“We ready to head to the party? It’s almost ten,” Casey says, raising his arms over his head to stretch. “And it’s gonna take a minute to get there.”
Aiden checks his phone. “Yeah. Let’s go.”
I toss my trash into the can by our table. “It’s gonna take a minute as in one minute or…”
“It’s on the other side of campus.” Casey hides his smile when I groan.
Nick drops down, crouching in front of me. “Hop on, princess.”
I grin. “That’s what I’m talking about. We should have done this earlier.” I wrap my arms around his neck and my legs around his waist as he hoists me up easily on his back.
“We don’t have to stay long,” Aiden says as we move down the brick pathway. “I know you’re not big on parties. I wanted you to get the full experience. You can even sit in on a class or two next week.”
“Yeah? That’d be cool,” I say, eye level with Aiden now that I’m on Nick’s back.
“How was the girls’ thing with Mom?”
“It… it was...” Caught off guard by his question because I had blocked everything out, I stumble over my words. Before guilt can have me spilling what happened, I say, “We painted peacocks.” I study his expression for a moment. “Why do you look surprised?”
“It’s just… Mom’s an artist, but she doesn’t paint much anymore.” He looks forward and mumbles, “Maybe she’s getting better.”
Fat chance of that.
Eventually, the large brick buildings fade out, and houses line the street we walk down. In front of one house, the lawn is nothing but sand with a volleyball net extending the length of the yard.
The symbols hanging on the front of each house tells me where we are. I’ve heard of fraternity houses, but for some reason, I didn’t think they were actual houses. Masses of people are out in front of each house and along the sidewalk.
“It’s the weekend! Someone get me a beer!” a shirtless guy yells as he does a backflip off the porch of the house we’re standing in front of.
He scoops up a girl beside him, kisses her, and then throws her over his shoulder as he darts up the steps and disappears into the house. People cheer and raise their drinks in the air.
“This looks like a blast,” I say dryly.
“It was Casey’s idea,” Aiden says, running a hand through his hair. “I was ready to go back to our place.”
“You gave her the boring-ass tour,” Casey says, plucking me from Nick’s back to drop me to my feet. “I get to show Hayley the fun side of college.” Casey’s eyes follow a group of girls, and he grins. “I’m gonna find the beer.”
I watch as he steps into their bubble, turning on his charismatic charm. “Looks like our tour guide ditched us,” I say. “I bet he won’t miss us if we bail.”
“Nick! Yo, Nick!”
A guy with warm skin and hazel eyes lifts his beer in the air as he approaches us from the side. “Dude, I heard you were taking a semester off.”
“I am,” Nick says. “Here with friends.”
The guy holds his hand out to Aiden. “‘Sup, I’m Marcus.”
Aiden shakes his hands. “Aiden.”
“Yeah, man. I know who you are, and I think I might have seen you around once or twice last year with Nick.” Marcus focuses on me and grins. “I think I’d remember you. Freshman?”
“Oh my god,” a blonde says, bouncing over in a bikini top and cut-off shorts. “Are you Aiden Westling?”
“No,” Aiden quips, not bothering to look at her.
She frowns. “Oh. I thought you looked like him and then you said your name was Aiden.” She shrugs. “Have fun. Bye.”
“Is this going to be a problem?” I ask, nervously eyeing the mass of people.
“Nah, not here,” Marcus says, answering the question I was directing at Aiden. “It’s either ditzy females, stoned jocks, or stressed students who are trying to take the edge off by getting fucked up.” He gestures to the right where two wide-eyed girls are whispering to each other as they stare our way. “You get the occasional gawker, but they’re almost always too nervous to approach.” Marcus winks at me. “Who wants a beer?”
“I’ll take one.” Aiden nudges me with his elbow. “You?”
I nod, and we follow Marcus inside to a decent sized kitchen. Over by a small dining room table, he lifts the top of a built-in bench seat, revealing ice and beer. Marcus hands us each a can. I take a few gulps as Marcus watches with an amused smirk. It’s kind of creepy.
