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“Relax, princess. I did try the less manipulative approach. You are the one playing hard to get I can't rewire my brain to respect boundaries. It's used to getting any girl I want, and your naked body under me, taking my dick like a slut, is what it craves.”

“You're delusional. I would never go for someone like you. You know what? I should report you for sexual harassment, maybe that will end this craziness,” she threatened, crossing her arms over her chest.

“Do it. I dare you. Walk into the student counseling office tomorrow and file a Title IX claim. Prove me wrong, you don't want this as much as I do.”

He leaned in close, inhaling her musky Bulgarian rose scent, and tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear. “I know you wouldn't do that. Listen to your body, princess, it's more honest than your mouth. It is dying for me to caress your curves, to chew those perky nipples.” She shuddered as his words sent a jolt to her throbbing pussy.

“You like it when I talk dirty to you, don't you? Tell me, are you wet for me right now, princess? Has Daddy ever walked into your room and caught his naughty little girl stuffed full of her ex’s cock?”

She flushed red, goosebumps prickling all over her skin. “What are you talking about? I'm a virg— I mean, Virgo.”

“Fuuuck.” He released a low, animalistic growl, grabbing her ass possessively. “Princess, is my cock gonna be the first to stretch those tight little walls? To sow my wild oats in that untouched womb?”

Skylar shoved him hard, her attempt to do something, anything, to keep her juices from dripping down her legs. She was aroused, and he knew it.

“You’re in luck. I love them feisty,” he said, his pupils were so blown they looked almost black.

“Fuck off,” she spat out. Turning on her feet, she saw Chris sprawled in a chair, getting a lap dance from a stripper in leather, BDSM-inspired lingerie. Her heels chose that moment to betray her, crack. She gasped, her ankle wobbling, but a pair of strong hands caught her, pulling her upright before she could smash her face into the marble floor. She looked down and saw the culprit: a broken shot glass. “Urrgh, stupid drunks.”

“Are you okay?” he asked, holding her steady.

Remembering she was supposed to be furious, she jerked away from his warmth. “Don’t touch me. I could have saved myself.”

“Right,” he answered casually.

“Did your minions plant this too, so that I would fall into your arms? Nice try, but I still think you are an asshole.”

“Slow down. You are being paranoid, Skylar,” he countered. “If I wanted to apply the same amount of pressure I use on the field, you’d be pregnant already.”

“Yo, Liam,” Matt called out was wearing a ridiculous floral, bedazzled suit that sparkled under the lights “You actually showed up, didn't think you would with practice tomorrow” he added with a smirk, lifting his champagne glass in greeting.

“Couldn’t miss it,” Liam replied smoothly, eyes still on her.

Matt’s gaze caught the shards of broken glass on the floor. “Shit, that’s a lawsuit just waiting to happen let me call the maid to clean that up before some drunk idiot slices their foot open. Give me a second.” He stepped aside, dialing the contact.

“So… a virgin, huh?”

She raised a finger right in his face. “Liam, I am not discussing my sex life with you. Ever. That is off the table, so stop fishing.”

They heard a sharp pop as the gigantic angel-shaped balloon suspended above the stage burst, showering the party in a rain of hundred-dollar bills. People cheering and scrambling to grab the money as it drifted down like snow.

“Enjoying the party, guys? This is a step up from the '80s-themed party last year.” Giving Liam one of those bro hugs, he continued, “Look at the sea of girls for your picking blonde, brunette, and freaks—each so eager to please the King.”

Skylar scoffed. “A player can't change his stripes.”

“What did I miss, Skylar? Is this a friends-with-benefits situation, or are you his new girlfriend? I gotta say, he hardly has those since that bitch… I saw her somewhere, don’t know why the hell she’s here.”

“How do you know my name?” she asked, genuinely surprised.

“Let’s see, your dad is Maxwell, the founder of Carter Partners. Ring any bells? The fucking north star of finance started with nothing and clawed his way to the top. He’s one of the first venture capital firms that funded our early seed round. He is an absolute genius, his ability to see the future is bizarre. In 2005, he backed Ozone when people said online streaming platforms were risky investments. Fast forward to today, that shit is worth 5 billion dollars. I mean, who goes to movie theaters anymore when you can be on a couch surfing movies while eating your popcorn?”