Page 14 of Forbidden Obsession

“What makes you any different than anyone else?”

She looked at me, horror-stricken. “Did you really just ask me that?”

Alice laughed, and I smirked and stuffed my mouth with more pancakes.

“Men have a level of not caring about who anyone is. Unless they want you as their wife. And we’re in college. You should stick to reality. How many college men are looking for wives? And before you answer that, compare it to how many college men are looking for whores.”

Sofia moaned. “Why must you shit on my hopes and dreams like this?” Her eyes widened and she pouted.

Alice sighed. “Would you rather we lie and say go for it, you’ll be Mrs. Lancaster in no time?”

“Yes.”

Alice and Emma laughed while I shook my head and swallowed my food. Grabbing a napkin, I wiped the corners of my mouth, took a sip of lemonade, and gave Sofia my attention.

“You would not. The first thing you’d do was ask what kind of friends we were not to stop your descent into love with a known pussy-rider.”

Emma shrieked in laughter. “Pussy-rider! I’ve got to use that!”

Alice giggled, and Sofia pouted more.

“For the record, I do think there are some women men would guard their dicks around,” Emma said.

Sofia looked at her with wide-eyed hope as Emma continued.

“Take Penelope, for example.”

I choked on my pancake, and Alice patted me on the back. Clearing my throat, I blinked rapidly at Emma. “Excuse me?”

She nodded. “Yeah. Because of who your parents are. What man in his right mind would screw over someone with relatives known to bust a cap in your ass?”

Laughter pealed from Alice, and Sofia nodded as they all looked at me.

“Ha!” I shook my head. “Why would anyone be afraid of them? They’re in an upstate prison. And they’re not getting out anytime soon!”

Emma cursed. “Shit. With their track record, no one’s going to test that out. I mean, how many boyfriends have you had cheat on you?”

“Quite a few, actually.”

“Name them.”

“I—” My mouth hung open as I went through the short list of men to whom I’d given my attention. Truth be told, they could hardly be called men; more like boys cosplaying as men.

Eric was too needy. He’d gotten on my nerves, following me around like a puppy so much that I had to break things off. I needed the reprieve. Alex was a chauvinist, and much like Sofia, I’d been too caught up in how sexy he was to notice it until it was too late. Then there was Braylen, who I thought was a chill guy until I realized he just didn’t care much about anything. He had no ambitions or thoughts on whatever subject broached, Braylen had to go.

“We’re waiting.”

I glanced at Emma, then at Sofia and Alice. “They were…what, middle school, high school? I can’t remember. The point is, my parents aren’t scaring anybody.”

Emma looked at Sofia. “Don’t believe her. She’s never had someone play with her in the four years we’ve all been in school together. Think about it. When any of the guys approach her, aren’t they polite, well-spoken, and full of good mannerisms?”

Alice tapped her jaw, and Sofia peered at me.

“Yeaaaah.” Sofia nodded. “You’re right.”

“Of course, you’d say that.” My voice was sharper than I’d intended.

She frowned. “What is that supposed to mean?”

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