Chapter 17
SEVENTEEN
RILEY
I break out in goosebumps as I watch the camera.
Wesley bites the juncture between my neck and shoulder and I writhe in pleasure, my orgasm washing over me in waves.
I can’t help the moan that escapes. Wesley said Zander was watching, and it’s like I can feel him—his anger.
Yet, that’s what helped push me over the edge, knowing Zander was watching us this whole time.
Wesley presses his weight on me, forcing my hips to stop undulating.
I whimper, wanting more. He’s still hard as a rock between my thighs.
When I reach down between us, wanting to help him the way he did me, he stops me.
“Come with me this weekend,” Wesley murmurs in my ear.
Furrowing my brow, I look up at him. “Where?”
“Contend. There’s a fight and I want you there with me.”
He gives me one more chaste kiss before extracting himself and helping me to my feet.
I should be grateful that our little makeout session didn’t turn into more.
Although he made me come, so I guess it was a bit more than making out.
We’re in a public spot and I’m sure students will get up soon enough.
And Zander’s watching . Except Zander is why I want to continue.
As soon as I found out he was watching, I became soaked.
Things got more heated from there, and obviously stopped with my happy ending.
What is wrong with me? Two men? Is one not enough?
Maybe Julien is right, and I am becoming the campus slut.
I’m not going to lie, though. I feel like the bragging rights would go a long way.
The women around here fawn over the Kings, and that girl on the first day said she’d love to have all three.
I shake my head at the thought. I’m being silly and need to get my hormones in check. There’s no way it will happen.
My nipples are so hard that even my sports bra can’t completely hide them and I know Wesley notices too. I roll my neck and ignore the dirty thoughts running through my head. I stretch my arms overhead and Wes takes one in his hand gingerly.
“You’re bruised.”
I look at the marks around my bicep and shrug. “What did you think was gonna happen when you three drag me around like a rag doll?”
His face softens, and he places a chaste kiss to each minor mark before interlacing his fingers with mine, leading us out of the gym. A few students walk through doors as we leave, but other than that, there isn’t much activity on campus yet.
“What’s Contend? I assume some sort of fighting ring, but I’m not supposed to leave campus.
” He strokes the back of my hand with his thumb and I have a hard time focusing on anything else.
I flush as I think about where we were moments ago and how I orgasmed from a little dry humping. What the hell is going on with me?
He gives me a lazy smile. “As long as you’re with me, you won’t get in trouble. Don’t worry about it. But to answer your question, it’s an underground ring. Amateur fighters, but that doesn’t mean it’s not thrilling. Lots of cash to be made if you bet on the right fighter.”
“Is it in town?” I ask. Barrington doesn’t seem like the type of community to accept anything that may fall into a gray area, the current campus not included. And even then, they pretend the dark stain that is the campus doesn’t exist.
“At Pointebreak, but there are ways for people other than students to find a way into the fights. You need to know the right people and have enough money for it. It’s surprising who shows up at these things.”
“On campus? Doesn’t the administration have a problem with that?”
A slow grin stretched across his face, crinkling the corners of his eyes. “You’re cute, do you know that?” I half expect him to pat the top of my head, but thankfully he refrains.
I wonder if good old dad has been spotted here before. The more I learn about this world, the more I’m convinced he’s part of it in some fashion. It’s like he can read my mind and offers a small nod of his head. Although maybe I’m reading too much into it.
“Can I bring Ava?”
His smile fades, and he shakes his head. “Zan wouldn’t like it. He’s already made it very clear we can’t involve her in anything.”
I roll my eyes and shake my head. “So stupid. She’s a legal adult. He can’t baby her forever.”
“There are things about him you don’t understand. Best to let him have his way.” He shakes his head. “No Ava.”
We walk up the steps to my dorm and he spins me around so we are chest to chest. Even though we both worked up a good sweat, he still smells great.
He cups my cheek and lowers his face, brushing his lips against mine.
I steady myself by holding his upper arms and press into his kiss, allowing him to control it.
It’s gentle at first, but then he puts power behind it and I gladly open for him, moaning into his mouth.
I trail my hand down his chest and stomach and when I brush over his length, I’m met with a guttural groan.
He pulls away and I drop my hand to my side as I flutter my eyes open. “Get ready for class. I’ll meet you in the cafeteria in forty minutes for breakfast.”
I nod in a daze, and find my way up to my room where Ava is awake and showered. She looks at me through her mirror and smiles warmly.
“Looks like Wes trained you after all this morning. Not gonna lie, I’m jealous. It’d be good to learn more of this stuff, so I’m prepared.”
I sit on my bed, and she turns to face me.
“Sorry, Ava. I had no choice. He snuck in here at four this morning and made me go with him.” I yawn and stretch, wishing I could lie down and go back to bed.
Although if his training is any sign of what’s coming, I’m screwed.
“Maybe Nick can help train you. Have you thought about asking him?”
She shakes her head. “No. I don’t want to bother him with that. Plus, I’m not sure how Zander would feel about it.”
“Who cares what Zander thinks?” I already know her answer before she says it, so it’s no surprise when the words, “I do,” come out of her mouth. Wesley said he didn’t want her involved in anything, but I can’t help but think that’s going to hurt her more than help her.
I get ready for breakfast as quickly as I can, and I’m starving this morning.
