Page 41 of Ghost Ribbon

I opened my mouth to argue. “I really don’t think it’s a good idea right now. My parents are just inside, and if they see—”

His hand slid to the back of my neck, tugging me forward into his space. His body pressed close, chest brushing mine, his breath ghosting over my flushed cheek as he guided me. He maneuvered me into the passenger seat, buckling the seatbelt across me.

The door shut, sealing me inside the luxurious interior as he rounded the car to the driver’s side.

“You… you can’t just do that.”

“I just did.”

The car pulled away from the curb, my house shrinking in the rearview mirror.

The car ride to Bloodburn passed in a blur. I kept my hands folded tightly in my lap, staring out the window at the passing streets. When the familiar gates of the academy came into view, my cheeks heated again. We were here so early. The grounds were mostly empty except for a few scattered staff cars. It would have taken me ages on the bus, transfers and all.

I glanced around nervously through the tinted glass, biting the inside of my cheek. God, if someone saw me with him like this it would spread through the halls like wildfire.

A large hand suddenly gripped my chin, yanking my head away from the window. My eyes widened as he forced me to look at him, his fingers pressing into my cheeks just enough to squish them together. I probably looked ridiculous, like a startled dumpling.

“Who are you looking for?” Alexei asked.

“N-no one,” I managed, my voice coming out muffled and soft around the way his fingers held my face. I blinked up at him, lashes fluttering. “I was just… checking. It’s early. I didn’t want anyone to… to misunderstand.”

His thumb brushed over my squished cheek, thoughtful. “Since we’re here early, why don’t you start your job today.”

I blinked again as he released my chin, the sudden absence of pressure leaving my skin tingling. Before I could respond, he was out of the car, circling around to open my door. I stepped out on shaky legs. My fingers went instinctively to one of the green ribbons tied into my dark curls. Green today. I never wore green before. It was always black or blue.

My eyes scanned the surrounding area again.

Alexei’s hand was on my face again in an instant, his larger palm cupping my jaw and cheek, tilting my head up firmly so I had no choice but to meet his gaze. “When I am in front of you,” he murmured, “you keep your eyes on me. Only me. The rest of the world doesn’t exist until I say it does.”

My breath caught. “I—”

He didn’t let me finish. He leaned down and kissed me right there in the open air of the academy grounds. It wasn’t gentle. It was hungry. I made a startled sound, hands coming up to push weakly at his chest, but he kept my face perfectly still with that iron grip, angling my head exactly how he wanted. His tongue plunged past my lips, stroking against mine in filthy strokes that made my knees feel weak. My fingers curled into his shirt instead of pushing as he devoured me.

When he finally pulled back, I was breathless. I couldn’t help it. My eyes flicked sideways once more, wanting to make sure no one saw.

Alexei’s expression darkened. His hand tightened on my jaw and he kissed me again, harder this time, backing me up until my back met the metal of the car. This kiss was punishing.

I squirmed, a muffled protest vibrating against his lips, but he held me there.

“We can be here all day if you keep looking away,” he said after he pulled back. I stopped scanning the grounds, forcing my gaze back to his face.

My cheeks burned hotter than ever, and I could still taste him on my tongue. “C-ca… can we go?” I whispered.

He released my face but slid his hand down to the back of my neck instead, steering me away from the car and toward the side entrance of the main building.

When we were inside, he pushed open the door to an empty classroom on the ground floor, one of the smaller ones used for study groups, and pulled me inside after him.

I quickly moved toward the desk in the far corner, putting as much distance between us as possible. I pulled out a chair and sat down, keeping the entire width of the desk between us. I clutched my backpack in my lap, fingers digging into the straps.

Alexei took the seat across from me, stretching his long legs out under the desk. Even with the furniture separating us, he still felt too close.

I cleared my throat, trying to sound somewhat professional even though my voice came out shaky. “So… with what would you like to start?”

Alexei leaned back in his chair, one arm draped casually over the backrest. His green eyes never left my face. “Aren’t you the one teaching me?” he asked. “What do you think I should be taught first, Malyshka?”

I nibbled on my lower lip, suddenly feeling completely out of my depth. I wasn’t a teacher. I had never taught anyone anything in my life.

“I guess… the basics?” I offered weakly. “Like greetings and simple phrases. That’s usually where people start.”