His expression clouds over. “She is. Maybe…” He scratches the back of his head. “We should plan everything. Maybe make a list of guys for you to flirt with. Serena could… She should join us.”
I grin. “I’d love that.”
This odd change in Nick must be the result of losing Serena. Maybe he cared for me when we were young, but our friendship couldn’t have inspired this level of ire. Not after all these years.
But a broken heart could have.
Serena deserves to see that he’s pining for her, even if she won’t forgive him for bending to Tristan’s will.
He nods once. “How about tomorrow? I’ll come to your dorm say six o’clock. I’ll walk you to the party afterward.”
“Let’s do it.” I smile. “Let’s take Tristan down.”
CHAPTER 10
Tristan
The only way to conquer obsession is to indulge it, to quench it. Nothing makes me crazier than not being able to have something I’ve craved for years. If I’d gotten what I wanted from my little Amelia back in high school, she’d be only a sweet memory by now. Instead, she looms in my mind as large and bright as the sun.
It’s okay. It’ll all be over soon. I’m making progress with her.
She was affected by my “love confession.” I could see it in her eyes. Moments when I have her under my spell are so rare. I’ve learned all of her tells. She’s two different people when she talks to me. Most of the time, she’s cold, snarky Amy. The one who won’t meet my eyes. But sometimes, she’s the Amy I can’t get enough of.
Riveted Amy.
Riveted Amy’s big hazel eyes are wide and probing. Her pretty heart-shaped lips tick up at the edges. Every word I say is absorbed and mirrored back. Somehow, she fucking gets me. Not that I’m a complicated guy, but I’m not used to being soquickly understood. I don’t express myself well, but that doesn’t matter with Amy. She becomes engrossed in the conversation, weaving a bond so strong that it blurs the boundaries between us.
I can only imagine how intense it will be once I finally fuck her.
Being around her felt like a drug when I was a sappy teenager who thought he’d fallen in love the moment she opened her mouth. I wanted to possess her, conquer her. Absorb her sparkle into my soul as a permanent source of bliss. That’s how my obsession with her started.
I know better now. It’s not love but obsession.
It makes perfect sense that it would be her. My parents never gave a shit about anything but my grades and football, and that made me hungry for connection. One conversation with Amy felt like coming home after years of wandering alone. I was such a sappy, needy teenager.
After our first simple conversation, the small spark I felt with Harper faded like a dying ember. I still cared for her, but I wanted Amy with a single-minded focus. All the brief relationships I’ve had since then were nothing compared to what I feel for her.
I’m obsessed.
That’s all this is.
Teenage neediness that grew into a phantom, a dark silhouette that wrapped its ghostly fingers around my throat. It’s held me in a choke hold for years. But I’m not needy anymore. I don’t need my parents’ attention like that sad, pathetic little boy I used to be. I don’tneedAmy. I’m about to get her out of my system once and for all. This obsession isn’t healthy. I need to start focusing on myself. On my long-term goals.
The fact that I followed this small, feisty woman to college when I had better options elsewhere should have set alarm bells off in my head.
It didn’t, though. I was so stupid. It wasn’t until the beginning of my sophomore year of college that I started to finally learn who I am. What I really need is to crush this itching need to possess her.
I’m going to get everything I want from her soon, and the thought of it makes my skin vibrate with energy all the time. My dick is half hard at just the thought. She’s a distraction, but I’ve figured out a way to crush it. I’ve executed the plan perfectly so far.
I’ll charm her, lure her in, win her. Once I have, I’ll spend the next several months fucking her every which way. I’ll get everything I’ve ever wanted from her.
Finally, my obsession will fade. I’ve never wanted a woman for more than a few weeks. The only reason Harper and I have stayed close is because she’s a close friend. We’ve tried to make that friendship something more, and we’ve had decent sex over the years, but I could never stop thinking about Amy. Never stop fantasizing about her.
Adorable little Amy finally took me down. She has those big doe eyes, that soft curvy body, and her hideous purple hair that I love because it’s so her. I never thought a girl as cute as a button could make my blood run so hot.
I’m a simple guy. I want what I can’t have.
I can’t deny this restless anxiety vibrating through me since the moment she told me she’s going to seduce me. The drug has become even more potent. I’m more obsessed with her than ever.
