Lust (The Elite Seven #1)(32)

She flits her thumbs over the keypad and hands it back.

“I programmed my number in and texted myself so I have your number. I’ll text over the address. It’s easier that way.” She nods her head, biting back down on the fat bottom lip. A red rouge sprouts over her cheeks and crawls down her neck.

“Thanks,” I say, knowing she just wanted my number. I’ve used that same method more times than I can count.

I sense the body creep up before Chastity’s eyes move to the shadow behind me.

She places her hands in the pocket of her jacket and turns on her heel without turning back this time.

“By the look she was giving you, I’d say you’re already halfway to completing your task,” Pride teases.

So, he knows exactly who she is then. Schooling my features, I turn to face him and smirk. “What can I say? It’s in my DNA.”

We fall in step, heading toward the food court.

“Speaking of your DNA, how has your dad been?”

He’s been too scared to say shit to me. Seeing how easy it would be for me to get rid of him spooked the hell out of him.

“Good,” is all I say.




The following days pass fast, and as if the world knows what my task is and wants to make it easy on me, destiny keeps placing Chastity in my path.

I parked next to her this morning without realizing it was her car. She was in three of my classes today and within breathing space of my lungs. Her scent surrounded me, beckoning, teasing, daring me to take a bite of her delicious innocence.

As if she’s drawn to me by a magnetic pull, her eyes drift to me more than they should.

She texted me the address for her best friend’s party. And then sent follow up random texts that made no sense throughout the day.

“What can be both healing and poisonous?”

“The glare of what reveals the others?”

I’m not sure if she’s sending them to the wrong number or she’s a spammer. Either way, they made no sense.

Closing my book, I stumble into the corridor and wipe sweat off my brow. Running on zero sleep and coming down from my mom’s old anxiety medication she left when she abandoned us, has left my body lethargic. I need a sugary drink to perk me up.

Rushing over to a vending machine, I pat down my pockets, then slap the glass when there’s only a slot for cards, which I need to remember to ask my old man for. I think he will revaluate my need for a credit card after I nearly inherited everything he has last week.

“Here” Pride slides his card into the machine. I punch the button for a soda and stuff a twenty into Prides jacket pocket.

“That was an expensive drink.”

“And it didn’t even get me laid.” I wink.

Waving a bye over my shoulder as I head for the exit. Pushing out the door and into the stuffy air I groan when the smog hits me like a sweat bath. When it’s not raining here the air is too thick, I hate it.

When I finally make it to my car, there’s a cute blonde leaning against it.

“Chastity,” I greet her.

She’s making this too damn easy. I thought she was going to be a challenge, but it appears not spreading rumors about her kissing me was enough to warrant me friendship status.

How fucked up have people been to her in the past?

“Here.” She hands me a wrapped present. Twine binds the brown paper wrapped around something that feels like a book. I’m not sure what to say.

“Thanks,” I say, raising a brow.

She laughs and rolls her eyes. “Relax, it’s not a snake in a box.”

“That’s pretty dark,” I say, repeating her words.

Shaking her head, she goes to her own car, and calls out, “It’s for research—and to help you sleep.”




Dropping the package on my bed, I snap the twine and unravel the paper.

A rich sound ricochets from my chest. Laughter. Authentic and deep.

Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare.

I open the book, and a USB falls out. What are the chances this is a sex tape and she’s done my task for me?

Reaching for my laptop, I plug in the stick and lay back on the bed.

“Romeo and Juliet narrated by Chastity Griffin, for Rhett Masters, to teach him he’s far from a Romeo.” The voice billows from the speakers into the room, enveloping me.

Ha. She’s still got her feisty edge.

Her voice caresses the words, blanketing me in a soothing melody, and my eyes close to submerge myself in the world of Capulets and Montagues.

I sleep a full eight hours, and it almost brings tears to my eyes. No rain. No voices. No Robbie. Just her.

No drugs to quiet my mind. Just her.





Wrath, Envy, and Pride join me for Maggie’s party, but I’m not sure how long they will last. Unlike most college parties, this one doesn’t have people spilling onto the front lawn or music vibrating the foundations. A sweet melody of blues filters through the room, and everyone is dressed in the twenties attire. There was no alert for this party or text from Chastity letting me know there was a theme.

There are maybe thirty people here, and by the way they talk animatedly, they appear to all know each other.

Envy gives me the stink eye, and Pride tries to hold in his amusement.

“Things we do for ass.” Wrath flexes his jaw and snatches up a drink from a guy wearing a white suit and gangster hat. “Beat it,” Envy hisses at him when he stops to challenge his drink being taken.