Chapter 10

Sulien

After Callie retreated to her room, her sister slipped me fifty dollars and gave me detailed instructions: stop on the way home and surprise Callie with everything she’d need for a nice bath. While she soaked, I was to get her favorite pizza—banana peppers, mushrooms, spinach, and extra sauce. I also needed to ask for packets of red pepper flakes and parmesan. If I had enough money left over—which I didn’t—I was supposed to get her dessert too.

Luckily, when I told Kane about everything I was doing, he willingly offered up the few extra dollars I needed. His only stipulation was that I get him pizza while I was there too. Well, that and he wanted to cuddle with Callie tonight.

Normally, I would’ve fought that last part. But today, I didn’t have the energy to argue, especially because Aurora’s last instruction still had my mind racing with the worst possibilities.

I was under no circumstances to push Callie to talk. If she brought up the topic, I was allowed to listen, but that was it. When I asked for more information, Aurora refused.

But what the hell could Callie have to talk about? Was she dying? Did someone hurt her? All of that had my mind spiraling in a way I couldn’t stop.

The warmth from the pizza box radiated into my hands as I returned to the apartment. Kane and Jace were in the living room, engrossed in a video game. The rhythmic clicking of buttons and the occasional frustrated grunt filled the air as I quietly shut the door behind me and set dinner on the coffee table.

“Where’s Callie?” I asked, glancing around.

“In the tub,” Jace mumbled, pausing the game to look at me. His usually laid-back expression had turned serious. “Her blood smells weird.”

“What do you mean, her blood smells weird?” I tried to keep my voice low. Our walls were thin, and I didn’t want Callie to overhear this conversation.

The last time Jace mentioned someone’s blood smelling off was when my dad’s cancer had come back. I couldn’t handle Callie being sick too.

Jace shrugged. “Normally, her blood smells sweet, but this past week, it’s gotten earthier.”

“Does she smell sick?” That was the bottom line.

Jace stared at me, brow furrowed. His hemomancy could sense things in the blood long before any test could, but that didn’t change the fact that he was an idiot. “Nah, sick blood smells bitter, almost burnt. Callie’s is still sweet, just… different. And it’s getting more different.”

His vagueness pissed me off. “Should I be worried?”

“Nah, I’m not.” He unpaused the game. “Just keep an eye on her. If she gets worse, take her to the hospital.”

Wow, thank you, Dr. Dumbass.

Despite knowing that Jace was about as bright as a rock, his cryptic warning caused a knot of anxiety to form in my chest. I took a deep breath, reminding myself to focus on what I could do right now, not on the endless possibilities of what could happen later.

“Has she left the bathroom at all?” I asked, looking at the door adjacent to the kitchen, wishing she could have used my bathroom instead.

My room was the master bedroom, and with it came a private bathroom, but all I had was a standing shower. And while that space was good for bending her over and fucking her while I used the tap water to cool off, it wasn’t good for anything else.

The buttons on Jace’s controllers rapidly clicked as he refused to look away from the TV. “Nah, she’s been in there a while, though. She might have fallen asleep.”

“If you let my girlfriend fall asleep in the bathtub, I’m singeing off your hair,” I warned.

He mocked me under his breath, but I let it go. Normally, I would have made him apologize, but I had more important matters to tend to.

I headed to the chipped white door, knocking twice before cracking it open enough to peek inside.

The scent of lavender and the sound of a true crime podcast greeted me. My gaze finally landed on Callie. Her long blonde hair was tied in a messy bun at the top of her head, and her eyes were closed. Bubbles clung to the sides of the tub, but most of the ones in the middle had popped, leaving her exposed.

“Quit staring at my boobs,” she warned, slipping further into the water.

“I wasn’t,” I lied.

I was only looking a little. But I was a man; she was a woman—what did she expect?

“Your thoughts told on you.”

I smirked as I stepped into the bathroom, making a point to focus on her face.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to stare at your tits.” I tried to sound as robotic as possible as I folded myself onto the bathmat and rested my cheek on her hand. “How are you feeling, Sunshine?”

Her eyes fluttered open, locking onto mine. “Just tired… and pruney.”

Water dripped off her hand as she lifted it to show me. Instinctively, I took it and brushed her fingers with my lips. A blush crept up both our cheeks, and I quickly looked away.

“You’ve been in there a while. Are you ready to get out?” I asked.

She nodded. “I don’t have a towel, or PJs for that matter… So unless you want me to parade around your apartment naked—”

I took a deep, pained breath. “Jace would have too much fun with that.”

Her laugh filled the room, making something warm blossom in my chest, and my lips tingled. I wanted nothing more than to kiss her, but somehow, that felt too intimate for what we were.

“You wait here. I’ll get you a towel and one of my shirts,” I promised, reluctantly pulling away.

