Ruined Sinner by Becker Gray

Chapter Sixteen

Phin

Iwoke in Aurora’s bed.

Next to me, she stirred in my arms. “Phin?”

“Good morning, princess.”

She smiled at that. “You always call me princess. I can’t tell if it’s an endearment or my title.”

“How about both?”

“I can live with that,” she murmured sleepily as she wound her arms around my neck.

I pulled her closer, playing with her hair. At the roots, I could see the blond starting to peek through. I missed her blond hair. But however I could have Aurora, I was going to take her. Besides, I kind of liked her punk rock attitude. And the black suited her just fine.

“So, what are we going to do today?”

“You mean staying in bed all day isn’t an option?”

I grinned. “Wow, it’s an option I personally love. But let’s get you out of here. We’ll take your security detail and go have some fun. Get off campus. Maybe go for a hike or something.”

She stretched with a smile. “Up to the castle?”

“Mmhmm. But let’s start with some breakfast, and then there’s something I want to show you in my room. How’s that?”

She grinned and reached for me, wrapping her delicate fingers around my dick. “I thought I could see it just fine from here.”

I coughed and then hissed. “Ooh, princess, you’re killing me. It’s actually important.”

“So is this.”

It was like all of a sudden, all of Aurora was open to me. All of her smiles, all of her secrets, and I couldn’t wait to share all of mine. She was mine at last.

She stroked me and my head hit the pillow. “Fuck,” I breathed. “You’re killing me, princess.”

“Yeah, I know. Are you really that eager to get out of bed?”

I shook my head. “Nope. Whose bright idea was that? I’m staying in bed forever. With you. Mm-hmm. Just don’t stop.”

She laughed. “I’m not stopping.”

She was keeping me on that edge, and I thought I might die. I might actually die for an orgasm. It was entirely possible. I was convinced.

I rolled her onto her back, and then she giggled. I leaned down and grazed one of her nipples with my teeth before laving it gently with my tongue. “You are a very naughty princess.”

“Why yes, I am.”

She lifted her hips, and I could feel her. Slick. Wet. “Oooh fuck, Aurora. We ran out of condoms. I think we used them all last night.”

“You know I’m on the pill, right? And I had to be tested after New Year’s, so… I know I’m clean.” She moved her hips again.

My heart started to beat wildly in my chest. “Aurora, didn’t we just have a trust problem?”

“I trust you. I trust you to keep me safe.”

I opened my mouth and closed it again. I wasn’t sure if I should tell her that she was my first or just reassure her that I was clean and leave it at that. Fuck.

Last night, I didn’t think she noticed that I had no idea what I was doing. I wanted to make sure she’d come again and again and again. Just in case I lost my shit and came too soon.

And good thing because, well, I’d lost my shit and wanted to come basically right away. It had been easier to slow down the second time. The third time too. But there was something about being inside her that unraveled me. I had taken care to be thorough though. Because how could I not be? I finally had my princess.

When Aurora had climbed on and rode me for all she was worth, Jesus Christ, she was glorious. And I could see it. All the strength of my warrior queen. And the way she’d said my name, I could feel it to my core. She was a part of me, and I was a part of her now. This is what it felt like to care about someone. To love someone. I was never going to let her go. And right now, she was tempting me with something I didn’t know if I could handle. “Aurora.”

She rolled over to face me. “Phin, you’ve been honest with me, right? If this is moving too fast, I understand, but I trust that you’re clean and—”

“You’re my first,” I blurted.

She froze, blinking at me. “Excuse me?”

“You’re my first,” I said again, my cheeks burning. I knew there was no shame in being a virgin, but I’d played the part of Phin the Sex Addict for so long that it felt strange to step out from behind the mask.

She was still frozen. “All those girls…”

“I…exaggerated,” I admitted. “For the sake of my reputation. People already thought that I was that guy before you and I kissed, but after… I don’t know. I guess I wanted to be even worse than you could ever think me to be, just to spite you. And so every time I fooled around with a girl, I made sure it looked as bad as possible. I made sure that the rumors spread as far as possible. But it never went that far. I couldn’t go that far. I only wanted you.”

