Too Sweet (Hayes Brothers #3)(17)

A familiar silhouette catches my attention while I wait for the triplets, resting against a low pillar surrounding the half-moon concrete steps outside the main building.

Brandon and two guys from the football team exit the building, a pompous aura enveloping them like a green, foul cloud. His eyes lock with mine, and a flicker of anger shadows his entitled face before his lips twist into a sly smirk.

Damn it... I’m in so much trouble.

There’s nowhere to run. Nowhere to hide. I’m trapped, even out here in the open.

His nose might be healed, but his ego remains bruised. Knowing Brandon, I might need a bunker to survive his wrath.

“Well, well, well,” he snarls, prancing closer. “If it isn’t my feisty kitten.” He halts his minions with a flick of his wrist, then combs back his ash-blonde hair.

My pulse skyrockets faster than I can think.

Faster than I can blink.

I step away, not daring to turn my back on him: an animal on the prowl. A lion stalking an antelope.

An antelope that embarrassed him in front of his friends.

“I’m sorry,” I say, the first signs of nausea rolling in the pit of my stomach. I’m an utter wuss, taking a step back for each one he takes forward. Five steps later, my back hits the cold wall of the building. “I warned you not to touch me.”

“Yes, you did,” he coos, crowding my space, his stormy gaze roving my frame. What a waste of beautiful eyes—cold, grayish blue—on someone with such an ugly soul. I’ll give it to you,” he purrs, bracing one hand against the brickwork. “You’re a handful.” He bends lower, looking me over with a cunning smirk as his other hand rises to touch me. “But that’s why I’ve got two hands, kitten.”

So, so original. He’s a walking cliché, but his menacing tone starts a tremble in my knees. I wouldn’t put it past Brandon to get even by breaking my nose. A quake of fear stirs in my mind at the thought.

He won’t hurt you. Not here with so many witnesses.

I jerk my head to the side, my cheek brushing the bricks, and his fingers grasp thin air.

I wish I was made of tougher material. I wish I didn’t feel overwhelmed whenever I’m even an inch outside my comfort zone. The self-defense classes help, but courage is harder to muster against Brandon instead of the triplets. Even facing Nico isn’t half as unnerving. Despite his intimidating appearance, I know he won’t do anything I don’t want.

I can’t say the same for Brandon.

“Why so jumpy, kitten?” he smirks, brushing a few locks behind my ear, his touch gentle for a second before he grabs my jaw, turning my head. “I’ve missed every Spring Break party because of you. You owe me two weeks. Two fucking weeks of getting my dick wet. You’ll pay it back. Fourteen nights in my bed. Willingly.”

And to think I considered asking the jerk to punch my V card a few months ago.

He’d do it.

Gladly.

There isn’t a girl he’d say no to, and with his experience, it seemed as good an idea as any.

Thankfully, I never asked, but I confided in Callie—Colt’s girlfriend at the time. She seemed nice, and we hung out a lot. I wouldn’t have told her if I knew they’d break it off less than a month later. Once she was through with Colt, she blabbed to anyone who’d listen: my humiliating punishment for trusting someone other than the triplets.

Brandon’s been trying to pop my cherry ever since.

The roar of a loud engine steals his attention. He casts a glance over his shoulder, teeth gnashing.

“You have until I count to three to let me go,” I whisper, summoning tiny bits of courage lying dormant within me.

His hold loosens, but instead of letting me go, he inches closer, his lips brushing my ear as he speaks quietly. “I want that first, kitten. I’ll make you come so fucking hard you’ll beg for more. Say yes.”

“One,” I utter, my eyes jumping from Brandon’s face to his chest, then the ground. “You know I’ll hurt you. Let me go.”

A self-indulgent smirk tells me he’d like to see me try. He looks around again, his hand still gripping my jaw, the hold turning featherlight when he spots Cody crossing the courtyard.

“Two.”

“This isn’t over, kitten.” He dips his head, licking my ear. “You’ll break. I will break you. Mark my words. Give up while you can.” He leans in even closer, his nose almost touching my cheek. He grips my waist, fists my dress, and inhales deeply. “Fuck... I might keep you longer once you’re mine. You have until next week to decide.” He pushes away from the wall, not waiting for anything else, and motions his buddies to follow.

I can’t move a muscle, glued to the spot, flush against the wall, my breathing irregular as dry heaves loom nearby.

Dropping my bag, I fall to my knees, searching for mouthwash. The peppermint scent helps control nausea and saved me from puking more times than I can count.

My hands shake. My eyes fill with tears, the scene embarrassing at best. The gazes of many onlookers burn holes in my skull, but I don’t dare check how many students have stopped to watch the free entertainment.

“Shit, what did Brandon say?” Cody crouches beside me, unscrewing the mouthwash. “There you go, Bug. Breathe.”

I inhale deeply, holding the back of my hand firmly against my lips. “He’s annoyed about his nose.”