Chapter 49
The Enemy Forces
Harper
When Luke and I pull up to the school, Nico, Eli, and Jack wait for us by the sign. As I move to get out of the car, Luke slides his hand under my skirt, clutching my thigh, holding me in place for a moment.
His touch makes butterflies dance in my stomach. I lift my gaze to meet his eyes.
He smirks. “I already let everyone know not to fuck you today.”
My mouth drops open. What do I even say to that. Talk about needing to be in control.
“Your pussy needs to rest and heal.” He strokes the inside of my thigh, making me want to straddle him and prove to him I don’t need to heal, just to be defiant. But I’m also sore, so I guess I should be grateful. At least this once.
“Thank you,” I say softly.
He squeezes my thigh. “No need to thank me, princess. I’m going to be pounding that pussy often and I want it in good shape to take me.”
He leans across and kisses me, cutting off my protest. Heat fills me, and I worry I’ll be the one to cross the sex prohibition line.
When he draws back, I nearly whimper at the heat in his eyes. This guy is an asshole, but I can’t help but crave him.
My door opens, and I turn to see Caden leaning in.
“My jersey. My little nympho.” He draws me out of the car and backs me against the side with his hands on my hips. The tip of his nose touches my neck, and he inhales. “My favorite smell is you and vanilla, little nympho.”
My knees go weak, and all the people walking around us to get to school fade into the background. I breathe out harshly as his lips taste my neck inch by inch, until he kisses my jaw and then claims my mouth.
I fall into the kiss and let him conquer me. I don’t think I’ll make it a day without having one of them inside me. They all key me up and make me need them. My body knows what it wants, who it desires.
He draws away an inch. I open my eyes to his darkened green eyes.
“I can’t wait to fuck you again, baby.” He brushes my hair off my face, and his forehead touches mine.
I breathe in his cinnamon scent mixed with my vanilla soap. He may have marked my neck, but I’ve marked him too. Both he and Luke smell like me today.
Caden grins as he tugs me against his side and puts his arm over my shoulders to lead me to the others. Sitting on the sign, Jack holds his hand out to me.
When I take it, he pulls me in between his legs. He tips my head back and gives me a devastating kiss. My fingers clench his thighs as molten lava works its way through my veins.
When he lifts his head, he rubs his finger over my lower lip. “Can’t wait for lunch.”
What the fuck is happening at lunch? Before I can ask, Eli turns me and presses me back against Jack as he takes my mouth. Every kiss from them is different, but they all make me ravenous for more.
“Behave, kitten, we have just the game to play tonight.” Eli tugs on the ring in my collar, pulling me into his hard body. The image of him naked above me, fucking me hard makes me ache. Fuck, I want to play that game again.
Jack strokes his hand down my neck, and a shiver ripples through me.
Nico taps Eli on the shoulder, like he wants to cut in on a dance or something. Eli smirks at Nico before he lowers his head and backs off. Nico draws me out of Jack’s reach and pulls me into his arms.
“Good morning, sunshine.” His kiss isn’t the shy, thoughtful kiss he first gave me. It’s a full-on nuclear meltdown now, making me clutch at his shirt and press my body against his.
“God, she’s such a slut.” The girl’s voice isn’t low at all, and her tone is disdainful.
“She’s nasty.” Another voice reaches my ears, making my stomach clench.
I draw away from Nico, tipping my chin down. He rubs my cheek as he glares over my shoulder.
“Fuck that noise, Harper. They’re just jealous.” Nico draws me in for a hug and engulfs me in his rain scent. I inhale and let him hold me and protect me from those insults.
The problem is, those words won’t be the last. It’s not a few girls who are mad or jealous today. I draw away, needing to stand on my own. I can’t always expect a horseman to be there.
“Thanks, Nico.” I smile, even though it’s only going to get worse.
“Princess.” Luke’s voice makes me take in a breath before I turn to find his hand outstretched. I step away from Nico and take Luke’s hand.
Just like the other days, Luke leads me into the school. The noise level in the hallway escalates as we walk through with the others behind us.
This is Nico’s first day at a new school, but he already belongs to the most popular group of guys. I’m hoping at least some talk is about him, and not how the horsemen displayed me as theirs all weekend at parties.
Caden lifts me up as we reach their lockers. I unintentionally squeal, drawing even more attention. He lowers me in front of his locker and opens it with a grin.
I peek around him at the girls standing opposite us.
They talk behind their hands when the horsemen aren’t looking.
