Chapter 17 Know Your Enemy
Know Your Enemy
Harper
Yawning, I snuggle on Caden’s lap. The music still pounds in the room. His hand rubs down my back soothingly, and I could fall asleep in his arms right here in the middle of a party.
“Time to go, kitten.” Eli holds his hands down to me, and Caden helps me up. I stand on my own feet, even though I’d prefer to wrap myself around Eli like a koala. It’s hard to remember other people exist when I’m in the horsemen’s company.
We work our way out of the party. Each time the guys stop to talk to someone, I lean against Eli. His arm holds me against his side as he strokes his hand up and down my back. I sigh with pleasure.
Being with these guys isn’t much of a hardship. Everyone wants to talk to them, and it takes us probably thirty minutes before we actually leave the party. But they all stay with me.
Just like at the party, except when some of them took me off on our own.
I still don’t know how this is going to work. I’m ready to sleep and I have at least three guys who haven’t come yet. As we walk toward the cars, I don’t know what the expectations are.
I texted Mom a while ago saying I wouldn’t be home tonight and not to worry. I assured her my purse is filled with condoms. She sent me the emoji face with the straight mouth and a be safe.
The party is still going strong, but as we walk down the street, the noise fades. I’m not sure how Sidney doesn’t end up with the police at her door.
“Let’s stop at a diner. Get some food and energy back into Harper.” Jack smacks my ass as he passes me and Eli.
“Hey.” I go to cover my ass, but Luke is already there, his hand rubbing at the sting. My eyes go to his, helpless to what he makes me feel. Everything about him draws me in.
“Food sounds good.” Caden stops in front of Eli’s car and waits for us to catch up. His green eyes twinkle with mischief in the streetlights. “Little nympho and I will be along shortly.”
“I’ll be riding with you.” Nico grabs my hand and pulls me into his arms. He smirks at Caden. “Too many dicks in Eli’s car.”
Caden raises an eyebrow, as if he’s going to fight Nico over this. I leave Nico’s arms and hug Caden around the waist as we walk to his car. Nico shoves his hands in his pockets and grins at me as he follows.
“Getting you alone is practically impossible, little nympho,” Caden complains in my ear.
My insides burn a little brighter at the thought of all the guys when we get back to Caden’s. Not that I don’t love being with one or even two of them, but having them all there… My pussy pulses. Maybe I like being overwhelmed.
“Sit in the back,” Caden says to Nico as he opens the passenger door for me. “I’m not listening to you two make out while I drive.”
“You’re no fun.” I pout up at him.
He kisses me, dragging me up against him and obliterating my mouth with his. Holy shit, the way this guy kisses me is addictive.
“Get in the car before I ravish you in the street.” His green eyes mean business, so I get into the car. Even though a small part of me wants to rebel and see what happens.
He adjusts himself as he walks around to his side.
Maybe I’m going to have to satisfy all my men again. Maybe I’ll have some coffee with whatever I eat. I definitely need to work on my stamina and maybe add some jaw exercises into my daily habits.
“What else do you do besides study and horsemen?” Nico asks with a cheeky grin.
“She used to dance competitively,” Caden answers for me as he pulls the car out to follow the others. “She’s in art. She’s good, too.”
My mouth drops open.
Caden turns and winks at me. “We got you from the art classroom. It’s the advanced class. You’re lucky I didn’t have space in my schedule, or I would have been in that class too.”
“No way.” I refuse to think Caden could be in my one class that’s all mine.
“You aren’t the only one with three years in art. We just weren’t in the same classes. I’ve seen your drawings when I went into my sculpting class. The advanced studio is for anyone with three years’ experience no matter what material you use.”
“You sculpt?” My mind is blown. Maybe I’m still a little drunk because I can’t get over this. “Which ones were yours?”
“Last year, I made the dragon out of wire,” Caden says like it’s nothing.
My mouth drops open. My favorite piece. I thought about asking Ms. Sullivan whose it was. But the signature was a symbol. “I love that piece.”
Caden’s lips tip up as he pays attention to the road.
“I signed up for advanced art studio.” Nico leans forward between my and Caden’s seats. “Third period?”
I smile, honestly excited. “Oh, cool. You’ll have to sit with me and Kenz.”
Caden scoffs as he parks in the diner’s lot. “You’re excited for Nico to be in art, but if I’d been in that class…”
His eyes narrow as they meet mine, but he doesn’t finish the sentence. Then he opens his door and slips out.
