Page 60 of Ruthless Rose

Chapter 33

As we rejoined the party, Micah saw someone he wanted to talk to and I found Scarlett and a fresh drink waiting for me. I don’t even remember if I finished the first one or where I’d left my cup. Probably in Micah’s room? Everything is a blur.

We wander out to the pool, shuck off our clothes down to our swimsuits, and leave them in neat piles on one of the lounge chairs. With my body still humming from what happened up in Micah’s room, I set my cup by the side of the pool and wade into the shallow end with Scarlett.

It’s fairly cold out, but the water feels like a warm bath. I remember when Scarlett first went to one of Beau’s parties earlier this year, she’d been shocked by the heated pool. Why we hadn’t assumed these families had every last luxury, I have no idea. Hell, Scarlett also mentioned that Xander’s family has both a cook and a housekeeper, and I’d wager Micah’s family is no different. I snort a little to myself. I suppose we have a cook and housekeeper at our house, too—her name is Mom.

I frown to myself as I run my hands through the water. Seriously, though, Micah’s already said his parents aren’t around much. Who takes care of him?

I glance over to where he’s still talking to Beau’s younger brother Griffin and Xander before my gaze roams, taking in his impressive home. It’s all lit up inside and there are fairy lights strung overhead outside, crisscrossing over the pool and patio area. The whole place is picture-perfect, like it belongs in a Pottery Barn catalog or maybe has been decorated by Joanna Gaines. If this were my home, I’d stay here all the time. I don’t understand why his parents would have all this but not want to be home to enjoy it.

“I have to admit, I wasn’t sure you’d actually come tonight.” Scarlett holds onto the edge of the pool and kicks her feet behind her.

Meeting her gaze, I press my lips together for a count of three before I finally blurt out, “I almost made Micah turn around and take me home.” I lower my voice. “But I didn’t want to disappoint him.”

Scarlett’s forehead creases. “Disappoint him?”

I wade over and grab my almost-empty cup from the edge of the pool. Thinking carefully, I take another sip. “Um, well, you’ve said it yourself—his parents are never around.” With a deep exhale, I murmur, “I get the feeling it bothers him more than he’s willing to admit. I didn’t want to be another person to let him down by going back on my word. He won our bet to get me to the game fair and square. And then we made another little bet that landed me here tonight.”

No way am I mentioning that Micah had chosen getting me off as the prize for the second bet. Attending the party had only seemed fair since my first orgasm was more of a win for me than him …

She shrugs, bobbing up and down in the water. “I guess I don’t really know much about his parents. I mean, Micah throws the occasional party, he mostly observes whatever craziness is happening—unless he happens to be drinking, and that isn’t often. But you’re right. I’ve never heard him talk about his parents at all.”

I cock my head. “I’m beginning to wonder if the stuff with his grades isn’t a bid for—” My thought is interrupted when Xander and Micah, both having changed into swim trunks, dive into the deep end of the pool, swimming quickly underwater to us. They both pop up out of the water, and shake it out of their hair. Stray droplets hit both Scarlett and me, and we scramble in an awkward jog in an attempt to get away from them, laughing the whole time. We don’t get far before I glance back and see Xander go under, coming up a few seconds later with Scarlett on his shoulders. She shrieks loudly in exaggerated outrage as he stands. “What the hell, Xander?”

I’ve just let out a delighted belly laugh watching them when the water behind me ripples. Micah’s big hands grasp my thighs just before his head ducks between my legs for a second time tonight. Only this time, instead of tormenting me with his sweet tongue, he lifts me on his shoulders.

I blink rapidly a few times, noticing we’ve definitely got the attention of people hanging out near the pool. Water streams down my body and over Micah. He tips his head back against my belly, looking up at me. His fingers press into the tops of my thighs. “Wha-what are you doing?” I gasp.

“Just having a bit of fun. Remind me to tell you something when we’re done.”

“Okay,” I say hesitantly, just as a few others jump into the pool.

One of them shouts, “Who’s up for a game of chicken?”

More people strip down to their swimsuits and hop in with us. All hell breaks loose when Beau decides to do a cannonball right into the middle of everything.

Scarlett’s brows go up as we lock eyes and laugh. “Are you ready for this, Daphne?”

Xander whirls the two of them toward us. “Prepare to be taken down, Micah. Sorry, Daphne.”

I can’t do anything but shake my head and brace myself for whatever insanity is about to transpire.

And to be perfectly honest, with Micah’s hands on my thighs, I’m having trouble thinking of much of anything. Less than twenty minutes ago, he’d had my body at his mercy, my legs spread wide while his lips, tongue, and fingers had masterfully brought me to orgasm. My knees clamp down on his shoulders with the memory. He probably thinks I’m trying to stay steady. Never mind that I’m actually up here reliving every lick and suck and kiss. My face heats. I’d better concentrate on whatever mayhem is about to go down.

Focusing on the game of chicken, my feet lock behind Micah’s lower back. Or is that his ass? I can’t quite tell, but he doesn’t seem to care. He laughs as Xander stalks toward us.

Scarlett reaches out and grabs one of my hands and gives me a squeeze right as someone shouts, “Go!”

The pool is a scene of mass chaos as we fight it out with eight other pairs. We grapple with one after another, at a distinct advantage with my five-foot-seven frame stacked on top of Micah’s six foot three. Add to that the fact that he makes for a solid base, and we’re golden. Surprisingly, given how athletic both Xander and Scarlett are, we take them down quickly, Scarlett squealing right before she goes underwater.

Everything is going fine until, of course, there are only two pairs left—us versus Alora and some big dude I recognize from the football team.

Micah holds his hands up in a classic gesture, beckoning them forward. He pats my legs when they tighten on him. “Don’t worry, we’ve got this.” The other guy inches forward, a sly grin on his face. I’m sure he’s got plenty of tricks up his sleeve. And it’s worrisome that, considering this is just a party game, Alora has a murderous glint in her eye.

Just as he’s about to lunge, Alora kicks her heel into his side and grabs his hair with her hands, yanking. It makes him hesitate, glancing up at her. “Hang on, Greg. I want to talk to Double D for a minute.”

I can feel Micah tense up. Obviously disgusted with her antics, he cocks his head to the side. “Come on, Alora. Don’t be a bitch.”

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