So, instead of heading to my room, I made my way to the library instead. It was empty for the most part. There was a girl browsing the non-fiction section near the front, and unless people were hanging out near the back, then it was completely secluded aside from that.
I started my way toward the back, knowing that if they were here, that’s where they’d be. I didn’t have to look hard. They were in our usual spot on the sofa. Archer’s hand was on her bare thigh, and she didn’t seem to be in any hurry to redirect it. Instead, she was reading while his hand inched up between her legs.
Heat spread through my body, awakening that rage within me that was all too familiar these days. Rosalie let her knees fall to the side, giving him even more access.
Fucking piece of shit.
Both of them.
A moan drifted from her lips, her eyes fluttering closed as he fucking touched her. Neither one of them even seemed to notice me. He grinned, burying his face in the side of her neck, his muscles flexing as he pumped his fingers in and out.
So, what? She dumped her boyfriend and turned into a slut overnight?
Fuck this shit. Fuckthem.
I quickly retreated, fighting the instinct within me that threatened to tear her to shreds—to tearhimto shreds. I was in a confusing fucking spot.
I slipped out of the library, making a beeline for my bedroom when I spotted Jordan down the hall, his sketchbook clutched to his chest as usual. His hand rested on his doorknob, but as if sensing me, he turned, meeting my gaze. A dip formed between his brows, and I couldn’t even imagine what he must haveseen when he looked at me. Fighting the urge to go to him, I wrenched my door open and stepped inside. My body froze, an idea sparking to life within my mind.
I’d given her chance after chance after goddamn chance. She either didn’t take me seriously or was willing to accept the consequences for being a damn whore.
Crossing the room, I entered my closet and unlocked the safe with shaky fingers. My hand curled around the knife; the hilt was cold against my palm. Adrenaline surged through my veins, making me feel five times lighter already. If she wanted to play, then we could fucking play.
I slipped the weapon beneath the sleeve of my hoodie, being careful not to slice myself in the process. I took in a steadying breath before retreating into the hall again. Her room wasn’t far from mine, so that made things simple enough. Glancing both ways, I started for her door and slipped inside before a staff member could catch me.
My eyes darted around her room, taking it all in. It looked the same as last time. The walls were still bare, clothes were put up, nothing was out of the ordinary. Aside from a stack of papers that were resting on the floor near her bed. Curiosity got the better of me and I kneeled to scoop them up, placing the knife on the bed for the time being. My gaze skimmed over the print, my eyebrows furrowing in confusion. It was a written porno.
Flipping the page, my jaw tightened as the realization started to set in. This wasn’t written porn. This was a sex fantasy, written by fucking Archer. It talked about all the nasty things he wanted to do to her. Red clouded my vision, and I threw the papers, watching them scatter around the room. They’d probably know it was me, but I really didn’t give a shit. I was looking for a fight.
Next, I located her bear. The thing was still positioned in the corner of her bed. I grabbed the knife and reached for thestuffed animal, my fingers pressing into its soft fur. It didn’t look like anything special. Just a regular bear. Either way, it meant something to Rosalie, and since she took something of mine…it was only fair I returned the sentiment.
I laid the animal on the bed before quickly driving the blade through its stomach. It tore instantly, cotton dislodging from within. I reached inside tearing all of the cotton out before throwing that around the room as well. The pieces scattered along the bed and floor, winding up in various places.
Satisfaction filled me, and I tore through its face next. I chopped off both ears, a foot, everything I could until its insides had been removed—just like hers would be if she kept this shit up. I didn’t want to kill her. But if she kept pushing me, I would.
This was just the beginning. If this didn’t teach her a lesson, then I’d have to go to more extreme measures. Archer could do whatever the hell he wanted; I couldn’t control him and had no interest in doing so. But Rosalie was much easier to manage, and there was a thrill in it. Knowing I could destroy her in ways she couldn’t even begin to imagine. A small smile curled around the corners of my mouth.
I hid the blade back in my sleeve and crept out into the hallway, relieved to find it empty still. My heart thudded against my chest rapidly as I navigated my way back to my room and closed the door. Blowing out a breath, I returned the weapon to the safe and sat on the edge of my bed. If Archer walked her back and saw what I’d done, he’d probably come directly here. All there was left to do was wait.
My gaze skimmed over my bedroom door, anticipation settling deep inside of me. This washerfault. I warned her, and she didn’t listen. Our little three-way didn’t change a goddamn thing, and she was an idiot if she thought it did. That wasn’t even supposed to happen in the first place.
And now, she’d know how thoroughly she fucked up by defying me.
TWENTY-THREE
ROSALIE
Ididn’t know what I was doing. All I knew was that I needed a distraction, so when Archer led me to the library and started kissing me, touching me, whispering dirty things to me…I let it happen. I’d agreed to be his, still not entirely sure what that meant, but he hadn’t even tried to harm me, and he never forced me to do anything I wasn’t comfortable with. His warm lips trailed down the column of my throat, eliciting a series of goosebumps in the process. Maybe it was self-sabotage. Maybe, I was more fucked in the head than I’d initially realized. A soft moan fluttered through my lips, my legs falling open as he plunged a finger inside me. I was still sore from taking both him and Seven the other day, but the pain eased into pleasure, and it was a small reprieve.
What the hell had I gotten myself into?
He sucked in a stuttering breath. “Fuck, Rosalie. I don’t think I’ll ever get tired of touching you.” He pushed his palm against my mound before inserting a second finger. My thighs shook from the pressure, a breathy gasp leaving me. He nuzzledagainst the side of my neck. “I’m half-tempted to fuck you the shit out of you right here.”
My pulse thundered in my ears, a spark of something hot igniting deep within my abdomen. I’d gone all this time without sex, and now that I’d finally experienced it, it felt like I couldn’t get enough. I turned my head, capturing his lips with mine. They were soft and warm, and it shocked me how comfortable I felt with him. After swearing to stay away from him, after finding out that Alex had cheated on me, after losing my virginity…
There was something about Archer King that I couldn’t shake. He made me feel desired. This didn’t mean everything else had gone out the window. It only meant that I was taking what I wanted. For the first time in so long, I was being selfish.
“Is that an invitation?” he muttered against my mouth. His free hand curled around my waist, tugging me closer to his hard body.