Royal Scoundrel (Frat Wars #4)

Chapter 8

8

Archie

“What’s going on, Archie?” Lizzie asks, running her hands over my chest. “You haven’t texted me back all week.”

There’s no way for me to answer that without making us both feel like shit. Seeing Lizzie reminds me of how off the tracks my life has gotten and that I have no idea how to fix everything.

Starting at college, rushing Kappa house as a legacy, finding the perfect pseudo girlfriend, it was all part of a step-by-step guide on how to be the perfect Levine.

But now … well, maybe perfect is overrated.

I glance back toward Dash, hoping he’ll help me get out of this situation, and my gut falls to find a blank stretch of wall where he was standing a minute ago.

Did he run off to find his date? Is he on the search for another guy to spend the night with?

I was clear that there wouldn’t be a round two for us, but I’d … well, fuck. I’d sort of hoped he’d come begging. If he’s there and he’s desperate, I’d have to help him out with it. I wouldn’t have a choice, really, and because I’m such a considerate person, we would have ended up sleeping together again.

Him actively avoiding me? Talk about a kick to the system.

The thing is, why shouldn’t he? Dash is beautiful, and he doesn’t have to worry about sneaking around. Why the hell would he waste time with me when he could probably have any guy on campus that he wanted?

Just that thought alone makes me see red.

Maybe it has something to do with him being the first man I’ve ever been with, but I can’t shake him. He feels like mine, and the thought of another guy getting to enjoy him makes a dark possession churn in my gut. I’ve never had that with Lizzie; I’ve never had that with any woman. I don’t think I’ve ever had that with any guy either.

I just know that I have to find him. Now.

“I have to go,” I tell Lizzie.

She immediately frowns. “What the hell, Arch? What’s going on?”

“I’m …” She’s close with Dad, so I can’t even tell her the whole story. “I’m having second thoughts. I’m sorry, but this … it’s not working out.”

“ Excuse me?”

I leave before she can say any more. The feelings were low on both sides, hence why she hasn’t cared too much about my lack of contact, but the mutual knowledge of us getting engaged one day was always there.

Not anymore.

I might have to play straight, but I’m done with dragging her into it. I’m done with having to uncomfortably fulfill the lie. I’ll die alone for all I care; for tonight, this moment, I want Dash. I want him so much it hurts.

My blood is pumping, my nerves are high, and my face is so goddamn hot from the rush of excitement at letting myself go for this. He’d made it clear he was interested; does that still hold true after seeing Lizzie?

My phone goes off, and when I pull it out and see his name on my screen, my pulse ramps up a notch.

Come find me .

I don’t stop to think about it. I fly through the party, searching every fucking inch of the grounds and the house, sure he must be on the move too. As every minute ticks by, I get more and more frustrated, wanting to catch a glimpse of that messy hair or his twisted grin. My hands itch to hold his face, and I won’t be satisfied tonight until my mouth is on his. I’ve tried to be good for weeks.

I failed.

Might as well jump in with both feet while I can.

Half an hour passes, and my frustration ramps up. Is he even here anymore? Is this all some sick joke?

If I find out he’s left this party after texting me, I’m going to explode.

I shoulder my way past people as I take the hall to my bedroom, planning to lock myself in and call him. Only when I get the door open and step inside?—

“Dash.”

“About time you?—”

I slam the door behind me and grab him in one movement.

He chuckles deeply. “Shouldn’t we lock the door?”

“Fuck.”

Dash steps around me, locks it, then instead of coming closer again, he leans back against the wood. He looks up at me from under messy black hair, held back by the bandana he has sitting across his forehead.

“You found me,” he says.

“You told me to.”

The smile that hitches one side of his lips makes my knees weak. “You always do what you’re told?”

“Actually, I prefer to be the one making demands.”

“Shocking news.” Dash’s dark eyes run over me. “What would you have me do, Your Majesty?”

Why does that go straight to my cock? And why, even when he’s asking me to call the shots, does it feel like Dash is in control anyway?

The loose shirt he’s wearing is open at the chest and pulled in at the waist. His pants are tight, boots meeting his knees, and the casual way his hand is resting on that fake sword is doing it for me. For all of me.

I sink my teeth into my knuckles as I take him in. “You have no right to look that sexy.”

He shifts the sword and holds his other hand out to the side. “This costume was literally my only option. Tell the truth—you only set the theme because you wanted to look all powerful and royal, didn’t you?”

“I actually had nothing to do with this party, fuck you very much.”

“You mean you didn’t want to knock some of your brothers off their high horse?”

“No. I actually like the guys I live with.”

“Like? Or like like? Which ones do you think are hot?”

“None.” I’m serious about that. I’ve always been careful to keep my distance from other men and make sure not to tempt myself. I just didn’t see Dash coming.

“You sure? The dude riding the tricycle when I showed up was hot.”

My teeth clash together. “Straight.”

“Yeah, but so were you. Maybe I like my chances.”

I close the distance between us. “Stop trying to make me jealous.”

“Why would I do that when it makes you look so hot?”

“Believe it or not, I don’t find it all that enjoyable.”

“Yeah, but I do.”

I groan. “You’re a scoundrel, sent to campus to seduce poor innocent men like me.”

“Is it working?”

“Am I standing here breaking every single promise I’d ever made to myself?”

He unhooks the latch at my shoulder, letting my cape drop to the floor. “You’re wearing too many clothes.”

“I’ll be the judge of that.” I drag my fingers down his bare chest, reaching the first button done up over his abs. “I almost don’t want these clothes off,” I tell him. “You look dangerous like this.”

“It’s the sword, isn’t it?”

“No.” But it’s cute he thinks that. “It’s not knowing what I’m capable of with you around.”

“Then why don’t we find out?” He tilts his head up, lips hovering by mine. “Unless you’re afraid.”

“What do I have to be afraid of?” I’m not even thinking about my father or being outed. With Dash, it feels like nothing can touch us. He’d never tell my secret, so here, in my room, we’re invincible.

“You might be richer than god and have a family legacy, but when our clothes come off, we’re equals. It terrifies you, doesn’t it? To know that body to body, there’s no differences between us. You don’t have status or riches to fall back on. I don’t want you for any of those things. You have a cock and balls, sweet lips, big hands, and an ass I want to sink my teeth into. But I have all those things too. Here, with me, you’re no one special. No one except the man I want to fuck.”

“You’re wrong.”

“Oh, really?”

My gaze is stuck on his mouth as I drag my thumb across it. “There’s nothing sweet about your lips.”

“Might need to taste them again to be sure.”

“What happened to me being in charge?”

He grunts, grabbing my lapels and flipping us so he has me pressed up against the wall instead. “You were taking too long.”