Chapter 3

The taxi pulled up right outside the glass doors of the Plaza Hotel.

The second Piper stepped out, she lunged toward Cole, throwing her arms around him and slamming her lips onto his. They stumbled through the main entrance, practically tearing each other's clothes off as they kissed.

I had seen the gold keycard for the hotel’s penthouse suite sitting in Piper’s pocket earlier, so I didn't hesitate to trail right behind them.

When I kicked the door wide open, they were hopelessly locked in an intense, breathless kiss.

Piper didn't look shocked at all. If anything, a wave of relief washed over her face. She threw a jacket over her shoulders, leaning back against the edge of the bed with a lazy, bored look.

"So, you finally figured it out," she said, "Smarter than I thought."

Cole didn't panic either. He smirked, looking over at her. "Where does he rank on the IQ scale compared to your other ex-boyfriends?"

Piper actually paused to pretend to think about it. "Second to last. I can't even give him credit for more than that."

"We literally had a bet going on when you’d catch on!" Cole held out his open palm to Piper, laughing. "You lost. That means you can't touch me for a whole week."

"Fine, fine, a bet’s a bet." Piper groaned playfully. "You're trying to drive me crazy, aren't you?"

They kept flirting right in front of me, completely ignoring the fact that I was standing right there.

Blood rushed to my head, hot and violent. I swung my hand and slapped Piper across the face.

The force whipped her head to the side, but she just turned back, her lips twisting into a wild smile.

"Finn, do you know what I like most about you?" Piper said, "Out of all the guys I've dated, you're the only one who actually has the guts to hit me."

Rage surged through me, making my entire body go numb from head to toe.

"Oh, so you two love pretending you share each other's pain, right?" I hissed. "Let's see how much you really feel."

I reeled back, aiming a hard slap straight for Cole’s cheek.

The playful smile vanished from Piper's face instantly. She lunged forward and grabbed my wrist with a brutal, crushing grip.

"Enough! Finn, are you done throwing your little tantrum?" she barked.

Her nails dug deep, leaving jagged red scratches across my skin.

"What Cole and I have is strictly physical, just a way to take care of basic needs. It's not filthy like you're making it out to be in your head. Emotionally, I care about you more."

Piper reached out, trying to pull me into a tight embrace. "I like you, Finn. Stop being so mad, okay?"

Nausea hit me so hard I thought I was going to throw up. I shoved her away with everything I had. "Don't touch me, Piper. You're disgusting."

Cole let out a low, amused laugh. "Finn, you've got it all wrong. Piper hasn't slept with anyone but me since the day she turned eighteen. She's clean."

He stepped closer, leaning in until his lips were just inches from my ear, his voice dropping into a razor-sharp whisper only I could hear.

"Where did you get the confidence to come here and act like you caught us cheating? Piper cycles through boyfriends like dirty laundry, but I’m the only one who stays.”

Cole continued, “Finn, I'm the exception here. Honestly, you're more like the third wheel between us. If her family hadn't banned us from being together, do you really think guys like you would even exist in her life?”

He was baiting me, pushing every button he could find.

Instead of blowing up, an icy chill settled over me.

For years, Cole had to stand by and watch Piper move from one guy to the next, while he never got to be the official boyfriend. If I was guessing right, the only way he could keep her tied to him was with his body.

Remembering my own irresistible pull, I met Cole’s gaze.

"Is that so?" I asked, my voice deadly quiet, "You really think you're the exception? What if I told you Piper won't let me leave, no matter what? Would you still feel so special?"