Page 65 of All Bets Are Off

I’m not surprised that Elias is the first to follow Ash’s stare, he’s so in tune with him sometimes that it freaks me out, it’s like they are part of the same soul. Their actions and reactions are so similar, yet their personalities so different, it’s a jarring combination. When my eyes collide with Eli’s I feel my lips tingle, the impression of his lips imprinted there forever. I remember exactly what it felt like to have his hard body pressed against mine, his hands pulling me closer, even when there was no space left between us, and the way he kissed me like he might die without my lips. It’s a moment I’ll never forget, no matter what happens between the five of us, that will always be the moment I first crossed the line with one of them.

That thought pushes my stare across to the other thorn of lust in my side. Zaiden is leaning back against the statue, head up to the sky, eyes closed like he is breathing in the fall air. That pose drags me back to the gym, me down on my knees worshiping him like a god, with the ache of his cock burning the back of my throat. I swallow deeply and it’s as if my inner siren calls out to him because he snaps his eyes open and they land on me immediately. His gaze scorches me as he takes in my appearance like he wants to come over here and rip this nightie right off of me. Part of me wishes he would, wishes they all would, but it’s a taboo part of me that I keep locked away nice and tight.

Z nudges Hudson and says something I don’t hear as they share a strained heated look that confuses me before Hudson flashes me his usual playful smile. It seems forced somehow but I can barely concentrate as Hudson flexes his dark, defined muscles, my eyes eating them up, as he stretches his arms up above his head. I think growing up, Hudson was the only one who didn’t have an awkward looking phase, he has always been classically good looking, just like Vanessa. His curled hair, bronzed skin, and easy smile make him easily attractive and that only increased last summer when he turned eighteen and got a full sleeve of tattoos down one of his arms. I know I wasn’t the only girl that noticed back home, just like I’m not the only one here now checking him out.

When they all start moving towards me I fight down the surge of jealousy that overtakes me as every girl in the vicinity lets their eyes eat them up. All four of them are wearing simple black boxers and running shoes, nothing else. As they erase the space between us, I feel my skin burn. The rush of desire that starts to consume me is overwhelming and it’s been a while since I have had to deal with it that I’m not quite sure what to do, but of course in true Zaiden Hollis fashion, he knows exactly what to say to put that fire out.

“Looking good, Andrews! Let me know when you wanna go for another round?” He tosses her a wink and the need to stab him in the eye is strong.

Maybe today wasn’t a good idea after all.

ChapterTwenty-Six

Brielle Montgomery is stunning everyday,but right now, she is a fucking vision.

I have seen Bri in countless ways, in her sweats, dressed up for dinner parties our parents throw, in her pajamas, hell, even in a bikini, but right now, the sight of her sends me straight to hell.

I can feel my cock waking up in my boxers and it’s really not the time or place to be getting a hard on. I have to force my stare away from her, but the sight of her dolled up in black lace negligee is something I won’t easily forget.

I watch her eyes take in each of us one by one and I swear I see both interest and lust flash across her stare more than once. That fact shouldn’t excite me, it shouldn't make me feel wanted, not when the guys are so dead set on her betraying us, but I know what I saw that day outside of the restaurant. It wasn’t a loving relationship, it was something else, something I haven’t quite figured out yet.

Not to mention the kiss she shared with Elias and the encounter she had with Zaiden in the gym. Even if I don’t know her very well anymore, one thing I can say for sure is that Brielle has never been a cheater. Her attitude and clothes may have changed, but I find it hard to believe her morals have too. She’d never disrespect someone she loves like that.

So what exactly is their dynamic?

I’m close to figuring it out, I know I am, I just need to keep digging. It’s why I am so glad she took the bracelet. I might have been shocked at first, hesitant, but I realize now it’s what needed to happen. We need to remind her of the old times, of what it was like before. The guys might be set on punishing her with bets and rewards, but my only goal is bringing her back to the fold, and after recent events, I don’t think I’m the only one.

We move in unison, closing the distance between us and I see her shift on her feet, a nervous tick as she begins fidgeting with the sleeves of the lace robe she is wearing. Doesn’t she realize how desirable she looks? Every jackass here is staring at her, wishing she belonged to them, I guess I’m now one of them. We have been on the outside looking in for a while, but right now I think it might be a turning point for us, that is until Z opens his fucking mouth.

“Looking good, Andrews! Let me know when you wanna go for another round.” He purrs the words in that flirty tone of his and I don’t miss the look of disgust on her roommate’s face, or the look of hurt on Brielle’s.

There is barely a pause before she tosses back, “Drop dead, Hollis,” with a sickly sweet smile as she holds her hand up for a high five off Bri. Brielle doesn't leave her hanging, bringing her palm up to smash it against hers, and I almost smile at their antics until I see Bri wince as if in pain.

What the fuck?

“I would, but the girls would miss me too much,” Z drawls, ensuring he keeps his eyes solely on Shelby as Brielle silently fumes beside her.

Shelby snorts, “Please, they would be glad to be rid of you. Nice shiner by the way, I guess someone beat me to it.” She smiles pure venom as she notices the bruise I left on his jaw and I see Brielle note it with worry in her gaze.

“Someone hit you?” Her question breaks her silence and I know she feels the weight of the stare of all four of us, as we share a look with Zaiden and he breaks it to look at her.

See, if she doesn’t still care about us, why does that upset her?

His smile is victorious and smug. “Don’t tell me you are concerned about me, Sunshine?” He takes a step towards her and my fingers flex with the need to punch him again for being too close to her. Is she remembering what happened between them? Does she want it to happen again?

My thoughts are chaotic as I watch the two of them and when he adds, “Don’t worry, it will take more than a punch to the face to hurt me, Baby B.” The nickname almost pushes me over the edge with rage as I think about him fucking her throat with nothing but disrespect. Did she like it? How would it feel if I did the same? If my hands fisted into her blonde curls and held her still while I fucked her face. Would she happily drop to her knees for me too?

As if he can hear where my thoughts are going, Eli nudges me, bringing me back to reality as Brielle tosses back, “Trust me, it won’t.”

Before Zaiden can say anything else, Hudson cuts in, “Nice outfit.” From the smirk on his face you would think he is joking, but I can tell by the look in his eye that he thinks the same thing I do. She looks incredible. Overdressed and not like her at all, but stunning nonetheless.

Brielle blushes under his assessment, clearly understanding that he means it, and trying not to look like she is lapping up his attention, but after what she did with Elias and Zaiden, I can’t help but think about if she wonders about having more.

I know I do, and when Eli lets his gaze slowly take her in from head to toe, I know he does too.

He looks at her like he is replaying their kiss over and over, and I find myself wishing I would have been there to witness it and not just see the aftermath. Wondering what she would have done if I interrupted them and claimed her lips for my own before I let her go back to him.

Eli is always the one who seems to be on top of everything but that day she disarmed him with just a touch of her lips and when he speaks, I know she has changed him. “I preferred the llamas.”

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