Coming to a stop in front of the group of them, I turn to Ethan. “So, these must be your dumb jock friends. Jesus, you’re so cliché it actually hurts to fucking look at you.”
His eyes are murderous when they turn on me, the blue darkening before me as I stand with my hand on my jutted out hip. His lips press into a thin line as a vein in his neck starts pulsing.
Did he really think I was going to cower away from him after last night and this morning? Just proves how little he knows me.
“And you are?” the dark-haired guy asks, looking from Ethan to me with an almost equally furious expression on his face as he stands.
I laugh at his attempt to intimidate me by standing tall. Does he not think I’m used to that kind of shit by now? Why do I get the impression that he’s probably the captain and leader of their little group?
Ethan shifts his chosen one to the side before bringing his hate-filled stare back to me. “This…” He points at me like I’m a fucking zoo animal. “This is Raelynn, my darling never-to-be fucking stepsister.”
“Your what?” the blond guy gawks.
“Don’t get too used to her being around. She’s not staying. Not if I have anything to do with it,” Ethan spits, his eyes holding mine to make sure I hear the warning.
“Do your worst, hot shot. I’m not as fragile as you’d like to believe.”
“Oh, I don’t know,” he muses. “You crumbled beneath my hands pretty quickly last night.”
I fume, fighting the heat that threatens to bloom on my cheeks.
“What?” I question, trying to sound as innocent as possible. “When you forced yourself on me?” There’s a collective gasp from his friends, and the girl, now at his side, tenses.
“Oh fuck off. You were begging for a piece of this.” He lifts his shirt, exposing his abs, and I scoff.
“Oh please, your dad’s are better.”
I’m not sure I’ve ever seen anyone go a brighter shade of purple before. It’s almost amusing if it weren’t for the murderous look in his eyes.
He stands, pushing the girl away. Thankfully, or maybe not, thinking about it, the guy on the other side of her manages to break her fall as she heads for the floor.
“You fucking what?” He takes a step toward me. Every single muscle in his body tenses as he stares me down, hoping to get a reaction out of me. Sadly for him, I’ve had enough liquid courage now not to be affected by him in any way.
“Once a cheat, always a cheat,” I taunt. “How many others do you think there have been?” Eric has never so much as looked at me the wrong way, unlike some of Mom’s more questionable boyfriends, but Ethan doesn’t need to know this. Nor that I’m pretty confident that my mom’s been his only indiscretion.
“Shut. Up,” he spits, getting right in my face, but I refuse to back down.
“He’s probably been getting his dick wet on the side for years.”
A menacing growl rumbles up his throat. He bares his teeth, closing the last bit of space between us, his nose almost brushing against mine.
“Your mom was probably—”
“Shut. The. Fuck. Up.” He steps forward again, bumping into me and grabbing my arm to keep me pressed tightly against him.
“Ethan,” someone calls from behind him, but his towering frame and wide shoulders are too big for me to see around. “Leave it, yeah?”
But he doesn’t take the hint.
“Bro, she’s not worth it.” The guy I’m assuming to be their captain appears at his side, his hand landing on Ethan’s shoulder.
“You’ve got that fucking right. You’re not worth shit, trailer trash.”
“Enough, Savage,” he barks, successfully managing to pull him back from me, albeit slightly.
A smile curls at my lips. “That’s it, Savage. Be a good little boy and do as you’re told. Fucking pussy.”
He lunges for me, but his friend is quicker and manages to hold him back. But when his eyes turn on me, they’re almost as angry as Ethan’s.
“Take a hint. Fuck off.” He tips his chin to the door, as if he’s got the fucking power to dismiss me.
“Who the fuck are you?” At no point am I going to cower down to these assholes like they want me to. Instead, I take a step closer, alternating my stare between the two of them.
“Me?” the guy asks incredulously.
“Yeah you, dickhead. Who. Are. You?” I ask slowly, as if he’s an idiot who can’t understand the English fucking language.
