The Peer and the Puppet (When Rivals Play, #1) (64)

“You have something on your mind, so speak it.”

Her eyebrows rose as her hands curled into fists and dropped to her sides. “I didn’t know I needed your permission.”

I rested my forearms on the warm hood and met her glare. “It’s in the contract.”

“Fuck you.” She was damn cute when she got all snarly, but letting on how tempting it was to oblige her was out of the question.

“I’m pressed for time.”

My double entendre thickened the tension.

Her gaze lost focus.

She sank her teeth into her bottom lip to keep her excitement at bay, and my dick got rock hard.

Careful to hide my need, I twirled my index finger in a gesture to get her talking and fast. Jamie’s back seat was only a few feet away.

“Thank you for today.” After starting for the house, she muttered, “Prick.”

She only made it two steps before I caught her and pushed her against the hood. Her grunt ended with a growl when she felt me close in behind her.

“You’re welcome,” I whispered in her ear. And then I walked away before I did something idiotic. Jamie lingered in the foyer with a mocking smile.

“Hundred bucks she’s pissed but wet as fuck right now.”

I felt my lip curling, so I quickly turned my back. “Shut up.” Four’s pussy wasn’t anyone’s concern but mine.

“I like her,” Jamie rambled on. “I see more of the old you every day, and she’s the reason, cousin. I just know it.”

“There is no old me.” I headed for the stairs with him hot on my heels.

“I beg to differ. My former favorite cousin would have ridden her hard by now.”

“What the—she’s not a horse.” I felt my nostrils flare when I turned on him.

“Give me a fucking break. Of course, she’s not a horse. You can’t fuck a horse.”

I ran my hand down my face and counted to five. “Why are you so interested in my love life?”

“Who said anything about love?” He looked way too pleased about my slip. I knew it was time for me to shut the hell up. “You don’t…do you?”

“Don’t what?” I knew what he was asking but was hoping he’d just go the fuck away.

“Do you love Four?” he spelled out.

Did I love Four? What an interesting fucking question. Particularly because I hesitated when answering. Four was smart but na?ve. Stubborn yet selfless. Fierce yet broken. And she could hold one hell of a grudge. She was pretty without being obvious, yet she made my dick harder than any girl had before. The cherry on top was how she made me feel alive again.

“Why the fuck would I?”

I heard a sound, and Jamie must have too because we both twisted at the same time. Four stood at my door staring back at us. Since her bedroom was closer to the stairs, I knew it wasn’t by coincidence that she was standing there. She had come to my room for a reason. When she turned and walked away, my stomach tightened, and a sour taste filled my mouth.

“Fuck,” Jamie cursed. “Do you think she heard us?”

“Of course, she did.” My response was sarcastic and my tone nonchalant when I felt anything but.

Unconsciously, I ran my hand down my face. This shit between us was starting to resemble a dance. One step forward, and two steps back. I tossed my bag on the floor a little harder than needed, and Jamie wisely took that as his cue to leave quietly.

Fuck it.

And fuck her, too.





MY BIRTHDAY HAD STARTED WITH a bang and ended with a boom. It was the sound my heart had made after dropping to my stomach. Now it was nothing but shattered pieces.

It didn’t make sense.

I didn’t love Ever, either, but hearing him toss aside the notion so callously hurt more than I would ever admit to anyone. Most especially Ever. He had too much power as it was.

“You’re awfully quiet today,” Tyra remarked as we walked the hall the next day. “Something happen?”

I avoided her gaze and shrugged. “Everything’s back the way it should be.”

“That’s awfully cryptic.” She was still frowning as we entered the crowded cafeteria. Lunch was just another social affair. Hardly anyone ate the food even though it was heaps better than the slop served at a public school. It could almost pass for gourmet. I wasn’t surprised given the price tag on tuition. It was obvious the money was being used well.

Today was pizza day, which I couldn’t turn down, so Tyra and I grabbed a couple of slices and looked around for a seat. It seemed that everyone felt the same about pizza day because every table except one was full.

“You two going to stand here all day?” Vaughn stood behind us, holding a tray piled high.

“There aren’t any seats left.”

Vaughn looked around with a frown before sighing when his eyes landed on his usual table. He then balanced his tray on one palm and placed the other on Tyra’s spine. “Come on.” Gently, he pushed her forward when she didn’t budge and glanced at me over his shoulder. “That also means you.”

What is it with these guys and being bossy?

When my stomach growled rather loudly, I knew skipping lunch wasn’t an option and followed them to the table. Vaughn had seated Tyra next to him, leaving the only available seat next to Barbie.