Chapter 2

ETHAN

What the fuck is she doing here? She looks out of place, rocking back on her sneakers, as she stands awkwardly in the center of the room, like she's unsure if she should be here. Yet, somehow, I still find her adorable. She looks just as sweet as ever. Like something I’d like nothing more than to have a taste of, even though I shouldn’t. My eyes drift over her body as if she’s completely exposed to my view when she’s not. Oversized jeans that hide an ass I can’t make out. And a shirt that’s open in the front showing off her tits to the world. They’re huge. At least way bigger than I thought. Not that I spend a lot of time thinking about her. Or those big blue eyes, always widened with curiosity. Like that silly look on a sweet and lovable cartoon character. All bubbly-eyed and innocent. Too innocent. It pisses me off.

And now she wants to stand there like she’s down for anything. Fronting for the guys here, because she’s obviously desperate for a little attention after all this time standing on the sidelines. I look around at Jordan and some of our friends. They’re all occupied with chicks wearing far less than her. Good. She doesn’t need their attention. She shouldn’t want it.

She’s too sweet for guys after quick no commitment flings because they aren’t interested in getting into a relationship. Too good for guys like me, who made a promise to their father to get serious, but ultimately sold his soul. He owns me now. And what he wants he gets—every stipulation—if I want my place in the company. That leaves me determined to do everything the way my father wants. I keep my grades up. I make sure I’m involved in no scandals. And when the time comes—when I’ve proven myself and have the time for an actual relationship—I imagine, he expects a certain type of girl on my arm. None of that stops me from noticing the one girl I can’t have though. It’s kind of frustrating. The way I watch her. And the way she never looks at me. Not really. I mean there are times her eyes are on me, but she has nothing to say. Not a word. Not a smile. Nothing.

I guess that’s a good thing. She’s so smart, and determined to go places with goals and dreams that she works really hard to accomplish. She doesn’t aspire to be someone’s trophy wife, and I guess her thinking that’s what I want is the reason she steers clear of me. That just makes her even hotter.

Her eyes finally land on me, after what feels like an hour of watching her stand around. The lost little lamb, away from its flock. She’ll come across a wolf in no time. I’ve seen her around a few guys before. The thought of what she was doing with them annoyed the hell out of me. But seeing her here, like she’s putting herself on the market is even more infuriating. The quiet girl I’ve seen around campus at the hands of one of these assholes because she wanted to…I don’t know what the fuck she’s trying to prove. I bare my teeth, pushing off the wall and she staggers back.

Good. She should be afraid. This isn’t the place for scared little girls. This party is for chicks who know what time it is, and take what they want no questions asked. She needs to go home.

Stalking towards her, I take my time making my presence known. The ones who don’t wave or pat me on the back, shout my name, in an attempt to say hi, as I pass them. But I don’t stop for a second. Think of me as a predator. And I’ve got my prey in my sights.

“What are you doing here,” I ask her, the second I’m close enough, without thinking it through. Shit. I don’t even know her name.

Her mouth doesn’t form words. Like usual. And by the look in her eyes, her brain hasn’t thought of any either. She’s staring with those wide eyes. Opening and closing her lips like a guppy. Plump lips. Delectable. Something to sink your teeth into while fucking her into oblivion. I stare at those lips. Picture them on mine. Between my teeth. Wrapped around my cock. Yeah. They’ll look real fucking good there. My jaw ticks.

“Ethan,” a perky squeal from the left forces me to drag my eyes away from the girl in question over to the one eagerly trying to get my attention. Paisley? I think that’s her name. But I know a lot of girls at this school that often try to get me to notice them, this one included. The squealing girl is smiling wide like she always does when she sees me. And I return a smirk, as she presses her tits out, wanting all of my focus on her. Who am I to disappoint? My eyes trail there for a minute before I reply.

“Paisley.” Her eyes sparkle. That’s definitely her name.

“What are you doing over here, besides scaring my friend?”

I raise an eyebrow. “Your friend?”

She nods. “I finally got her to pop that cherry. Her party cherry. The other one is still intact. Right?”

Blue eyes widen, and the brunette stares in disbelief.

Paisley continues. “Anyway. Better late than never. Always the late bloomer right, Piper?”

Piper.

She nudges her friend then wags her finger at me. “But don’t go getting any ideas.”

