Chapter 11 #2
She laughs and shakes her head. “You say that a lot. I didn’t want to come, remember?
I didn’t have a choice.” Her voice is taking on a high pitch now.
“Anyone ever tell you that you’re an idiot, Julien?
Or am I the first? You just gave every guy here a free pass to do what they want to me, to get to you !
Wesley told me not to trust people around here.
That they only want what’s best for them.
” She makes a flashing motion with her hands in front of her.
“News flash, asshole, you’re top dog.” She gives a dry chuckle, “and now they know you have a weakness.”
That’s where she’s wrong. I don’t have a weakness, especially not her.
I have a plan. One that I will see through, no matter what.
I step even closer now, trapping her between Zander and me.
Unless she pushes past us, she has no means of escape.
Even through my anger, I can register her sweet scent.
She smells amazing and ?my body responds.
I’m standing so close I can feel the heat and annoyance coming off hers as I lower my voice. “I don’t have a weakness.”
She narrows her eyes in challenge. “You’re wrong, Julien. I am.”
I clench my jaw, and my nostrils flare as I reign in my temper.
Reaching my hand up, I thread it through her hair, tugging her head back to look directly into my eyes.
She lets out a squeak of surprise, but flattens her lips together, keeping quiet.
I like the submission a little too much.
She’s short to my six-one frame and too many dirty thoughts flash through my mind in a split second.
“You’re mine, Riley. Mine to torment and break.
I’m going to love watching you fall.” She’s a pawn.
That’s it. One that I need to get what I want.
She’s nothing more than a means to an end.
Then why the fuck did you put a no touch rule out there?
My inner thoughts betray me, which only adds to my annoyance.
“Get to class, Riley, and don’t do anything stupid.
” Then I decide to add, “Anything else, stupid.”
I storm away from her, ignoring the whispered insult she tosses my way.
Jesus, it’s been three days since she’s been in my orbit and I can’t seem to get away from her.
I also don’t want to. She’s the sweetest form of torture and is keeping me on my toes.
Each insult that flies from her mouth only makes me want to punish her more.
She needs to be brought to her knees. And if Saturday night is any indication, she wouldn’t mind at all.
I run my hand through my dark hair and scowl, shaking the thoughts from my head.
Stella’s close by, watching the entire scene with interest. She cocks her head to the side and blinks rapidly up at me; but I brush past her.
I don’t have time to deal with whatever she’s thinking she saw.
She’s not my girlfriend and never will be.
She’s an easy lay, and she’s gotten too cocky over the past year thinking the rules don’t apply to her.
Stress has knotted my back muscles into a painful, rigid mass, and I'm on the verge of snapping. As soon as classes are over, I’m going to spend the night in the basement with the heavy bag, working it over until my limbs are heavy and my mind quiets down.
This weekend is the first fight night at Contend, the underground ring, and I’ve already put my name in.
It’s the first one of the school year, so it’s bound to be a good crowd.
The underground world of the corrupt at its finest. There’s a lot of money to make in the ring, and I know I’m a crowd favorite.
The moment I saw Riley step on campus, I knew I’d use it as an outlet.
Zander never gets in the ring, but occasionally Wes needs to let off some steam and sign up for a fight or two.
Usually it’s after having an unpleasant conversation with his father, Christos.
He doesn't talk about why he hates his father so much, but I have a few guesses. All of which I keep to myself. If he wants me to know, he’ll share.
Same with Zander. All three of us have our own reasons for coming together, despite their father's wishes. Alec wasn’t as upset.
His only advice was to make sure they were trustworthy.
After the three years we’ve been together, I can say without a doubt they are like brothers to me and I trust them with my life.
We work well together, and I’m a lucky bastard to have found them.
I step into the classroom, and the noise dies down to barely audible whispers. All eyes are on me as I take a seat in the back, dropping my bag to the floor with a plop and place my laptop on the table. Old habits die hard. I don’t allow people to stay behind you for long periods of time.
I hardly concentrate in my first class of the semester, not that I care.
Grades are pointless here. While we get a pass or fail, those grades only matter to those who sent them here.
It’s an easy way to place people within the organization.
Those who are pure muscle get used as personal protection guards, or second in command.
While those students with business sense get sent into mainstream jobs, less likely to get them killed.
Where the hell does Riley get off talking to us like that?
Why does she get me so damn riled up? I take notes, but I’m not paying attention to anything Mr. Krativa is saying.
It’s all auto-pilot. This is the only class I have where I’m stuck at a desk, and I can’t wait to be done with it.
Studying isn’t what’s going to put me on top when I’m out of here.
It’s a tough world and the connections I’ve made here, along with my smarts, are what will make me reign.
I don’t know how I’m going to survive this year with Riley here.
The thing is, Michael has no clue who I am, or that I’m here.
If he did, I’m positive he would have kept his precious daughter as far away from me as possible.
I don’t remember Riley being this pig-headed and combative, though.
I remember the sweet smiles and shy girl who tripped over her own words.