“I’m Jake. Jake Thorn.”
“Well, Jake. Jake Thorn,” I mimic, ensuring amusement dances in my eyes. “Keep your man here on a fucking leash. And maybe teach him a lesson in respecting women.” I glance around him to his girlfriend, who’s standing watching our interaction like she might need to jump in at any minute. “You seem to have a loyal girl over there. You could probably teach this asshole a thing or two.”
Ethan spits out a laugh, but I don’t hang around long enough to find out why. I do however hear Jake’s voice as I head for the doorway.
“Oh man, you’ve got your fucking work cut out for you with that one.” He chuckles, and when I glance back, I see him slap Ethan on the back and head over to his girl, who walks straight into his arms like she belongs there.
After pushing through groups of kids loitering in the hallway, I manage to get to the kitchen to find more to drink. The second I come to a stop by the bottles, silence settles around me. An unsettled feeling fills my stomach, knowing that when I turn around all eyes are going to be on me.
I pour myself another vodka, stares burning into my back as I do. Sucking it down, I try to drag up the energy to deal with more assholes, and I turn around.
As I expected, every set of eyes in the room are trained on me. But it’s the group right in front of me who seem most fascinated.
“I think you might have stumbled into the wrong party, princess,” a deep, rumbling voice says.
I smile, because he couldn’t be more correct. “Yeah, I can see why you might think that. Sadly, this is where I’m apparently supposed to be.”
“I’m sorry,” a sweet voice sings, “but Ethan never would have invited you here.”
I shrug, not wanting to tell my life story to these judgmental assholes. “Anyone got any weed?”
The girl snorts as if it’s the craziest question she’s ever been asked.
They all stand there, no one offering anything, before I decide better of it and turn to leave.
I’m almost out of their sight when someone calls out to wait.
“Zayn, what the fuck are you doing?” the sweet voice snaps, but he doesn’t reply. Instead he steps up beside me.
“I think I’ve got exactly what you need.” I breathe a sigh of relief and follow him outside.
The second he walks toward the sun loungers that sit around the pool, two other kids immediately jump to their feet and run off.
“Whoa, I need to learn that trick,” I say with a laugh.
He doesn’t comment, just falls back, pulls a joint from his pocket and lights it up. He takes a long drag. I focus on his pursed lips as he does so before running them over the rest of him. He’s smaller than Ethan, although not by much, his hair is cut close to his head, and his skin is almost olive from the amount of sun he’s clearly had this summer.
There’s no denying that he’s hot. The problem is that, just like Ethan, he damn well knows it and probably uses it to his advantage.
He holds it out for me before allowing the smoke to plume from his lips. I think it’s meant to be seductive, but he’s going to need to work harder to get me interested.
“Thanks,” I mutter, making quick work of lifting it to my lips.
I sigh in relief when I inhale and my muscles immediately start melting into the lounger cushion beneath me.
This is what I fucking needed.
I rest my head back and allow my eyes to close as I absorb the feeling, wishing it was enough to make me forget where I am right now.
&n
bsp; “So,” a deep voice says beside me. “Who are you? I don’t recognize you from Rosewood.”
“That would be because I don’t start there until Monday,” I say, keeping my eyes closed despite the fact that I can feel his burning into the side of my face.
“Oh, so we’ll be seeing more of each other then?” His voice sounds a little too enthusiastic for my liking.
“Have you moved far?”
“Washington.”
“Where are you living?”
I open my mouth to respond, but I don’t get a chance to say anything, which is good because I’ve no idea if I’m willing to admit the truth.
“What the fuck are you doing?” The joint that was happily pinched between my finger and thumb is ripped from me. My eyes fly open in time to watch it bounce along the tiles beside the pool before a large shoe lands on it and twists. My teeth grind. Such a fucking waste, I still had plenty left in that. Asshole.