Marcus’s gaze slides to Nick. “Might want to do something with that. I can’t take my eyes off her and you know how I am.” He grins, eyes on me again, but his words are for Nick. “Unless the same rules apply to her?”
I narrow my eyes, confused as fuck, and Nick says, “She’s off-limits.”
Marcus chuckles low. “That’s what I thought.”
Casey pushes into our little circle and flicks the side of my beer can with his fingers. “Drink up, princess. The night’s still young.” He frowns at Aiden. “Dude, no phones, only fun.”
“In a second,” Aiden says, busy texting.
“I think we’ve spent enough time—”
“Chill out, man. Drink your beer,” Casey says, cutting Nick off.
“Chill like you did the night of the club?” Nick says, clenching his jaw.
“Get the fuck off me about that. And you’re acting like you don’t like to drink. We all know you do.” Casey scoffs. “Or did. You’re starting to act like you’re better than me. Like I’m not good enough to be around my best friend’s sister,” Casey says, slamming his beer down on the kitchen island.
“It’s not about the drinks. It’s about the company,” Nick says, stepping up to Casey. “You think it’s safe for Hayley to be here, to be in a crowd like this?”
Marcus steps between them, raising his arms. “Not here, guys.”
“Whoa,” Aiden says, finally seeing his friends are two seconds from throwing down. “What the fuck?”
“Casey’s acting like an idiot,” Nick growls. “As per fucking usual.”
“They both are,” I say. “Guys, chill.” I take a swig of beer and head for the kitchen archway. “You wanted me to have a college experience, right?” I say before walking out, hoping they’ll follow.
As I’m squeezing through people in the hall, Marcus pops out from a doorway and gestures me toward an open door that leads to the backyard.
A small group of guys are standing around a grill on a porch that spans the length of the house. They lift their chins in greeting to Marcus as we pass by and stride down the worn wooden steps. At the end of the yard, near the privacy fence, several people sit on plastic chairs and wooden benches that circle a roaring fire.
This is more my scene.
Calm and quiet.
“House members and their dates only back here tonight, but Nick and his crew get a pass because…” Marcus chuckles. “Well, because he’s Nick Cabot.”
I follow Marcus’s gaze over my shoulder and see Nick talking to a petite redhead by the back door. Her hair is stick straight and shoulder-length. Casey and Aiden are walking toward me, Aiden’s eyes on mine, and Casey’s everywhere else.
My gaze wanders back to Nick. The redhead smiles up at him and licks her lips. My nostrils flare as she leans into him and runs her hand over his arm. I tear my eyes away, mad that I’m getting mad.
Marcus chuckles. “Got a crush on your brother’s best friend? I think there’s a rule that makes you off-limits to Nick.” He shrugs. “But even so, Nick doesn’t do serious.”
“And you assume I do?” I keep my eyes on Marcus as I take a sip from my beer.
Marcus grins, his eyes running up and down my body.
“Got any more beer back here?” Aiden asks Marcus, and then his concerned gaze meets mine. I give him a small smile, letting him know I’m fine.
“Yeah, over there.” Marcus points to a red cooler in the grass tucked against the porch. “Have as much as you want.”
“Cool, thanks.” Aiden nudges me. “Need another?”
My beer’s still pretty full, but I quickly drain it and nod. Aiden takes my empty and heads toward the cooler.
I feel him before I see him. Nick’s energy tangles with mine as he steps beside me and slips his arm over my shoulders.
“Thanks for keeping my girl company.”
Marcus’s eyes narrow, but he chuckles. “Your girl?”
Nick stiffens as the redhead takes the spot next to Marcus. I watch her take me in all nosey-like.
“Got a problem?” I ask and she frowns.
“No. Sorry.” She holds out her hand. “I’m Jenny.”
“Hayley,” I say, taking the beer Aiden hands me.
Nick clears his throat. “Jenny and I had a class together last year.”
She smiles up at Nick, but it fades when her eyes land back on me. She bites her lip, her fingers pulling at the label on her Smirnoff. Her eyes slide back to Nick and lines bunch together between her eyes.
