Page 46 of Mad As Hell

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The pledge who picked us up a few hours later introduced himself as, “Five.” Because pledges got numbers, not names. He was a perfect gentleman as he opened the back door of his Range Rover to let us in before slipping behind the wheel and driving us across campus to Greek Row.

To be fair, Five seemed pretty sweet, and the way his gaze kept snagging on my exposed legs as I got into the car boosted my confidence.

I’d picked the black leather miniskirt and red halter top for maximum skin exposure. The sexy-as-fuck black Louboutins made my long legs look even longer. I’d left my hair loose and down and used minimal makeup, just a coat of mascara and a ruby shade of lipstick to finish the effect.

Bex hadn’t gone quite as extreme as me, but the slinky green dress with a high neck and an open back made her vibrant eyes pop and accented the green-and-blue-dyed strands of her dark hair.

If the way Five occasionally had to swerve back onto the road when his gaze lingered too long in the rearview mirror was any indication, we’d nailed the sexy AF requirement of Ryan’s message.

Five pulled into the circular drive of the frat, parking in a reserved spot before leaping from the vehicle and opening the back door for us.

I awkwardly turned my legs, careful not to flash him a view of the pink lace thong I was wearing under my skirt because the effect of this outfit would’ve been ruined by panty lines. And also? Sometimes a girl just needed some sexy underwear to boost her confidence, even if she was the only one who knew it was there.

Five hesitated, shooting us a nervous glance. “Want me to walk you in?”

I glanced around the front of the house. The party was in full-swing, with people gathered on the lawn and music pumping from the speakers in the massive, three-story brick monstrosity of a house. Almost every light in the place was on, and I could see silhouettes of people inside. Splashes from the back signaled people were taking advantage of the warm California night to use the pool.

“We’re good,” I said coolly.

Five gave a slow nod, his eyes already on a girl who was giving him some serious fuck-me eyes as she peered at him over the top of her cup. He walked away from us without another word, headed in her direction.

I dragged in a slow breath, turning my attention to the house and squaring my shoulders as butterflies flapped in my stomach. “Okay.”

Bex grabbed my wrist and stared at me with wide eyes that took in my outfit. “I don’t know about this, Maddie.”

I frowned a little as I looked at her, glancing down at my outfit. “Is my skirt too short?”

She nibbled on her lower lip. “I mean, not really—”

With a smirk, I reached down and tugged the hem up, exposing another inch of skin and making a mental note to avoid bending over. Or sitting. Honestly, I might flash an ass cheek if I walked too fast.

It wasn’t much different from the way half the girls here were dressed. I looked ready to party.

Or work a corner.

Eat your heart out, Ryan.

Bex groaned softly and shook her head. “Seriously, Maddie. Ryan’s going to flip when you walk in, and probably not in a good way. He won’t take this lying down.”

I met her eyes and couldn’t help but smirk. “I don’t care if he takes it lying down, standing up, or bent over. Ryan can suck it.”

“That’s what I was afraid you were going to say,” Bex muttered behind me as I started walking to the front door.

“Besides, he’s the one who told me to dress sexy,” I reminded her with a wink.

She blew out a breath and muttered, “Not what I think he had in mind.”

I kept my focus solely on walking, because cobblestones and heels were a deadly combination, and the effect of my outfit would be ruined if I face planted in front of everyone outside. I missed someone coming up behind me until it was almost too late.

“Maddie.” A hand touched my elbow, and my heart leapt as I turned quickly. Too quickly. My ankle started to roll, and I flung my arms out to steady myself.

Charles laughed as his hands steadied me. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you. I thought you heard me.”

Bex stared at me, wide-eyed, behind Charles.

“I was lost in my own world,” I replied, letting him go.

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