Ethan grabs my wrist and pulls me from the lounger.
“Savage, what the fuck, man?” Zayn barks from behind me, his own lounger squeaks as he gets up covering Ethan’s harsh breathing.
“Mind your own fucking business,” Ethan barks, but at no point does he look up at the guy behind me.
“I would, but not while you’re manhandling the girl I was getting to know.”
“She,” he barks, his lip curling in disgust, “is no girl. And you won’t be getting to know her because she’s not staying. She’s not welcome at this party. Trailer trash wasn’t invited.”
My entire body vibrates with anger as I attempt to put everything I hate about him into my hard stare. I have no interest in making a scene for the entire senior year of my new school to watch before I’ve even started.
“Ethan, seri—”
“Enough,” he shouts. “She’s leaving. Aren’t you, trash?” Something crackles between us as both of us refuse to back down.
The longer we stand there, the more my temperature increases and the more my heart begins to race. I want to tell him to go fuck himself and spend the rest of the night at his pathetic party, but really, I want to be here about as much as he wants me here.
“I hope that skank gives you crabs.” I step toward him, my shoulder slamming into his arm as he refuses to move out of my way. Pain warms the joint, but I refuse to show that he’s had any effect on me.
I don’t look back as I swing by the kitchen for a bottle of something to keep me company and then I head up to my room. As I pass each door, I find some of them being utilized, so I don’t know why I’m surprised when I get to mine and find a couple writhing about on my bed. At least they’re clothed.
“Get the fuck out,” I scream like a banshee. Both of them turn, wide-eyed, to me before scrambling off and disappearing out of sight.
“Fucking hell,” I mutter, closing the door behind them and looking around the room, wondering what I can utilize to keep my door securely shut for the rest of the night. The last thing I need are more horny couples turning up for a quick fuck.
Not seeing anything other than furniture, I put the bottle in my hand on the nightstand and start the arduous task of pulling the dresser so it’s in front of the door once again.
My arms burn as I attempt to move the solid wooden piece, but eventually I get it over enough to stop anyone trying to join me.
Happy that I’m safe, I undress, pull on a tank and sleep shorts and get into bed with my bottle and the sound of the party downstairs for company.
Over the years, I’ve been alone, a lot. But right now, with people enjoying themselves like they’ve got no care in the world right beneath my feet, I think it’s the loneliest I’ve ever felt. Mom’s always been by my side, but now she’s got Eric, even she’s fucked off for better things.
I hate that a lump crawls up my throat, but eventually with the alcohol only heightening my emotions, I allow myself to succumb to the emptiness inside me. Maybe things will get better come Monday, I try telling myself, but I know it’s unlikely. I don’t need to be told that I don’t fit in here. I already feel it. Worse than anywhere I’ve been before.
12
Ethan
“What the hell was that?” Zayn asks, rightfully intrigued by what he just witnessed.
“Nothing,” I bark, hoping he’ll drop it, which of course he doesn’t.
“Oh yeah, that totally looked like nothing. I wasn’t sure if you wanted to kill her or fuck her right there before my eyes.”
“Kill. Definitely kill. I wouldn’t fucking touch her with yours.” I look over his shoulder as I say this, not wanting him to see the lie I’ve just told. Even as the words fall from my lips I can see her up against the wall last night with her tits on full display and my hand disappearing into her shorts.
“Whatever,” he mutters, clearly not believing me.
“You’re kidding, right? You just saw her. She’s not exactly my type.”
“She’s got a pussy. I thought that was your type.”
“Fuck off,” I bark, walking away from him in search of more alcohol, not wanting to accept that what he’s just said is totally true. I have not been all that selective about who I spend time with. It just so happens that I’ve not come across anyone quite like her before. I think that’s most definitely a good thing because despite the fact that she just did as she was told and fucked off out of my sight, she still won’t leave my head.
Images of our short time together fill my mind along with her banging little body she exposed to me this morning as she stood there trying to look confident.
