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They know better.
Shaking my head, I meet Terryn’s eyes. “Catty women,” she says with a grin. I laugh as she grabs my hand, pulling me into a large ballroom, not stopping until we reach the long line leading to the punch bowl.
A chill travels down my spine as I feel his stare boring into me as we wait to grab a drink. I turn my head and meet William’s ice-blue eyes, rage flashing in them. “What the hell are you doing here, Irelynn?” He crosses his arms over his chest, his head lowering to study me, a scowl marring his features.
“I’m here with Terryn.” I give him a huge fake smile, knowing it will get under his skin.
Terryn smiles as she hands me a cup. I’m hesitant to drink and lose control of myself. Terryn leans in and whispers to me that she has my back. I take a drink, meeting William’s gaze over the rim of the red solo cup. “Is it a problem that we’re here?” I put one hand on my jean clad hip, staring at him defiantly.
His hands clench and a large, fake smile crosses his face. “No, it’s fine. Welcome to my home and my party.” Raising his voice, he says, “I hope the two of you enjoy yourselves tonight.” He smiles at Terryn, then his gaze returns to me, traveling slowly from head to toe, then back again.
Grabbing Terryn’s arm, I tug on her, anxious to get away. “Oh, I’m certain we will.” Taking another big sip of the punch, I pull her to the other side of the room, where I can breathe easier.
Was it my imagination, or did William lick his lips when I took a big drink?
My body is tense as my eyes travel around the room, uneasiness gripping me, shaking my confidence. Taking a long swig from my cup, I hope the alcohol will help me relax. My eyes meet William’s, and his lips curl up into a smirk as he raises his bottle of water in the air, as though he’s toasting me. I down the rest of my drink, then head to the line for another, ignoring him.
Tossing my empty cup, I stand in the long line, shifting my weight, chewing on my cuticle. A few girls turn around, looking me up and down with contempt on their faces, then put their heads together, their laughter ringing in my ears. I cross my arms over my chest, my posture rigid when I hear them call me ‘ice princess’ and a ‘cock tease’. My face flushes when the one says, “Her legs are probably padlocked shut. I don’t know why William wants to hit that so bad.” She gives me an insincere smile, then whips back around and pours some punch into her cup.
A slight chill rolls through me as the mean girls continue giggling and throwing me hateful glares, then finally move away from the punch bowl. I hurriedly grab a cup and pour some inside, but my hands are shaking so badly I spill some on the table.
“God, little princess is probably already trashed. I’m sure she’s never been drunk before.”
Hurrying away, tears burn my lids, threatening to overflow. The girls at Anderson Academy have never accepted me, looking down their noses because I’m a scholarship student. They don’t act that way toward my brother, but of course, Mike is a senior and quarterback of the football team and I’m just… Mike’s insignificant little sister.
As I hurry away, my gaze sweeps the room for Terryn, but instead lands directly on William’s blazing eyes. His muscles are taut beneath his shirt, his hands clenched into fists. His gaze roams to the bitchy girls who were giving me issues, then back to me. He raises his brows and I give a small, almost imperceptible shake of my head. He nods, indicating he won’t interfere.
At least not yet.
Hurrying to Terryn’s side, she gives me a warm smile, introducing me to Joshua, who also plays football. I recognize him from Mike’s games. He shakes my hand, then engages in small talk with us. When I say something that makes him laugh and he puts his hand on my arm, my eyes automatically travel across the room, looking for William.
But he’s not paying attention. Instead, his gaze is on a brown-haired guy who approaches him, a wide smile on his face. They engage in some weird handshake. As I watch them interact, I can’t help but stare at William’s profile, admiring how hot he is. His light blond hair glimmers beneath the fancy chandelier he’s standing under. The guy says something that makes him laugh and, as if he feels my gaze, his ice-blue eyes lock on mine. His long lashes are the envy of most of the females in school. His smile widens, flashing his perfectly straight white teeth at me. I swallow hard, unable to look away from his scorching gaze.
Taking a long sip of my punch, William’s attention returns to the guy as he says something else to him. As William crosses his arms over his chest, muscles ripple beneath his tight, long sleeve t-shirt. When another guy approaches, William turns his back to me, offering a view of the snug, dark blue jeans that cling to his ass.
“Do you want to dance?” Terryn’s voice in my ear pulls my lustful thoughts away from William.
God, what is wrong with me? Why am I blatantly checking out William?
“Sure.” I follow behind her to the dance floor, berating myself for getting distracted by the devil. William may be very easy on the eyes, but there is a malicious, arrogant air surrounding him, cloaking his persona in a mixture of sexiness and sin.
My body moves to the driving beat of the music, and I let loose, my inhibitions lowered, letting the music take me over. After finishing my drink, Terryn hands me another. I down it asthe opening notes of “Pour Some Sugar on Me” begins to play. Whirling around, I grind my ass against Terryn, laughing as she imitates my moves, feeling young and free. I’m garnering attention with my sexy dance moves. As I twirl around again, my gaze locks with William, who stands at the edge of the dance floor, watching me. Blue irises burn into mine, lighting my nerves up like a switchboard.
Terryn leans over, asking if I want another drink. Shrugging, I finish drinking my punch and move to step off the dance floor. William comes up behind me and grabs the empty cup, shoving a bottle of water in my other hand. He tosses the cup in the trash and leans into my ear. “Drink that bottle of water before you get any more punch.”
Spinning around to face him, my mouth drops open, confusion lighting up my features. He gives me a slow, charming smile, then disappears.
Following Terryn, I drink the bottle of water in line, emptying it by the time we reach the bowl. Terryn hands me another drink and I sip it, following her back to the dance floor.
Two songs later, a guy comes up behind me on the dance floor, grinding his body tightly against mine. I flush, feeling uncomfortable. Throwing a look over my shoulder, I recognize him as one of the guys who was talking to William earlier. He smiles at me. “Hi.”
“Hello.” I move away slightly, turning around to face him, my feet still moving to the beat.
“You’re a good dancer.” His dark eyes regard me intently, roving over my body, increasing my uneasiness. But he keeps his distance, so I let it go.
Terryn grabs my hand and spins me toward her. Laughing, I dance with her, throwing my arms in the air. Suddenly, I feel someone pressing up against me. Throwing a look over my shoulder, uneasiness makes my stomach clench. What is this guy’s deal?
Turning away, Terryn winks at me, dancing with the guy behind her. I lean forward, attempting to grab her arms, but the guy behind me grips my hips, holding me in place.
