Deceit (Gallows Hill #1)

19. Chapter Eighteen

Chapter Eighteen

Skyla

M y arms slice through the warm water, my feet moving in perfect synchronization with my movements as I do. Nothing exists when I’m submerged in this pool of liquid dopamine. Not my father, not Salem, not Asher, not even Ronan.

Okay, to be fair, I may be overreacting a bit. He told me he might stop by last night after he had dinner with his brother. It was a maybe. I shouldn’t have gotten my hopes up. Yet, there I was, laying in my bed with a brand new silk nightgown that hit just below my upper thighs and made my tits pop. I waited for hours. Trying not to be so eager, and then disappointed when he didn’t show up. Once it hit one in the morning, I knew he wasn’t coming. I turned off my light and rolled over, more than a little disappointed.

It's not even the fact that he didn’t show up or didn’t let me know that he couldn’t make it. It’s the fact that he has so much of a hold over me. I don’t like it, not one bit. I need to try to rein in my emotions. I’m already too invested, especially for a woman in my position. I’m technically engaged, and I’d wager even the rapture wouldn’t have this arrangement broken. I need to keep Ronan in a safe box, tucked away when we are able to steal a moment here or there. That is, until he gets bored of me. Which for all I know, could have been the very reason he didn’t come last night.

When I finish my last lap, I come up for air, my eyes landing on the man himself. He’s wearing a pair of black shorts and a black polo with the school crest on it. His hair is tousled in that perfect way and his piercing blue eyes are trained on me, shining in a way that has my stomach flipping no matter how much I beg it not to.

“Hey beautiful, how’s the water?” he smiles, those perfect white teeth practically glimmering.

I give him a tight lipped smile, as I begin slowly moving towards the other side of the pool.

“It’s good.”

I look back over my shoulder to see his smile dim and his brows knit together.

“Is everything okay?”

I don’t say anything, instead nodding my head, as I continue to push myself through the water. He doesn’t speak for several moments, until I hear the water slosh. Before I can fully turn around, two strong arms wrap around me, pushing me towards the wall as I’m being spun in his arms to face him. His chest is bare, his polo abandoned on the side of the pool along with his shorts, leaving him only in his boxers.

Instinctively, my legs wrap around his torso. One of his hands slides to hold the underside of my thigh and keep me afloat. Concern is etched into his every feature as his eyes scan my face.

“What’s wrong, baby?”

I shake my head and begin to tell him how fine I am, because I am. I’m totally fine. He doesn’t give me the chance to do so, though. Instead, his hand pinches the fleshy part of my thigh, causing me to yelp in surprise as he speaks again.

“Never lie to me, Skyla. If this is going to work between us, we have to be one-hundred percent honest with each other.”

My words pause on the tip of my tongue, hesitant to sound as insecure and rejected as I feel because I recognize how irrational I’m being.

“I just thought you were going to come over last night. When you didn’t, I guess I started to wonder if you were already over this…thing between us—”

“Never,” he cuts off with a shake of his head, before he reaches up, removing my goggles so he can look into my eyes as he speaks. “I could never and will never get over you, Skyla. I’m already fucking sunk. My life is literally on the line here, yours too, but I’m here. I’m thinking about you in ways I shouldn’t, holding you like you’re mine to keep. I can honestly say that I don’t see a reality where you won’t be my every moment’s desire.”

My chest clenches at his words, at the longing in his eyes, the desperation in his tone. We’ve been dealt an extremely unfair hand. That much is for sure but, despite all of the obstacles we face, and will no doubt continue to face, he still wants…me? I feel stupid for being so irrational, for assuming he could carelessly toss me to the side without a second thought. He’s not like that and I know it. I just… I have abandonment issues, okay?

“I’m sorry I didn’t come last night. I should have called you or at least texted. I didn’t have a great end to my night, and I didn’t want to bring you down with me.”

I furrow my brows at that. “Is everything okay? Did you have a fight with your brother?”

He shakes his head as his hand cups my face.

“Everything is fine. I missed you,” he says, before leaning forward and pressing his lips to mine. As pathetic as it sounds, one touch from his lips and everything seems to slip away. Until it’s just us. Our mouths move together so flawlessly, so effortlessly, it has my body practically melting into his hold.

