“I need to talk to you. About Chloe.”
Her expression tightens. “Why the hell do you care so much about her?”
Because she’s in danger, I want to say. Because the people circling her now make every mistake I’ve ever made look like child’s play. But I can’t say any of that. So I do what I’m good at. I lie through my teeth.
“Because I don’t want her to wreck the team dynamic,” I say evenly. “She’s skipping practice. She’s tanking morale. You don’t need that. Neither do I.”
Bella’s eyes narrow. “Funny. Really funny. Sounds like bullshit, Miles.”
I take a step closer. “Listen, Bella. She was just a fling. I got bored.” The words burn coming out, but I keep my tone flat. “You know how it goes.”
Her gaze flicks to my mouth. “Do I?”
I take advantage of the silence, closing the space between us. My voice drops low, conspiratorial. “Be easy on her. Keep her close. It’s better that way. You don’t want her out there starting rumors about the team.”
Bella studies me for a long beat, suspicion warring with vanity. “You think I’m that easy to convince?”
I let a crooked smile lift one corner of my mouth. “No. I think you’re smart enough to see what’s good for both of us.”
Her phone slips from her hand. The tension between us thickens—part challenge, part invitation. I lean in, letting my breath ghost her ear.
“Trust me, Bella,” I whisper. “You’ll want to play nice.”
She laughs under her breath, low and breathless, her eyes gleaming with that mix of challenge and heat I know too well. It’s the same look she gave me the first time, back when everything felt like a game we could both win. But tonight, it’s different. Tonight, I’m playing her—for Chloe’s sake.
I don’t pull back. Instead, I let my hand slide to her throat, fingers curling just enough to feel her pulse jump under my thumb. Not tight. Her breath hitches, and she tilts her head, exposing more skin, like she’s daring me to squeeze harder.
“Jealous, Bella?” I murmur, my lips brushing the shell of her ear. “I like you like this. All fired up and possessive.”
She swallows, the movement pressing her throat against my palm. “Jealous? Of what? Some boring fat girl who can’t even handle a real fuck? Please.”
I chuckle, shifting my weight so my body crowds hers against the bed. Her legs part instinctively, inviting me in, and I settle between them, letting her feel the hard line of my cock through my jeans.
“Then why the attitude? You fucked Jamie all of last month—rode him like a pro from what I hear. So why act so fucking bratty now? Afraid I’ll forget how good you are? I thought you’d be so much better in sharing.”
Her eyes flash, but she doesn’t deny it. Instead, she arches up, her nails digging into my arms. “You know that’s different.”
“Different?” I tighten my grip on her throat a fraction, just enough to make her gasp, her lips parting on a soft exhale. I lean in closer, my tongue darting out to trace the seam of her mouth—slow, teasing, tasting the gloss she always wears, sweet and artificial. She moans into it, chasing my tongue, but I pull back, smirking. “Nah. I was just auditioning Chloe. Seeing if she’d befun enough for a threesome. You know, the three of us—you, me, her. But fuck, she’s so boring in bed. Nothing like you. All vanilla and hesitant. You? You take it like you were made for it.”
Bella’s breath quickens, her hands fisting in my shirt, pulling me down. “Liar. You went after her because you wanted to fuck her.”
I shake my head, loosening my hold on her throat to trail my fingers down her neck, over the rapid flutter of her pulse. “Wanted? Past tense. She’s a distraction. But you... you’re the main event.” It’s a lie but it lands.
Her body softens under mine, thighs squeezing my hips. I know why I’m doing this—pushing her, breaking her down. Because if I can get Bella to agree, to keep Chloe close, to watch her without suspicion, then Victor’s reach won’t touch her here. The sorority house is a fortress of gossip and glamour, but it’s safe. Safer than anywhere else. And Chloe needs that, even if it means I have to dirty my hands again.
“Prove it,” she whispers, her voice husky, challenging. Her hands slide under my shirt, nails raking my abs.
I don’t hesitate. My mouth crashes down on hers, hard and demanding, tongue plunging in to claim every inch. She kisses back fiercely, biting my lip, drawing a growl from me. But it’s mechanical—hot, yeah, but lacking that spark, that fire Chloe ignites without trying. I break the kiss, nipping her jaw. “You want proof? Fine. But you do what I say. Keep Chloe in line. No letting her wander off. No badmouthing the team. Protect her like she’s one of your own.”
She pulls back slightly, eyes narrowing. “Why? What’s in it for me?”
“This,” I say, my hand dipping between us, shoving up her skirt. No panties—bold as ever. My fingers find her already wet, parting easily as I stroke her clit. She bucks, a sharp whimper escaping her lips. It’s needy, desperate, but not like Chloe’s—Chloe’s sounds are deeper, more broken, like she’s unraveling from the inside out. Bella’s are performative, all breathy gasps designed to pull you in deeper.
“Miles...” she moans, grinding against my hand.
I circle her clit harder, slipping one finger inside her—tight, but not gripping like Chloe’s pussy does, that velvet clench that makes you forget your own name. “Agree, Bella. Say you’ll handle it. Keep her here.”
She shakes her head, even as her hips roll, chasing the friction. “Not... that easy.”
