“Hey, Meat,” he cooed, wrapping his arm around my shoulders. The touch sent a shiver of desire through my body. When I overlooked Quinn’s crass comments, he was a funny, fun-loving and fuckinggorgeousguy who was the life of a party. When he smiled, I got lost for a moment. In the real world, a guy like this taking an interest in me would have made me the luckiest girl in the world. But Derleth wasn’t the real world – it was a strange and mysterious realm where up was down, down was up, and all the hot guys were completelydicksome. “You know what they say about aprima donna– the most famous have the voice of an angel, but scream like a devil between the sheets. Want to come up to my room and serenade me?”
“Get off me,” I growled, even though that was honestly the last thing I wanted. Quinn’s fingers traced a circle on my shoulder, sending a line of fire straight through my body. All three of the Kings seemed to have the ability to set my body alight with heat.
Good thing I knew firsthand just how dangerous fire could be. I shrugged his hand away.
“Quinn, get over here,” Courtney said frostily from across the classroom.
“I’m chatting with someone,” Quinn called back.
“Silly boy.” She flashed him a smile that was laced with venom. “Don’t you know it’s bad manners to toy with your food?”
“Are you saying you want me to eat Hazel out?” Quinn’s lips grazed along my cheek, and my body buzzed with electricity.Yes, please.“Because I’m more than happy to oblige. I bet she hits the high notes when she comes—”
“Quinn!”Courtney screeched. She turned her desk away from him and whispered furiously to Tillie and Madison.
“Never mind her,” Quinn smiled at me. “Sour grapes. So, Hazy, are you ready for me to cash in the first of my favors?”
I stopped in my tracks. “Did you just call me Hazy?”
“I’m testing out nicknames for you.”
“Nicknames are generally given to a person by someone they like.”
Quinn clutched his heart. “And you don’t like me? Why, Hazy, I’m mortally wounded. To make it up to me, you’re coming to a party next weekend.”
Behind me, Courtney’s breath sucked in. I had to admit, I kind of liked that.
“I’ll see,” I shrugged. My heart thudded against my chest so loud he must’ve been able to hear it. “I might be busy.”
“That would be too bad, Hazy,” Quinn’s voice lowered, his words soft against my ear, so only I could hear them. “I wouldn’t want you to miss out on all thefun.”
His lips formed the last word against my cheek, the touch lingering for a moment. In that moment was everything – a promise, a temptation, a blazing fire igniting inside me. Heat shot along my veins and pooled into a deep need within my belly.
Instinctively, my fingers reached to press the mark on my wrist.Why is it the Kings always make me think of fire?
“I’ll see you next Saturday.” Quinn’s face broke out into a smile as he gave me a wave and slid into a seat.
I took my seat at the back of the class, aware that every eye in the room followed me. Courtney and Tillie stared daggers at me. Greg leaned over and whispered. “You just got asked on a date by Quinn Delacorte.”
“No, I didn’t,” I rubbed the spot on my cheek where Quinn kissed me. It still burned with that intoxicating fire. “He wants me to go to some stupid party so he can torture me.”
“Close, but not true. He wants you to go to some stupid party so he can bed you in a manly fashion.” Greg’s eyes glittered. “I’m so excited. You have to let me do your hair.”
“That’s not—” My words died in my throat as Quinn turned around and flashed me another smile. I studied his features but could see no hint of malice in him. He looked excited, like this party was actually something he was looking forward to.
Looking forward to trying to get into my panties, more like.
Maybe Greg’s right.I would have to ponder this new development. Kings and peasants weren’t supposed to mix. That was probably the appeal I held for Quinn. He’d already had his pick of the Queens and their courtesans, several times over if the rumors about him were even a quarter true. They weren’t a challenge anymore, and Quinn was the kind of guy who chased pleasure and sport wherever he could find it.
I was the new girl. I was the one taking on the monarchs. I was forbidden fruit. I just didn’t know yet howIfelt about being Quinn’s new sport.
* * *
The rest of the day passed in a blur. I felt eyes on me wherever I went, but the whispers of ‘gutter whore’ had mostly stopped. Instead, everyone seemed to be talking about how Courtney and Quinn were on the rocks. I wouldn’t have guessed from watching Quinn, who was even louder and funnier in class than usual. I knew now why he had a negative number of points – he never did any assignments and spent all his time talking back to the teachers.
I glimpsed the Queen herself across the dining hall at lunch, sitting on the end of the monarchs’ table. She poked at her salad and whispered to Tillie, the pair of them shooting filthy glances atmeeven though Quinn flung his arm around Amber’s neck.
I hated to admit it, but watching Quinn cozy up to Amber after he’d asked me to that party made me feel prickly inside.