His lips move from my own to my cheek, peppering softly against my skin as I speak.

“I waited for you for hours. I was wearing this new silk nightgown that I wanted you to see.”

He hums against my skin as I feel his tongue dart out against the sensitive flesh behind my ear.

“Tell me about it.”

I swallow shakily as he begins leaving a smattering of kisses against my neck, settling at the sensitive junction, his tongue tracing patterns while his lips follow smoothly.

“It’s white,” I say softly, my voice raising slightly when he begins sucking at my skin. “And short,” I gasp as he does it again. “A-and soft, so soft,” I say at the start of a moan.

“Fuck,” he grumbles against my skin. “I’m going to see you in that. Soon,” he finishes, before releasing my neck with an audible pop.

I jolt at the feeling as he looks down at my neck, smirking to himself as his thumb brushes against the freshly marred skin.

“What?” I ask.

His tongue wets his lower lip as he shakes his head.

“I just love seeing you marked by me. I wish it could last forever.”

“Marked by…” I trail off before my eyes widen. “Ronan! Did you give me a hickey?”

That devilish smirk spreads as he presses a soft kiss to my lips.

“Absolutely, and now that I know how beautiful you look marked by me, you’ll be wearing more from now on. A lot more.”

My alarm goes off, reminding me I need to get back to my dorm to shower, change and get to class. We both groan in frustration as Ronan grinds me against his hard cock through his boxers.

“What are the chances I can get you to skip your first class?” he asks as he grinds me against him again, forcing a ragged breath to escape me as he does.

“The same chances of my father coming down here, demanding why I skipped a class. It wouldn’t be a good look for a Parris,” I mock in my father’s condescending tone.

Ronan rolls his eyes at me, and for a moment I forget how well he probably knows my father. Honestly, I’d bet anything he knows him better than me. He’s certainly spent more time with him than I have, though that isn’t a hard achievement to earn. Instead of feeling envy though, I just feel pity for Ronan.

I feel his hand slip behind my neck, forcing my mouth to his as he takes one more kiss before effortlessly hoisting me out of the pool and onto the edge.

“You better get to class, Miss Parris.”

“And you better get dressed, Coach Ronan,” I tease as I stand up.

He floats on his back, his cock comically sticking up above the surface as his hand reaches down and runs against the length of it.

“I will. Soon. Can you unlock the doors on your way out?”

I smile and nod, gathering up my things as he calls out to me once more.

“After your last class of the day, come to my office. We have unfinished business,” he says with a sultry smirk that has my pussy pulsing.

I don’t let him see the effect he has on me. Instead, I allow my eyes to run up and down him before I shrug my shoulders and take a backwards step towards the door.

“I don’t know, by the looks of things, it seems you’ll be taking matters into your own hands.”

“There is always more business to finish when you’re around, Skyla.”

“Thank you?” I laugh.

“Oh, it’s a compliment, but also a fucking curse.”

Another laugh slips out of me as I shake my head and shoot him a wink before pushing through the doors. I still find myself smiling as I unlock the front door and push my way out. Unfortunately my smile is short lived when I slam into a hard body. I stumble to the side and brace myself for impact when two strong hands grip my waist, righting me before I have the chance to touch the pavement.

My thankful words and apologies die on my tongue when I see an enraged looking Vincent staring down at me. Now that I think about it, I’m not that sorry for crashing into him.

“Still going to lie to me and tell me you aren’t fucking Coach, Siren?”

My face twists up, partially because of the stupid nickname but also because why the hell is he so angry all the time? Why do I seem to be the focus of his ire? To be fair, I think a lot of people are on his radar, but something tells me I irritate him on a whole other level. I honestly don’t know what I did to earn that honor.

I decide he isn’t worth my breath, and I roll my eyes and shake my head as I shove away from him. Surprisingly, he lets me go with ease and I take advantage of it by walking the hell away. When I go to turn around the building, I steal a look over my shoulder and catch a glimpse of Vincent still standing there, watching me. His arms are tense by his side, jaw clenched hard. The way he looks at me is unsettling, it sends a chill right down my spine that doesn’t subside until the building blocks our view of one another.

Good. Fucking creep.

