Page 5 of Freestyle
His eyes darken and he tilts his head, studying me as if trying to pinpoint my weakness.
A challenge, I realize.
A challenge I’m not sure I’m ready for, but one that ignites sparks of something thrilling within me.Game on, fuckers.
“We’ll see about that.” His words drip with a promise that erupts goosebumps along my skin. He releases me and I drop onto my heels. Gray doesn’t step away, leaving an electricity in the air that feels both maddening and exhilarating.
“Bedroom, Gray. We’re drawing a crowd,” his friend whispers in his ear, loud enough for me to hear.
My breath catches as I feel the warm, deep timbre of his voice wash over me, stirring something primal deep within. I pull back, locking eyes with him. His piercing green eyes stare back, intense and magnetic, as if I’m caught in his spell, and he is the hunter sizing up his prey.
“Who’s your friend?” I manage to ask, though I can hardly focus on anything but his gaze.
“Phoenix,” he says, a smirk dancing on his lips. “Or call me Nix.”
“I’d normally say let’s give them something to watch, but I’ll be damned if we aren’t the only ones seeing her.”
Gray’s voice holds a confidence that sends shivers down my spine. Without waiting for my approval, he takes my hand firmly and leads me through the crowd. They all part before Gray and Nix like the obedient subjects they are as they drag me upstairs to the bedroom. I try to protest the whole time, looking to other guests for help, but no one defies the Sharks of this school.
“Wait! I didn’t agree to this!” I protest, trying to twist out of his grip. The door slams closed behind us and I’m pressed against it.
“Haven’t you though? Your eyes have been fucking us all night.” Phoenix’s words are an accusation, but his tone is almost gentle. He releases my wrist, his fingers trailing up my arm, leaving a string of goosebumps in their wake. His touch is feather-light, yet it feels like fire against my skin. I shouldn’t be surprised. Seduction is all part of the game.
“If that’s what you think, then it’s time to get yours checked,” I say sarcastically.
The music thumps beneath us, the rhythm pounding in my chest. The tension between us is as thick and palpable as the air in the room but I won’t let him see it, won’t let him know he has any effect on me.
Gray steps closer, his eyes never leaving mine. “We don’t think, Rowyn. We know.” His voice is low, almost a growl. It sends electric shocks through my veins, but I refuse to show weakness.
“Whatever helps you sleep at night,” I mutter, my eyes narrowing. “Now, move.”
“Why? Are we in your way?” he taunts, a smirk tugging at his lips. I can feel the heat radiating from his body, his presence looming over me. “Don’t think you can handle us, little girl?” Gray taunts. “You’re not even in our league, but here you are in my room.”
The words cut deep, but I won’t give him the satisfaction of knowing that. I tilt my chin up defiantly, my eyes locking with his. “Don’t flatter yourself, asshole,” I spit out. “You’re not that special.”
I try to push past him, but he’s unyielding, his solid form blocking my path. “You think you’re so tough, huh?” he sneers. “You have no idea who you’re dealing with.” His tone is low and dangerous. “Any girl would beg to have a moment of our undivided attention. Why not you, princess?”
“Because I think pigs belong in a barn and I’m not a farmer,” I jeer.
“Oh, ho, we’ve got a unicorn here,” Nix comments with a deep chuckle.
“I’m not afraidof you,” I reply, my voice wavering. His hand shoots out, gripping my chin tightly.
“You should be. We could break you, little girl. We could ruin you.”
I struggle against his grip, my heart pounding in my chest.
“Go to hell!” I shout, trying to twist out of his grasp, but it’s no use. Gray is like a wall; impenetrable and unyielding. His gaze bores into me, his eyes dark and unreadable.
“You have no idea what we’re capable of,” he murmurs, his breath hot on my face. I feel the weight of his words, the promise of something dark and dangerous lurking beneath them. I try to pull away but he’s too close, too overpowering, tooeverything. I swallow hard, my pulse quickening as I realize just how far I’ve strayed from the path of safety.
My gaze flickers to the exit, to the escape that feels so close yet so far away. Gray follows my gaze, his grip on my chin tightening. “You won’t get away from us that easily,” he whispers, his lips brushing against the shell of my ear. And with that, he releases me, his fingers I know leaving red marks on my skin. I stumble backward, gasping for air as if I’ve been underwater.
“Don’t worry, sunshine,” he adds. “We promise to make this worth your while.” The heat of Phoenix’s body envelopes me as he steps behind me, his hand trailing up my arm to push my hair to the side.
“I know you want us, Row. You’re just too stubborn to admit it,” Gray whispers against my ear. “Let go, baby.”
I shake my head, trying to clear my mind of this insane and intoxicating effect Gray has on me. “You don’t know anything about me,” I spit out, my words laced with anger. “I’m not yours to claim.”
