Page 37 of Rivals

“Mmhm,” I agree, my lips pulling into a smile while watching her melt under my touch. “I figured we could do the holidays with your dad then you can come with my family and me to check out the school. Plus, I need your input on which furniture to put in the apartment. My mom wants to know what to buy us.”

“Us?” She squeaks and the look on her face would almost be comical if her resistance to what I was telling her wasn’t so near the surface.

I should have waited to have this conversation in the privacy of my apartment or her dorm room, but I’m tired of hiding. Everyone knows she means something to me. They don’t need to know the depth of my obsession but it’s pretty obvious. To everyone except the girl of my affection apparently. “Us, babe. Bigger picture remember. You need to set your goals higher.”

Her eyes stay connected with mine and a myriad of emotions from fear to hope pass through our connection before Riley shakes her head, breaking the spell I’m weaving for her of our future. “Maybe, Reign. I haven’t talked to my dad yet. I’m not sure what our plans for the holidays are.”

Not wanting to press my luck too much, I let go of her leg, but I keep my grip firmly around the back of her neck. “Okay, babe. Ask him and let me know what he says.”

Seemingly satisfied, she takes another bite of her lunch and I take a drink of the imposter shake. I really need to rectify this and get one that matches my craving. I catch Carter’s questioning look and decide it’s time to let Riley face the music. I need to know what that asshole Blade said to her. We play their team coming up soon and I’m itching for his blood.

“Are you going to tell me what Meyer said to you or keep protecting him?”

Riley rolls her eyes and I see her shoot a look at Carter for betraying her. He only winks in response. “It’s not a big deal.”

“It is, Riley. Carter said when he interrupted that you looked upset.”

“I was handling it,” she grits out, turning her full attention back to me. I see the flash of defiance in her eyes. “I can stick up for myself. I’m a big girl, Thorn.”

My jaw clenches. Even though I’m insanely turned on with her taking charge and not being scared of everyone who gives her a hard time, she shouldn’t have to. Blade never should have intercepted her in the first place and I can only guess what type of shit he was spewing to her.

“I know you can protect yourself but you shouldn’t have to. What did he say?”

Her eyes narrow. “You really want to know?”

I nod. Carter and Leif’s conversations drop off slightly and I know they’re paying attention too and trying not to make it obvious. Judging by the way she pushes back her tray and sits back in her chair, crossing her legs and folding her arms over her chest like she’s going to a formal meeting, she has something important to say.

“He apologized for not reaching out when he moved and leaving me at you and your minions’ mercy. He said he was sorry.”

“Bullshit,” I respond, feeling the anger rise up in my chest. Forget beating his ass on the ice at our home game, I might just kill him instead.

“Why? Because he apologized? It’s more than you’ve ever done.” Riley pushes back from the table and grabs her tray. I watch her as she walks to the garbage and dumps her things. I’m ready to grab our bags and join her when her phone vibrates on the table. I glance down. Guess Meyer’s ears must be ringing. I can’t believe Riley left her phone off private for anyone to read her texts.

BLADE: I’m serious, Ri. I do want to talk more. There’s a party after the game this week. You should go with me.

Over my dead body.

I watch her walk back over and grab her bag and phone while ignoring me. It’s cute that she thinks I’ll leave her alone. As if her words hurt me enough to make me give up the obsession I have with her. I watch her walk away and out of the cafeteria before getting up myself and grabbing my own tray. My eyes never leave her, the primal instinct to chase her down is tugging at me. After dumping my garbage, I trail her down the hall. Only when she glances back at me, and realizes she’s in danger, does she speed up. I jog to catch her, grabbing her elbow and pulling her with me into the nearest abandoned classroom.

“Reign—”

“Oh no, babe. You don’t get to get away from me.”

“You can’t be upset that I told you how it is,” she responds, arms firmly at her side even as I back her into the wall.

“I apologized too. I already told you I would fix everything else. You’re also here with me now,” I remind her while grabbing her hips in my hands. Fuck I love the feel of her in my grasp.

“For sex,” she claps back and I feel those two words hollow out my chest.

It’s fine if that’s what she has to tell herself; we both know it’s not true. Maybe at camp things were on the rocks, but since then, it’s become more about sex between us. I’m also not a gentleman who’s going to back off and abstain from being inside her because she said it. Smirking down at her, my hands move under her skirt and slide along the silky skin of her thighs, my fingertips brushing against the edge of her lacy underwear. Riley’s hands grip mine, over her skirt, her eyes meeting mine. I revel in the way her chest rises and falls, the blush on her cheeks and the way she’s biting her lip nervously. She can’t make up her mind if she wants to let me continue or stick to her previous statement.

I decide not to give her the option. My lips crash down on hers, making the decision for her. I claim her, possessively and demanding, feasting on her and breathing her in like she’s the last breath I’ll ever take. I push her into the wall and her body springs back into mine. My hand slides under her underwear and against her pussy, cupping it until she cries out into my mouth. Only then do I pull back slightly, both of us breathing hard.

“This is more than just sex, Riles. You know it and I know it. Maybe it started that way at camp or even when we first got back, but ever since that night I made you mine, all bets were off.”

I watch her blink away the tears from her eyes, see the way she thinks hard about us and everything that’s happened.

“Our history isn’t pretty, babe. It can never be changed. I know that and I’m sorry. It is going to get better though. I want so much more from you than just this.” My heart thunders in my chest as I slowly slide a finger inside her wet heat. She gasps and her gaze shoots to mine. Her eyes are dazed and shining. “I want all of you, Riley Conrad. So here’s what’s going to happen. I’m going to make you come, so you can feel how serious I am about you, then I’m going to fuck you like I own you and you’ll understand that there is no stopping you and me. And afterwards, you’re going to pull out your phone and text Blade back that you’re with me and he needs to fuck off. He doesn’t stand a chance. I will destroy him if he keeps messaging my girl, trying to get with her.”

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