Her eyes were wide pools of gold. “Phin. I never—I had no idea.”

“So I’m—it’s safe.”

She pressed her face to my chest. “I don’t know what to say.”

“You don’t have to say anything,” I told her. “I just wanted you to know.”

She looked up at me. “I just can’t believe I was wrong about you all this time.”

“Well, I mean, it’s not like I was a monk or anything.”

She shook her head, laughing a little. “No, I guess you weren’t. I still love you, though.”

“And I love you.”

“I want this.”

I licked my lips and dropped my forehead to hers. “Jesus, you are tempting me.”

She lifted her hips. “Then take the temptation.”

I lifted my gaze to her golden eyes, the color entrancing me. “Aurora.” Then I sank deep. My hand fisted her hair, tugging it back just a little bit. Losing control. I had to force myself to loosen my grip. “Oh my God. Okay, we should—I don’t know if I can—”

She wrapped her legs around me. “What are you going to do, pull out? Don’t be silly. I want this. I want you. I want this with you, Phineas Yates.”

That’s when the shaking started. I’m not proud of it, but Jesus Christ, she felt better than anything I’d ever experienced in my life, and I had to give myself over to her completely.

Don’t be a dumbass. Gentle. Easy.

My brain tried to offer helpful suggestions. And at one point, Aurora scraped her hands at my back. “Phin.”

I blinked down at her. “Uh-huh.”

“You’re thinking too much. I’m right here with you.”

“I—”

“I’m with you, Phin. I want this. So yeah, goddamn it, pull my fucking hair.”

I couldn’t help the chuckle as I slipped my hand to her silken tresses again, tightening ever so slightly. Aurora arched her back, offering her nipples to me, and I ducked my head down and took one. I gave myself over to the ride. Goddamn it, I was so stupidly in love with her. She was going to ruin me.

I didn’t know if it had been minutes or hours when she finally tightened her legs around my hips and her nails scraped my back. She threw her head back, screaming my name. I didn’t care if it was weeks, or days, even. Time had no meaning because we were so connected. And I could see why joining with her in this way was so fucking intimate.

Jesus. She owned me now. Hell, she’d owned me before, but now she really, really owned me. Pretty much anything she asked for, I would give it to her. Was this why Keaton always looked the way that he did at Iris? Completely whipped. Yeah, this had to be why. Jesus. I was pretty sure this was also why Lennox let Sloane practically try all kinds of ways to kill him. It had to be. Because right now, if Aurora said, ‘Give me a Bugatti,’ I would just ask what color she wanted.

She turned and kissed my collarbone. “Penny for your thoughts?”

I was not going to tell her that I was going to give her a Bugatti, but I did tell her something else. “You know how you were talking about helping people be safe when they’re alone or out at night?”

She nodded. “Yeah.”

“Well, I built an app for that. Or rather, I’m building it. If you don’t mind, I’d like your input.”

She turned properly to face me, lifting her head and gazing into my eyes. “Are you serious?”

I don’t know why, but the embarrassment hit me with a wash of heat. “Yeah, you know, after we talked that time, I started tinkering with something. I’ve only just gotten started, but with some feedback, I think it can be really good. And I was also thinking more about how we talked about what we really wanted to do instead of just the same-old, same-old as our parents. So I figured I could build some apps for non-profits. I mean, I don’t exactly need a job that makes a lot of money, right?”

She chuckled. “No, you do not.”

“But it’s something I love, and it actually helps people which, you know, my dad talks about all the time. But I don’t think he ever helps anyone on a personal level.”

“Phin, that’s amazing.”

“That’s what I wanted to show you before you… Well, I mean, let’s just be real, okay? You owned my ass.”

She laughed. “When I really own your ass, you’ll know.”

I grinned. “I am yours for the taking, Your Serene Highness.”

She snorted. “Oh my God, I could get used to that, you know?”

“I bet you could. Now come on, woman, sustenance. I mean, unless I can eat my very favorite brand of breakfast. Again.”

She laughed and then eased away from me with a hiss. “Oh my God, yes. But also, no. I need a break.”

“Are you sore?” I asked softly.

