shoving the shirt over his lean shoulders. I moved to my elbows and kissed his chest, his moans delightful against my lips. “Mmm,” he said when I kissed his nipple, letting my tongue lash back and forth.

  I reached down and shimmied my pants down my legs, revealing myself to him. Dash glanced between my legs and then he placed his lips over my nipple, sucking and teasing with his tongue. I raised my hips and pressed my pubis against his hand. His fingers pressed softly through the thin hairs.

  Dash's middle finger slipped between my wet lips and stopped, my pussy needful of his intrusion. With his mouth around my nipple, he looked at me for permission, and I nodded for him to continue. When his finger entered me, he found the way wet and tight. “You’re a beautiful woman,” he said, power in his voice, any thought of stopping gone.

  “Thank you,” I whispered, euphoria taking over as we both knew he would be my first. My yearning for pleasure grew, creating a need for decadence I never thought possible. All the things I had been told by friends, the things about kissing, sex, and love making, those were the things I desired.

  Dash kissed my breast and then looked at me, my flesh between his teeth. “I’ll go slow,” he said. While he looked into my eyes, he slipped his finger inside me, massaging my opening, preparing me. I struggled to catch my breath, my mind swirling out of control. I pressed my hips against his intrusion, my need desperate.

  I relaxed and caught my breath, Dash’s finger driving a bit deeper. His mouth on my stomach, licking and kissing, nibbling and pleasing. He kissed between my lips, finding my clit, the pleasure beyond anything I’d experienced in life. Beyond even what Ruby had described. I placed my hand on the back of his head again and raked my fingers through his hair, moaning and needing more, needing him inside me, needing him on top of me. I thought it strange how natural the need was, how my body knew exactly what it wanted. I’d been created exactly for this moment.

  When his finger retreated, I sighed in frustration. He moved down the bed and removed my panties, though there was something sensual about his hands slipping between the material and my flesh, his fingers finding their way between my legs.

  Dash stood at the side of the bed and dropped his shirt to the floor. The bulge in his pants was difficult to miss, the throbbing intense and lecherous. I wanted him badly, my body screaming for him to end the tormenting desire. He removed his remaining clothes and stood before me, allowing me to admire the man who would be my first. Seeing his largeness, I wondered how on earth I would ever be able to take him in. I swallowed hard and prepared myself, knowing I wanted it to be him.

  I held his cock in my hand and stroked it, tightening my grip, watching him enjoy my grasp. His cock was hot and thick. I often daydreamed what it would be like to touch a man’s cock. Ruby said her boyfriend was not real long but definitely wide. She said the width drove her wildly insane in bed because the feeling of him easing into her, stretching her, was the best feeling in the world. She said there was nothing comparable. “I want you, Dash. I need you.”

  He drew his hands together and then cast a spell at the ceiling. He said a few words, and everything above us disappeared. Except for the billions of stars looking down on us. Everything twinkled, including his eyes. I grabbed his hand and pulled him over me. Our naked bodies fulfilling a destiny long set before our arrival at the academy.

  We kissed again, hungrily, greedily, the heat building between us provocative and electrifying. I felt the head of his cock press against me, and I grasped the sheet. My head swirled, and my mind went in a thousand different directions. I’d never wanted anything so badly in my life.

  “Everything I do I do for you,” he said. His words were beautiful to my ears. I wanted to spend a lifetime hearing him talk to me, having him touch and taste me. I wanted to wake up next to him in the mornings. I wanted to wake up next to all four guys.

  His cock parted my lips, and the head spread me as he slowly entered. His eyes stayed on mine, occasionally glancing at my hands squeezing the sheets. I stole a look at his muscles flexing as he held himself up above me. Everything he did he did for me.

  Dash pushed inside again, this time deeper, a bit more forceful. A sudden pain filled me and then a rush of warmth followed the pain, chasing it away. I let out a loud moan and then pulled him down against me, our lips meeting, his thrusts still gentle but never wavering. He’d taken me from girl to woman in only a few minutes.

  He opened his mouth to mine, and we devoured each other as he pumped inside me, taking his time, meeting my needs, and solidifying our need to be together. We slowed our movements and became part of each other, inseparable for eternity. A tingling grew in my soul, spreading through my body, then heading between my legs. It was neither intense nor earth shattering, but it took me on a ride into ecstasy. My entire being relaxed. My life had changed.

  Moments later, Dash pulled from me and ran his hand along my face. On his side, facing me, he brought me next to him, my head resting on his arm. We watched each other me, at least, lost with him in another plane of existence. For that moment, nothing else in the world mattered.

  “You’re an incredible woman,” he said. “We’re all lucky to have found you.” He kissed me again, lightly, then moved to my chin and cheek and finally my forehead. He played with my hair, and we smiled and stole short, quick kisses.

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  Cassandra

  I opened my eyes and found Dash still lying next to me, sleeping, his breathing steady. I moved my head from his arm and turned on my side to watch him, the first man to bring me such bliss. I hoped the previous evening was a sign of things to come. I even considered when the next time between the two of us might happen.

  He had taken his time and made the experience one never to be forgotten. The next time, because I needed a next time, I would share with him, making it just as much about him as he made it about me. I placed my hand against his bare chest and felt the strong strum of his heart. While he was inside me, I felt his energy touch my soul. The connection with all four was more than physical, emotional, or psychological. It was a combination of all thre
e, bringing our souls together.

  I began to think about Kyler, Oliver, and, of course, Braeden. Would the experience be similar with them? I hoped so. Braeden had always been there for me, but I had no regrets with Dash being my first. In different ways, they would all be my first.

  I kissed Dash on the nose and he stirred, opening his eyes and laying a hand against my cheek. Both naked, I turned to him and slid my top leg between his, feeling his warm cock against my thigh. “That was fucking great last night,” I said and ran my fingers over his stubble.

  “Nice language,” he quipped. He kissed me and let his tongue linger against my lips.

  I smiled and pulled back a bit. “I think it’s the best way to describe what happened. Don’t you?”

  “It was fucking great,” he said.

  I ran my finger down the middle of his chest and stomach, keeping my eyes on his, though I could see his cock spring to life. It was a creature with its own mind.

  “What are you smiling about?” he asked.

  I ran my hands between his legs and squeezed, feeling the faint throb of his cock.

  “You keep that up and we’ll be going another round,” he said.

  I rolled over on top of him and rested my hands on his chest, my chin against my hands, starring into his mesmerizing eyes. His cock pressed against my opening, and for a moment I thought he might enter me again. I wanted him to. “I had no idea how good sex could feel,” I said. “It took me and my mind away from everything, like I was free and whimsical.”

  Dash smiled. “I’ve never heard that before, but I'm glad it did.”