Finding a bottle of whiskey the second I walk into the kitchen, I tip the neck to my lips and swallow as much as I can until it burns too much.
The redhead who’s been following me around all night appears in the doorway and saunters over. I let my eyes run over her curves, and although I appreciate her body, my cock doesn’t stir like it usually would with a body like that stalking toward me with intent written all over it. Her hips swing, her tits bounce, and her eyes are begging me to fuck her.
“Hey, baby. Where’d you disappear off to? I missed you.” Her voice is sweet and soft, and she gazes up at me like I’ve just hung the fucking moon but still, nothing happens. The only thing I desire for some fucked-up moment is for dark, angry eyes to be staring into mine, not these willing ones. It would be so easy to get this girl up to my room right now and take what I need. But that’s just the problem. It would be too easy. Suddenly, the challenge that she’s set is the only thing I can think about. The only thing that’s getting my cock hard and my temperature increasing is the thought of breaking her down and proving to her that I can take whatever it is that I want.
Red’s hand slips under my shirt, her long nails lightly scratching down my abs as her eyes alight with desire.
“Hmm…” she moans. “I can’t wait to see these with my own eyes.”
She turns her body into me, acting as a shield so her hand can drop to my crotch. She rubs my cock through the fabric of my jeans, and much to her delight, it reacts. Although it’s partly due to the images in my mind about a girl who keeps defying me at every turn.
“Let’s go upstairs,” she practically growls in my ear. “I want to taste you, make you groan my name as you come in my mouth.”
Fuck. Me. This one’s not beating around the bush.
Part of me wants to deny her, to send her on her way with a big fat rejection. But in the end, my need for release wins out, and when she slips her small hand into mine, all it takes is a light tug from her and I follow her toward the stairs. I point her in the direction of my room and she eagerly makes her way down the hallway.
My footsteps falter when we pass her room. Part of me wants to burst in and insist she watches just so I can see her eyes darken with desire like they did last night, but something stops me. I have every intention of her being the one on the end of my cock when she’s in the room while I’ve got it out, not some slut who’s willing to give me what I need.
I push my
door open and slam it shut behind us, just to be a dick. The second it’s shut, I make quick work of undoing my waistband and pushing the fabric to my hips.
“What are you waiting for?” I don’t mean to be such an asshole, but it seems I can’t help it these days. He keeps appearing more and more.
Red looks from my eyes and down at my semi, which if I’m honest, is waning fast. If she doesn’t hurry the fuck up and wrap her lips around it, then she’s going to find herself on the other side of the door on her ass.
“But I—”
“But what? You said—”
“I know what I said,” she barks, spinning away from me and taking a few steps. “I just thought—”
“Thought what? That I’d light a few candles and make love to you?” She stills at my words and I know I hit the nail on the head. “Un-fucking-likely, sweetheart. You offered to suck me dry. I only followed for that. I’ve no interest in anything else from you. So either kindly get on your knees or fuck off.”
After tucking myself away, I move away from the door to allow her an escape. It only takes her twenty seconds to take it.
She leaves much quieter than we entered, and I can’t help but smile thinking that she’ll assume I’ve got some hussy in here doing fuck knows what.
Falling back on my bed, I twist the cap off the whiskey that’s still in my hand and take another huge mouthful as my thoughts run away from me.
I have no idea how long I lie there drinking by myself as the party rages beneath me. I know we’re supposed to be celebrating, but suddenly, being surrounded by people and pretending that everything is okay is the last thing I want to be doing.
I do have an idea for what might make this night worthwhile though.
Pushing myself from the bed, I pull my door open and take the few steps so I’m standing in front of hers. I remember the words she said to me in front of Jake and Mason earlier, and my need to teach her a lesson for trying to embarrass me starts to burn through my veins.
SAVAGE: A Dark High School Bully Romance (Rosewood High Book 3) Page 9