Page 13 of Vicious Intentions

“You look incredible,” she added. “I’m certain you’ll get more attention than I will.”

Did I hear a hint of jealousy in her voice? She had nothing to worry about.

I’d never worn something so risqué, the material hugging every curve. When I’d stood in front of the mirror, I’d been shocked at the transformation. Kelly had worked magic, my usually unruly curls becoming sexy. I rarely wore anything but eyeliner and maybe some lip gloss. She’d added a sultry color to my eyelids, making them appear larger. I’d stood in the mirror, trying to recognize my own reflection. I felt beautiful for the first time in my life. Excitement and nerves remained at the surface, my mind spinning with possibilities for the night.

A car buzzed past us, heading to the exit, almost driving Kelly off the gravel road.

“Jesus. Asshole!” she yelled, and I laughed. She was a crazy driver herself.

The various vehicles parked in the single lot signified the incredible wealth of the students. Porsches. Hummers. Mercedes. Italian sports cars. There was at least two million dollars sitting in the secured space. Meanwhile, I’d insisted on driving a beautiful yet older Chevy Cruze, the compact car suiting my needs just fine.

She found a parking space on the grass, obviously disgusted at being forced to step out onto damp terrain. As soon as I started to open the door, she grabbed my arm.

“What’s wrong?” I asked, surprised her breathing was labored.

“Look. Um. These guys are… well, they’re not normal.”

“What do you mean?” Now she decided to confess what I already knew? Was she purposely trying to scare me? “I thought you called them dreamy?”

The fact she refused to look me in the eye sent a single tremor of fear through my system.

“Oh, they are, but they’re privileged.” Kelly swallowed hard.

“I know that. So what? Are you trying to tell me they’re dangerous? I already know that too.”

“Yeah…” She raked her hand through her hair, and I was certain the dome light highlighted the fact that her arm was shaking. “So, anything goes at these parties. I mean anything.”

“Drug use?” I had no idea what she was talking about.

“Some, but I’ve seen very little. Let’s just say the men are… amorous.”

Every word out of her mouth was stilted, but I had a feeling she knew what she was talking about. “Okay. I’m not a prude. I’ve seen people having sex before.” Maybe the rumors of huge orgies were true. Why did my nipples become aroused at the thought?

“Yeah, but not like these guys. They are into some kinky shit.”

“How kinky?” While I was surprised I’d asked the question, just doing so created warmth between my legs.

Just like my stories.

“They’re sadists. All of them. They thrive on forcing women to submit to their sick needs, taking pleasure in inflicting pain. But they know how to bring you to the kinds of highs you’ll never get another way.”

My breath caught in my throat. “Do they do that to you?” I squirmed in my seat, trying to remind myself that writing stories was one thing, experiencing the darkness that I envisioned was something else altogether.

Her normally bubbly laugh was pained. “Let’s just say I find them… irresistible. Be very glad your parents didn’t drink the Elite Kool-Aid.”

“What are you talking about?” Her parents were doting just like mine were, both highly respected doctors.

She threw me a look, the flash of lightning turning the dark night into an eerie setting, but it allowed me to see the fact that her lower lip was quivering. “I need to surrender to them no matter what they want me to do.”

“Whoa. Hold on. That’s crazy. Why?”

“Because my parents want me to be chosen.”

I’d never heard her talk this way, even when I’d teased about the crap floating on campus about their lofty organization. “Chosen for what?”

“To hopefully marry one of the bastards one day. They want me to marry the President, but I know he doesn’t like me. He wants someone else.” She looked away, obviously angry some girl had caught this guy’s attention.

I resisted laughing or worse. “Oh, for God’s sake. That doesn’t happen in this day and time,” I finally chided.

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