Page 11 of Ice Cold Rival

My temper flared at the image of him trying to take someone else into Deacon’s room, and I vowed to never return the key—which made me no better than Amanda.

I cleared my throat. “Sounds like a smart plan if he wants to keep people out of his room.”

Reece’s teasing gaze traveled over my body, lingering on the pearls around my neck. “Sounds like a little thief wants her own access.”

Disbelief dropped my mouth open, but I recovered quickly. “I really don’t.”

He chuckled. “We’ll see.”

Heat filled my cheeks from his slow appreciation, but I needed to focus on the task at hand. The bet. My room. He was surprisingly kind the last time. I couldn’t mention the bet directly, but maybe I could appeal to him with a portion of the truth.

“Can we go somewhere and talk? Alone?”

Reece’s grin widened. “That’s what they all say. Then I’m fending off half-naked attempts at my honor.”

“I’m not interested in your honor.” I felt the lie as soon as the words were out of my mouth.

My body warmed at the prospect of another round with him, but I wasn’t much of an exhibitionist, and I could feel Amanda’s gaze burning into my back. He must have felt it too because his eyes darted past my shoulder before returning to my face.

“If you’re trying to get me alone for Amanda, pass. She’s a little too intense for me.”

I strangled the surge of triumph rushing up my throat and composed my face into a polite smile. “It’s not for Amanda. It’s for me.”

He crossed his arms and raised a brow. The motion popped his biceps and strained the material of his shirt. With god-like effort, I kept my eyes above his collarbones.

“Normally, I don’t do repeats, but if you tell me what you’re running from this time, maybe I’ll reconsider.”

“I’m not running. I’m proving a point.”

“To who?”

“Everyone.”

He nodded slowly, then waved at my carefully curated outfit. “Quite a difference from before. What do I call you this time?”

I winced. “Kenzie. Short for Mackenzie. Booth.”

If I hadn’t been staring at him in an attempt to ignore my sorority sisters not so quietly sneaking closer, I might have missed the subtle shift on his face. His amusement sharpened into something purposeful.

He extended his hand. “Well, Kenzie. You’ve succeeded in intriguing me. Where do you want to talk.”

I slid my palm against his, and a shiver coursed down my back. “My room.”

Reece shook his head with another laugh. “Okay, little thief. Lead the way.”

We only made it two steps before Amanda inserted herself directly in my path. She’d somehow gained noticeably more cleavage since I’d left her, impressive since she wasn’t big to begin with.

“Leaving so soon?” She spoke to me, but her eyes stayed on Reece.

He squeezed my hand gently, urging me to keep moving. “I found what I came for.”

I couldn’t have asked for a more perfect response. Amanda’s lips pinched in displeasure, and I threw out a parting shot.

“You can handle the rest of the refreshments, right? I’m going to be too busy.”

We sidestepped her, and I held her eyes long enough to be sure she knew she’d lost the bet. If looks could kill, I’d be dead on the floor, but I’d spent years being glared at by puck bunnies. Amanda had nothing special to offer.

Reece leaned over my shoulder to whisper in my ear. “Vicious. I like it.”

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