Page 14 of The Puck Player

“So, still drinking to forget about that unfortunate boyfriend of yours, huh?” he coos, with an air of nonchalance I don’t think I could ever manage, and again my answering scoff has him smiling.

“Ben is not the reason I am drinking to forget,” I snap, before grabbing the bottle in his hand and bringing it to my mouth, taking a deep swill.

“Okay then tell me the reason,” he demands playfully, as if he doesn’t believe there could be such a thing to drive me to these methods, and it only pisses me off more.

“My mom just died,” I reply quickly without thinking, before I gasp when I realize my mistake. He is the last person I want to talk about my damn trauma with, and I can’t help but meet his now concerned stare with a panicked one of my own. “Forget I told you that,” I demand, knowing he probably won’t listen, and when he opens his mouth to respond, I prepare myself for the worst.

“This boyfriend of yours, Ben, what does he do that makes him so worthy of you?” he asks, not a hint of insincerity in sight, and I can’t help but blink back at his question.

“Erm, he’s kind to me?” I say slowly, my words sounding more questioning than I mean them to, and his smirk slowly returns.

“Are you asking me or telling me?” he muses, taking the bottle back from my hand and taking a sip, and my eyes track his every move.

“Telling,” I snap, and there goes that damn chuckle again, so I quickly add, “You’re annoying, do you know that?”

The chuckle turns to a full throaty laugh that has him tossing his head back, and if humanly possible, he looks more princely than ever. “I can’t say I have ever been told that before, love.”

“That’s because I’m sure the girls you usually surround yourself with are no doubt desperate for your attention, and therefore choose to lie to your face,” I reply sweetly, as he takes another sip of the bottle, before offering it to me.

I snatch it back with another eye roll, as he muses, “So you’re saying they don’t think I’m rich, charming, and obscenely attractive?”

He lists off his qualities, which annoyingly are all correct, but I’m not going to give him the satisfaction of agreeing with him. “I think you’re confusing their opinion with your own.”

Intense blue eyes watch me take another sip, before he moves a little closer and asks, “And what about your opinion? Or do you need to confer with your little boyfriend or your sky daddy before you’re allowed to tell me?” His fingers caress my purity ring that is wrapped around the bottle, before I quickly snatch my hand away.

“My opinion is that you’re a self-absorbed jock who thinks he’s a gift to women everywhere and doesn’t take anything in life seriously. You use your good looks, your charm, and no doubt your money to get whatever you want, and aren’t used to being told no. So, no, I don’t need mylittleboyfriend, or mysky daddyto tell me that I don’t like you.” I ensure to put emphasis on the last four words to really get my point across, yet to my annoyance he doesn’t even flinch.

Instead, he tips his head back and groans. “Fuck, Aubree, you really are trouble.” Then he turns on his heels and storms into the house without another word, as I’m left wondering what the fuck just happened.

It’s been three weeks since I laid eyes on Aubree Callows and I haven’t known a second of peace since. No amount of alcohol, or fucking my fist, could erase the lust that her words left behind on Friday night, and by the time Monday afternoon rolls around, I am still struggling to keep my cock under control. I don’t think she realizes how amazing it is to have someone not fall at my feet and be desperate for my attention. It’s both infuriating and downright refreshing, and I spent the rest of my weekend reading over the small amount of information that Duchess gathered for me. I tried to press her for more, but she told me to fuck off and ask her out like a normal person.

Something I would gladly do, but from the verbal lashing Aubree gave me at my party the other night, I’m not sureshe’s ready for that stage of us yet. So, I’ll have to settle for mild stalking and work on changing her mind. Between the few run-ins I’ve already had with her and the information Duchess emailed me, I know a few things, but it’s not enough, I need more.

It’s why I’m glad Mr. Rogers sent an email to the few of us at the top of his class, asking if anyone was available to tutor her. I normally ignore whatever he sends, but much to his surprise, I responded the very same minute I received it, securing myself as her tutor. There was no way I was letting any of the other pricks in class have the honor, and besides, this is a sure-fire way to get me in her good graces and get to know her a little better.

The library is fairly busy as I make my way through it, an unusual sight for me since this is the last place you would usually find me, but Mr. Rogers took the liberty of booking us a meeting room for the hour. Something I am mildly considering sending him a gift basket for, since I find Aubree already waiting when I arrive. I shouldn’t be surprised by her punctuality, everything about her screams good girl, and that isn’t just based on the purity ring on her middle finger.

“Hello, Trouble,” I say by way of greeting, as I come to lean on the door frame of the small room, letting my eyes drag over her. Which means I see the moment her spine snaps straight at the sound of my voice.

Today's outfit consists of a cream cardigan held together in the center by two little ties, a light blue pair of flared jeans, cream wedges, and an array of gold jewelry. Her face is painted to perfection between her foundation and blush, finished off with a nude pink lip that matches today's bow in her hair. Said hair is pulled back in an artfully messy ponytail, with a few dark tendrils framing her face, and the pink tips falling down to the middle of her back. She looks fucking perfect, and the glare she sends my way just adds to her appeal.

“What do you want, Alexander?” she sighs, and before I can even open my mouth to respond she cuts me off. “You know what? I don’t care what you want, just go away, I’m waiting for someone important and I haven’t got time for your games.”

It’s only then that it strikes me that there is no realm of possibility in her mind where she thinks I could be here to tutor her. What was it she called me the other night? A self-absorbed jock? Clearly she thinks that is an accurate description of me, and she is happy to apply the stereotype. Oh this is going to be fun.

“But I promise playing games with me is fun,” I purr, pushing off the frame and moving toward her, until I can take a seat on the side of the desk where she already has her books ready, and her eyes instantly snap back down to them to avoid my gaze.

“Yeah, I’m sure it’s about as fun as a dentist appointment,” she mumbles, snatching her books from beneath my thigh. “Now would you please go away, I seriously do not have time for you right now,” she adds in irritation, and it only makes this whole situation even sweeter.

“Oh, such a good girl with such pretty manners,” I muse, reaching out and twirling one of her black curls around my finger. “Who is this important person you’re waiting for, hmm?”

Just like I knew she would, she bats my hand away with a flick of her fingers, her angry eyes once again snapping to meet mine. “Not that it’s any of your business, but I’m waiting for a tutor.”

“A tutor huh? I bet I could give you lessons in a few things.” I try not to let my mind wander to all the things I could teach her, especially when my eyes flash to that ring on her finger. I wonder just how pure she really is? Fuck. Don’t go there, Alexander, your cock does not need encouragement.

“I’m not really in the market to learn about the inner workings of an alpha male who peaked in high school, orsexually transmitted diseases, but thanks anyway.” She pairs her words with a sardonic smile, and I can’t help but bark a laugh.

“You really are funny,” I reply, rising from my perch on the desk and pulling out the chair beside her. “Now, should we get started?” I take a seat at her side and move to grab her books, when she slams her hands down onto them to stop me from taking them.

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