I roll my eyes and push past Marcus to join Casey by the fire. I take the blunt that’s offered and then pass it to Aiden as he drops down next to me. Nick steps in front of me a few minutes later, blocking the fire from my view.
I don’t look up at him, so he crouches down, his elbows resting on his knees. “You okay?” he asks, now at eye level with me.
“Fine,” I mumble.
“Come talk to me,” Nick says.
“I’m good.” I take the blunt as it makes its way back and then let the smoke slowly slip from my lips. I offer it to Nick, but he shakes his head, so it goes to Aiden again.
Nick licks his lips. “You’re jealous.”
I narrow my eyes in confusion. Am I? No, that’s not it. “I’m your girl in front of Marcus, but I’m nothing in front of Jenny?” I bite my tongue. I sound like a crazy girlfriend now.
Nick’s eyes narrow. “I—”
I hold up my hand. “You don’t need to explain.” I lean forward so only he can hear when I say, “I’m not yours.” I pull back and pat his head, then get to my feet. Intending to grab another beer, I head toward the porch, and surprise, Jenny catches up to me.
Just fucking great.
“Hey,” she says.
I stop before making it to the cooler. “What?” My tone comes out harsh, and I don’t think I’m even mad at her. I’m mad at myself for getting aggravated over something so stupid.
“Are you hooking up with Nick?” She chews on her nail.
Is she for real right now? “Why aren’t you asking him about this?”
“I wanted to but chickened out. He isn’t really open with information. If we’re both going to be… hanging out with him. I thought we should get to know each other. It would make things easier.”
I eye her. “Are you like a polygamist?” She looks innocent as fuck. My nose scrunches. Is Nick a polygamist?
She giggles. “No, I just…” She leans forward and lowers her voice. “It’s college, and he’s Nick Cabot. I’ll make an exception. We were casual. I knew some of the girls he was...” She widens her eyes and lowers her chin like she wants me to silently fill in the blank.
“Fucking,” I say, trying hard not to roll my eyes. “You knew some of the girls he was fucking.” I cannot see Nick with this girl. Not that I really know him. Maybe he likes submissive, soft-spoken, passive women. If I were a guy, that would be a huge turn-off for me.
I see Nick stalking toward us, so I back up and then spin around. I lift the cooler lid, but before I can grab a beer, Nick’s scooping me up by the waist so we are face-to-face.
“You mad about Jenny?” he asks, glancing over his shoulder briefly. “There’s nothing going on. I was talking to her for a second because she stopped me.”
My blood is pounding in my ears. “I don’t share. If you’re fucking me, you’re not fucking anyone else, got it? And that’s all we are doing. There’s nothing more.”
“Oh, there’s more, you just haven’t admitted that yet, princess.” He waves Jenny over while I glare. “Can you pass along a message to anyone who might be interested?”
She nods slowly, eyeing both of us. “Sure.”
“This is my girl, and the only one I’m talking to, touching, or fucking.”
I can’t help the smirk that creeps over my face when disappointment laces hers.
“Hey, man,” Marcus says, stepping up with a few jock-type guys and a bottle of whiskey. “You guys down for some shots?”
Jenny shakes her head and walks off, but I nod, and take the shot glass I’m offered by the guy next to Marcus. Here’s to the full college experience.
Chapter 11
Our bodies move together fluidly. I’ve never had sex in this position, but I like it. Nick’s sitting up in bed and I’m on his lap, facing him as his thick length slides in and out. His hand snakes between us, his finger circling my clit. Keeping one hand gripping my ass, he leans back, the angle different but oh so fucking good.
We woke up with the sun, both needy for each other. I don’t remember much about the party or what time we crashed, but I know I should be feeling worse than I do. Maybe the hangover will hit me later.
We were slow and lazy with our fucking, kissing, and touching at first, but now that we’re both more awake, we start to move faster. I drop my head back. His tongue teases my nipples and then I’m flipped over onto my stomach, and he’s back inside, thrusting with a hand wrapped around my hair. He smacks one ass cheek and then the other. He does it again, harder this time, while still slamming into me.
