“MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT” by Elley Duhé plays as he brings me through the living room and blood starts rushing in my ears.This is it.He’s going to make me undress in front of all these people, get on all fours, and parade me around like a show dog. The thought makes my thighs tighten.
No one pays any attention to us as he leads me to the other side of the living room and out a back door. I look around to see people jumping in the pool. Some sitting in lawn chairs. There’s a firepit where others are roasting marshmallows.
He takes me across the backyard, and I see the in-law suite. I stumble over my heels, but he keeps me upright. Shit, is it the alcohol or because I’m nervous? Maybe both.
“Colt, what are we doing out here?” I ask softly. “That’s Mike’s house,” I tell him as if he doesn’t already know.
Mike has been in trouble for the past few years. He didn’t even graduate from Barrington. He made it to his junior year with Colt and the guys and then got kicked out. His parents made him move into the in-law suite that sits on the back of their property when they found out about it.
“Colt?” He doesn’t answer me. “We shouldn’t be out here.” No one is allowed out here when the twins throw a party. Everyone knows it’s off-limits and always has been. Even back when we were in high school.
We reach the front door, and he turns the knob before pushing me inside. I immediately turn around and go to exit but run right into Colt, making me squeal in surprise.
“Shh.” He wraps his arms around me, holding me to his chest.
My hands dig into the soft material of his T-shirt, knowing I can’t escape this. He’s made up his mind. He wants to humiliate me, and this is how he plans to do it. I don’t get to choose how he makes me his slut. And the biggest part of me likes that. That’s what turns me on—having no choice.
After gently kissing my hair, Colt pries himself away from me and grabs my hand, then he turns me to face our audience.
I look over the house. I’ve never been in here before. There are not many decorations. White walls with white leather furniture. Light gray tiled floor. It’s got an open kitchen area to the left. But other than that, it’s more of a mancave.
Back in the right corner is a bed with one nightstand and a dresser. A pool table sits to the right with a dartboard on the wall and a set of stairs that leads to a loft. But it looks unfinished right now. The construction equipment that lays around confirms my thoughts.
Once I’ve looked at everything else in the room, my eyes finally fall to the guests. Alex stands with his arms crossed over his chest and his eyes on mine. Finn stands next to him, playing with his damn knife. Jenks stands to the far left of them, typing away on his phone. And then my eyes fall on the chair between them. Nate sits in it. He’s glaring at me.
I feel hands on my shoulders, and I jump.
“Calm down, princess.” Colt leans down and kisses my cheek. “Nate here has been talking about you tonight.”
“What was he saying?” Frowning, I ask Colt as if Nate isn’t right in front of me.
“That you’re a fucking whore,” Nate snaps. He goes to get out of the chair, but Alex grips his hair and forces him back down into the seat, making a growl come from his pursed lips. I realize his hands are behind his back when he shakes his upper body, trying to get loose with no success. They must have restrained him.
“I … I don’t understand,” I say, my hands shaking. “You were just trying to force me to leave with you.” I take a step closer to Nate.
Colt’s body stiffens. “He was?”
I nod, swallowing. “Yes. He grabbed my arm.” I hold it out, and just as I expected, there’s already a bruise forming where Nate had ahold of it. “He was trying to drag me out of the house. Said that we were leaving together.”
“That’s … interesting.” Colt gives a laugh that holds no humor.
“She’s lying!” Nate yells. “You’re going to believe her? She’s a fucking liar.”
Colt snorts, and his eyes meet mine. “Raylee is a lot of things, but she doesn’t lie. Do you, princess?”
I shake my head. “Why would I lie about that? I’ve been ignoring you. I told you it was over and that I want nothing to do with you.”
Nate shakes his head quickly and looks over at Colt. “She begged me. Begged me to take her home—”
Alex punches Nate in the side of his face, shutting him up. “I’ve heard enough of that,” he states, rubbing his knuckles.
Colt arches a brow at me, and I shake my head. The need to explain myself has me licking my lips nervously. “That’s not true. I never …”
Reaching up, he wraps his hand around my neck, and I trail off. His green eyes search mine before he smiles. “I know he’s lying.”
I let out a shaky breath. I’m not sure why I care that Colt believes me. Maybe it’s more the fact of him not believing Nate.
Colt tilts his head to the side in thought. “I think he’s just confused. What do you think, boys?”
