But it didn't strip away the heat crashing inside me. My anger burned alongside lust until I couldn’t tell them apart.
My dick was suddenly rock hard, and before my brain could stop me, I rolled my hips into hers.
Lexi’s little gasp sent my head spinning. A blush spread across her chest, up her throat, and over her face as her breaths became erratic pants. There was no way in hell she didn’t feel my erection rubbing against her.
What the fuck am I doing?
Trying to regain control, I wrapped my fingers around her throat, my thumb stroking the center. “Make any more threats against me, Vega, and I’ll make sure you lose that scholarship faster than an heiress drops her panties for me.”
“You disgust me, Killian.” Her lips quivered, and fuck if that didn’t make me want to bite them. “You’re nothing like the person you used to be.”
An invisible blade slid right between my ribs, the truth in her words cutting me deep. That guy had long been dead and buried. This world of secret societies, money, and corruption made sure of it.
That Killian wouldn’t have survived it.
“Don’t pretend to be the same sweet girl I grew up with either. Or maybe that version of you was all a lie.” I pushed off her, my body going into shock at the loss of hers, and I stormed down the corridor.
What was wrong with me? Instead of messing around with Lexi, I should have been focused on finding my mystery girl before Bass did. He’d break her into a million pieces and ruin her beyond repair. I couldn’t let that happen.
Eyes burned the side of my face as Lorelei stood in a classroom doorway, her hard gaze ricocheting between me and the alcove I’d emerged from.
A string of curses ran through my mind, knowing how jealous Lorelei could be, even though we weren’t together, and outside of a few hookups, we never had been.
This could be a problem.
Then again, maybe it would only be a problem for Lexi.
CHAPTER 14
THE GIRL CODE & A PLEDGE SHIRT
Lexi
Fuck. There was no way I’d ever be able to afford this trip. I stared at the tectonic plates scattered across the world map in my textbook, then flipped my gaze up to the discount airline website. I’d tested out a dozen different combinations over the past few days, but I couldn’t find a single option below five hundred bucks, and that was just the flight. I’d still have to pay for the hotel and food while I was there.
I let out an exasperated groan.
No, Lexi. You’ll figure this out, just like you have every other obstacle in your way.
“What up, bitch?” Cordi blasted into the room with airpods hanging from her ears, humming a tune and playing an invisible air guitar. She leaned over my desk, streaks of purple and black hair invading my space. “Oooh, did you and Killian finally pick a destination?”
“No!” I snapped before softening my tone. It wasn’t my roommate’s fault I was poor as shit. “No… Because I can’t affordanyof them.”
“I can talk to my dad and–”
“No.” My head whipped back and forth. “That’s really sweet of you, but absolutely not.” I refused to take advantage of my roommate, and I would never want her parents to think I was a freeloader. She was my only girlfriend here, and the last thing I needed was to fuck up our friendship because of money.
“Why don’t you just ask Killian to float you a loan then? The Davenports have so much money they use hundred-dollar bills to wipe their asses.”
My scowl unwillingly turned into a laugh at her colorful imagery. “I’d rather flunk out of Stonewall than ask Killian Davenport for anything. Ever. I’d rather jab a knife in my eye, I’d rather jump off a five-story building, break every bone in my body and survive, I’d rather–”
Cordelia raised her hand and fully pulled her airpods out. “I got it, no need to continue, damn girl.” She flopped down onto her bed and seared me with those dark, inquisitive eyes. “What I don’t get is thisthingbetween you two. Most of the female body at the university would give their left tit to spend a weekend away with Killian.”
“You included?” I arched a brow. I’d avoided getting into it with Cordi because I hated dragging up the excruciating memories, but she was my person. Maybe I didn’t have to get into the dirty details, but I could at least admit to having known the bastard in another life.
“Are you asking me if I’d fuck him?” Her eyes sparkled with mischief, and a wave of nausea crept up my throat.Oh gawd, please don’t tell me she already has.
“Have you seen his body? He’s ripped, and those tattoos... mmm. That is one fine piece of ass.” She licked her lips andsqueezed at invisible ass cheeks. I almost cracked a smile. Almost. “And, his hands are huge, so you know what that means.”
