The worst part?
I wanted him too.
Despite the hell he put me through, my body craved his. He was so familiar, and everything about him felt so right. It was all so screwed up.
“Preston is going to be praying at the altar between your thighs tonight, bitch.”
A laugh tumbled out so hard I nearly buckled over. “Oh my gawd, Cordi!”
“What? You look hot as shit. That guy is going to be all over you.”
“I’m not really into Micah that way.” I shrugged as I glanced at my reflection and played with my hair. Up or down? I hadn’t quite decided.
“You don’t have to be in love with the guy to get off on his dick. Don’t think I haven’t noticed you’ve been celibate since your arrival.” She waggled a knowing finger my way. “Which is totally fine if that’s a lifestyle choice, but I have a feeling it’s not.”
“It’s definitely not.” And her assessment wasn’t entirely true. I’d gotten myself off in the shower after that encounter with Killian in his room. The asshole hadn’t been wrong, my shameless pussy had been wet and throbbing for him. I’d avoided being alone with him on each and every one of my visits since then.
I was sure Axel didn’t love playing cockblocker to his roommate, but I’d done my best to get the big jock on my side. I even hand-washed his disgusting jockstrap for extra points.
“Come on, girl, are you ready? Your hair looks amazing down, stop stressing over it.” She eyed my phone and the last text from Micah. He’d be knocking on the door any second now.
I ran my fingers through my wild hair and settled on leaving it down, taking Cordi’s advice. There was no time for some fancy updo now anyway.
Two sharp knocks on the door a second later had my heart kicking at my ribs. For a single traitorous moment, I wanted it to be Killian on the other side.
Damn it, Lexi, stop it!
I was going to the party withMicah. Unease settled deep in the pit of my stomach at the thought of the gala. It wasn’t just the idea of seeing Killian in a suit that had my heart somersaulting, there was just something about that frat house that gave me the creeps.
Okay, maybe it was because of what happened last time.
I’d searched the town newspaper for weeks hunting for any news of a dead girl, but nothing emerged. Dread unfurled in my gut, tying my insides into knots.Just breathe, Lexi. I’d been there all week and no one besides Killian had put two and two together, and even he didn’t know for absolute certain. No one knew I was the girl that had overheard that incriminating conversation. And in my week playing maid at Sigma Delta, I still hadn’t encountered this mysterious Bass either. Thank God. If Killian was worried, what kind of monster must he be?
And even if someone did find out, what was the worst they could do? It wasn’t like they’d kill me to keep their secret from coming out... An invisible vice tightened around my lungs, cutting off the oxygen as Killian’s words echoed across my mind.
You have no idea what you’re dealing with. This is not just a fraternity, not entirely.
No. The dickhead was just trying to scare me.
“Don’t worry, I’ll get it.” Cordelia huffed and darted around me as I stood frozen, my thoughts spiraling. She whipped the door open, and Micah stumbled in.
“Geez, Cordi, someone’s excited.” He caught himself, then pushed his glasses further up his nose before peering over the top. It was something he did frequently, but that I’d come to find endearing. “Wow, pre-med, you sure clean up well.” He let out a low whistle as he regarded me, and my cheeks flamed.
“Thanks, I was about to say the same to you.” The sleek black suit he wore looked custom made, complete with satin piping and fancy silver cufflinks.
He inched closer and revealed a clear plastic container from behind his back. He held out the white rose with a sheepish grin.
“Aww, a corsage? You shouldn’t have.”
“Oh shit, you two are nauseatingly sweet.” Cordelia grabbed the box and yanked the flower out. Before I could say a word, she slid it over my wrist. “Just perfect.”
Micah fidgeted with a matching rose on the lapel of his jacket. I moved closer, adjusting the pin, then took a sniff,his gaze dipping to my scandalously low neckline. More heat blossomed across my cheeks, and I took a big step backward.
“I half expected you to show up in your pledge shirt,” I blurted to diffuse the awkward moment.
He sauntered closer and undid the second button on his crisp white shirt, revealing a hint of gray. “I am.”
I laughed and Cordi patted him on the back with a chuckle. “I’ll never understand you, Preston. Why go through all that shit?”
