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Zane is, unsurprisingly, the man in charge of stealing the items, which isn’t as difficult as it might sound. Most of the students are too drunk to notice if their phone goes missing or their wallet gets snatched. Not only that, but many of them have left their belongings unattended on the chairs and bleachers while they frolic in the pool or hot tub..
“Ryker would hate this,” I say, a soft sigh escaping me. Lifting a hand, I point a trembling finger toward the corner of the room, where most of the shadows seem to have converged. “He would be crouched there, glaring at anyone who dares to get too close to him.”
Landon chuckles, but the sound is low and devoid of any humor. “You miss him.” It’s not a question.
“More than anything.” I spin in his arms, and his hands immediately lower to my waist, holding me against him. I find myself pushing up onto my tiptoes and twining my arms around his neck, my fingers curling in his brown hair. The strands are feather soft. Silky, almost. God, I want to tug at his hair, lower his face to mine, and?—
You know how some people say that a single look from a guy turns their brain into a puddle of goo? Well…
The heat from his gaze drives all thoughts from my head—off the nearest cliff and straight into the turbulent waters far below. He makes them freaking drown. My brain quite literally puts up an Out of Order sign as I struggle to get my breathing under control.
I quickly force my gaze off his lips and to his dark water shirt—though that’s not any better. The material hugs his frame like a caress.
“He should be here with us,” Landon murmurs huskily, and my heart claps like thunder in my chest.
Why does it feel like he’s not just talking about the party, but something else entirely?
Unbidden, my mind drifts to the bedroom I’ve been using in the guys’ dorm—Ryker’s old room—and to two pairs of hands on my skin, two lips brushing mine, two cocks?—
I quickly untangle myself from Landon’s addictive embrace. It’s too dangerous to be around him like that. I always want more when I’m alone with any one of my guys. Heck, I want more even when I’m with all five of them.
More. More. More.
And then there’s Landon. Freaking perfect Landon, with his perfect brown hair, and perfect silver eyes, and perfect body, and perfect smile. Every guy wants to be him, and every girl wants to be on top of him. Or under him. Or beside him.
Ugh.
“Ellie!” Piper’s voice is a welcome distraction. I peel my gaze off Landon just in time to see my friend and roommate hurrying forward, stumbling slightly in her drunken haze. She has her arm slung over a pretty girl with chestnut-colored hair and green eyes. “We’re playing a game.” She gestures toward the hot tub, where I see a group of unfamiliar teenagers sitting. I recognize their faces, of course, but their names elude me.
Which is horrible, considering I’ve been going to school with them since I was young.
“I don’t think?—”
“Come on!” Piper doesn’t wait to hear my argument as she all but drags me toward the group. I don’t see Jane or Victoria, but then again, I saw Jane talking with a tall, lanky boy earlier and Victoria has been FaceTiming her new boyfriend.
“Guys, this is Ellie.” She lifts our conjoined hands in the air and gives them a wave. “And that broody man behind her is Landon. And Dominic, Beckett, and Zane.” The last three names are said almost as an afterthought, and I turn to see that the three of them have now joined us.
I meet Beckett’s eyes first, and he nods inconspicuously, a move I take to mean that he’s finished downloading the data from everyone’s phones. Or whatever it is that he did.
Did they find anything?
Do they suspect someone’s involved with POP or The Divine One?
Questions settle on the tip of my tongue, but I don’t get the chance to ask them as Piper practically pushes me toward the steps leading to the hot tub.
I’m still dressed in my cover-up, so I settle awkwardly on the side of the tub, my feet dangling in the water. I almost groan at the heat against my cold skin.
Why haven’t I ever used this hot tub before?
Most high schools don’t have a hot tub, but then again, most schools aren’t Grove Academy. This natatorium is used for classes, swim team practices, swim team meets, and post-conditioning relaxation. The last time I’ve been to this particular section of the main academic building was my freshman year, when I was forced to take a swim class.
“I’m sure you know them already,” Piper continues, drawing my attention back toward her, “but these fine folks are Elizabeth, Charlie, Jonny, Helena, Amber, Peter, Liam, Aric, Rich, and Alexa.” She gestures toward the girl snuggled against her side at the last name.
“Hello,” I murmur softly, keenly aware of ten gazes drilling holes into my forehead.
“Of course we know who Ellie is,” the man Piper introduced as Peter says with a chuckle. “We’ve been going to school together since first grade.” He flashes me a kind smile, and Zane releases a rumbling sound from directly behind me. I don’t know how I know it’s him.
Apparently, all my guys have distinct possessive growls.
