I don’t think I can get any redder, any more turned on, or any smaller.
Luke’s heated gaze slides over me, reminding me of what he can do to me with just a touch. Fuck, I wish I didn’t want him. I wish I didn’t want them all. It would be a hell of a lot easier to resist.
He smiles at me before turning to Nico. “So our question is what do you want to do?”
Nico straightens and his gaze flicks to me before he meets Luke’s. “Harper has been mine since kindergarten.”
His words send sparks flooding through my veins and make my heart feel lighter. Kenz was right. He wants me. What the fuck does that mean?
“You may have claimed her in my absence, but I came back for her. You guys are a bonus, but I could have stayed in New York for my senior year. I planned to come back and claim my best friend.”
Luke nods thoughtfully. “Harper?”
I whip my gaze to Luke’s. His eyes are narrowed on me with a fire threatening to burn me whole.
“Do you acknowledge this claim?”
The rest of the horsemen lean forward. I’m not sure what will happen if I tell the truth. But I know for any of this to work, I have to be honest. I don’t look at anyone but Luke.
“If Nico hadn’t left, would I have a boyfriend? Probably. Would he have stood up for me in that cafeteria? Maybe.”
“Yes.” Nico straightens and his dark eyes hold mine. “Not probably. Not maybe. Yes, Harper, if I hadn’t left, I would have been more than your best friend. I had a crush on you, but knew I was moving and didn’t act on it.”
My heart throbs, but the problem is I’m no longer free to choose. Whether I made my choice or was forced to make a choice, it’s still mine. They’re mine, but for how long? And when they decide to leave me, will Nico still want me? After they’re done with me?
I blow out a breath. He may have wanted more, but he never actually offered it.
“He was my best friend, but I haven’t spoken to him since he left,” I admit. He may have claimed me when we were children, but he didn’t keep in touch. So it doesn’t matter now.
“Harper is ours.” Luke relaxes into the couch and looks between thetwo of us. “We’ve made our claim and she’ll be ours all year, no matter how she tries to back out of it.”
My cheeks are on fire. Besides the fake grounding and suggesting they get with the Cheermonsters and asking for a boyfriend… Well, shit, I have been actively trying to get out of this. Just nothing works.
When they put their hands on me, my mind shuts down and the horny bitch in me starts panting for more. I want them to want me.
“Do you acknowledge that, Harper?” Luke doesn’t call meprincess.
It may not have been what I wanted, but I want them now. Will I still fight? Probably. But I also accept their ownership over me and enjoy the benefits. “Yes.”
Nico’s gaze is on me, but what can I do? I don’t want to fear punishment my whole senior year. As overwhelming as their attention is, I crave it. And I much prefer the kisses and the touches to being a social pariah.
“You have a choice to make, Nico.” Luke leans forward with his elbows on his knees, hands clasped.
Nico straightens.
“You can remain a member of the horsemen and enjoy all the benefits that come with it.” Luke’s gaze flicks to me, so no one can mistake I’m a benefit. “Or you can become our enemy, which means Harper isn’t anything to you. Not your friend. Not even your crush.”
My heart falls into my stomach. I don’t want to give up Nico as a friend. I’d love to explore our connection to see what more there could be. But I don’t really have a choice, he does. This may be too much for him. I haven’t known him for years. I don’t know who he is now.
But if he came back for me, this is the only way he can have me.
“If you’re with us, then you play by our rules. Harper has limits. Until we push the limits as a group, you stay within those limits. No one goes beyond what has been shared by the group. When we play our games, you respect everyone’s turn.”
Caden scoffs. “Even if the fucking bottle plays favorites.”
I almost laugh at his pout. The bottle didn’t like him last night. I give Caden a smile, and his green eyes light up, sending a burst of heat through my insides.
“We take care of what’s ours. When she steps out of line, we punish her,” Luke continues.