When the horsemen look their way, they twirl their hair and strike seductive poses.
Their skirts are short, and their tops show a lot of cleavage.
Definitely looking to gain the guys’ attention.
“Jack, you didn’t call me this weekend.” A blond steps out of the pack and pops her hand on her hip, giving him a disappointed look. She tips her head. The other girls watch to see what will happen.
Leaning against the lockers, Jack glances at me before smiling wide at the girl. “What was that, Bethany?”
She toys with her hair and pouts now that she has his attention. “You said you’d call.”
Eli leans on Jack’s shoulder as they both watch the girl.
“When did I say I was going to call?” Jack rubs the side of his lip.
“You always call, Jack.” She smiles knowingly.
I glance at Caden, and he winks. My insides settle a little like I’m in on the joke. Even though I’m not.
“You sure you don’t have me mistaken for another Jack?” Jack checks his phone. “Because I don’t think I’ve ever called you.”
“We should fix that then.” She struts across the hallway to stand in front of Jack. “After all, you can’t be getting what you need from your current options.” She sneers at me before resetting her face into the seductress again.
Nico laughs from beside Luke. “Seriously is this the way girls flirt around here?”
Bethany’s eyes move to him. “Who are you?”
“You don’t know who he is?” Jack gasps, as if she’s made a serious mistake.
“No, should I?” She checks Nico out. He’s as fit and gorgeous as the others. A hint of interest sparks in her gaze. I don’t roll my eyes, but I want to.
“Fuck, woman, you were just coming onto Jack and now you’re eye fucking Nico.” Caden shakes his head as he pulls me against his side. Warmth flows through me at his possessive touch.
“It’s not like you all don’t share.” Her gaze flicks to mine with that same disapproving look. Like she wouldn’t jump at the chance to trade places with me.
Jack laughs. “Fuck, you’ve got balls, I’ll give you that. But next time you want to play like you know me, maybe you should actually know me.”
Bethany falters for a moment. “You and I—”
The mirth vanishes from Jack’s face as he steps up to look down on her. His easy smile changes to a cruel smirk. “Did exactly nothing. You flirted with me once and put your number in my phone like I’d call you.”
“You might have.” She lifts her chin, still trying to win this little game.
Jack holds out his hand to me. Caden gives me a push toward him. When I take Jack’s hand, he draws me into his side. I’m not sure what he’s expecting from me, but I press into him, enjoying the feel of him.
“Did I have time to call another chick this weekend, sweetheart?” Jack tips my chin up and searches my eyes with those gorgeous blue eyes.
Oh fuck, this isn’t going to help my reputation at all. But I’m pretty sure it can’t get much lower and I’m not sure what new levels of punishment might be available now.
My cheeks flush with heat. “We were busy all weekend.”
He smiles before it fades as he looks at Bethany. “I honestly didn’t think about you at all this weekend.”
Her lips pinch. Her mouth opens like she’s going to talk back, but her friend touches her elbow. She shoots me a glare before storming off.
Yeah, that won’t be the only showdown in the coming weeks. Pretty sure I’ll be facing off without the horsemen at my side.
“Sorry about that, sweetheart.” Jack draws me into a hug and rests his chin on my head. “Some girls just can’t take a hint.”
The lockers behind me slam shut, and heels click on the floor. I close my eyes. It’s easier when I’m just with the guys, but school is a necessity. Though Mom might be more open to homeschool if she knew who’s been in my bed the last couple nights.
Luke steps in close. “If you’re finished?”
I lift my head, but his question is to Jack. Jack releases me and chucks me under the chin.
“See you in second.”
Luke holds his hand out, and I take it as we head to first. I don’t know what today holds for me, but somehow I think I just got a taste. And fuck, is it going to be bitter.
“How are you holding up?” Kenz asks as I drop into the seat next to her in art.
I sigh. “A few whores, whispered sluts, and a lot of flirting with the horsemen.”
“What?” Kenz looks confused.
“That’s what I’ve had to deal with so far. So overall not bad for a first day as the horsemen’s whore.” I pull out my notebook.
“Come on, sunshine, it can’t be all that bad.” Nico stands next to our table with a smile. I want to tackle hug him and let him keep the mean girls away from me.
He sets his stuff next to mine and grabs a chair. He nods to Kenz. “How’s it going, Kenz?”
“Good.” She seems surprised and alert by his presence.
“You can relax.” I laugh. “He’s not a growly horseman. He’s my friend.”