I can’t wait to eat. Nick meets us in line and we fill up plates with eggs, toast, and fresh fruit.
At least the food here is good. I’m not sure what I would do if I had to choke down something less than stellar.
We sit down and Wesley pulls a chair up to our table and tosses his arm around me, then kisses my shoulder.
Jealousy hangs in the air like smoke—thick enough to suffocate.
The student body watches our exchange along with hushed whispers.
From what I’ve gathered from my web searches last night, Wesley is a playboy and isn’t one to be tied down.
That, along with the King's stupid no touch rule, and I am target number one around here. Most of the guys are staring at me like I’m some mythical beast, but the girls…
they have murder in their eyes. And I’m not sure I’d put it past them to try to take me out in one of these fighting classes.
Maybe my shooting class. Oops, sorry, I missed the target. Yeah, no thanks.
I brush his arm off me, embarrassed to be the center of attention, and murmur, “Everyone’s staring.”
He looks around and when he locks eyes with a table full of girls; he gives them a flirty wink and they all giggle and put their heads together to chat. And my blood boils. He can’t go around flirting with other girls if he’s trying to get in my pants.
“No.” I say and he tilts his head. His eyes narrowed, examining me.
“No what, Hellcat?”
“I suppose you don’t offer to train all the ladies here?” He shakes his head, confirming my suspicions.. “Then I assume I’m considered special to you.”
“You have no idea,” he offers quietly.
“Then you’re not going to flirt with other girls.
You put a no touch rule out there on me.
Well,” I pause, deciding if my next words are wise to say, “I’m putting one on you.
If you want to chase someone else, stop everything with me.
” I’m not sure why I feel so heated about this, but I do.
I refuse to be one of many side chicks. I know I’m worth more than that.
“You’re putting a no touch rule on me?” He asks, amusement lacing his words. He laughs when my cheeks redden instead of offering him an answer. Turning to face me head on, he asks, “Are you jealous?”
I cross my arms over my chest and hate that I am.
The conflicting emotions I feel toward the three of them leave me confused most nights.
I could picture myself with Wesley. He has a way of making me feel wanted and cared for when he’s not doing Julien’s dirty work.
Zander is a man of few words but is intense.
I know he stands up for those he loves and would do anything to keep them safe.
He’s that way with Ava, protective of her.
And I have a feeling he would be that way with me, too.
The only hint of interest was when he dropped to his knees that first night in the woods and stole my panties.
But yesterday’s manhandling didn’t feel like want. It felt like a warning.
Julien though…Julien I can’t figure out.
He’s messed in the head. Something happened to him to make him this way.
Something big. He says he hates me, but the way his body reacts to mine, I know he’s lying.
And mine reacts the same to his. He turns me on even when he’s being a jerk to me.
I don’t know what draws me to him, but I wish I could carve it out of me before it becomes something I can’t escape.
We’re in this game of tug-of-war and I’m not sure who will win.
“I don’t enjoy being played with.”
He leans in and whispers in my ear, “but think of how much fun we could have.”
My entire body heats as I think about how easy it was for me to come with him earlier today. If it’s like that when he’s not even trying…what would it be like if he was?
“Orgasm after orgasm, Hellcat,” he answers my unspoken question. I suck in a sharp breath and school my features. My lack of poker face is not dealing me any favors. It feels like everyone knows exactly what he’s said. I stuff food in my mouth, looking for any excuse to end this conversation.
Ava and I were in class together again this morning, and I was so happy for a familiar face today.
I still have weapons, shooting, and a swim class to get through.
Swimming seems random, but according to Ava, everyone has to take it.
I guess it’s good they don’t want students to drown.
Zander meets me outside of my class and he spends a moment speaking with Ava quietly in what I assume is Russian before turning his stare on me.
“Bye, girl,” Ava says as Nick jogs up to her. I hear her laugh and Zander growl.
I spot the moment Zander realizes Nick is trying to make a move on his sister.
His stance goes rigid and his muscles flex like he’s restraining himself.
So I touch his upper arm, stopping him from going after them.
He glances at my fingers on his right biceps and glances up into my eyes before looking away again.
“She’s fine. He’s nice. She said you know his family.” He gives a curt nod but doesn’t relax. The muscles in his neck strain under his black button down. “Zander. Let her live a little. She wants this too. How much trouble can she really get in?”
He actually looks at me this time. “That depends. Trouble seems to find you easily.”
“Not because of my doing, Daddy.” I emphasize the last word for good measure, just to dig it in a little.
I walk away, feeling good about myself and my witty retort, when he catches up and collars the front of my throat, pulling me flush against the hard plains of his body.
Instantly reacting to his touch, heat pools low in my belly.
I press my backside against him and extract a guttural groan from his lips.
I know I’m not imagining the way he also responds to me.
He may be a man of few words, but this situation requires no words.
“Watch it, Luna. Keep that up and you’re going to find yourself bound and gagged with no way to escape. I won’t play fair, either.”
I’m not sure what comes over me, but I can’t stop the words that fall from my lips. “Is that a promise?”
His lips are against the shell of my ear as he caresses my throat, cutting my air off just enough to make me wheeze. I lock my hands around his wrist, but I know he won’t hurt me. He would have done it by now if he was going to. “Yes,” he growls quietly in my ear.
Great. And now I need new panties.