Page 29 of Reckless Temptation

No matter how many times I stalked her and followed her, unnerving her with my presence lurking nearby. Regardless of how often I nudged her, tripped her, made her drop her things, or stalled her so she’d be late to class. And despite everything Isaid, taunting her for being one step above poverty, being “trash” because her dad worked for the city utility company, and that she had to be a slut beneath her good-girl persona…

She did not crack.

When I got home, parking my bike one afternoon, I scowled as it dawned on me why it bothered me so much. Sure, I had to keep her a priority and continue to needle at her because of this ultimatum Tiffany had given me. But it was getting deeper. I was becoming fucking obsessed with Sabrina the more I watched her and snooped for information about her.

And I hated that I was chasing her attention like this.

When she’d slapped me, daring to talk back and argue with me outside that food bank, I had her right where I wanted her. Paying attention to me, not avoiding eye contact. Talking back to me, not ignoring everything I said.

“I don’t need her,” I muttered as I headed inside the mansion to change my clothes. Diego and Pierce had joined me at the gym after lunch, and a quick swim before going back to campus would feel good.

I didn’t need Sabrina. I could get any girl I wanted. I could fuck any woman who caught my eye. I’d never suffered from a lack of interest. While I wasn’t the player I used to be, I wouldn’t struggle to get laid.

There was only one other explanation.

Grimacing, I jogged up the steps, as if I could run away from my thoughts, too.

I want her.

Stalking her as a target to bully had somehow twisted into a deep obsession.

And I wasn’t sure how to handle it anymore.

“Nick?” Tiffany called out from the study off to the side of the foyer.

Dammit.I really didn’t want to face my stepsister.

Intent on ignoring her, I continued toward the stairs to go up to my room and change. I wasn’t fast enough, though. She stepped out of the study and raised her brows at me. Behind her, I caught sight of the lit-up circle on her light that she used when videoing her podcasts and stories and reels. She was consistent about putting up new material for her “life as a law student” profile. I’d learned not to interfere when she was in her content-creation mode, and I was hardly home enough for her to remind me not to make noise or get in her way when she was videoing her “advice” for law students. As if she were some kind of expert.

“Why aren’t you holding up your end of the deal?” She crossed her arms and stared me down.

“It’s not a fucking deal,” I reminded her harshly. Free to talk with George at the office and my mom at the gym, as she usually was this time of the day, I glared at Tiffany. “You gave me an ultimatum.”

She lifted one shoulder and let it drop. “Call it what you want. I expect you to ruin Sabrina so she’s not competition. You’re not doing it.”

“I’m trying to.”

“You’re not trying hard enough.” She narrowed her eyes.

“I’m working on it.” I hated to have to answer to her at all, but there was too much at stake. If George divorced Mom, I would be further from any funding for mental health help for her. “I got her kicked out of the library last night.” Persistently bothering her and making her drop things at the library ended with her being asked to leave. Andstill, she refused to crack or show that she was bothered by it at all.

“Work harder,” she sassed. “I can get you something, too.”

I furrowed my brow.Huh?

“You know, to slip a pill in her drink so you can fuck her.” She shrugged, like it was no big deal. “Thatwould knock her off her pedestal, rumors spreading that she’s fucking the campus’s bad boy.”

Drug her?Fuck that. The idea of drugging Sabrina made me recoil inside. While the thought of helping myself to her sexy, curvy body was something I would be fully on board with, I wanted her to want me.

“I have it under control.”

“Do you?” She stepped closer to show me her phone. Another image of my mom hugging George’s assistant was grainy but there to see. “Just remember what happens if you don’t see this through.”

“I know. I fucking know why I’m bothering with this.”

Her smile was triumphant and cruel. “Good.” Without another word, she turned and flounced back to the study, as if she were superior to dismiss me.

I gritted my teeth and headed upstairs, loathing that I had to deal with Tiffany at all.

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