Page 68 of Lorcan's Obsession

“I’ll be careful. I promise,” I said, sliding into the white sedan and getting comfortable in the backseat.

Watching Kora walk back to her building with her head bent in deep thought dampened a bit of the honeymoon feelings from my long weekend with Lorcan. If only I could make her believe that things between Lorcan and I would remain casual and detached.

But did I believe that?

What was the truth when the guy invaded my thoughts on the entire ride to my apartment and an even longer ride to school? Meeting Lorcan had been unexpected and crazy fun. We’d been like kids on a summer break, filled with the urge to make the most of every minute on cloud nine because life would drag us back down before we knew it.

Maybe it was due to the exhilarating long weekend I'd had, but school felt even more dull than usual. Obligation firmly planted my ass in the classroom, but neither my professor nor the court opinion debate could hold my attention. As I stared blankly ahead, my mind kept wandering to the devilish playboy and our desert safari fling.

The student behind me tapped my shoulder, and I cocked my head. He winked and discreetly pushed a folded note into my hand, a time-honored method of communication during lectures.

Your mind is on a fishing trip today.

Are you thinking about us?

F

Fayed.

He was literal royalty, albeit far enough down the line that he didn’t make national headlines on the regular. I suspected the note was from him before I opened it. To this day, despite my constant friend-zoning, Fayed still had the hots for me, as he had for the last three years. I even offered him a one-time WAP deal; a single fuck between friends to satisfy the itch and curiosity. But Fayed declined, claiming he loved me too much to settle for a fraction of me. So I simply moved along to the next guy and had a good time.

In the end, we still managed to become good friends and great study partners, but the hurt from his unrequited love lingered behind those gentle brown eyes. Fayed went on hoping someday I'd feel something for him, but nothing had changed on my side for three years and counting.

And I definitely couldn't tell him I'd been daydreaming about another guy whose cum was probably still leaking in my panties. That’d be brutal given how he adored me. But one thing was clear—he wouldn’t let me go home without checking up on me once class ended.

Ever the chivalrous guy, he reached for my backpack from the floor before I did and swung it over his shoulder.

“Let’s go for an early dinner, Tristen. You haven’t been around the last couple of days. I’ve missed you.”

“I’m not really hungry, Fay,” I lied. I was eager for Lorcan’s promised call and wanted to be in my bed when we talked. “I kinda wanna call it an early evening.”

I pushed the rotating glass doors and walked down the college steps. He walked in front of me, still holding my backpack.

“What about a mocha cookie crumble Frappuccino? You’ve never been able to say no to that.”

Dammit. This guy knew everything about me. Well, everything besides the coochie stuff.

“Okay. But just for thirty minutes,” I said with a yawn.

Once we reached the café, Fayed pulled out a seat for me like the perfect gentleman he was. But as I sat down, he gave me a scrutinizing look.

“What’s got you bone-tired like this?” he asked, jutting his chin.

My face was neutral, bored even, as I peered at him through my lashes. Sure, Fayed was puppy-like in his love, but there was no way he didn’t get the message. I was fucking—or better yet, I was getting fucked thoroughly by another man.

He pushed aside his peppermint mocha Frappuccino as if my silent admission had toxified the drink. “I don’t understand why you won’t ever give us a real chance, but you spend nights—”

“My life, my choice, Fayed. And besides, you know very well why we wouldn't work. Your family has already selected your bride. So wake up.”

“Don’t give me that, Tristen. I can walk away from that whole world, and my family wouldn’t bat an eye. A tenth spare heir can do that, and I would for you. Just say the word.”

“I’d be happier with zero blowback, thank you very much. And why are you acting like this now? I’ve been swinging free for a while. This isn’t new.”

“It is new, Tristen," Fayed growled. "This is the first time in three years you’ve gone off and missed school for a guy. And I don’t understand why that guy isn’t me.” His hand rolled into a fist. “Are you interested in dating him? Because I deserve a real shot too.”

“I’m not dating anyone.”

“If you were, would you tell me so I could ask you out?”

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