Sinful Liabilities (Off Limits #1)

Chapter 1

Tip one; Don't settle for less than what you deserve.

Ivy

The potent smell of sex still clings to my skin as the door of his bathroom shuts with a resounding click.

My thighs are slick with sweat, and instantly my mind fills with despair.

That was it? That was sex? It sucked.

A soft groan leaves my lips as I relax onto the crumpled sheets, looking towards the bathroom door from the corner of my eyes before staring back at the roof of this too stuffy room.

He left, as soon as he'd made that weird face - like it meant nothing. Like I meant nothing, what a stupid waste of two months.

He didn't even last longer than sixty seconds.

Sixty seconds. I counted.

And I didn't even get off. Isn't that the point of this whole thing... pleasure?

I must be lost in my thoughts for longer than I think because the door opens and Dain re-enters, stopping at the sight of me.

"What are you still doing here?" His voice has that tone to it that has my stomach dropping and shame riding my heels.

For a moment I'm shocked silent, just blinking back at him. "What?"

He rolls his dark eyes, like this whole thing is above him and all at once he's unattractive, completely and utterly ugly. His blonde hair is wet, and there's a towel slung low on his hips like he just had a shower. "In case you didn't know, this is usually when a girl like you leaves."

My muscles tense and I grab the blanket beside me, tugging it up to cover my chest, fingers white knuckling the soft fabric. My voice sounds tight and quiet even to my own ears. "A girl like me?"

He looks at me like I'm stupid, and maybe I am because I have no idea what he's talking about.

We've been going on dates for two months and I thought- I mean.

He seemed perfect. My shoulders drop as the truth of everything slams into me and for the slightest second I think maybe I'm overreacting. Maybe this is a joke-

I sit up in his bed, still clutching his sheets like that can somehow shield me from his harsh eyes.

"Dain- but I thought-"

He looks bored, blinking at me like this is a waste of his time.

"Thought what? Surely you knew this had an expiration date, Ivy?

" He doesn't let me say anything before he walks for his dresser, pulling out a shirt.

"You didn't honestly believe I wanted anything more from you?

" He doesn't even look at me as he delivers each blow.

"You're just some chick chasing sticks, would've thought Leon's sister had more dignity.

" He chokes out a laugh, head falling back like this is the funniest thing to happen to him.

"I fucked his little sister." Dain looks to me as glee fills his eyes.

"How do you think he'll react to that when I tell him on the ice?

High and mighty Leon won't be so above the fist fighting then.

" He shakes his head. "I'm sure the scouts won't want him once they see his rage on the ice. "

For a second, one long second, I'm frozen - my mind catching up with his words, heart beating erratically. I swallow the painful lump in my throat as everything becomes clearer.

"Is that why you approached me?" The words are meant to come out strong, but they creak past my lips, high and sharp.

"To get to my brother?" That pain in my throat is sharp, and I wish I was strong right now.

Wish I could spit hurtful words back at him, but I'm scared that if I try I'll just start crying. And I don't want him to see me cry.

Dain looks over his shoulder, raising a brow over eyes I used to think were warm and charming, the smile curling his lips no longer producing butterflies but dread.

"C'mon Ivy, don't play dumb. You knew what you were getting into.

I mean, look at me. I'm the captain of a hockey team and you're-" he looks me up and down.

"- you, Leons sister. I have to get under the almighty Leon Collin's skin somehow; I just found a way in.

" He shrugs like he can't be blamed for his actions.

"It's all fun anyway, Ivy. You got what you wanted from me; I got what I wanted from you. No need to get butt hurt."

He waves a hand, "go get your points and your 15 minutes.

Shut the door when you leave." He moves back for the bathroom, then stops, looking to me with a confused face before it lightens.

"Oh, you actually thought-" He runs a hand through his hair, awkwardness filling the air like a thick sludge. "Look, you're a pretty girl but-"

"You don't have to finish that sentence." I interrupt, cringing and reaching for my discarded clothes, pulling them on so quickly I'm pretty sure my shirt is backwards and inside out.

"It was just sex, Ivy. It's not a big deal."

Not a big deal? I just gave you my virginity, you overgrown tumour and you led me along like some puppet all for a stupid game - to get under my brother's skin.

He continues on while I get changed, avoiding his eyes.

