Total pages in book: 94
Estimated words: 91299 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 456(@200wpm)___ 365(@250wpm)___ 304(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 91299 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 456(@200wpm)___ 365(@250wpm)___ 304(@300wpm)
I let her spin me around and lead me away from him.
14
She walks away, and I let her. My heart thuds as I watch her go up the staircase and out to the party upstairs. I picture her at the front door of the Theta house, looking over her shoulder to see if I followed.
I won’t though.
I could.
I could…
But my head spins as I imagine going up to her and spilling my guts—and then what?
No one has ever cared about me before, so why would she?
I can still smell her on me, and my cock is rock hard. In the middle of the crowd, I take a deep breath, willing my body to stay under control as I give myself a pep talk.
Snap out of this. You don’t want her. You fucking don’t. You don’t need her.
You is all you have.
Shouldering through the crowd on the dance floor, I make my way up the stairs. I never should have started talking to her, but as soon as she walked in with Margo and Penelope, I knew I wouldn’t be able to resist pretending we didn’t know each other.
And her in my arms? It was three months ago all over again.
Her under my hands…her sweet body against mine…everything I want to forget.
Dani is waiting for me at the landing, leaning against the wall. Wearing a short black dress and shiny black boots, her legs are long and tan from the sunbed. Her blonde hair is messy and everywhere. Her mask has a little tear on the side, and she pushed it up, using it as a headband. I wonder if she was part of the inquisition that kicked Margo out.
She watches me with a smile and puts a hand on my chest. Long red nails trace the pattern on my sweater. I let her for a few seconds, waiting, wondering if maybe my dick will twitch. I close my eyes when she brushes her lips on my cheek.
“Blazey, I haven’t seen you in forever. You’ve been avoiding my texts.”
“I know. Been busy.”
“We’re all busy, I get it, but now I’m here and you are too.”
Her lips are on my neck, kissing me, and I ease her back, holding her there. She smells like alcohol and flowery perfume.
“No.”
Her mouth turns down, a brittle look in her eyes. “What is up with you?”
I guess she’s finally reached her limit. I’ve been wondering how long it would take.
Instead of answering her, I take her hand and lead her off into one of their formal rooms, a big library. It’s empty and we sit on a leather couch.
She crosses her legs, scoots in close, and gives me a smile. “This is what I’m talking about…me and you alone. It’s about freaking time.” She puts her hands on my shoulders and tilts her face up.
I study her, taking in the perfect face. We’ve never even kissed on the lips, and that is just stupid. I should have been all up in that. I should have been fucking her anytime I wanted. I should have taken her and Candi up on their offer last week.
I clasp my hands. “Dani, we’ve been hanging out as friends for a while now.”
She nods and plays with my hair. “I know. You’ve been a big tease.”
No, I haven’t. I never got too flirty with her or pretended that I wanted her to be anything other than a friend—yet we weren’t friends. Sure, I’ve let her hang on me, but I never encouraged it or took it where she wanted to go. That was all her. I also made sure she and I were never alone. We always had Dillon or other girls with us. I ease away. “I never led you on. You and me…it isn’t going to happen.”
She shakes her head, a confused look in her eyes as she stares at me. “Why not? You’re hot. I’m hot. We look good together.” She squints. “Are you gay? Because that would explain a lot. It’s cool—we can work with that. I’d do anything for you.”
My eyebrows hit the ceiling, and I huff out a laugh. “Not gay, but there’s nothing wrong with that.”
She frowns. “Then it’s the draft. You’re keeping yourself wired for the Combine. I get it. Keeps you focused. Once you get drafted, we can screw like rabbits. I like waiting—builds anticipation.”
I exhale. Obviously she doesn’t know I wasn’t invited. “No.”
A hard, steely look grows on her face. “Then it’s that girl, the one with pink in her hair,” she mutters.
I stand up and pace at those words, ready to get out of this room, but I have to finish this. “You’re a beautiful girl, Dani. Some guy is going to be lucky to have you.” Actually, I’m not so sure about that. She’s got a hungry look about her, a girl searching for money and fame. I’ve always known it, and it just made things easier.