Page 12 of Kingston
Her gaze bounces among the three of us, then over to the coffee maker she’s spotted on the counter. “May I have a cup, or is that against the rules? Caffeine deprivation or something dumb like that,” she mutters.
My eyes narrow on her down-turned mouth, and I huff out an irritated chuckle. If she’s not careful, I’m going to take her over my knee and swat that plump ass of hers. At the thought of it, my cock thickens. Nope, no time for that. I can’t let on how she’s getting to me. I turn, nab a coffee cup from the cabinet, and hand it to her, gesturing to the half-empty pot. “Have at it. I’m not a complete barbarian.”
She fills her mug, lips pursing. “Could have fooled me,” she mumbles under her breath.
Cannon’s lips twitch, and Archer shoots her a grin. “Peaches, you probably shouldn’t test Kingston. He won’t hesitate to incorporate it into the rules.”
Her eyes flick to mine, though she’s responding to Archer’s comment. “Yep, he’s the one in control, according to him.”
Ah, she’s irritated with my parting shot from our conversation upstairs.Understood.But I’m also absolutely correct. I’m in the power position here, whether she likes it or not. My lips curve into a cruel smirk. “That’s correct.” I pluck the mug from her hands, and her mouth pops open, her gaze falling longingly to the coffee. I wait patiently until she meets my eyes again. “Rule number one: Respect the brotherhood, especially those brothers who are responsible for your initiation. Got it?”
She draws in a sharp breath. “Yes,” comes her clipped, aggravated answer.
“A simpleyes—without the attitude—will do.” I wait with my head cocked to the side, wetting my lower lip with my tongue.
Her eyes widen as they follow, then she blinks a few times before offering a more compliant, “Yes.”
Electricity zaps between us. I’m surprised Archer hasn’t said anything but not that Cannon is staring hard at me. I ignore him and hand the mug of coffee back to her before gesturing to the fridge. “Do you need food before we get down to business?”
Elliot shakes her head. “I don’t eat breakfast. I just need coffee.”
“Well, let’s go sit on the porch out back, then. I don’t want any interruptions. We’ve got enough to discuss without anyone else sticking their noses in.”
We collect our mugs and phones before heading through the house and out the double doors in the living area. As we pass through, I don’t miss the way Elliot’s cheeks turn pink. I can totally tell she’s reliving every moment of stripping for us last night.
That’ll be the first of many such moments for her if I have my say.
Outside on the patio, Elliot pauses, watching each of us take a seat on one of three small sofas set up in a C-shape, looking out onto the lawn. I can sense the indecision in her, but she finally sits down next to Archer. I meet his gaze, and he shoots me a smug grin. I guess he must have shown her a good time last night. Too bad that’s all about to end right now.
NINE
ARCHER
After takinga sip of my coffee, I sit back next to Elliot and try not to laugh aloud at the looks on Kingston’s and Cannon’s faces when I extend my arm along the back of the sofa. My hand is close enough I could brush her hair with my fingertips if I wanted to. I wonder if Elliot would have chosen to sit here with me if she had a fucking clue what went on in her room last night while she was sleeping… or that I already have access to both her iPad and her phone. Or if she knew any of the things I have planned. Soon, there won’t be a move she makes that we don’t know about.
I’ve yet to express to the guys that I don’t think she’s here for the reason she says she is. I could be wrong. But I’m not very often.
“Archer? You want to fill Elliot in on some of what’s expected of her?”
I nod, smiling. “Sure.” I shift slightly on the cushion, positioning my body to better face her. “You already heard the first rule. Respect. You show us that courtesy, things will go easier for you.”
She looks at me from under her lashes and gives a brief nod. “I got it.”
“Great. Rule two, you don’t go anywhere without informing us. We’ve got a copy of your schedule. In the first week, we’ll take you to and from classes.”
“But what about freshman orientation?”
Kingston interrupts, shaking his head. “You won’t need it. We’re your orientation advisors, got it?”
Slowly, she nods, though her forehead has pinched, forming a line right down the center.
I clear my throat, gaining her attention again. “After the first week, you’ll be allowed to move around campus on your own, but you’ll check in with us, letting us know you’ve arrived at your intended destination and when you’re heading home. Though, depending on your schedule, you might have one of us with you anyway.”
“Why is that? Do all the initiates have the same rules?”
Kingston gives her a wicked smile and winks before answering. “Mostly. This rule is about control. Honey, we’ll know when you sneeze. How often you pee. What you eat for lunch. When you’re on the rag.”
Wisely, Elliot presses her lips together. I can totally feel her desire to argue rolling off her in waves. We’ve got our hands full, for sure.
