4. Alexis
CHAPTER 4
Alexis
A shudder runs through me as I sit behind the wheel of the brand-new Porsche Preston bought me. The car idles behind the oversized wrought iron gates, waiting in line with the others to be ushered onto campus.
My gaze focuses on the enormous arched sign above the gates. Stone Ridge University is engraved in elaborate font.
As I inch closer to the security guard checking IDs and parking passes, my heart pounds like a drum inside my chest. I don’t belong here.
Nervous sweat runs in long rivulets down the back of my neck and under my shirt as I watch him wave the car ahead of mine through the gates.
My white knuckles grip the steering wheel as I look in the rearview mirror. It’s not like I can turn around now. There’s a long line of cars behind me on the narrow road.
Breathe, Lexi. Just breathe.
I swallow hard, put my car in drive, and accelerate.
My eyes lock with the stern-faced guard as I press the button, rolling the window down. I hold up my ID, fear coursing through my body. He looks at it, immediately tips his hat at me, and says, “Enjoy your day, Ms. Morgan-Whitmore.”
“My last name isn’t Whitmore,” I mutter before accelerating, knowing it’s useless. Preston and Evan ensured Whitmore was attached to my legal name on all university records.
When I made a fuss about it, my mom started her bullshit, and it was easier to throw my hands in the air and surrender.
As I slowly traverse the winding roads through SRU, I can’t help but admire the historic architecture of the formable buildings I pass. I had one tour of the campus with my stepfather and mom while Evan played tour guide. But I could barely focus on the beauty of the campus when Evan kept making perverted gestures and whispering disgusting comments to me. I gave him the middle finger, and he mouthed, “Anytime, bellissima.”
My phone rings, and I roll my eyes when I see Evan’s name. Speak of the devil. “What do you want, pain in my ass?”
He chuckles. “Where are you?”
“I’m between Stevenson and Hemlock. Why?”
“Glad you’re almost here. I can’t wait to see you. We’re going to have so much fun.”
I snort. “The feeling isn’t mutual. I’d rather have my fingernails ripped off than live with you for a semester.”
The fucker howls with laughter. “I love your sense of humor. You’re gonna make life interesting.”
“I’m gonna use your nuts as a punching bag and laugh like hell when they hurt so bad you can barely walk. You’ll be reminded of my hatred for you whenever you look at your black and blue balls.”
“You wanna suck my balls until they turn black and blue. That can be arranged.”
I snort, shaking my head. “I’m not responding to that nonsense.”
“On a serious note, any problems getting through the gate?”
I grit my teeth, my knuckles turning white from clenching the steering wheel so hard. “No. I breezed right through.”
“The power of the Whitmore name.” I hear the pride in his voice, and it pisses me off even more. “That last name will make your life easier.”
“It’s not my last name,” I snap. “I don’t want?—”
“Oh, bellissima. It doesn’t matter what you want.”
“You know what? Fuck you, Evan.” I press the end button, cutting off whatever bullshit he’s about to say. I’m fuming over his asshole remarks. I hope he’s standing in the parking lot when I arrive. I’ll run his ass over, then back up and do it again.
I turn into the parking lot, disappointed Evan isn’t standing outside. The thought of his body flying over the hood of my car cheered me up. It’s the least he could do to welcome me to campus.
Spotting his red Lamborghini, I pull into the space beside it and cut the engine. I take a moment to enjoy the silence, my gaze raking over the gothic-looking yet fancy-as-hell Stone Ridge Apartment complex.
The trepidation of seeing my stepbrother again causes dread to drape over me like a curtain.
Movement pulls me from my thoughts, and I turn my head. The front door of Evan’s apartment opens, and he saunters out, a smirk curling his lips. The brown tips of his hair turn a fiery red beneath the sunlight. My gaze drops, and I swallow hard as I drink in his shirtless chest.
Although I try to stop myself, my gaze drops lower. Oh, God. He’s wearing gray sweatpants. Look away. Now!
Of course, I don’t. My gaze moves right to the outline of his massive dick, glued to it like a magnet.
Fuck. Is he wearing underwear? It sure as hell doesn’t look like it.
Tearing my eyes away, my gaze drops to his sneaker-clad feet before leisurely roaming up his body. I know I’m salivating over his sculpted physique, but I can’t help myself.
It’s just too damn bad his mouth ruins how perfect his body is.
A blush heats the apples of my cheeks when I glance up, noticing his amused, cocky-as-sin smile.
Oh, shit. The arrogant motherfucker noticed me staring. Now he’ll give me shit about it for days.
I want to beat my head off the steering wheel for being caught gaping at him, but the bastard will notice. He notices everything about me, which is the problem. It’s harder than hell to pretend he doesn’t exist when his unflinching gaze follows me everywhere.
I swallow hard, the erotic dream I had about him last night floating through my mind. The way he used his tongue to make me come before sliding inside ? —
Squeezing the steering wheel so hard my knuckles turn white, I push the thought away.
Taking a deep breath before slowly exhaling, I grab the door handle and exit the vehicle.
The moment of truth has arrived.