Page 8 of Spearcrest Prince

Evan leans against the bar, frowning. “You two haven’t even met yet? Hasn’t she been here since, like, the first day of term?”

“She has.” Now I’m finally talking about it, the frustration that’s been building up inside of me unfurls fast. “From what I hear, she’s settled into her dorms, going to classes. Just going about her daily fucking life without a care in the world. Not once has she tried to seek me out.” I pause to take a drink, hoping it’ll calm me down. But it doesn’t, so I continue. “She hasn’t even tried to text me, and I know for afactshe has my number because my parents gave it to her parents so that I could ‘help her settle into Spearcrest’. Can you believe this shit?”

Zachary shrugs. “Maybe she’s waiting foryouto introduce yourself toher.”

“What for?” I ask, incensed. “Am I the one marrying her for a grab at an aristocratic name? No. Am I the one who moved countries just to follow me around like a goddamntoutou?”

“A goddamn what?” Iakov asks in a grunt.

“A goddamntoutou—you know—doggy! The answer is no. I’m not the one clawing, I’m not the one following, I’m not thetoutou. She is. So why she thinks I should make the first move is absolutely blowing my mind. She probably wants me to go crawling to her to make herself feel better about her pathetic social-climbing parents.”

Luca’s been observing me in silence. He tilts his head, and a slow, chilling smirk spreads on his lips. “Maybe she’s not making the first move because she doesn’t want to meet you at all.”

I stare at him. “What the fuck are you talking about?”

He shrugs, but his smirk is full of cruel satisfaction. “Maybeshe’sthe one trying to get rid ofyou.”

I shake my head and wave my hand at him. “No. No, not a chance.”

Luca laughs. He and Iakov exchange a glance. Iakov shrugs and finally moves on. “What’s the plan tonight, then?”

“I’m getting drunk,” Evan says.

“I’m getting laid,” Luca says.

“I’ll get drunk with you,” Zach says, nodding at Evan.

“Me too,” Iakov says.

“Fuck it.” I turn, slamming my palm on the bar. “I’m getting drunkandgetting laid. Let’s do shots.”

Chapter 4

Le Pari

Séverin

Igetsodrunkso fast after that.

By the time the girls arrive, I’ve left the bar far behind. I’m on the dancefloor, a girl in front of me, a girl behind me. One of them wraps her arms around my shoulders, the other grinds her ass all over me. They are a little older than me, but that’s fine. I don’t discriminate based on age. They are both gorgeous, their lips painted the same shade of fuck-me red. I’d sleep with them both at the same time just for the ego boost, but that’s not how I roll. In threesomes, one person always gets left behind in the cold. Or they feel like they do, even if they don’t.

But if I take a girl to bed, she’s going to be made to feel like a goddess. She’s going to come so hard she’ll see stars, and I’ll fuck her while she’s still shaking from her first orgasm. I’ll fuck her so good she won’t be able to string a sentence together. And I’ll leave knowing for a fact she’ll never forget the night she spent with me—knowing no other guy will ever compare.

Being a great lover is my blessing and my burden in this world.

I do my best to use it well.

The red-mouthed girls are suddenly shoved aside, replaced by the imposing figure of Iakov and the chilling elegance of Luca. Taking my arms, they drag me to a corner.

“Right!” Luca shouts over the music. “Who are you leaving with?”

“Whoever I want!” I shout back, throwing my arms up and spinning around. I bite my lip and give Luca and Iakov my cockiest smirk. “Have you seen me? Every girl in here wants me!”

The music goes from a frantic synthetic beat to a soft, pounding bass. The ebb and tide of dancers shifts. Movements become slow and sinuous. The lights dim, bright blue and poppy red mingling into a deep under-sea purple. Girls glide and writhe in the music, an ocean full of sparkling, beautiful fish.

“How about that one?” Luca says, pointing into the crowd.

There’s a mocking expression on his face, and I turn, expecting him to be pointing at the ugliest girl in the club. My eyes fall on a girl, and I can see why he’s so amused, although it’s not for the reason I expected.

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