Escaped Daughter (Morrigan University #1)

22

I woke the next morning to my alarm and saw I had a message from a contact other than Prof. A. Hole, so I decided to check it.

Sergey: Morning, foxy. If you wear a sexy skirt for me today, I promise to show you something interesting I learned studying for you last night after your tutoring session.

Well, that sounded promising. After a moment, I decided to poke back a bit.

Bevin: Deal, but if you don’t live up to your word, you lose a Saturday night.

Sergey: Agreed. Up the stakes?

Bevin: Fine. If I beg for you to show me again, I’ll introduce you to the girls.

Sergey: I was REALLY hoping you’d say that. See you at breakfast.

Bevin: Game on.

I smirked as I rolled out of bed and hopped in the shower. I knew exactly what I’d wear, not even caring it was a bit much for classes and not Friday night at a club.

I so wanted to go to a club now that I was free, but that was for another day.

After a bit of thought, I decided to leave my hair down and wild so it would dry fast too, packing a clip to handle it later. I paired the low-hanging short black flare skirt with a purple cotton long-sleeve crop top that was mostly see-through and had ties at the bottom so I could secure it just under my bra. Basically, I completely showed off my lean, toned stomach and back for anyone to see.

Then I remembered what Winter said about my feet and went with my black-heeled sandals that wrapped around my ankles. With all of that, I went for pretty neutral makeup so it didn’t look like I was trying to wow anyone, but simply the result because I was me.

But the pretty cheeky panties and matching bra definitely said I planned this and wanted to impress. However, no one would be seeing them.

Well, maybe.

At the last minute, I remembered to bring clothes with me for training and I was out the door. I felt eyes on me the moment I stepped out of the dorm but ignored them. This was about Sergey and making him drool.

Well, maybe Kelton and Winter too if I saw them.

I wanted to laugh at myself. Right, I’d agreed to lunch with Winter, so of course I’d see him.

I swiped in when I reached the cafeteria, trying not to seem like I was looking for Sergey when I was.

“Holy fuck, foxy,” he groaned from my right after I passed the turnstiles.

I smirked at him. “You told me to bring it, so I did. I hope you can too.”

“I promise I will,” he murmured, leaning in to give me a sweet kiss. “Did you sleep well?”

“I did. You?”

“I thought of you.”

I threw back my head and laughed as I kept going towards the trays. “Laying it on thick, huh?”

“It’s the truth,” he promised as he followed me. “And now I’m going to be thinking of this view all day instead of classes.”

“Hey, don’t blame me when you misbehave or I’ll walk around in sweats and—”

“I’m good. Don’t do that.”

“No, please, keep wearing outfits like this,” Kelton said as he joined us. “Damn, Bev.”

“Thanks.” I accepted a kiss on the cheek from him and we all loaded up our trays. I swallowed a flinch when I turned around to find a table and locked gazes with my ongoing issue.

And he did not look happy, shooting a death look over my shoulder as well. I realized it was directed at Sergey. So he was pissed that I dressed up nice for Sergey?

Fuck it. I didn’t even care. Well, no, I was glad he knew it wasn’t for him as that would have been bad when he seemed on the fence I was playing games with him.

Funny, especially when he was. But I wasn’t and never had.

We quickly ate since that was how breakfast at college went during the week and people chilled more during lunch and dinner. Kelton’s class ended up being the next building over from mine, so he walked with me after I said goodbye to Sergey. It put me in a pretty good mood.

Until I found out Wyatt decided to switch tactics. He was already in class as I arrived early instead of his normal walking in moments before the bell.

Crap. Coincidence?

I doubted it. Sure enough, he immediately focused on me.

“Ms. Millen, we’ll be meeting after classes today, yes? I didn’t get your reply.”

I swallowed a flinch that he was doing this in front of half the class who were already there. “Sorry, I didn’t get an e-mail. No, I can’t do today.”

He ground his jaw. “Oh? Hot date?” He glanced over what I was wearing as if saying that was the only reason I should ever wear the outfit. “Well, you’ll have to cancel. School is more important.”

