“I saw you, Harper Davidson, but I knew you didn’t want me to, so I fucking ignored you like you wanted. I can’t ignore you anymore though.” I catch her lips with mine. I’m gentle even though I want to conquer her, prove to her once and for all I’m in this thing. I’m into her.
Her bruised lip has to hurt, so I barely press my lips against hers. Soft and coaxing.
After a second, she kisses me back just as softly. Her hands come up to capture my wrists, holding onto me like I’m a fucking lifeline.
I can be that for her. Iwantto be that for her. The one she reaches for when she needs someone to center her. I lift my mouth from hers and press my forehead against hers to breathe in her sweet vanilla scent.
“Forgive me for wanting you so bad after ignoring you for so long. I’ve wanted you before. I just forgot.” Rubbing my nose against hers, I draw her into my chest for a hug. “I need you to be okay, because I want all of you.”
Her hands settle on my back. She inhales and lets out a shuddering exhale. She sags against me like she did after she came in the closet. This time, I hold her just as tight. No matter what, I’m not letting go.
Harper
Caden takes my hand and leads me into the cafeteria and to the horsemen’s table. I can’t believe it.
He saw me.
He remembers me.
Fuck, that shouldn’t make my heart leap into my throat.
Taking his seat next to Luke, Caden pulls me down on his lap. He’s being really gentle with me, and I appreciate his care. I need a moment after the closet. Overwhelmed doesn’t come close to describing it.
I won’t lie to myself about what happened. It was hot, and I liked it more than I thought I would. I might not object to a repeat performance, but not at school.
I have to remind myself that their desire is usually fleeting. But they were angry about me trying to push them onto other girls.
I hand the sandwich I made for Caden to him. He smiles at me when our eyes meet. My cheeks grow warm and I drop my gaze to my sandwich.
The others don’t pay attention to me as they talk about tonight’s game. As I eat, I surreptitiously look at each of them.They aren’t acting any differently toward me. Honestly it seems like, if anything, they’re ignoring me.
Except for Caden.
A little flutter of anxiety works its way into my heart. I don’t need constant attention, but after last night and this morning, you’d think they’d be a little more attentive. A little more affectionate.
Fuck, listen to me go on about wanting more attention. This is good. Let them ignore me and not put on a show for their willing subjects.
The cafeteria is busy as always. I’ve eaten about half my sandwich when I notice movement toward our table.
Sidney Brown, Emma Garcia, Hannah Wilson, and Ashley Kim approach our table as if they own the school and the horsemen. Their matching cheerleading uniforms show off their athletic bodies. As the most popular senior girls, they definitely own the school, but no one owns the horsemen.
Every girl wants to be these girls, and every guy wants to fuck them. They have the looks. They’re cheerleaders. Their makeup and hair are perfect. Their bodies are curved and strong.
Sidney rakes her gaze over me with disdain. The cheer captain is a tall blonde with green eyes. All leg, which her cheerleading skirt shows off to perfection. Everyone is envious of her.
Caden’s hand tightens on me, and I lean back against him as they approach. His warmth fills me. I’ve never been on the receiving end of the cheerleaders’ hatred. I doubt they even know me outside of a few shared classes.
Color me curious what these girls want from my men.
Umm…the horsemen, not my men. It’s dangerous to even think I have any ownership over them. No matter what they promised. What they’ll continue to promise until they get what they want, and then who knows.
“Luke.” Sidney stops in front of Luke, who gives her a once-over.
“Can we help you?” Luke looks like a king deigning to speak to one of his many subjects. He checks out the tall cheerleader with a sort of disinterest that should insult her.
Ashley puts her hand on Eli’s shoulder and leans against his back. “We partying tonight, boys?”
Ashley Kim has attitude for days. Almost as tall as Sidney, she’s slender and beautiful with huge brown eyes. Between her gorgeous Korean mother and her handsome father, Ashley got the perfect mix of features to make her unique and stunningly beautiful.
