“My social standing doesn’t need a boost. I’m making my way to the top without her. Braden’s friends love me. I think they even like me more than Kristen.”
“They like every girl more than Kristen. They only pretend to like Kristen because they have to.”
“Why?”
“Because of who she is.”
Does he mean because of her money? I’m about to ask, but then he pulls me on top of him and kisses me.
“Why don’t you sneak out later?” he asks. “After the game?”
“What time?”
“Maybe around eleven? I have to go out with the team, but I’ll text you when I’m heading home.” His hand slides under my skirt, gripping my ass. “You’re so damn hot.” His other hand goes to my shirt, unbuttoning it as he kisses my neck, down to my cleavage.
My eyes close. “You have to stop. I’m not going to be able to concentrate in class. I’ll just be thinking about this.”
“About what?” he asks, as his hand runs up and down my inner thigh in a slow sensuous way. I love how he touches me. I can never get enough.
“About how much I want you,” I say, sounding breathless.
“Come over tonight,” he whispers in my ear. “We’ll finish what we started.”
I smile. “I’ll be there.”
As I turn to get up, I see the door swing open. Shayla’s standing there, holding a laundry basket.
“Shit!” She covers her eyes. “I thought you already left for school.”
“Not yet,” I say, rushing to button my shirt as I motion Jackson to leave. He nods and hurries out the sliding door.
“He’s gone,” I say to Shayla.
She takes her hand from her eyes. “What the hell’s going on?”
I race up to her. “You can’t tell anyone! Please. Promise you won’t tell anyone.”
She sighs, shaking her head. “Why are you doing this? You could get any guy to go out with you. Why him?”
“I like him. We get along well. We have stuff in common.”
“What stuff? The guy’s a millionaire. He lives by himself in a mansion. What could you possibly have in common with him?”
“It doesn’t matter. Just promise me you won’t tell anyone.”
“How are you even doing this? How are you hiding this from Trystan and Braden? If they found out, they’d kill you.”
“They don’t get to decide who I date. And I won’t let them find out. Jackson and I are keeping it hidden. I didn’t think we’d be able to, but we’re getting better at it.”
“Like today?” she asks, her brows rising.
“I swear it was locked.”
“You might want to double check next time.” She sets the laundry basket down. “Rumor, I know you don’t want to hear this, but you need to end things with Jackson. The guy is trouble. And he’s Braden’s biggest enemy. You’re playing with fire. Just end it while you still can.”
“Why does Braden hate Jackson so much? Did something happen?”
“I don’t want to talk about it.” She bites her lip.