This girl, she’s new. And as much as she’s pissing me off, she’s turning me on in equal parts.
This back and forth is the best kind of foreplay.
I crave more. I want to know how far I can push until she breaks.
I haven’t heard from Zander yet, and his radio silence is eating me alive.
It’s not that I particularly care how her class is, but it’s the not knowing that’s killing me.
I have eyes and ears around here. I have enough hungry men that are working for me in secret who would do anything to move ahead.
Me:
Update?
Zander:
She’s fine. Made her sit next to me. Taking notes. Nothing of interest.
Me:
Make sure she doesn’t go anywhere without you or Wes.
Zander:
Wes is taking her to her next class.
A new message pops up from an unknown number.
Unknown:
Stop messaging about me like I’m not stuck right next to him. You’ve got a question. Ask me yourself.
I make it a point to save her number in my phone, unsure why I didn’t ask Zander for it when he got back last night.
Again, she’s distracting me. That should have been the first thing I asked for.
There are a million different questions I could ask her, but there is only one burning a hole in my brain.
Me:
Did you touch that pretty pussy of yours after the bonfire even though I told you not to?
I sent her on her way, wet and horny, knowing I’d be the cause of her discomfort.
I wanted to do so much more than I did, including taking her.
I replayed every second of what happened between us.
Come morning, I had no choice but to take care of it in the shower, hand wrapped tight, still thinking of her.
It did nothing to dispel the need I have coursing through me.
And while I want to fuck her, I want to fuck with her more.
She will remember me long after I forget her.
The dots appear and disappear multiple times before she finally responds.
Riley:
Mmm, sure did, cupcake.
Cupcake? A grin tugs at my lips, not only because of the stupid nickname, but because I got her so horny she couldn’t help it.
She touched her needy cunt because I wouldn’t let her come.
I harden and tug at my pant leg, readjusting myself in my seat.
I wonder if she was loud, or if she had to muffle her moans of pleasure to keep from being caught.
What did she think about when she came? I know I thought of fucking her hard against the shower wall, making her come all over my dick.
I roll my eyes at my thoughts. Again, she’s a fucking distraction.
Me:
Sounds like you’re in need of some punishment for disobeying an order. Better not let me catch you alone.
Riley:
Sounds like you’re annoyed I didn’t listen to you. Don’t worry, I wasn’t thinking of you when I came so hard I blacked out. Now leave me alone. I need to get Zan to sleep with me. Can you believe he turned me down in front of a room full of people? How rude is that?
This time I can’t help the smirk that takes over as I shake my head in disbelief.
Has she always been this feisty? I slide my phone into my pocket and place my hands on top of my head.
I’m not sure what I was expecting, but that answer sure as hell wasn’t it.
Even if she wasn’t thinking about me when she came, that doesn’t mean I wasn’t the cause of it.
Then another thought takes hold. I guess Wes will keep her occupied because Zander won’t want to babysit Riley after today.
I find Derek after class surrounded by a few other new half wits. He stands taller as he sees me stalk toward him. “Julien Azarian, it’s nice to see you again.”
“A word.” I say, leaving no room for discussion.
“I’ll catch you guys later.” He slaps one guy on the back, a wide grin splitting his face.
They walk off, and I glare at their backs until I know we’re alone.
There are ears all over this place, and secrets don’t stay that way for long when conversations are held in the open.
I step into his space, inches from his face and seethe.
“What the fuck do you think you’re doing? ”
He pushes me back and fixes a strand of hair that’s fallen out of place, like the pompous asshole he truly is. “I was going with the flow. She kissed me. I reciprocated.” He gives me a once over. “Looks like she’s getting under your skin.”
“I hired you to watch her and report back if needed. Not to stick your dick in her.” I knew it was a mistake to trust him, but when he approached me at the bonfire and said he was working to get into my good graces, I figured I’d give him a simple task.
How much can one screw up watching someone?
I severely underestimated his stupidity.
“Didn’t realize pussy was on the table.”
“Not. Hers.” I grit out as my molars grind together in anger.
My patience is wearing thin with this guy.
He’s already messed up the one task I gave him.
His friends are mentally patting him on the back, thinking he’s a badass for standing against me.
I know we aren’t one hundred percent alone, but they won’t be able to hear everything.
They don’t know the deal we worked out at the bonfire.
But this fucker needs to know his place.
I put my hand on his shoulder and shove my fist in his face so hard his head snaps back and he falls to the ground with a groan.
God, that felt good! I stare down at him, flexing my fingers, watching the blood drip down his chin.
He sits on his ass, stunned, as he shakes his head, and flops his mouth open and closed like a fish.
I sink to my haunches and drape my arms over my knees.
I lower my voice, knowing he’s the only one who will hear me. “If she puts her hands on you again, I’ll break your fucking arm.” He nods his head quickly and wipes his nose on the sleeve of his jacket. “Now get up, you’re coming with me. Looks like someone else needs to learn a hard lesson.”