I would have told him the truth and it was a tutoring session if not for the attention we had, so instead I gave him my most innocent smile. “I’m unavailable. I’ve already started the first section of my revised study outline that I e-mailed you. I assumed it was approved since you didn’t contact me that way and let me know otherwise.”

His eyes filled with mischief. “Glad your focus is where it should be.”

Unlike yours, asshole. I nodded and headed to my now normal seat.

“Then we’ll be meeting tomorrow after classes at—”

I bit back a smirk as I realized he perfectly set me up for what he didn’t want given we had all the eyes. “The library meeting rooms, yes, I remember you wanted that with all your rules about meeting with students alone.” I turned to take my seat, beaming at him. “I’m done after lunch as that’s the independent study on my schedule. Would you prefer then or three, Professor Wyatt?”

His eyes flashed shock that I’d gotten the drop on him. Please, that was nothing. I’d had to stay seven or eight steps ahead of everyone in my parents’ house to have any sort of life and not get caught always.

“After lunch is fine. I have that period open which is how I was able to get your study. We’ll start your power assessment then as well.”

Shit. I’d forgotten about that, and from the look in his eyes, he knew that.

Fine, he got that win as it was inevitable, but I still won that we met in public. “Absolutely. I look forward to your tutelage on the normal freshmen curriculum. I’ve heard a lot already about how the power assessments go.”

He frowned, realizing I’d just taken my specific, extra powers off the table. I was full of shit since I had no idea how power assessments were supposed to go. I did have two people I could ask though and I planned to so I was ready.

The bell rang, cutting off whatever he might have wanted to say back and he started class. Well, that was two steps in the right direction. I was sure he’d knock me back five and off my feet later but right then, things were at least hopeful to be better.

I took a lot of notes, finding the material fascinating and engaged in his lecture. I still made sure to hurry my ass out of there the moment the bell rang, but I did enjoy the class.

Latin was boring, handing in our assignment and listening to the teacher lecture. It wasn’t Professor Daly’s fault. She was a great teacher and dedicated to making sure we had the pronunciation down—especially the words we would need for magic—but it was all behind my level.

Still, I was glad to get out of there even if I was nervous for lunch. Winter was waiting for me outside the cafeteria and he looked even better in the daylight. He seriously was huge and buff and sexy and just… Yummy.

“I don’t know what bet you lost, but I think you should keep the hair,” I greeted. “It suits you, and you’re too big for anyone to be stupid enough to say shit.”

He smirked at me. “I’ll think about it if you keep wearing outfits that very much suit you like that, little sexy.”

I sighed. “Everyone’s little compared to you.”

“You’re not wrong,” he chuckled, holding out his arm to me. “Shall we?”

“Oh geez. Yes, fine, we shall.” A giggle slipped out as I took his arm, liking that he simply smiled, knowing he was being silly. We went inside, and I realized I should have said something this morning that I was busy for lunch when Sergey and Kelton were both standing there clearly waiting for me.

Kelton glanced between us. “So you know Winter?”

“Um, we met yesterday,” I muttered, clearing my throat. “And there was sort of a thing, well, yeah, that works, and, um, he came to the rescue and—”

“Asked for a few lunch dates as payment for my knightly duties,” Winter filled in for me, saving me from my rambling mouth. “We could change it to dinner if you want to eat with your two suitors.”

“No, have lunch,” Sergey said a bit too fast, clearing his throat. “It’s good you have another friend to have lunch with.”

Winter smirked at him. “Yes, friend like you are.”

“Wait, I didn’t agree to that,” I reminded him.

“No, but I made it clear I’m going to court you just like they are, little sexy.” He gave me a heated look as if pushing me to deny it.

“I’m going for food,” I grumbled, pulling my arm away and doing my best not to storm off. Men were complicated, and I felt I was running their mazes instead of them actually chasing me.

