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Taking The Penalty 5
Willow
Withthememoryof that kiss lingering on my lips, in find it hard to concentrate on my morning classes. Jace Conley may be a cocky swine, but he knows how to get a girl all hot and bothered. I can’t believe he cornered me like that. He manhandled me in ways no other man has dared to. Feminist outrage should be coursing through my veins, but, I have to admit, I went weak at the knees when he took control.
I didn’t mean what I said when I threatened to tell Russ who really damaged his car. While I hope Jace does the right thing and owns up to what he did, I’m not going to out him if he doesn’t. My relationship with my stepdad will heal, but I doubt Jace will forgive me if I get him kicked out of the university. Nor, for that matter, will anyone else around here. They’re relying on him to lead the soccer team to victory.
When the lecture finishes, I gather up my things and head for the library to catch up on some reading. As I make my way across the courtyard, Celeste comes towards me.
“What the fuck did you do?” Her voice is high-pitched and loud enough to draw attention to us. “You got Jace Conley kicked out?”
My heart skips a beat. “What?”
“They kicked Jace out for smashing up my dad’s car. You turned him in.”
“No.” I shake my head in denial as I realize everyone is watching. “I didn’t.”
Celeste grabs my arm and leans in close to whisper to me. “I know you didn’t, Weeping Willow, but by the time I’m done with you, everyone on campus is going to think you did. You won’t be able to walk down the street without someone spitting on you.”
I shrug her off and step away from her. “Why would you do that?”
“Because I can.”
As she flounces off, people throw black looks in my direction. Obviously, they heard what she said about me getting Jace expelled. Life is going to get unbearable around here as the rumor spreads, but that’s not my immediate concern. The last thing I wanted was for Jace to get kicked out of the university. I hope he doesn’t think I’m responsible. Lord knows what he’d do to me.
Deciding not to stick around here and wait to see the effects of the rumor mill, I head out to the parking lot and jump in my car. Though the thought of knocking on the door of the Sigma Chi frat house horrifies me, it’s what I’ll have to do. I drive across campus and pull up outside the massive brownstone building. Jace’s car is here, along with a Range Rover I know belongs to Trent Barclay and a couple of other luxury vehicles.
I steel myself and go to knock on the front door. A few minutes later, a guy I don’t recognize opens it. He’s tall and muscular in jeans and a tight-fitting white shirt. He looks at me like I’m his lunch order and actually licks his lips.
“What can I do for you, darlin’?” he drawls.
“I need to speak to Jace.”
“He expectin’ you?”
I shake my head. “I didn’t realize I needed an appointment.”
“To see the most popular guy on campus?” He grins at me. “They’re linin’ up around the block, darlin’”
I take a deep breath. “Well, I don’t see anyone lining up right now, so if you wouldn’t mind fetching him, I’d be grateful.”
His eyebrows lift. “I’m not his butler, darlin’. You want to see him, go get him.”
He opens the door wider and I falter. He actually wants me to go to Jace’s room.
“Top of the stairs, third on the right. I don’t think he’s got company, but if I were you, I’d knock anyway.”
I open my mouth to thank him in the most sarcastic way I can summon, but he’s already sauntering off. I glance toward the stairs and try to decide if I should go up there. If I do, Jace is going to assume I want to do more than talk. Perhaps I do. That little taste I got of him earlier wasn’t enough. I want more. The question is, does he?
There’s only one way to find out, so I straighten my spine, hold my head high, and march up the stairs to the first floor. I find his room and knock on the door.
“It’s not locked,” he shouts out.
I guess that’s as much of an invitation as I’m going to get. Pushing the door open, I’m met with a view I didn’t expect. Jace is standing by the open drawer of a dresser in just his boxer shorts. With his muscular torso and powerful legs, it’s an impressive sight.
“Oh, I….”
He turns toward me. If he’s surprised to see me here, he doesn’t show it. “Get your arse in here and shut the door.”
