CHAPTER 56: BEHIND CLOSED DOORS...

Charis

I stood stiffly in front of the bathroom mirror, the steam from my earlier shower still clinging to the edges of the glass.

I was naked, except for the bottoms I had on.

I watched our reflection—the quiet focus in Slater’s eyes as he applied ointment onto the last of the fading welts across my ribs. His touch was gentle, but I could feel the tension radiating from him as he worked.

This would be the second time since I arrived that we have shared this intimate routine.

After finishing with the ointment, he began to wrap the bandage carefully around my chest, transforming my feminine curves into the flat plane expected of a young boy.

"I haven’t forgiven you yet," I said quietly, finally breaking the heavy silence between us.

"I know," he murmured without looking at me, his focus on securing the bandage, making sure it wasn’t too tight or loose on me. "Take your time."

The truth is, I couldn’t stay angry at Slater forever. I needed him here, regardless of how much I didn’t want to admit it, and the fact that he was willingly helping me proved that the incident about reporting to his father and the school was a mistake.

After a while, his voice cut through the silence again. "Does he treat you well?"

I raised an eyebrow at his reflection. "Who?"

"Kael."

A small smile tugged at my lips. "He doesn’t. Only he acts strangely sometimes. He’s unnecessarily honest about everything, which can be awkward at times. Everybody lies sometimes, but not Kael."

Slater chuckled softly. "Yup, that’s who Kael is. The boy doesn’t have a lying bone in his body. He turned the entire school upside down when he was in first year. Everyone avoided him like plague."

With a final tug, he finished securing the bandage and stepped back slightly. "All done."

I smiled at him through the mirror, then turned to face him, about to also thank him, only to realise I was trapped. Slater had placed both hands on either side of me on the counter, completely blocking me from moving.

My heart skipped as he leaned in, until our faces were merely inches apart.

I coiled back against the sink. "What is it?"

He didn’t answer. He slowly lifted his hand, fingers brushing my jaw gently, tilting my face toward his. His eyes searched me, scanning every flicker of my expression like he was trying to memorise me all over again. Then he sighed deeply and let his hand drop with a sigh, but still maintained his position.

"Staying here with Kael is the best solution," he murmured, his eyes dark. "Because you drive me crazy, Charis. I’ll go insane, I’ll lose it, if we have to spend a night together."

I rolled my eyes. "Old story," I muttered and reached for the edge of the counter, pushing at his arm lightly. "Now let me pass."

"No..." he said calmly.

"Kael is out there. I’m sure he’s beginning to wonder what’s taking us so long in the bathroom. Be reasonable and let me pass," I tried to duck under his arm, but Slater nudged me forward instead.

As I looked up in surprise, his lips crashed into mine, hungrily devouring my mouth as his tongue sought out mine in a deep, passionate kiss. My fingers dug into his shoulders, holding on for dear life as my body melted into his.

He moaned softly against my lips, and my hips ground against him in response to the overwhelming desire coursing through me. I gasped as his hands cupped my ass, teasingly rubbing through my jeans.

His arousal pressed hotly against me, fueling the desire that coursed through my veins. Then his hand slipped into the jeans and right inside my panties. His fingers found my wetness, and I arched my back in response.

His mouth left mine for a moment, his hot breath fanning across my face and neck, sending shivers down my spine. Then suddenly, he lifted me and settled me on the sink counter. I gasped as he parted my folds with his fingers, his rough touch sending shockwaves of pleasure through my body.

I bit my lip to stifle a moan, my hips bucking involuntarily against his touch.

"Oh, Slater," I breathed, my voice thick with desire. "That feels so good."

My eyes drifted shut as he teased me, his fingers expertly stroking my sensitive flesh. I could feel myself getting wetter by the second, my need for him growing stronger.

"Please..." I whispered, my voice barely audible above the pounding of my heart, and not knowing whether I wanted him to stop because Kael could walk into the bathroom any minute now or for him to continue.

"I want you so much, Charis," I heard him whisper against my neck. "Your heat would be here soon and..."

He trailed off as his fingers found my entrance, circling gently before slowly slipping inside me. I gasped at the intrusion, my body clenching around his fingers.

"Slater..." I moaned, arching my back in invitation.

The sensation was so intense, I could feel myself getting closer to the edge with every passing moment. My breath hitches as his fingers penetrate deeper, hitting my sweet spot with each thrust.

I gasped and threw my head back, my back arching off the counter. My nails dug into his shoulders, urging him.

"Oh, goddess!" I moaned, rocking against his hand. "That feels amazing."

As he continued to thrust in and out of me, I could feel myself getting closer and closer to the brink. His thumb found my nub, circling it gently before pressing down hard, sending waves of pleasure through my body.

I cried out, my legs shaking as an intense orgasm washed over me.

"Oh fuck," I maoned, my voice breaking as I came undone in his arms. "Don’t stop."

Suddenly, there was a loud rattle on the bathroom door, and both of us jumped apart, breathing heavily. Thankfully, the door was locked.

A second later, came a louder knock. Then Rhett’s voice: Eamon? It’s me. Open the door. Are you okay in there?"

I panicked, jumping down from the counter and adjusting my panties and my bottom. Then I grabbed my shirt and yanked it on in one motion, scanning the room like someone about to be caught in a crime.

My fingers darted up to flatten my short hair, wipe at my lips and fix my collar.

Slater just leaned against the counter, arms folded across his chest, his signature smug grin dancing on his lips.

"You’re overthinking it," he teased with a low laugh. "You’re a boy now, remember? Relax. Just open the door."

I shot him a murderous glare before heading to the door. I took a deep breath, hoping the scent of my sex would go unnoticed, forcing my features to relax into Eamon’s default expression, and I opened the door.

Rhett poked his head in and was about to speak when he noticed Slater leaning casually against the bathroom counter. The frown on his forehead deepened as his eyes darted between me and Slater, then before settling on Slater.

"What are you doing here?"

Slater cocked a brow, slowly straightening from the counter. "Funny. I should be asking you that. What are you doing here?"

Rhett folded his arms. "This is Kael’s room. Not yours."

"Yes. So?" Slater drawled.

"I knocked for at least five minutes. Why was the door locked in the first place?"

Slater leaned forward, a teasing smile on his face. "Guess?"

"Stop it!" I snapped. "Both of you!"