My next sip of soda sprayed out onto the table. Did he really just say that?
Auryn held his friend’s stare, unflinching. His response came cool and composed. Entirely unruffled. “You never have a clue what you’re talking about, do you? I’m simply helping my friend Ripley here out with a problem. You guys don’t have to make it weird.”
Rebel snorted out a laugh. “Pretty sure we do. You busted our balls long enough. It’s fine if you don’t see what everyone else can already see. I think it’s better that way. You’ll be a lot more surprised when it beats you over the head.”
I squirmed uncomfortably, trying to find a way to leave without simply standing up and walking away. While I concocted an excuse to go, Auryn didn’t bother. Taking my hand, he rose, pulling me up with him.
“Come on, baby girl. I’ll walk you to your next class. I can’t sit here with these clowns any longer.”
“Baby girl,” Stray mocked with a snicker.
With Auryn holding tight to my hand, we left our friends behind. I didn’t dare glance back at them, knowing exactly what kind of expressions they would all be wearing. I understood why they teased Auryn. It sucked though. Putting me on the spot and making me feel all weird and uncomfortable.
“We should’ve kept this a secret,” I muttered as we entered the school.
Auryn gave my hand a squeeze. “Don’t let them get to you. They’re a bunch of idiots. If we’re going to put on a show for Jamie, they would’ve found out anyway. My friends just can’t handle that I’m not all domesticated and shit like they are. We know what this is. That’s all that matters.”
I thought I had known what this was. In only a few days this man had managed to get in my head and make me question everything.
“Right. I know. They’re being ridiculous. It’s annoying, that’s all.” Why was I so fixated on the way his hand felt in mine? The way he’d threaded his fingers between mine, holding tight.
As we wandered the halls toward my next class, I noticed a few girls do a double take. Auryn really was well known for his player status. I imagined our little farce would shock a lot of people as it went on.
“Nice choker.” Auryn laughed. “I guess I’ll have to try not to mark you up where anyone can see. I kind of like it though. I want them to see.”
His remark made me think of the many other traces of himself he’d left behind on my body. “That would be appreciated. It’s not easy to hide something so obvious.”
“You should see my back,” he continued with a grin. “It will be a while before your claw marks fade completely.”
I blushed deeply, hating that he so easily managed to do that to me. I barely ever blushed. In the past few days, it had been nonstop. “Sorry about that.”
“Don’t be sorry. I’m not. It’s crazy hot.” Auryn completely ignored a girl who waved at him as we passed. His focus was entirely on me.
We rounded a corner, entering the hall where my next class was located. The door was still closed as the previous class had yet to leave. Even though I told him that he didn’t have to wait around, he insisted.
“I’m not going anywhere until Jamie gets here. I have a point to make.” Turning to face me, Auryn ran his fingers through my hair. Pushing it back from my face. “I intend to take this fake boyfriend scenario quite seriously. Everybody will buy it. Hell, our friends already do.”
His enthusiasm brought a smile to my face. I tried not to react when he dragged a finger down my cheek and along my bottom lip. “Well, I’ve got to say, you’re doing a pretty good job.”
“Thank you. I always wanted to be an actor when I was a kid. Maybe I should’ve taken drama instead of law. Think it’s too late for me? I’m starting to think I would kill it in L.A.” Auryn beamed a toothy grin at me.
“I think you’re absolutely ridiculous in a good way. I’m sure you’d land some hot blonde guy role in no time.” A shiver ran through me as he dragged his finger down my chin and along my neck. There wasn’t even anyone around. He sure was taking this fake dating thing to the next level.
“Probably in some teen drama where they cast twenty-somethings as sixteen year olds. Not interested. Oh well, maybe Hollywood isn’t for someone like me anyway. I’ll just have to stay here and keep making loads of cash selling harvested organs.” He shrugged like that was a totally normal thing to say.
I gawked at him with both brows raised, trying not to let on how much his simple touch made me crave more. “You really are kind of crazy, aren’t you? Why are you even in school taking a law course if you want to keep doing business with the Kings?”
He gave a one shoulder shrug. “Something to fall back on I guess. And in our line of work, it’s good to understand the law. That way nobody can use it against us.”
I guess that made sense. Something told me that Auryn Brewer was like nobody else I’d ever known or ever would know. That there was so much more to him beneath the lighthearted exterior.
Not that it mattered. Getting to know him would be a huge mistake. We weren’t really in this to get to know one another and form a connection. It was better to keep it simple. To keep a wall between us in that way.
The door to the classroom opened, people spilling out into the hallway. A few of my classmates had wandered along, waiting down the hall for our turn. Jamie would be coming along anytime now. With Auryn there beside me, I was almost looking forward to it.
When he finally rounded the corner, heading toward us, a little thrill of excitement lit up my insides. Auryn took one look at him and pinned me against the wall, trapping me with his body. Tipping my chin up with a hand on my jaw, he kissed me with a wild passion.
Having no interest in being a passive participant in this game, I kissed him back. Meeting his tongue as he slipped it into my mouth. Pushing back as he possessively delved deep. His tongue swirling around mine in a frantic dance of domination.