I know I should be quiet because my brother is in the same house, but I can’t help but cry out as an intense orgasm hits me. Once I finish pulsing around Nick, he empties himself on my ass. He rubs the head of his dick into his release, coating my ass with his cum.
He falls to the side and pulls me against his chest, not caring that we’re ruining the silk sheets.
“I bet Jenny couldn’t handle that,” I mumble.
“I never fucked Jenny, pretty girl.”
I scoff. “Yeah, right.”
“She sucked me off a couple times, but it never went further than that. I never touched her.”
I yawn, my eyes closing. “It’s in the past anyway. Don’t sweat it.”
“That’s right, baby,” Nick whispers. “You’re my future.” He pulls me tighter against him. “Mine.”
I like the sound of that way more than I should.
We fall back asleep, but I’m up an hour later with the need to pee. My head pounds at the bright light that fills the room.
And the hangover has arrived.
If I stay here again, that big-ass window is going to need a curtain.
I do my business in the bathroom across the hall and then use my finger to run toothpaste over my teeth.
Knowing I won’t be able to fall back to sleep, I let myself roam. Some serious cash went into the conversion of this two-story townhome. Everything is new and a perfect setup for a bachelor pad. This side of the townhome has three bedrooms, one on the first floor and two upstairs. There are two bathrooms, a bare living room, and a kitchen.
A wide archway in the living room leads to the other side of the building where leather couches, flat-screen TVs, a pool table, and bar are. Everything is open and the windows bare, letting in natural light. I think Aiden said there were three bedrooms on this side too.
Having a place like this and going to a fancy college would be badass. Hell, even living in a dorm would be cool. My college aspiration was taking classes at the local community college. I never thought about living at college. I kinda want that now that I’ve had a taste.
I navigate the kitchen, brewing coffee and making toast. I grab a bottled water from the fully stocked fridge and set it on the counter just as the coffee pot finishes. While pouring a cup of coffee, wearing Nick’s shirt, and hungover as fuck, I decide that I’m giving in. I’m tired of fighting, drudging through quicksand when salvation hangs above my head, begging
me to latch on.
I’m ready to let fucking loose and live life like a normal eighteen-year-old.
I grin into my cup as weight leaves my shoulders. I’ll embrace this new life, either convince my dad to move, or I’ll visit as often as I can. California might be good for him. Tennessee is full of reminders. And I’ll let things progress naturally, or as naturally as possible with Nick. He wants more, and maybe I do too.
“You look happy,” Casey says, shuffling into the kitchen in only his boxers and black ankle socks.
Hello muscles.
I watch Casey pour milk into a bowl before adding the cereal. Weirdo. “Why are you up so early?” I ask.
“Orientation,” Aiden answers for him, running a hand through his hair as he walks in. “I drank too much last night.” He glances at the time on the stove. “Fuck, Casey, hurry up and eat that. We have to leave in twenty.” Aiden looks at me. “So, you and Nick?”
“What about me and Nick?” I ask, taking a small bite of my toast.
“You two made it pretty clear that you were a thing last night at the party,” Aiden says with a blank face.
I don’t remember doing anything that would make him think that, but then again, I don’t remember much at all. “I don’t know what we are,” I say honestly. “I guess we’ll see where it goes. Does that wig you out?”
“Nah, Nick’s my boy. If you’re gonna be with someone, he’s a good choice. I wouldn’t trust many others.” Aiden yawns. “There’re donuts in the bottom cabinet. Might wanna grab ‘em before Casey does.” He winks and moves down the hall.
“Wake the girl up in my room when you wake yours!” Casey hollers after him.
“I’m not going upstairs,” Aiden hollers back.
I pause with the cup at my mouth. “I don’t remember him bringing anyone back.”
Casey smirks. “You were wasted. I guess you don’t remember singing karaoke with her or calling her your sister-in-law?”
I wrinkle my nose. “I’ve never in my life sang karaoke. You’re full of shit.”
Amorevolous: (Savage Princess book 2) Page 8