Page 17 of Broken Princess

“Oh. You mean the threat about ruining them? How do I know which lies to believe, Logan? I thought that was just more bullshit you told me to help you win your bet.”

His hand leaves my chin to tuck my hair behind my ear. It’s soft and tender. A stark contrast to the punishing hold he had on my face seconds ago.

“Logan, I’m not here for more of your games. What I do and who I spend time with is none of your business. You already had my virginity, so there’s no reason not to have fun with whoever is willing to show me a good time. Robbie waited so long. If anyone deserves a chance, it’s him. Don’t you think? He was just as much a victim of your game, as I was.”

His mouth presses against mine. Rough. Demanding. Stealing my air. He shoves his hand into my pants, and underneath the side of my panties, forcing his fingers inside me. A furnace of need burns through my system. My body is at war with my mind. My brain doesn’t want this, but my body misses his touch. I open my legs wider, rocking against his hand.

Against my ear he murmurs, “You’re so wet, and tight around my fingers.”

He nips my ear, and I bite back the moan clawing at my throat when his thumb presses against my clit.

“That’s it, baby. Remember who owns this pussy.” He commands, his fingers pushing further and harder inside me.

My survival instincts finally kick in.Nobodyowns me, and I won’t let him win. Somehow, I manage to shove him away. Ignoring the emptiness I feel at the loss of his heat and fingers. Snatching my bag off the floor, I run to the exit on the opposite side of the lecture hall. Eight weeks ago, if he would have come to me and touched me like that, I might have believed he cared. But now, I know he’s devoid of emotion with a black rock where his heart should be. Every touch, every kind word, every kiss, was just one more tool he used to cheat his way to victory.

I hate him and I hate that my body still wants him, especially since I know this is just another sick, twisted game. Didn’t he start off by saying this time things would be worse? Well, one thing is different, I won’t be his plaything. I’m his opponent and we’re going head to head.

I need to come up with a strong offensive strategy with him before he finds a way to make me an empty, crying shell again.

Tonight I take my first step. Nervous energy courses through me as I send off one final text to my mother then step from behind the pillar I was leaning against.

“Ugh, so sorry.” I say to the black high tops in front of me as I lean down to pick up the chips that scattered along the floor. “I wasn’t watching where I was going.”

“Neither was I.”

I stand, and my smile slips. “Sorry.” I blurt out, turning back the way I came.

“Jordanna, wait!”

I make it a few more feet before his legs eat up the space between us. “Jordanna.” He touches my arm and darts in front of me. I pull up short of slamming into his chest. “What are you doing here?”

“Nothing.” I say, averting my gaze. The stack of chips I’m holding suggests a different story.

“Are you here with someone?” Frankie asks, looking around.

“No.” I widen my eyes, as if I’m fearful he’s going to punish thissomeoneif I am. “I’m here alone.”

“At a casino that’s two hours away from school? This isn’t your scene.”

“How would you know? You don’t know anything about me that you didn’t read in a magazine article or newspaper clipping.”

He gives me a look that contradicts my statement and makes me wonder how deep they dug into my background before I came to school. I turn to hurry off again, and he falls in step beside me. “Relax Jordanna. You’re over 18, you’re being here isn’t against the law.”

“I know that.”

“Then why do you look so embarrassed?” He asks when I duck my head, averting his gaze. “Wait, are you playing the slot machines or something more risqué?”

I feel my cheeks heat and nod.

“How much did you lose?”

I look up now, still doing my best to look uncomfortable with having been discovered. “Why should I tell you? So you can spread it around school that the charity case has a gambling problem, spending money she doesn’t have? Well, I don’t, by the way. I bet small just to see what it would be like and to learn so that…”

“So that if you get good at it you’d make some money that could help your mom.”

“To help myself so I don’t have to ask her for money. Things are tight, because we lost it all with what my step-father did. I’d like things to be a little easier on her. Not that you’d understand.”

“I understand wanting to make my own money, and it doesn’t hurt if it comes with the added thrill of betting.”

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