A laugh slips when I realize how ridiculous that sounds. “I’m sorry but ‘known virgin’? What does that even mean? How could anyone possibly know something like that for certain about a person?”
Lexi chuckles while explaining. “I mean she’s, literally, taken a vow to save herself for marriage. Granted, I think it’s something her parents put her up to, but she wears this symbolic ring and everything. Takes it pretty seriously from what I hear.”
The dynamics of their group are interesting enough, but I still see them all as a bunch of arrogant tools who’d plaster an entire hallway with one, unsuspecting girl’s dark secret.
“But enough about Cypress Prep’s royal court,” Lexi says with a sigh. “How are you liking your classes so far?”
My shoulders lift with a shrug and I sink my teeth into the apple again. “Fine, I guess. Same shit, different side of town.”
Although, my day had gotten off to a particularly ugly start.
“I actually got some pretty good teachers this year,” she comments. “At least, most of them seem chill.”
I nod, thinking to myself that I’d settle just for not having any classes with the triplets. So far, I’d gotten lucky, but there were still three class periods for all that to change.
“What’s your elective?” she asks.
“Mm … I got placed in Gym this semester, but not by choice. Pretty sure they gave me whatever scraps were left.”
I assume that’s how it goes for ‘scholarship kids’ like me.
“What hour?”
It takes a sec to remember, since I don’t yet know my schedule by heart. “Sixth, I think.”
“Sweet. Looks like we’ll be suffering through that one together,” she replies.
“Cool! Should make things more bearable.”
She nods casually before checking her phone. “Shoot. I gotta run and catch my weed guy. He bails from his post about five minutes before the bell rings.” I watch as she quickly gets to her feet. “In the meantime … don’t let this place steal your soul,” she warns. “Happens easier than you think.”
After that, she walks off, disappearing inside the building in search of her ‘weed guy’ or whatever. It’s just me again, although I feel someone watching. Even before I search for his heartbreaker-greens across the courtyard, I know it’s freakin’ West. Unable to fight it, I let my eyes wander until locking with his.
Only, he’s closer than expected, because he’s coming right this way. Like the stalker he is.
Suddenly feeling a loss of appetite and wanting to avoid whatever his evil ass has in mind, I toss what’s left of my food into the trash bin. My hope when I hightail it toward the door right after is that I’ll make it inside before he reaches me. However, just as I snatch the door open, it’s slammed shut and a large hand catches me across my torso.
Hot, lengthy fingers splay across my bare skin when his palm lands just beneath the hem of my cropped t-shirt. I’m spun quickly to face him, then those inked arms cage me between his impressively massive body and the glass. Having flashbacks of being cornered just like this a few days ago, one fist tightens at my side while I’m contemplating smacking him with the tray I have in the other.
“I see you’ve made a friend,” he teases, grinning like the villain he is. “Makes sense the two of you would link up.”
I fight the urge to ask what that means, knowing he won’t explain.
“What do you want, West?”
With my question, the small space that exists between us suddenly disappears.
“Just making sure you enjoyed that little surprise I arranged for you this morning,” he growls against my ear, moving strands of my hair with his breath. “I sure did.”
I’m, legit, quivering as my eyes dart around, wondering why none of the monitors have stepped in. But I suppose, from a distance, it might be difficult to tell what’s going on exactly. West isn’t using much force, and with the sick smile he’s wearing, this could look like something else. Like something startlingly less awful than the truth.
I’m sure Pandora will have a field day, likely labeling it foreplay.
“Get away from me!” My voice isn’t loud, but it’s forceful, leaving no room for him to misunderstand the seriousness of it.
“Get away from you?” he asks incredulously, leaning away as he pops a brow. “But I’m just getting started.”
There’s a promise embedded in those words and they fill my very soul with dread. Because, beyond the shadow of a doubt, I know he means them.
“You’d be wise to watch your back,” he warns in a low, gravelly whisper. “I’ve sicced the dogs on you now, so I’m not the only one you need to look out for. I’ve only brought the girls up to speed for now, but they definitely won’t be playing nice.”
The sense of dread deepens with what I imagine that means, and I’m sure he notices. The stare-down between us intensifies and I want to knee him in his balls. Especially when that dark gaze of his unhurriedly slides from my lips, down my neck where I feel my pulse throbbing, to my breasts.
His expression shifts then, but his eyes stay glued to me. Within his gaze, there’s a strange mix of raw lust and hatred and, apparently, it’s contagious.
Because now, I feel it, too.
His heartbreaker-greens flash up to me again and the evidence of his need quickly burns away, like it never existed. It leaves behind only the fury I’m used to seeing there. Maybe even more than usual, and I’m not sure I realized that was possible.
“You should’ve stayed in the gutter you crawled out of,” he growls, “but since you’re here, guess that just means I get to enjoy destroying you,” he promises.
I’m sick of his arrogant ass, his bullshit threats, all of it. So much so, I’m nearly frothing at the mouth with rage, like a rabid dog waiting to attack.
Feeling a bit bolder than usual, I crane my mouth toward his ear this time, making sure he hears me
