protect me superseded their concern about my stepmother? Honestly, I had no idea what to think of these men anymore.
“You are getting me out of school?” I arched a brow as the three of us stood in the hallway.
“Until we figure out this shadow thing. I am worried about you being without someone who can find you if you get lost in the Shadow Realm,” Rain admitted quietly. “Also answer your damn phone next time.”
I narrowed my eyes but turned to Merrick. “Are you done after this class?”
“Yes, I will be sure to find you both after, pretty girl,” he whispered and then did something that shocked me and could totally get him fired.
I felt my entire body go dizzy as he dipped his head to press a light sweet kiss to my lips that had me melting into him. Instantly, the space around me grew warm and his soft lips molded against my own in a small passionate dance. A soft sound came from my throat as my entire body broke out into shivers and heat broke through my stomach making me feel as though I was going to have a heat flash.
He pulled away and offered me a cocky grin before going back into the classroom. Rain tilted his head in interest before leading me towards the exit. He asked me to explain what had happened and I did, an odd look jumping over his face about the Merrick part as well.
“He jumped into the river?” he asked as if I was saying something very odd.
“Why is that so weird?”
He looked at me in consideration before speaking, “Ma belle, Merrick is terrified of water. He was tortured after both of our parents were killed during the war. They used to threaten to drown him and would hold him under, again and again until they almost succeeded.”
The blunt statement had me freezing. “Holy shit.”
“I shouldn’t have told you,” he muttered, running a hand over his face. “I feel bad.”
“Don’t,” I squeezed his hand, “I won’t bring it up unless he talks to me about it.”
We pushed out the exit as I spoke the last part. He nodded and then I saw the realization hit him, he spun me and pulled me against his chest with an incredulous look. “What the hell were you thinking? Why would you jump in a goddamn river?” He demanded sharply. The man was mental.
“Stop saying ‘hell,’” I sassed back, “if you keep yelling at me, I'm going to show you freakin’ hell, Rain. You’re being a bossy ass and giving me fucking whiplash with your moody bullshit.”
He froze and blinked at me before his ears heated. “Fine. Sorry.”
“Forgiven,” I deemed, preening slightly at how serious he took me, as he took my hand and pulled me towards a motorcycle? It was black, shiny, and had a dangerous looking rune on the side. I swallowed nervously and he chuckled softly.
“Nervous, Ma belle?” He whispered against my ear before pressing a helmet into my hand. I looked down at it and arched a brow.
“Whose helmet is this?” I mumbled. He chuckled and threw a leg over the bike before answering. Damn, did he look good on it, like way too good? It should be illegal frankly.
“Mine, it came with the bike but I clearly don’t wear it,” he stated softly and I wouldn’t admit that I was thinking about other women who would have worn it. His cocky knowing smile made me think he knew that.
“Come on,” he stated softly. “We need to find her notes. Do you really believe it’s in the maze?”
“Yes,” I whispered feeling very sure.
“I’ll have Merrick tell the others to meet us,” Rain offered quietly and my chest warmed. He may be an ass but it seemed last night made him realize I needed the others as well.
“Um, Rain,” I mumbled panicking a bit, “I’ve never been on a motorcycle.”
He flashed me a wicked smile getting off the bike, “I figured, come on.” His large hands lifted me onto the bike, which was much larger than I realized, before taking my bag and putting it into one of the travel containers. Okay, there was no way this was a normal size bike, I mean Rain was big but the entire thing seemed very non-human, I could barely get comfortable on the seat.
I swallowed nervously as Rain swung his leg over the back, his hands placing a helmet over me as I melted back into him. I guess I didn’t realize how