Page 78 of Cruel Hearts

Then pleasure held my core in a grip as tight as steel.

“Lilah!” He squeezed his eyes shut.

My vision turned white, as did the molten flame of a climax that spread across my body like wildfire. Somewhere on the edge of my awareness, he shuddered and groaned. I was too busy moaning to pay him much attention.

Maxwell collapsed on top of me, panting in my ear. “Bloody hell. I knew it would be better between us, but I had no idea.”

It took several moments for the orgasm to work its way through my system. By the time I caught my breath and my mind returned from its orbit, Maxwell propped himself back onto his elbows and peppered my face with kisses.

A giggle bubbled up from the pit of my belly. “How long until you can go again?”

“Let’s order something to eat first.” He kissed the tip of my nose. “Then I’ll fuck you all night long.”

Chapter 28

By the time the train pulled into Glasgow Central, I was well fed, well rested, and well fucked. We were probably in a shit-load of trouble, and I would have to explain to Mr. Burgh that we had been arrested by Billy Hancock’s thugs.

We held hands throughout the journey back to Templar Academy, chatting about our plans for the Glasgow weekend. Lady Liddell’s counterfeit DNA reports no longer held any threat over us, not when I knew the identity of my birth father.

The taxi stopped outside the academy’s double doors, and Maxwell paid the driver. Chiming from the clock tower told us it was ten o’clock.

“I have Physics.” Maxwell opened the car door and stepped out, letting in a gust of freezing wind. “How about you?”

“Free periods until after lunch.” I hopped out of the taxi, and my feet sank into six inches of snow.

As the taxi drove away, he wrapped his arms around my shoulders and lowered his lips onto mine into a lingering kiss. “See you at lunch.”

“Can’t wait.” I gave him a quick peck and set off down the driveway toward Mr. Burgh’s house to pick up my school bag.

Despite the freezing wind blowing through my blazer on the walk down the driveway, warmth spread through my heart. The last twenty-four hours had been a rollercoaster of drama. First Elizabeth, then her wretched mother, then my strange encounter with Billy Hancock, and finally Mother’s revelation. Throughout this, Maxwell had been at my side, both as a supportive friend and a fantastic lover.

I passed the gates, noting the light shining in my balcony windows. It was probably one of the housekeeping staff.

The door stood open a few inches. Frowning, I pushed it ajar and stood in the hallway. “Hello?”

The sound of broken glass from above made my head snap up. Burglars? I glanced around the entrance hall for a weapon. A pair of tall umbrellas rested in the stand.

I took the stairs two at a time, trepidation pounding through my heart. The rubber sole of my loafers squeaked with each step, and I hoped that whoever was upstairs wouldn’t notice the sound.

The rip of fabric tearing made me clench my teeth. This sounded like vandalism. My grip tightened on the umbrella, and I crept down the hallway and poked my head through the doorway of my room.

Elizabeth stood at the other side of the bed, her eyes manic. She threw a crystal vase, complete with water and fresh flowers, at my head. “I will not be Esau!”

Side-stepping, I dredged up memories of first-year Religious Education. He was the son of Isaac and Rebecca—a red-haired hunter with rough skin. “You don’t want to be hairy?”

With a screech of fury, Elizabeth launched herself across the room. The mascara smudging around her pale, blue eyes made her look like a blood-thirsty ghoul. “You bitch!”

My heart exploded into action, ordering me to kick the shit out of the crazy banshee or flee for my life. I planted my feet on the ground and waited for her to get close. Elizabeth charged with her talons outstretched. At the last minute, I dodged.

She crashed head-first into the wall and dropped like a broken marionette.

Not wanting to get close, I poked her with the pointy end of the umbrella. “What the fuck is wrong with you?”

Elizabeth reared up, snatched my makeshift weapon, and tried to pull me down. “You take everything that belongs to me!”

“Shit!” I released the umbrella, raced into the room and around the bed, checking to see that she hadn’t disturbed the mattress where I’d hidden her winning ticket.

Elizabeth scrambled to her feet and muttered a string of swear words. Her eyes rolled in their sockets and saliva foamed in the corners of her mouth.