Wicked (Somerset University #2) - Ruby Vincent Page 0,43
Zandt in all of his glory.
“Damn. This is a closet.”
“What brings you down here, Dad? Planning to take pity on your old son and upgrade his working conditions?”
He grinned. “Not a chance. I’m down here escorting this beautiful lady.”
“Val.” I got up as he stood aside, letting my girlfriend through. I lifted a brow at the both of them. “Why am I not surprised you stopped by my dad first?”
She shoved my shoulder. “I wasn’t coming all this way and not saying hi. Love me for my manners.”
“Say bye before you leave too.” Dad kissed her cheek. “Later, baby girl.”
She waved him off, closing the door behind him. “Did you talk to Serena?”
“Straight to the point.” I plopped down and patted my lap. “Let’s mess around first.”
Val shook her head, grin playing at her lips. “Read the room, playboy.”
I heaved a sigh. “I talked to her and she swore she had nothing to do with the present in the back seat.”
“And you believed her?”
“I can’t prove she’s lying. Even if she is, the car rides are over and she knows I’m not playing with her anymore.” I held out my hand and Val slipped her palm on mine. I tugged her onto my lap. “I’ve spoken to Bianca, Gwen, Serena and the band. Things are going to change.”
I brushed her hair behind her ears. It always hung in her eyes. A crime I couldn’t allow. The added bonus of touching her, tangling in her silken strands, caressing her rosy cheeks stoked a flame in me. I read the room... and we wanted the same thing.
“Remember all those years ago, you promised me sex in the supply closet?”
She pecked my nose. “I’ve delivered—free of charge—countless times over the years.”
“True. But I’m down to go again.”
“Want to eat sushi off me?”
“Yes,” I said seriously. “I very much do.”
Val crossed her arms, grabbing the hem of her shirt.
“Jaxson.” Someone pounded on the door. “Jaxson?”
“I’m busy,” I called.
“I’ll help you with the”—Gwen threw the door open—“demos.”
Valentina tipped off my lap, yanking her shirt down.
“Oops.” Gwen cringed. “I’m sorry. We really need to work out a sock-on-the-door thing.”
“Do you need something?” I hoped I sounded as impatient as I felt.
“Paunch brought this up for you.” Gwen unveiled a small package behind her back. “Came with a note that said to open it right away.”
I edged away. “Is it a bomb?”
She laughed. “It went through security.”
“Thanks.” I took it from her and she sat down instead of backing out.
“I’m curious too,” she explained.
Val handed me her keys. I used it to cut the tape and break open the box. A round aluminum tin covered in a damask design lay inside. There was no writing to give away what was inside. Val and Gwen leaned in at the same time as I pulled off the lid.
We reared back—a tiny eep coming out of Gwen.
Smoke billowed out of the tin, filling the box and seeping over the sides, seeking us and dissipating into vapor before it reached.
“Dry ice?” Val asked.
“What is that?”
The smoke cleared on tiny, golden-brown nuggets nestled on wax paper. Confusion fled beneath my grin.
“They’re chocolate pastries,” I said. “Wow. They look like the same ones we got in Versailles. The restaurant served them with smoke too.”
“We?” asked Val.
“Me and Dad.”
“Oh, so your dad got this for you. That was nice.” She bumped my shoulder. “See? He does care about you locked away in your closet.”
“Want one?” I offered it to both of them. We popped them in our mouths, cool from their ride, but melting fast on our tongues into flaky chocolatiness.
This I do want to eat off Val.
“Gwen, don’t you have work to be getting back to?”
She chuckled. “I can take a hint.”
I turned on Val as the door shut. “Where were we?”
VALENTINA
Zipping my jacket, I glanced at Juliet to see if she noticed the chocolate stains on my shirt. She averted her eyes as she held open my door.
My lunchtime rendezvous with Jaxson was over. Time to accept my mantle as Madam President.
The Sally house loomed pristine and pretty as a picture. Grass clippings littered the sidewalk courtesy of the freshly mown lawn. Someone swept the porch and set out new furniture—wicker chairs and a small table to sit out and people-watch Greek Row.
A good bet it was the doing of our new house mother. Sofia said Miss Ortega hopped right in seconds after unpacking her last bag.
Juliet held the door open for me and—
“Surprise!”
I stumbled back, nearly tripping off the front steps.