“If you must know, a little.”

“Fuck, I’m so sorry—”

She tapped her finger over my lips. “Mr. Yates, I’ll have you know that was the most pleasure I have experienced ever in my life. Last night, I counted four orgasms. This morning, it felt like two rolled into one. You are just wow at this. I need a break, that’s all.”

“Absolutely, Your Highness. Come on, let’s get you fed.”

“Do we have to eat first?”

I laughed. “Okay. We’ll go by my room and grab my laptop, and then we will eat. I must keep your energy up, after all. How else can I have my way with you if you’re passing out from hunger?”

“I knew you had an ulterior motive,” she giggled.

“You want to shower first?”

She nodded.

“Come on, I’ll help you.”

She laughed and pulled the sheets up to her chin. “I don’t know. I’m feeling shy all of a sudden.”

“Please. You’re my punk rock princess. There’s nothing to be shy about. I have seen every inch of you, and let me just tell you that it is stunningly perfect. But if you want, I will keep my eyes closed, and fuck you in the bathroom while I can’t see a damn thing.”

She giggled. “That’s ridiculous.”

And then she dropped the sheet, and her perfect breasts were on display, and goddamn it, my dick stirred.

Her lips parted as she watched my shaft swell and fill for her. “Wow, you are… he is… yeah, okay.”

I gave her a heated look. “You’re around. He’s basically always like this when you are around. You just don’t usually see it.”

“Good to know. This is very useful information that I can use to my advantage later.”

I groaned. “Ah yes, you’re going to torture me. But you know what? I’m okay with that.”

“Yeah, I bet you are.”

Yes, it did take a while to shower because I had to wash her back properly. And other parts as well. I took my time and was gentle with her. No fingers. Just some soft kisses. And even that had her moaning my name in the shower, which was… yes.

Holding her hand, we walked down the hallways, saying hi to the few people that we saw along the way. And then I led her into my room. She glanced around and I realized that the last time she was in here, it was dark, and I’d kept it that way. I wanted to keep her entranced enough that she didn’t overthink what we’d been doing. But now, with the room well lit, she looked around. “Wow, look at all this art, the photographs! There isn’t a single space open in here.”

I shrugged. “Yeah, I like pictures.”

“This is hardly just liking pictures. This is amazing, Phin.”

I rubbed the back of my neck. “Thanks. More than just a fuckboy then?”

She winced. “Oh, I’m sorry about that.”

I shook my head. “Well, I didn’t exactly give you any reason for an alternative opinion.”

“Yeah, but still. It hurt you, and I’m sorry about that.”

I nodded. “All right, come on. Let me grab my laptop.”

I snatched it up, shoving it into my bag. I had the whole day free to just hang with her. I grabbed one of my books for English Lit. Just in case we had downtime. I was already ahead on my reading, but I wanted to make sure.

“Oh, what a conscientious scholar. You are a dark horse, Phineas Yates. I should have looked harder at you. I’m sorry I didn’t.”

“That’s all right. You’re looking now, aren’t you?”

“Yes, I am. And it is a very fine form I see.”

I took her hand and kissed it, and then she wound her arms around my neck, sort of on tiptoes, brushing my lips gently with hers. “Must we go?”

“Oh my God, princess, yes. We’re going. Woman, you need to feed me. I need sustenance.”

“How is it an eighteen-year-old boy—”

“Excuse me, I am very much a man.”

She laughed. “Fine. How is it that an eighteen-year-old man would rather think about his stomach than his dick?”

“Please. I promise you, they’re related. As soon as my stomach is full, my dick will be on high alert. But right now, my dick is like, ‘Please, fuel. I need fuel.’”

Still laughing, we yanked open my door to find a girl on the other side.

My breath caught. The tension snaked up Aurora’s body so fast it was almost as if she snapped into position.

It was the girl from Croft Wells. The one I’d kissed at Sera’s party.

“What are you doing here?” I asked, my voice harsh.

She grinned at me. “Hi, Phin. Um, I just—I just thought I would—”

But when she tried to peer into my room, she saw Aurora and her eyes clouded. “Well, I thought I’d stop by.”

