I can’t believe she’s still trying. Luke just told her no in the nicest way I’ve ever seen a horseman say no. If she keeps pushing, what will happen? Will he punish her?
What would that involve? Would he spank her like he did me? Would that be my out clause because he touched another girl? Or maybe it’s different if she pushes because of who she is. I’m not sure how the social hierarchy of the school works in actuality. I stayed as far away as possible. The little I know is from growing up with these people and what Kenz tells me.
“You don’t want what we’re offering. Fine.” She gestures to the other girls. Emma and Ashley leave Jack and Eli’s laps. Hannah joins the other two behind Sidney’s chair. “We aren’t exactly hurting for options, but your girl might not have the greatest year if you put a target on her back.”
Caden’s hold on me tightens. Hell, even I know this. The horsemen have never claimed a girl before. Not like they have with me. Kenz warned me the girls are waiting in the wings, waiting for the horsemen to get bored with me. I know the guys promised to only be with me for the year, but I don’t really believe that will happen.
“Don’t threaten what’s ours.” Luke’s tone is bored but his eyes are deadly.
“Maybe if you want to protect your pet,” Sidney spits the wordpetout, “then consider how our two groups might be beneficial to each other. Putting your jerseys on us will keep the target off your bitch’s back, but if you ignore us, you guarantee she has a fucked-up year. You can’t be everywhere she goes during the day.”
Luke chews on the words for a moment. Caden’s thumb rubs against my thigh. She has a point though. I’m not exactly the scrappy girl who can take on the popular girls. Or any other girl who thinks I’m in her way. I’m someone more comfortable in the shadows. I don’t think these girls are the kind to get dirt on their own hands, but they can definitely make my life uncomfortable.
“Harper.” Luke commands me with his voice.
Caden stands me up. My stomach feels cold without his large hand on it. I move hesitantly to Luke, trying to seem like a non-threat to the cheerleaders.
My heart beats loudly in my ears. I don’t know what Luke wants with me or what point he’s about to make that has to do with me, but I miss the security of Caden’s arm around me.
Luke holds out a hand, never taking his gaze off Sidney. Taking a breath, I slip my hand into his. He draws me closer to him. Like we do it all the time, he guides me to straddle him on the chair, keeping me to one side of his lap as he never takes his gaze from Sidney. My hands automatically go to his shoulders, and I watch the side of his face as he smiles at Sidney.
“Don’t threaten Harper unless you want to see your social status fall faster than your panties do.” Luke runs a hand over my back.
I wish I could say I remain unaffected, but his touch is a drug I’m slowly becoming addicted to. Tingles race along my spine and settle between my legs. A full-body tremble goes through me. Everything in me softens at being near Luke, and hearing his voice in my ear might as well be an aphrodisiac. He makes me so fucking wet.
“But we can be reasonable.” Luke’s other hand slides up my jean-covered thigh.
My breath catches as desire clouds my brain. A muscle tics in Luke’s jaw, and I want to lean in and kiss it.
These boys are seriously fucking with my mind. Luke’s hand stops on my ass.
“You can use three of our jerseys each day, but our girl will wear one each day next week. We’ll swap out jerseys every evening.” It’s a short week since Monday is Labor Day. “You can decide amongst yourselves who will have to find someone else’s jersey to wear.”
“But,” Eli stands on one side of the girls, towering over them, while Jack stands on the other, blocking them in, “if you do anything to Harper, we won’t stand for it. She’s ours and under our protection.”
A tight, needy part of me beats a little harder at his words. I’ve never belonged anywhere in this school. Never belonged to anyone. Not since I was a kid.
“Not just for right now,” Jack states.
They’ve claimed me before, but this time feels different. Maybe because these girls can offer them something I haven’t been willing to give them yet.
“I don’t care if you’re chicks.” Caden stands and moves behind Luke and me. I raise my gaze to his face as he glares at the cheerleaders. “If anyone hurts Harper, I won’t pull my punches.”
Sidney stands and nods. “Noted. We’ll expect the three jerseys over the weekend. You can tell us the schedule to make exchanges. Pleasure doing business as usual.”
I turn slightly to look at the cheerleaders. The girls don’t look pleased with this arrangement. This isn’t finished, but I’m the one who will have to deal with the ramifications.
Sidney meets my eyes, and my stomach bottoms out at the hatred there. Luke grabs my chin, and our eyes meet for a second before he takes possession of my mouth. He arranges me the way he likes me on his lap, and I whimper at the feel of his hard cock pressed between my thighs.
It’s a power move. That’s all. They’ve claimed me, and the girls tried to test that. My heart leaps into my throat at their protection. But I wouldn’t need it if it weren’t for them.
As Luke deepens the kiss, I lose all sense of everyone around us. The world could literally end and I wouldn’t want to stop this kiss.
When Luke lifts his mouth from mine, he traces his thumb over the sore spot on my lip. His eyes follow his thumb before he looks over at Eli. “Careful with our girl. We don’t want her to have an excuse not to put her mouth to use.”
Eli nods. A whole different sinking feeling hits my stomach as Luke’s eyes meet mine. “You painted such a detailed picture last night.”
Shifting slightly beneath me, he rubs against a spot that sends sparks flooding my veins. His thumb pulls my bottom lip down slightly as he slips the tip of his thumb against my teeth. “We’ll have to find time tonight to play our own games.”