"And look it may have been lousy, but I'm always up for seconds. You just can't expect to have a sleepover. I don't do that shit." Dain continues, and I roll my eyes.

As of this moment I've come to the conclusion that the jerk likes the sound of his own voice.

I haphazardly pull my dark honey blonde hair into a ponytail as I shove my legs into my shorts, still feeling the wetness and sweat clinging to my thighs with a cringe.

Disgust fills me, shame. I was disposable all along.

I will the sting of tears away as I button the shorts.

I'm not sad, I'm angry. And I cry when I'm angry, it's an issue I should talk to a therapist about, but I don't have the money for that so bathing in my childhood trauma seems like the best option right now.

I thought he'd be the perfect guy to give my virginity to, and he spent months playing me. Lying, just to get in my pants.

"Are you listening to me, Ivy?"

"No." I reply, shoving my feet into my sneakers, my socks thrown some place in his room. I'm not going to waste time looking for them.

Anger slips over his face like a mask and he scoffs, "fuck, for a girl who has no clue what she's doing you sure do have a lot of attitude. I did you a favour by fucking you, Ivy."

My throat tightens with pain, and I flash a glare his way. "What the hell is wrong with you?"

"Nobody wants to fuck a lousy lay, you should be thanking me for taking one for the team and telling you now."

I don't give him an answer, grabbing my phone from his bedside table and rush for the door.

"Don't cry, baby." I hear him say behind me, "find me when you know how to suck cock and maybe I'll tell the team how good you are, I'm sure a girl like you would love having the team lining up for her."

Anger washes over me and I clench my teeth, rushing down the stairs and thanking god that the rest of the house is empty.

What did I ever see in that self-serving dick?

· · ·

"It was embarrassing, Charlie!" I say, shoving another marshmallow in my mouth with a pout.

"There's other guys out there, Ivy. They're not all selfish dickheads."

"That's not the point. I don't want to do it anymore!" I almost whine and then cringe from the sound of my own complaint. "What's the point? It wasn't even that good, the books make it out to be so good and then it was just," I huff, trying to find the right word, "meh."

And the worst part? It wasn’t even the bad sex.

It was that he pretended to care to get what he wanted.

Used, and discarded. Fitting. You'd think I'd get used to the idea of never being good enough – of always being lied to.

I shake my head and pierce my best friend with a stare, "He was no Cassian or Rowan, or even Gryphon Shore."

"They're book characters." Charlie says with a growing grin, reaching for a marshmallow. A pink one, ugh.

"Exactly, why can't I find a man like the boys in Hannaford prep, or four psychos?"

"Didn't they try to kill her?"

"That's not the point, Charlotte. All these books I read make it seem like sex is so easy and natural, and they all know what they're doing!"

"Ivy."

"I just wish there was a guide out there that could teach you what to do-" as soon as I say the words, it seem like the perfect option. "- like step by step instructions." I look to Charlotte, eyes alight with the idea. It's perfect.

Charlotte looks lost for a second and I sigh. "He called me a lousy lay."

Her face falls at the words, anger igniting in her blue eyes. "Dick." She thinks for a second. "What about all those magazines, they have all the articles in them. The tips-"

I shake my head, dropping my chin in my hands. "No, it's not the same, I want just one book, that tells me exactly what I want to know when I want to know it, like magic."

She grins at me words. "That's asking for a lot, Ivy." Charlie says softly, her dark hair falling around her face is soft waves. Her eyes are wide, but they twinkle with mirth.

I huff, leaning forward on my elbows, "I know." I chew my lip. "What if I finally get a boyfriend and I don't know how to do anything and they break up with me, or-" I look to Charlie. "I don't want to be insecure about sex; I want to know what I'm doing."

"You can't let Dain's stupid opinion get to you; he's just some guy."

"Yeah, some guy who called me a lousy lay and what if he's right?" I raise an eyebrow. "You don't get it Charlie; you've had boyfriends and done things. You've got experience."

"I still haven't had sex." she adds on, and I know she's trying to help me but-

"Yeah, but you get asked out like. . . once a week."

She rolls her eyes playfully, sending me a glare. "That's an exaggeration."

I huff, "You know what I mean." God, I'm throwing the worst pity party right now. "I've never been asked out. Guys don't look at me like that. I'm starting to think I'm undesirable."

"Ivy," Charlotte starts, "Guys are always staring at you, you just never notice it."