“As you can see, I’m busy.”

Her face fell. “I hadn’t talked to you in a while and I just wanted to—”

“Now is not a good time.”

I squeezed Aurora’s hand, letting her know that it was okay. But Aurora kept staring at the intruder, frozen. I wasn’t sure if that was her murder face or her pained face, but I hoped that it was neither. I turned back to the other girl then. “I’m sorry, but we’ve got to go.”

“Yeah, but um, I need to talk to you.”

“Another time.”

“Yeah, but I’ve left messages, and you won’t call me back.”

I vaguely remembered those messages, but I’d ignored them. “You know what, Layla—”

“Lea,” she corrected.

“Lea. I didn’t want to do this now, but there was no reason to call you or reply to your messages. I think you know that.”

Her face morphed into a scowl. “That’s not true, Phineas. Because I’m pregnant.”

I was so shocked and surprised, my automatic response was a too-loud laugh. “You’re fucking kidding me.”

“Yes, and it’s yours.”

I coughed out another laugh at the utter insanity of that statement. “You’re wrong. You can’t be pregnant with my child.”

Next to me, Aurora was still frozen, and I glanced between the two of them. I turned my attention to Aurora. “Aurora, it’s not true. She’s fucking lying.”

Aurora’s voice was tight. “When did you hook up with him?”

“A couple of months ago. Now, I’m having his baby.”

I shook my head. “Aurora, she’s lying. It’s not true. Look at me, after everything we’ve just shared? After what I just told you? Look at me. It’s not true. I swear to you.”

Aurora just choked and tried to let go of my hand, but I held on tighter. “No, no, no, no. Baby, look at me. I love you. I didn’t even—”

“Phin.” She said my name with such conviction that I had to stop talking. “I just—I need a minute.”

“No. This is not happening. Not again. I just got you back.”

Her voice was flat when she said, “You never had me, Phin.”

“Yes. Yes, I did. You are mine, and I am yours. Don’t let her ruin this, Aurora, please.”

Aurora managed to shake off my hand and shoved past me. “You’re the one who ruined this.” And then she was gone, in a flash of gold eyes and black hair.

I looked at Lea. “What the fuck is wrong with you?”

“Who is she?” Lea asked, her voice more curious than jealous.

“What are you doing? You know full well we didn’t fuck.”

“Well, as long as everyone thinks we did,” she said, and I couldn’t tell if the stretch of her lips was a smirk or a grimace.

“Are you here to ruin my life?”

“Who is she, Phin?”

“She’s the girl I love. You’re the nutjob who made up being pregnant. We didn’t even fuck!” I screamed out down the hall, and several heads turned. I didn’t give a damn who heard. I ran my hands through my hair. “Fuck you!”

“Well, if you’d have returned my calls, this would have been so much easier. Please, Phin—”

“God, this is like Sera’s party all over again.”

I was yelling. I didn’t like to yell. It wasn’t my style. I was a charmer, not a fighter. It was easier. People did what you wanted when you charmed them.

But this, this was madness. She’d cost me Aurora, and God, I was going to fucking lose my shit.

“I have to fix what you just did, you goddamn liar. Now get lost.”

“Why are you chasing her? She’s not even your type.”

“My type is her. Every girl I’ve ever been with was a poor facsimile of her. And what exactly is your plan in nine months when there is no baby? Are you going to do the fake pregnancy thing? Padding and everything? Like one of those people who end up on the news?”

Her face went red. “It’s not like that, Phin. I am pregnant, for real, and I need you to help me.”

I tried to leave, but she grabbed my arm and I stared down at it. “I would never hurt a girl because I find that abhorrent, but if you won’t get your hands off of me, I will find someone who is willing to hurt you. Hands. Off.”

“But I just—I think if we could work together on this.”

“Lea, listen to me now. I never will ‘work together’ with you.”

I took off down the hall to find Aurora.

Because I wasn’t giving up. I wasn’t walking away. I was no longer the Phin who could just let things play out. I’d had her love for a glorious time, and I wasn’t giving up on that now. She was going to have to physically remove me from her presence.

And I just hoped that I could convince her to let me stay.