I headed to my room to grab one of my worn-out shirts and a towel. Jace and Kane kept some towels in the bathroom, but I wasn’t allowed to use them—they were too flammable.

With the towel and shirt in hand, I jogged back to the bathroom, pausing only to order Jace and Kane to make the living room more comfortable. I wanted every pillow and every comforter spread out so the four of us could relax together.

When I opened the door again, the tub was empty, and Callie was now standing, water droplets clinging to her skin like rain on a window. A bigger man would’ve looked away, but a bigger man I was not. My eyes followed the droplets down her shoulders, around her supple breasts, before they traced the subtle curve of her stomach—wait. That was new. Or at least, I thought it was. When Callie and I had last been together, her—

“Sulien.”

Her voice snapped me out of my thoughts, forcing me to look back up. I knew better than to say anything—my dad would kick my ass if he knew I even thought about commenting on a woman’s body. But the slight swell of her stomach hadn’t gone unnoticed. In fact, it was all I could think about .

Callie rubbed her temple, closing her eyes. “If you keep thinking like that, I’m leaving.”

“Like what?” I feigned ignorance as I offered her my hand.

She took it, letting me help her out of the tub before reaching for the towel. I snatched it away, plopping it on her head instead, and began rubbing it across her still-damp skin.

She glared up at me but didn’t try to take the towel. “Just because I’m a little bloated doesn’t mean I’m pregnant.”

The plainness of her comment caused me to tense. But I guessed that she’d been listening in on my thoughts. So, if that wasn’t enough to get me in trouble, I might as well buckle down.

“Well… are you?” My hands stilled in her hair as I gave her my complete, undivided attention.

But no matter how much I concentrated on her, I wouldn’t like any answer she gave.

I didn’t want kids; my existence was what killed my mother, and I wasn’t risking that happening to Callie. Plus, we weren’t in a place where kids were a good option for us. She was in school, I had to focus on my career, and I’d only known her for like a month. But… deep down, part of me craved that level of connection with her. It was a primal way of marking her as mine, something that would undeniably link us forever.

Callie sighed before taking the towel. “Get out.”

She wrapped it around her body as if to hide from me. But that didn’t derail my train of thought.

“Callie, if you’re pregnant, I need to know,” I said, trying to sound stern rather than anxious.

“For fuck’s sake.” She scrubbed her face with her free hand. “I’m not pregnant! Also, having your boyfriend think that doesn’t feel good, in case you were wondering.”

I looked away from her and tried to hide just how guilty that made me feel. I was used to sleeping around with girls, but none of them, and I mean absolutely none of them, stayed around. That was all to say that Callie was my only real venture into the world of women.

“I didn’t mean it like that,” I explained, trying to keep my thoughts as clean as possible. “If it helps, it looks good on you.”

Callie’s jaw practically dropped before she pointed to the bathroom door.

“Out,” she ordered.

I hesitated, not wanting to leave our argument at this, but the intensity in her gaze made it clear she wasn’t about to let this slide.

“Get. Out,” she repeated, her hand slightly trembling as she did.

“Callie—”

“Leave!” Angry tears brimmed in her eyes as she swallowed. “Or I’m calling my sister and asking her to come get me.”

That threat hit me harder than any punch ever could. I’d fucked up so badly that she was ready to walk away as long as it meant not having to look at me right now. So, I raised my hands in mock surrender.

“I’m going,” I whispered, taking a step back.

She didn’t respond. Instead, she looked away. I waited just a moment longer, hoping she’d change her mind or say something to help me feel better about what just happened. But those words never came, and I knew better than to push it.

So, I left, slowly shutting the door behind me. After a beat of silence, a muffled sob echoed from behind the door. Part of me wanted to barge back in, but I didn’t. Instead, I silently vowed that I would never let anyone, including myself, make Callie cry ever again.

** *

Callie eventually emerged from the bathroom with damp hair, dressed in my shirt.

Part of me hoped she’d forgotten about our disagreement and would fall into my arms. Unfortunately, she didn’t have the chance. The second she was within my grasp, Kane claimed his reward.

She rested her head on his chest, and he brought her pizza closer so she didn’t have to reach far. Jace asked her what she wanted to watch, and she ended up picking a movie that felt like it documented a realistic kidnapping. But while everyone else ate and watched the movie, I was fixated on Callie—mostly on the fact that she was ignoring me.

At first, I convinced myself it was justified—I deserved to be punished after what happened in the bathroom. But as the minutes dragged on, my patience thinned, especially because I had a feeling that Callie knew exactly what she was doing.

She wanted to drive me crazy, and it was working.

I wondered if she was in my head right now, reveling in how much space she was taking up in my thoughts. And if she was, I wanted to take this opportunity to prove just how far I was willing to go.