Maggie is excitedly telling me about her hookup from last night when a gust of wind attempts to blow my cardigan away. I quickly grab each side, wrapping it tighter around me as I try to continue listening. Since the weather is still decently warm, I would have melted if I had worn a turtleneck. Which really would have been the best choice when it came to covering up Ronan’s little mark he left on me. However, a crisp white undershirt and a high collared cardigan was my next best option.

“Are you listening?” Maggie asks.

“Yes, Mags. You went down on her for twenty minutes and made her cum twice. I’m listening,” I laugh.

“Good, okay,” she says, as she dives back into her explicit story.

I lean forward to appear as if I’m listening more intently when her words pause and her face freezes. I look behind myself before turning back.

“What?”

Before I can stop her, her hands are at my shoulder, ripping my cardigan off my arm and pulling down my shirt. I scramble to cover myself but it’s too late.

“Fuck my story, who did that and when?” she asks.

“Shhh,” I hush her as my eyes dart around the courtyard, though no one is within fifty feet or so of us. “I can’t say.”

“Ooooh, so definitely not your fiancé. Spicy,” she smirks.

I roll my eyes. “Like I’d ever let that asshole touch me.”

“I don’t know what to think. I’m just now finding out my innocent virgin friend has a side piece. C’mon, you have to tell me! Best friends don’t keep secrets.”

I shake my head in refusal, causing her to pout.

“Fine, I’m going to start rattling off names. Jeremy Stroughton?”

Shaking my head, I internally cringe. I fear blowing him off may have earned myself a forever enemy. The guy hasn’t even looked at me since. I actually feel kind of bad about it.

“Oh, did you go for his bestie, Dane?”

I laugh and shake my head. “No.”

“Oh, oh. What about Andrew Hutchinson? That boy is smitten over you, and I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s an amazing fuck.”

“Jesus, Maggie. I haven’t slept with anyone. I’m still a virgin.”

“But you aren’t as innocent as you portray. Hmmm, maybe not a student. Faculty?”

I do my best to remain composed, but something I do must give it away because she gets excited and begins rattling off all my teachers and even the headmaster.

“Fucking come on!” she says, clearly frustrated. “Coach Ronan?” she throws out.

My stomach flips at his name, but I shake my head. Unfortunately, my best friend pauses, her eyes narrowing as she cocks her head to the side.

“You’re lying.”

“What?” I ask.

“You’re lying. Your right pupil dilated when I said his name.”

I scoff. “Pfft, what do you think, you’re a human lie detector or something?”

“Precisely,” she says, with a satisfied smile. “You’re getting more than just swim time when you go down to the pool, huh?”

I feel heat hit my face, as embarrassment from her words takes over. I quickly look around and notice a few groups of people have gathered outside. None of them are close enough to hear us, but one is my pig of a fiancé. He currently has Bridgette Brenton straddling his lap and sucking on his neck, much like his uncle was doing to me earlier.

Ironic.

“Don’t worry, babe. Secrets go in the vault with me. I’ll literally take them to my grave.”

“Please do,” I say, bringing my eyes to her. “Ronan thinks it would be really bad if people found out about us.”

“Well, yeah. You both would probably be hung in the courtyard for all to see if the Elders heard about this.”

“The Elders? Who are—”

“Hey pretty ladies,” Liam smiles, as he hops onto the table we’re sitting at, scooting himself until he is all but sitting on top of my salad.

“Walcott,” Maggie says coolly.

Since I told her how Liam was a part of the whole grave situation, she’s gone out of her way to be as much of a bitch as possible. Asher is clearly untouchable, but his equally guilty partner in crime? Not at all.

Something I’ve noticed about Liam since meeting him, is that he’s desperate for attention. He will do anything or become anyone for it. The flirt, the class clown, whatever it takes. It clearly derives from not getting enough attention at home as a child but that doesn’t mean he needs to participate in straight up bullying just to stay in the inner circle. It honestly just makes him a coward.

“Please go away,” I say stiffly.

“Aw, c’mon, babygirl. You can’t still be mad about the bonfire. It was just a little new kid hazing. You got out didn’t you?”

“No thanks to you,” I snap, turning my gaze on him as I shake my head. “I could have been there for hours, Liam. All night even. I was cold and afraid and alone.”

