Chapter 22

Natalie explored Jordan’s mouth, the kiss—as it always did—having grown to a fevered intensity. Neither pretended they weren’t enjoying each other’s wet, struggling mouths. Jordan’s hands roamed Natalie’s back, dipping to less discreet places before quickly resetting, as if catching herself. Natalie’s hands stayed on Jordan’s hips, likewise itching to go farther. It was hard to indulge like this and keep restrained.

But this was just a kiss. A strictly practical one, however much fun. Even if they got caught up in desire—their biological reactions—it couldn’t go further.

Jordan moaned into her mouth, and the sound washed through Natalie, setting her skin on fire. It was incredible what Jordan’s presence did to Natalie. It had to be because of why they were kissing—the strange nature of everything that had the thrill rushing through her. Because obviously Natalie wasn’t intoxicated by Jordan for that reason. Not romance, of any sort.

Gasping, Jordan finally pulled back. It was always Jordan that broke the kiss. Honestly, Natalie might rather pass out than separate from Jordan’s mouth.

Not that it meant anything. Jordan was just a good kisser. Natalie liked basking in the sensation.

“So,” Jordan finally said, panting. “You’ll need to start picking girls up, soon. Just me isn’t enough. Any plans, there?”

Like always, it took effort to steady her spinning head and respond normally ... to reply in a way that didn’t blatantly give away that Jordan’s tongue had turned her brain to mush. It wasn’t fair how amazing Jordan’s mouth was—the way she moved her tongue and lips against Natalie’s own.

Though, Natalie fought back well enough. The flush on Natalie’s face was matched by Jordan’s.

Choosing the skirt for her uniform had been a good idea. Natalie was rock-hard, but her tight underwear, combine with the looseness and thick pleats of the skirt, meant nothing showed. Not that Jordan hadn’t felt it, pressed in as close as she was. But at least she couldn’t see it.

Once she advanced the skill, and it got bigger, though, even the skirt wouldn’t hide it. That was still weird to think about. And ... exciting? For some reason? The idea tantalized her. How large would it get, down the line? After several advancements? If it started at six inches, she felt like there was good odds it would become a monster pretty fast. And, while titillating, that would be inconvenient. Six inches wasn’t horribly difficult to hide, but eight? Ten? Or bigger, if it grew faster than she thought?

Problems for later.

“Dunno,” Natalie said, finally replying to Jordan’s question—on how she’d need to start picking up girls. “It’s gonna be hard, for sure.”

“Hard? You’re great at flirting.”

“Eh.” Natalie wasn’t sold on that. She’d done well back home, but then again, she’d been interesting. Muscles, ambition, on track for becoming an adventurer—maybe even a delver. Flings hadn’t been hard to find when competition had been so weak. Here, Natalie was nothing special. “It’s different here.”

“From the sounds of orientation,” Jordan said dryly, “it should be easier than back home.”

Natalie paused, remembering Harper’s insistence that students use condoms. A group of ambitious, stressed students would be going at it like rabbits; maybe that made up for Natalie’s previous reasoning. Maybe it wouldn’t be that hard to find girls who could ‘help’ with Natalie’s class.

“I guess,” Natalie said. “Still, I’m going to be busy. That throws a wrench in things.”

“This is how your class advances,” she pointed out. “An alternate way, at least. It’s part of your duties. You’ll have to make time for it.”