She looked so comfortable with Kane, and while I loved that, it stirred something deep within me. Something dark and possessive, something I wasn’t sure either of us would be ready for.

I wanted the world to know she was mine. I wanted a way to keep her connected to me. A way there was no escaping from. Something that would link us together no matter how far she ran. She wouldn’t be able to ignore me then .

I let out a low, rumbly breath as my cock pressed into my jeans.

Angel, are you in my head? I thought, daring her to give me some sort of sign.

It wasn’t immediate, but after a moment, she shot me a fleeting glance. One in which her eyes met mine before she quickly grabbed another slice of pizza, trying to hide it.

But she could only hide so well. Her hand trembled slightly as she reached for the pizza.

Angel, if this is your attempt at punishing me, I’m giving you three seconds to stop. Or else.

Her breath hitched ever so slightly as she returned to Kane, and I knew, without a doubt, that my sweet, sweet angel was doing her best to be mean. That knowledge caused my desire to burn hotter.

I shifted a little more, trying to ease the pressure building under my jeans. But it was no use because the longer my thoughts lingered on her, the more I needed her. I discreetly unbuttoned my pants. They were already getting tight due to that damn training regimen she had me on, so if anyone asked, I had an excuse.

If she wanted to play this game, I was more than willing to oblige.

You’re pushing me too far, I thought as my intentions for today shifted from loving Callie like she deserved, to punishing her for stepping out of line. If you keep it up, you’re going to be sorry.

I rubbed a hand across my jaw to prevent her from seeing my smile. Just the idea of punishing her had my mind running with images so vivid that I didn’t think I could stop if I wanted to.

If she was making me squirm this much for simply thinking—not even voicing the thought—that she might be pregnant, it was only right that her punishment would involve those very thoughts.

My first thoughts were of the act itself. I pictured her trembling beneath me, her body slick with sweat, her voice hoarse from screaming my name as I filled her with my cum, night after night after night. I’d take her again and again, pushing her to her limits until I was the only thought in that slutty little mind of hers. No one in this house would be allowed to feel the nirvana that was Callie’s pussy until she came to me crying with a positive test in hand. I didn’t want to risk her belonging to anyone but me.

At that point, she’d undeniably be mine, and the perfect little world she’d been born into would crumble.

My sweet angel, while somewhat useless when it came to heroing, was Vanguard University’s golden girl. She was at the top of her classes; her major was psychology, but she had a minor in medical engineering. My girl was smart. There was no denying that. Plus, she came from a hell of a family. One that would be so disappointed in my angel for getting mixed up with me.

Sure, assuming I got a placement, I’d be a hero by this time next month, but I’d always be the villain's kid. I’d always have these dark thoughts, ones that would make my sweet girl blush if she ever knew the half of it.

And, by the pink creeping up her neck, I knew that right now, she knew the half of it. So, I doubled down.

I might be almost done at Vanguard, but you have three more years, I thought, leaning back into the couch, and that means you’ll have three more years to carry our child, even if you don't get pregnant right away. I wasn’t letting her drop out, especially because the idea of dismantling her reputation was half the fun. What are the professors going to say once you start showing?

She crossed her legs a little tighter, shifting around enough to draw Kane’s attention.

“You good?” he asked.

She nodded. “Just trying to get comfortable.”

But something in the uneven cadence of her breath proved that to be a lie.

If I didn’t know any better, I’d think the idea of me ruining you is enough to turn you on.

She let out a soft, almost imperceptible whimper. And if she’d been a good girl and swallowed her pride before crawling over to me on her hands and knees, maybe I would have stopped. But this little bitch knew as well as I did that if she wasn’t loving every second of this, she could pull out of my head and make it stop.

I’m not just thinking about your reputation, either. I had to grit my teeth before continuing. I’m thinking about you, Angel. The way you’ll look when carrying our child, submitting to me in a way only you can.

My first thought was of her breasts. Right now, they were round and perky, but how long would it take for them to grow? I could practically see her standing in my bathroom mirror, cupping her breasts as if trying to convince herself nothing had changed. Callie seemed like the type to hide it, to pretend everything was the same until her body betrayed her. I could see her forcing herself into one of those white button-ups she always wore to school, the ones that seemed more fitting for a secretary rather than a student. I could see her breasts pressing into the fabric, causing the buttons to gape. One or two of them would probably have to pop open, if not off, for her to admit defeat.

And sure, she had more casual clothes like the tee- shirts and jeans she wore on the weekends, but soon, even those would get too tight. And that was just her breasts.

I watched as Callie took a bite of her pizza, but to me, it seemed more like she was trying to distract herself. But it wasn’t working very well. Her breathing became more ragged, each one seeming more urgent than the last. Almost as if she was trying to stave off the images without withdrawing from my mind. But she couldn’t.