I let the hurt bleed into my voice because it did hurt. Not that he specifically owes me anything but as a human he should have reached out, he should have stopped it, he should have stayed.

Liam’s signature smile falters for a moment.

“You forgave Asher,” he points out lamely.

I let out a hollow laugh.

“No, I didn’t. Asher and I are arranged to be married. We have to be cordial in public. Do you see us being buddy-buddy? No. He’s currently sucking on his girlfriend’s tongue,” I say, as I point towards him and Bridgette.

Liam looks over at them and shakes his head.

“She is definitely not his girlfriend.”

“I don’t really care. My point is, I’m expected to behave with a certain level of respect towards Asher. I don’t hold the same responsibility for you.”

He frowns at that.

“So that’s it? I don’t get a second chance?”

“Why do you think you deserve one?” I scoff.

He opens his mouth to speak but pauses, rolling his lips together in thought before those deep green eyes come to me. There is so much raw emotion in them that they actually take me completely by surprise.

“For what it’s worth, I’m truly sorry, Skyla. I shouldn’t have let Asher do that to you, I should have helped you. I should have done…something. I’m sorry.”

His words are drenched in sincerity, but it’s not enough.

“Your apology is accepted.”

He nods. “So, we’re good?”

“No,” I say simply. “But your apology is accepted.”

Liam’s head cocks to the side, a slight shake to his head.

“I don’t affect you at all, do I, babygirl?”

“Affect me? How so?” I ask.

A self-deprecating laugh escapes him as he scratches at the back of his head.

“I gotta be honest, I don’t think I’ve ever had to work so hard just for a woman to flirt with me.”

“Why on earth would I flirt with you?” I ask, because genuinely, is he stupid?

“Because I’m too charming, most just can’t help themselves,” he grins in a cheesy way that has my mouth smirking, only a little.

“Hmm, I’m afraid I don’t see the appeal.”

He clutches his chest, as he pretends to faint across the table like the absolute fool that he is.

“You wound me. I guess I’ll just have to turn the charm all the way up,” he says as he sits up again. Leaning in close he lifts his hand to catch a single piece of my hair, slowly tucking it behind my ear. As he does, he lets his fingertips skim across my cheek in a way that sends shivers down my body. I maintain eye contact, determined not to be affected by his touch as he speaks softly.

“Your skin is so soft. I’ve never felt anything like it.”

I’m about to tease him for the cheesy line, when I realize he didn’t say it all that loud. No, instead it almost seemed like he was speaking more to himself than anything. I wait for him to break character, drop the charming enthralled act before he goes back to being his goofy all eyes on me self. He doesn’t though, and his hand doesn’t move away from my face. Instead it’s practically cemented against me, the tips of his fingers feather-light against my cheek as they move mere centimeters back and forth .

It's as if he’s trapped in this moment, and the only way he’s able to be shaken from it is when a large hand drops down to his shoulder, startling us both.

“Liam, don’t consort with the trash,” Asher sneers as he looks down at me.

“You’re engaged to trash? What does that make you?” I scoff.

Asher’s eyes narrow, but he doesn’t say anything for a moment.

“Go back to the girls. Felicity wants you to fuck her before your next class,” Asher says coolly, clearly speaking to Liam but keeping his eyes on me.

“Aw, c’mon, Ash. I want to stay over here with the pretty girls,” Liam whines, in a way that tells me he’s back to being himself.

“The girls over there are the pretty ones, only the best for us, brother. Go, now,” he finishes, with a sharp look at Liam that has his tail tucked between his legs.

I watch as Liam slides off the table, swaggering back over to their fan club, like Asher’s little yes man. It honestly makes me lose a lot of respect for him, how he cowers to him like that.

Asher and I remain in a tense staring contest. Once he finally breaks, his eyes land on my naked ring finger before practically growling at me.

“Put your fucking ring on and keep it on. It’s non-negotiable.”

With that, he turns on his heel and stomps away like a toddler throwing a temper tantrum. Rolling my eyes, I turn to see Maggie watching me with wide eyes.

“Uhm, what was all of that?”

I let out a humorless laugh as I shake my head.

“I honestly couldn’t tell you.”