I narrow my eyes at Paisley. “Ideas?”

“About my closest friend. She’s too pure for you.”

She’s right about that. I’ve already been a little curious about Piper, but breaking in a virgin, when I have no intentions of wanting something more with her isn’t my idea of a good time. I scoff, “I think her virtue is safe. I’ll see you later.”

Pushing past them, I march into another room. Anywhere, just as long as I’m as far away from that girl as I can get. I’ve had a shit day as it is. Me and Jordan returned late from our snowboarding trip, only for me to realize I still needed to register for one more class. The one I got isn’t exactly what I wanted—and it doesn’t do my transcripts any favors—but if I’m going to stay on task and prove to my father I’m serious, I had to take it. He called an hour ago to have a conversation, once he learned of my mistake. Right now, the last thing I need is to be tempted by something I can’t have.

Entering the kitchen, I search the countertops for a beer bottle that hasn’t been drank out of.

“Ethan,” some chick basically sings, as she approaches me staggering into place.

I look up, plastering on a smile, and throwing my arm over her shoulder. “What’s up?”

“You want to get out of here,” she slurs.

She’s hot. Impressive body. But drunk. Too drunk for me to even consider her offer.

I smirk. “I’ll take a raincheck. Some other time.”

She’s disappointed. But something tells me in another ten minutes she won’t even remember this, flashing me a smile, and staggering off the way she came.

When she’s gone, I run a hand through my hair and it falls back in place. Adam, one of the Gammas who’s house this is, laughs as he walks up to me. “You telling me you didn’t want a piece of that?”

“She was drunk off her ass,” I reply.

“Yet, she remembered to hit on you,” he says, with another laugh.

“What’s so funny,” Jordan, my best friend asks, with our friend, Antonio close behind him.

“This girl that was too drunk to walk, but not too drunk to hit on Ethan,” Adam fills everyone in.

Jordan looks at me with amusement.

“Oh but don’t worry,” Adam continues. “He was such a gentleman.”

“Yeah. Yeah,” I cut them off. “Do you guys think you can not talk about me like I’m not here?”

“And now he’s being sensitive,” Antonio adds.

I shove him playfully. “Don’t you guys have anything better to do right now? There’s a party full of women out there.”

“The night is still early,” Adam replies.

“Just believe me when I say the minute ass is thrown at me free and clear the way it falls in your lap, I won’t be standing around here looking like someone just pissed in my beer,” Antonio adds.

I laugh in response. “Fuck you. Don’t worry about my dick, asshole. Unlike you jerk wads, I get offered pussy on a daily basis. I can use the break.”

“Dick exhaustion is real,” Antonio replies, thrusting his hips. “But I’d still power through.”

“Whatever,” I reply, nudging Adam. “Where’s the rest of the beer?”

He’s still laughing at Antonio’s stupid dance. “I think we have some more down in the basement. But watch out. The door sticks.”

“Maybe it’s full of jizz,” Antonio jokes.

“Why,” I hear Jordan ask him. “Why would you say that?”

I’m laughing as I walk away, in search of that much needed beer, anything to calm this feeling racing under my skin.

More people wave as I walk through the party. High fives. Flirtatious smiles. They’re all reacting to my presence like I’m some kind of rockstar. I’ll admit, it was exciting in high school. Even last year, coming to a whole other place and receiving the same reception was a head rush. But tonight has been one of many nights lately that I don’t feel that ego boost. It’s exhausting. Laughing along. Pretending these people know me when most of them don’t bother to. Smiling and waving like I’m some kind of spectacle. The girls all want to be close to me for what’s in my pants. Or what’s in my wallet. The guys want my reputation. Popularity by association. And maybe we become close enough, I can introduce them to my dad. The big time mogul is always looking to pluck young and hardworking individuals, who don’t know the meaning of the words “burnt out”, fresh out of college to work at McKay Corp. Our positions are coveted. Everyone wants a chance. And they'd pretend to be my friend just for one shot. I’m really only close with Jordan, since we were little. The way people use me ensures it’ll stay that way, at least for now.

Finding the door to the basement, I open it, and step inside with my hand on the knob to pull it closed behind me.

“No. Don’t shut the—” The door clicks shut with finality. “Door,” the sexy voice continues.