Chapter Six #2
“I think it makes the most sense. That way we’re following the natural progression of the tests to be conducted.”
“Works for me.” I shift, trying to find a comfortable position in the less-than-comfortable seat I’m sitting in. They certainly do not design these stadiums for comfort, though I can’t remember the last time I was in the actual stands and not on the field. “So, how do we do this?”
“Why am I not surprised that you didn’t actually read the syllabus?”
“How do you know I didn’t read it?”
“Because if you did, you’d know exactly what to expect as it’s all outlined there.”
“Well, clearly, you’re on top of things, so how about you just fill me in really quickly and we can get this over with.”
She stares back at me for a long moment, those intense blue eyes of hers staring holes into my face as her jaw works, like she wants to say something that she’s trying really hard not to say. For some reason, this takes my slight smirk and twists it into a full-on smile.
I don’t know why I find her anger so appealing, but fuck me, I do.
Taking a deep inhale, she blows it out slowly before speaking in a much calmer tone than I expect. And weirdly, I find myself disappointed at her self-control.
“First, I’m going to start by reading off a list of words. It will be your job to remember as many of the words as you can, in the same order in which I read them. The goal is to see how many words you can retain in the correct order before you get one wrong.”
“That’s it?” I hitch a brow, thinking it certainly can’t be that easy.
“That’s the first part. Then we move on to actual images—shapes and colors that I’ll show you, and again, you’ll try to remember each one in the order in which you see them. Last are sounds. Which—”
“I get the idea.” I cut her off.
“Great.” Her eye twitches in irritation. “Then let’s get started.”
“Why are you only testing me?” I ask, watching her pull a stack of index cards from her bag.
“I’m not. You also have to test me. I assume you made your flash cards?”
“I was supposed to make flash cards?”
“You’re joking, right?” She audibly huffs when I shake my head. “You were supposed to make flash cards. A set with words. A set with shapes and colors. And an audio clip with different sounds. You didn’t do any of this?”
“Nope. But that’s okay because you did.”
“You can’t test me with my own cards.”
“Why not? Just shuffle them up.”
“That’s not how this is supposed to work.” She doesn’t have to hide her aggravation. It’s etched into every line and pore on her face.
“Well, whether it’s supposed to work that way or not, this is how we’re going to have to do it.”
“No, you’re going to do the work you were assigned and then we will schedule another time to meet. It’s bad enough that I have to be partnered with someone like you. I’ll be damned if you’re going to push all the work off on me too.”
“Someone like me, huh?” I snort out a humorless laugh. “And do tell, Mais. What is someone like me like... exactly?”
“A conceited, self-absorbed, asshat.”
“Is that all?”
“No.” She shakes her head, taking the bait. “You’re also selfish. Manipulative. Lazy...”
“Gorgeous. Charming. Incredible in bed,” I tack on a few things of my own.
“You give yourself too much credit.” She sneers.
“Don’t seem to recall you having any complaints,” I fire back.
“That’s because I’m too polite to tell someone that they weren’t even good enough to make me come.” She lowers her voice over the last word.
“Liar.” My smile widens.
“I’m not lying. You were one of the lousiest lays I’ve ever had.”
“And that’s saying something, isn’t it? Because you’ve been laid so many times?” It’s off my tongue before I can take it back, and I quickly realize I essentially just called her a slut. “Mais...”
“Go fuck yourself, Macallan.” She starts shoving her stuff back into her bag. “For someone who sticks his dick in any wet hole available, you are in no position to judge me.” She pushes to a stand, nearly hitting me in the face with her bag as she flings it onto her shoulder.
“Maisie, I didn’t mean it how it sounded.”
“Oh, I think you did. And you know what, I don’t care. Your opinion means jack shit to me.”
“Is that why you’re suddenly so pissed?” I stand, towering over her as I shift to face her fully. “Pretty sure you threw the first punch.”
“Did I? Well, allow me to throw a couple more. How does it feel to know you pale in comparison to several of your teammates?”
“I guess you would know,” I spit, my own anger starting to rise.
“You’re right, I would. I know that Tucker’s cock is twice the size of yours.
That Alex is more skilled with his tongue than any man I’ve ever met before.
And that Trev made me come three times in the course of five minutes.
.. in your bed.” She’s smiling now. And not a fake slant of her lips, but a real smile.
“You expect me to believe you fucked my roommate in my bed.”
“I don’t care if you believe it. Doesn’t make it any less true. Perhaps you should ask him...” She moves to push past me, but because of the narrow walkway, there isn’t anywhere for her to go.
“Where are you going?”
“Away from here.” She attempts to get around me a second time, to no avail. Unless I move, she’s not going anywhere.
“What’s wrong? You can dish it out, but you can’t take it?” I step closer, causing her to take a step back.
“I’m not doing your work for you. If you can’t come prepared, then don’t bother coming at all.”
“But I love coming.” I smile, the action void of any humor.
In fact, I’m pretty pissed. I just can’t decide if it’s because of the things she said about me, or what she’s insinuating happened between her and one of my closest friends.
Not that I have any reason to be pissed about her sleeping with Trev.
Whether it was in my bed or not is beside the point.
I have no claim on her. I made damn sure of that.
But Trev... I can’t deny that stings. We don’t share.
It’s an unspoken rule. Even if I had no interest in pursuing more with Maisie, Trev never should have touched her.
I pray for his sake she’s spouting bullshit.
.. Because if she’s not, I’m not sure what I’ll do.
“I know. Every wet hole you can find, remember?” She crosses her arms in front of herself, challenge in her eyes.
“So that’s what this is about? You’re jealous?”
“Please...” She sputters the word like it’s the most ridiculous thing she’s ever heard, but it does little to cover up that maybe I just found the root of our problem. Maybe, just maybe, Maisie doesn’t hate me as much as she’d like me to believe.
I don’t know why the thought excites me.
It shouldn’t. Hell, I shouldn’t give a fuck how she feels.
But if that’s true, then why do I have the strongest urge to wrap my hand around the back of her neck and pull her closer?
To taste her. To hear that little moan of hers when I flick my tongue across the roof of her mouth.
I remember everything about her. Every inch of perfect flesh. Every swirl of her hips. Every whimper of pleasure. I remember how she tastes. How she sounds. How she feels. And fuck me, right now that is not helping my case.
“If you need a reminder of how insanely good it is between us, all you have to do is say the words, Mais, and I’d be happy to oblige.
” I move closer, and to my surprise, she doesn’t step away.
“You forget I was there too, you know. I can still hear you cry out when you came so hard around me that your knees gave out. The way you pressed into me like you couldn’t get enough.
Like I was everything you wanted. Tell me, Mais, is that what you want?
Me buried so deep inside of you that you can’t tell where I end and you begin?
” I lean down, my lips only a breath away from hers.
“Tell me that’s what you want and we can stop this little charade because, Mais, we both know you don’t hate me. ”
“You’re right,” she admits softly, meeting my gaze. “I don’t hate you.”
I smile at how easy this all was.
“I fucking loathe you.”
I’ve barely processed her words before her hands flatten against my chest and she shoves me... hard.
I damn near go over the back of the seats in front of me but am able to catch myself just in the nick of time. When I finally straighten, I see Maisie’s backside as she climbs over the row behind us and hightails it through the stands.
“Mais!” I call after her. “What about our project?”
“Do the fucking work,” she hollers over her shoulder. “Then we’ll talk.”
With that, she climbs the remaining stairs to the landing and disappears.
“Well, fuck,” I grumble, running a hand through my hair.
Well, fuck, indeed.