Your hips are going to widen, too, my every thought dripped with possession, and I’m going to enjoy watching you struggle to fit into your jeans.

Callie put the pizza down, and once again, Kane asked if she was okay. She nodded before gripping his shirt, but her eyes were only focused on me. I shot her a smirk.

I’m going to ruin you, Callie Voltaris, and I’m going to enjoy every last second. My gaze bore into hers with an intensity that made her shift. By the time I’m done with you, you’re going to be a walking scandal.

“Sulien, please,” she breathed.

Jace and Kane had both been oblivious to the tension building between Callie and me. Not like they could have known that she and I had been engaged in mental foreplay. And while I wasn’t going to reward my greedy little angel with the feeling of my cock, it’d be impolite to leave her high and dry.

“Kane, I need you to flip Callie on her back and eat her pussy until she can’t breathe,” I grumbled before turning to Jace. “And you’re going to come here and show me what that smart mouth is good for.”

The room seemed to pause the second my command left my lips. But after a moment, Kane got with the program. He looked up at Callie with a gaze so full of longing that I almost told him to forget it, that I’d take care of everything myself. But tonight, neither of them deserved to touch me.

“You heard the man,” Kane said as he gently slid Callie off of him. “Get on your back and let me take care of you, sweetheart.”

Callie tensed as she looked at me, almost as if she was wondering if I’d allow this to happen. But I would. This was just the tip of the iceberg when it came to what I was going to do to her.

Kane eased her back onto the blankets, making sure she was comfortable before sliding his hand up her shirt. While I couldn’t wait to see Callie’s face contort in ecstasy, I needed to worry about myself first.

With a snap of my fingers, I pointed to my aching erection. “I told you to take care of this, Pet.”

Normally, Jace would argue for a bit. He couldn’t stand not being the center of attention, but I think he could tell I was one wrong move away from incinerating the building. He quickly worked my cock out of my boxers before running his hand along my shaft. His rhythm was almost enough to make my toes curl, but I didn’t ask for a fucking hand job.

“I told you to use your mouth,” I barked.

Surprise lit Jace’s features as if he’d expected me to praise him for doing the bare minimum. I snapped my fingers again, this time allowing a small blue flame to flicker from the tip of my pointer finger.

I was shocked to see the color, but this time, I wasn’t afraid of it.

I inched the flame closer to Jace, fully ready to singe off some of his pretty chestnut hair, but before I had the opportunity, his lips parted. I involuntarily jerked as his mouth wrapped around my shaft .

My breathing stuttered, and the flame on my fingertip flickered before extinguishing with a soft hiss. A sound halfway between a growl and a moan escaped my lips as I looked back over at Callie.

Kane had taken no time in removing her shirt and was now peppering her with kisses, starting at her breasts and moving down to the slight curve of her stomach.

“Mine,” I grumbled, reaching over to force her to look at me. “Don’t force me to make good on my thoughts, Angel.”

Callie’s eyes widened as if she needed a minute to process just how serious I was. Her gaze then flickered to Jace, then down to Kane, who was currently parting her thighs.

If I did end up getting her pregnant to prove a point, how long would it take before she could no longer watch someone when they went down on her? I grit my teeth at the thought, not wanting to come just yet.

“Kane, you need to finish what I started,” I ordered.

Kane gave me a quick nod before burying his face between Callie’s thighs. Immediately, her legs tightened around his head, and her eyes squeezed shut. But this wasn’t much of a punishment if I let her disappear into her ecstasy.

“Look at me,” I demanded, squeezing her cheeks. “I own you, Callie, and that means I get to see everything.”

Her eyes snapped open, and I watched as her gaze clouded with pleasure.

“That’s it, Angel,” I mumbled, tightening my grip on Jace’s hair as he worked my cock with his mouth, his tongue flicking against the sensitive underside. “And I don’t care who else touches you. I will never let you forget who you belong to. ”

She whimpered, her back arching off the blankets, her hands gripping Kane’s hair tighter, pulling him closer.

There’s my good girl.

She nodded frantically, biting her lip, and after a moment, I watched as Callie’s orgasm tore through her. Her body shook so violently she was practically convulsing, all while she gasped out my name. The sight was so damn beautiful that it caused me to lose control.

I held Jace’s head as close as possible, not wanting to waste a drop of my cum. When he pulled away, I ordered him to swallow, and he did.

Now, with that taken care of, there was only one thing on my mind.

“Both of you need to get the fuck away from Callie until I say otherwise,” I panted, practically tearing her away from Kane.

Once she was close enough, I settled her against my chest and breathed her in before softly whispering, “Mine.”