I reach out and tug on the hair hanging into his eyes. He dips his head and grins. Little butterflies scatter in my stomach.
Penny and Nat walk in. I go still, waiting to see what they’ll do. Yesterday I couldn’t even meet their eyes after what happened in the bathroom.
“Hey, Harper.” Penny smiles like everything is good.
Nat gives me a nod as they pass.
I blow out a breath. Guess they’re doubling down. Or maybe they genuinely like me? Wouldn’t that be a trip.
“What happened with the leeches?” Kenz glances back at them. Penny smiles and gives her a little wave.
“They came to the coffee shop yesterday to study. The guys ignored them. And Eli punished me for letting them use me to get to them.” I squirm in my seat remembering the punishment.
It reminds me of this morning. I lean into Kenz to whisper, “I might try to use Penny to stay at Caden’s or Luke’s instead of my house. ”
Tanner strolls in. His blond hair is perfectly styled, and his blue eyes fix on me before they shift to Nico. Of course, neither of us did anything wrong to him—even a perceived wrong—so I’m not sure why he glares at Nico.
What he did to Ava was so much worse than what they did to him.
He heads to the back of the class without saying a word to me, and I release the breath I held. I’m not sure I wouldn’t have gone off. He used Caden’s sister to get back at them and didn’t own up to the consequences that never should have happened.
“All right, class.” Ms. Sullivan comes into the classroom and shuts the door. Her gaze settles on Nico. “Nico Lee, correct?”
“Yes, ma’am.” Nico sits up straighter.
“Glad to have you in class.” Ms. Sullivan smiles and claps her hands, looking around the room. “Okay, we’re splitting up into partners for the next few weeks of class.”
The class buzzes with everyone asking their friends to be their partners. Nico gives me a sly smile that makes me cross my legs. Usually I’d pick Kenz.
“Not so fast.” Ms. Sullivan holds her hands up. “You don’t get to choose. In real life, you work with whoever you’re assigned to. So you get a group project and life lesson in one.”
Groans fill the room.
“So you don’t think I’m playing favorites.” Ms. Sullivan holds up a basket filled with paper strips. “I’ll choose two names, and that’s your partner.”
This could be really good or really bad. There’s a group of girls to the side who have been giving me the stink eye all class. That could be awful. And then there’s Nat and Penny, who are at least nice to my face. It would be awesome to work with Nico or Kenz.
“MacKenzie and Natalie.” Ms. Sullivan puts the papers to the side after reading them. Okay, maybe Nico?
“Nico and Angela.”
Fuck.
I glance over at the girl, who preens at Nico. Angela Harris is a bombshell. Blond hair, hazel eyes, hourglass figure. Pretty sure she’s slept with at least two of the horsemen. And by the way she gives Nico a little finger wave, she wants to add to that count.
“Tanner and Harper.”
Shit. My eyes widen. I look up at Ms. Sullivan, but she’s moved on. Shit.
Nico’s jaw ticks as he glances back at Tanner. I don’t think Ms. Sullivan will care that my boyfriends hate Tanner Lewis and let me change partners. She keeps reading off names until she finishes. Dread pools in my stomach.
“Okay, now I want everyone to sit by their partners for the rest of the month. Make it quick.”
Kenz and Nico stand. Kenz squeezes my shoulder before she goes back to where Penny and Nat sit. Nico doesn’t move as Tanner comes up to take Kenz’s seat.
“Nico,” Angela calls out and waves her hand, like he couldn’t see her.
“You good?” Nico’s dark eyes search mine.
I shrug. I don’t really have a choice. This guy threatened me. Kind of. It would be a lot to explain to Ms. Sullivan. Penny already stands at the teacher’s desk, gesturing toward William Frank.
He’s almost as invisible as I was. Brown messy hair and blue eyes behind black-rimmed glasses. He’s a smaller guy, but still cute. As far as I know, he has no social standing. I’m not sure what Penny’s problem is with him.
But hell, I’d swap with Penny.
Just as I stand to go see if I can swap, Ms. Sullivan clears her throat. “No changes. For any circumstance.”
Penny sighs and stomps over to the table with William, sitting as far away as possible.
Nico squeezes my hand before he heads over to Angela.
Tanner sits, facing forward, ignoring me.
That works for me. I can’t get in trouble with the horsemen if I don’t engage with him.
Not that I should get in trouble for being assigned to work with Tanner.
But I’m sure Luke will find a way to make it my fault.
In fact, I’m pretty sure Luke would enjoy punishing me.