I was way too new to even socializing to have four men interested in me. Well, one just wanted sex and to use me but whatever, I was dealing with him.

“Are you mad at me or just frustrated?” Winter asked quietly from my right when I grabbed a bottle of water from the fridge.

“Frustrated. I’m not good with people, Winter.”

“I think you are. You’re just not socially confident. You’re not the only one who feels that and all the time.”

That actually helped, and I felt my annoyance slowly melt away. “Thanks.”

“Anytime. So let’s sit by the windows and just have fun.”

I nodded, following after him and noting his tray was way more packed than mine was. Made sense since he was massive. It wasn’t like he was a muscle-bound overdone guy. No, he was just tall and his shoulders wide, his frame so big that he would have looked ridiculous if he didn’t have something on his bones. But he worked out from the way he was built, that was for sure.

And so very nice to look at.

I sat down and pulled back my hair in a clip so it didn’t get everywhere while I ate, smiling when he watched with fascination. “So my feet and hair, huh?”

“Oh, I’m into every inch of you but yeah, the hair is seriously sexy. And I did notice what’s on your pretty feet. I’m a fan.”

My face instantly flushed. I cleared my throat and focused on my taco salad, totally in love with the choices and variety of the cafeteria. It was so much better than the stuffy, repetitive dinners my father liked even if it was fancy food. There was nothing wrong with sandwiches and taco salads and everything normal instead of veal twice a week and whatnot.

“What are you thinking about so hard?” he asked after a few moments.

“Being grateful I’m free again,” I said under my breath, glancing around as if to say we shouldn’t talk about that here.

“That’s why you’re not a princess; you’re grateful for a lot.”

“I try to be. Sometimes it’s hard.”

“Yeah, sometimes it’s really hard, but it’s nice to take a moment and still feel it when your head comes above water again.”

I smiled at him. I liked that. I liked his outlook and nodded, hoping I could do that too.

“So Winter is the date you dressed up for?” Professor Wyatt asked from behind me.

I swallowed a flinch and a growl at the same time, slapping on a fake smile as I glanced up at him. “I’m not sure what women you’re used to, Professor, but I dress for me . I wanted to wear something nice today, so I did it for me , no one else.” I gestured to Winter. “If he appreciates it and enjoys the outfit, well, then I get double points in life. That’s how it works with women, not girls.”

“Damn, little sexy, just dayumn ,” Winter chuckled, pretending to drop a mic for me which I appreciated. “What’s up, Derek?”

I glanced between them. “You guys are friends?”

Winter shrugged. “He was a senior when I was a freshman. Most of the master’s students know him or of him from his days here but yeah, we get along.”

“I’ve asked you not to call me by my first name now though, Winter,” Wyatt grumbled.

Funny because he’d begged me to use it.

“Whatever. You’re a professor now. Oh no.” Winter rolled his eyes. “You’re not my teacher, Derek, so get over it.” He winked at me. “Bevin’s not going to go crazy and start calling you by your first name now that she’s heard someone use it.”

Oh, if he only knew how funny that statement really was. I was dying on the inside.

And then I was just annoyed when Wyatt walked around the table and sat down next to Winter.

“Um, but this is a date, so I’ll catch you later, buddy,” Winter told him, making it clear he should go.

“You really know how to show a woman the best of life,” Wyatt drawled, glancing around at the packed cafeteria. “Yes, clearly, it’s the lovely, intimate, first date she deserves.”

I snorted. He was one to talk, but I focused on Winter. “I don’t remember agreeing it was a date , simply lunch.”

“It’s a lunch date.” He shrugged it off. “That’s semantics. Don’t hurt my knightly feelings.”

I tried to smother a smile but mostly failed. “Of course, Sir Winter.”

“You? A knight?” Wyatt asked, looking about to laugh.

“Oh, you’re one to talk,” Winter threw right back. “And yes, I came to her rescue last night after some fucking asshole played a prank and left her trying to get back to her dorm in her jammies while other assholes were trying to nab her. I’d like to pound that fucker who pulled that when rumors are flying all over campus about her and that brings out the pervs. People take shit too far.”