Fuck, is he hurt? Or pissed off?
“Caden,” I yell when I get out. That fucker is fast. I catch up and grab his arm. “Wait.”
“Why don’t you talk to your best friend?” Caden rounds on me, towering over me. A week ago, I would have cowered from him. “He’s the only one you talk to.”
I step back and my eyebrows cave in. Is that true? “You and I have talked.”
“No, little nympho. I told you some stuff, but we haven’t talked. Even at lunch, you zone out like we aren’t worthy of your attention unless one of us has our hands or mouth on you.”
I feel heat gathering inside me as the others join us and stop around me and Caden. “I—”
I don’t know what to say. They took charge of my life, and I went along. Eventually, I submitted like the good little girl, but yeah, I don’t really talk to them.
“Maybe that’s all we are to you. A bunch of cocks.” Caden’s eyes burn as he looks down at me.
Well, fuck me. Maybe that’s what’s been missing. I don’t really know them. I’ve been worried about them wanting me for me, but what have I actually shown them of who I am?
I could pick their dicks out in the dark possibly, but I couldn’t tell you what any of them want out of life. I couldn’t tell you their dreams, their desires, or even something as simple as their favorite color.
But they haven’t really tried to get to know me either. Someone has to give a little.
“I’m sorry, Caden.” I step forward and put my hand over his heart.
He huffs out a breath but doesn’t pull away.
“I really am. I made assumptions about all of you based on what I’ve been told for years.
” Swallowing, I take a breath. “I was afraid to talk to you all. Afraid to give you every piece of me. But I also don’t know where I fit in.
At lunch, you guys talk about football. When we’re alone, usually my clothes are off rather quickly. ”
Caden smirks. “We do like you better without clothes.”
Smiling, I shake my head. “How about this? I’ll try harder to get to know you guys and be more open about myself.”
Caden’s green eyes find mine and he softens. “We can probably find something besides football to talk about.”
“Can we eat now?” Jack asks. “Because I need some meat.”
“Yes, we all know you like meat too, Jack.” Caden wraps his arm around my shoulders and drags me into his side as we all walk into the diner.
Besides a slight scuffle to sit beside me in the booth, ordering goes off without a hitch. The server brings out coffees, sodas, and a hot chocolate for me. I’ll switch to coffee afterward.
“Okay.” I sit up straight, and they all eye me warily. “Plans for the future? College, workforce, occupation choice, military?”
“Can’t this just come out organically?” Jack sits directly across from me. He’s still sore about not sitting next to me. And probably from the bruise forming on his arm from Caden hitting him for trying to take his spot.
“This is how we get to know each other.” I look around. “Hey, you guys kept me from making friends—”
“Not me.” Nico raises his hand beside Jack. Jack punches him in the arm. Nico rubs his arm and scowls at Jack.
“As I was saying, I’m not exactly the best at making friends or starting small talk, so if you want to make this a game—” Their eyes perk up. “Then make it a game to break the ice.”
“Fine,” Luke says next to me. “A game requires rules and prizes.”
“What would you suggest?” I take a sip of my hot chocolate and lick the whipped cream from my lips. “What kind of prizes?”
“Alone time with you.” Nico clears his throat. “For every answer we give, we get five minutes alone with you.”
The guys are all nodding, but Luke looks pensive. “Not until her virginity is gone.”
Ah yes, the stumbling block of my virginity. “You don’t trust the guys to keep their hands to themselves?”
“No.” Luke doesn’t even hesitate. “I’m also sure you would prefer to dispose of your virginity without an audience.”
I can feel the heat licking my cheeks. “So the time alone would be for after we all…” I end with a wave of my hands.
“Fuck, princess.” Luke helpfully supplies the word.
Heat swamps my face. I glance around, but the diner is almost empty and everyone we know is partying at Sidney’s. I take in a deep breath and hold it for a moment.
Releasing it, I say, “Is that okay for all of you?”
“Since we’re on the topic of your virginity…” Jack smiles and taps his finger. “Any time frame for that?”
I press my lips together and cross my legs under the table. “Obviously I’m not a prude…”
Heads nod around the table. My face heats. This isn’t awkward at all.
“I don’t know what I’m waiting for.” I fold my hands around my mug. “We’re going fast, which I know is more a you guys thing than a me thing, but my virginity is definitely a me thing.”
“What do you need? Love?” Eli asks. Of everyone, him asking is the most unemotional. He’s the logical one. He hides his emotions.