“I agree,” I purred.

Winter nodded. “You let me know if you change your mind, little sexy. I’ll pound that person if your way doesn’t work.”

“Thanks, Winter.” It took everything I had not to stare at Wyatt, but I did catch him adjusting his neck out of the corner of my eye. Yeah, good that someone said what I was thinking and couldn’t.

Asshole.

“So you’re such a knight you helped her for the reward of a lunch date?” Wyatt pushed.

“Actually, a kiss on the cheek, but he got a few lunches for getting me back to my room safe which is much less than others would and have offered, so I think he’s still a gentleman some should learn from,” I answered. I didn’t give him a chance to reply, done dealing with him. “This food is really good. It’s always something different and really well done. I think that’s awesome when they want us on campus.”

Winter nodded. “You’ll have fun when it gets colder. They do all kinds of soups, stews, and noodle bars where you can mix and match what you like. It’s like heaven and the best way to handle when it gets freezing here.”

“Right, it gets much colder here,” I muttered, bobbing my head. “I might get an electric kettle for my room then. I love a nice cup of tea on cold nights.”

“You are too cute,” he teased me. “I’ll keep you warm anytime you want.”

I narrowed my eyes at him. “I’ve got winter clothes and blankets, thanks.” I shot a quick glance at Wyatt, reminding Winter we weren’t alone.

“Oh, you have my clothes? I’ll come over and get them,” Winter teased me.

“You’re incorrigible,” I sighed.

“Apparently, the date was crashed,” Sergey said as he sat down next to me with dessert, slipping a plate of cookies on my tray. “I know how much you love sweets, foxy.”

“Uh-huh, how fast did you eat all those Fortunate Cookies?”

“They were good,” he defended.

“They were,” Kelton agreed, sitting on the other side of me. “I snagged one. Have you tried the frosted ones? Those are my favorite.”

“No, I’ve actually never had them,” I admitted, clearing my throat nervously.

“But you had the hookup or vouchers?” Sergey questioned.

“Yeah, but my parents were—they looked down on needing magic from others or cute things like that.” I shrugged, hoping they’d drop it.

“Well, you don’t have to deal with them anymore. We’ll get some this weekend and you can try all the varieties,” Sergey promised.

“You’re buying them?” Wyatt challenged.

“I have vouchers, he just said that,” I cut in before looking at Winter. “You’re going to make me reschedule, aren’t you?”

“Oh yeah, totally, but I’m going to also join your lunch crew now too.”

Oh boy.

“I think you meant to ask Bevin if she was okay with that,” Kelton cut in, giving Winter a warning look.

“Um, is it really my crew?” I checked, sighing when they all gave me glances not to be silly. “Fine, you can this week, and that takes care of the lunches I owe you as a week is more. We’ll see if you behave well enough to get more.”

“Fair enough,” he accepted. “I’m working on getting invited to your workout date with Kelton since I saw what you were wearing for that.”

I blinked at him a few times. “Is this campus just full of stalkers?”

All four of them either spit out their drink, choked on food, or coughed to try and cover their reaction.

And it was awesome that Kelton spit his drink on Wyatt.

“It’s not an open campus with a lot of excitement, so we tend to all cross paths a lot if you know each other,” Winter defended. “Plus—and I’ve told you this already—you’re sort of hard to miss, little sexy.”

“Uh-huh.” I sighed and went back to my food, moving the cookies back in front of Sergey. “Thanks, but I don’t do extras before training so I don’t get a cramp.”

“How are classes going?” Kelton asked when he seemed to pick up on my being uncomfortable.

I was happy for the topic change, telling them the truth and Wyatt’s class was interesting, Latin was a review, and the rest. Well, not the independent study, but the rest. They started talking as well, and I enjoyed the company then since the focus wasn’t solely on me.

Having friends was nice.

Having male friends who all wanted to get me into bed was stressful.

Maybe I could find some women to hang out with?