How do I get under her skin?

~Kai

All day long, my brain kept replaying the same highlight reel on loop, Rhea stepping out of the shower, water dripping down her naked body, that scream, the towel grab, and the way she shoved me out like I was a misbehaving puppy.

Five years older than me shouldn’t be a big deal. I’d dated a twenty-five-year-old when I was nineteen, and my big body, thank you to the private gym and daddy’s money had definitely paid off.

But Rhea wasn’t some college girl impressed by my abs and black card. She was… different. Dangerous. The kind of woman who could snap my neck and then lecture me about it.

I was sitting in the back of the lecture hall, pretending to take notes on business ethics or whatever the hell this class was, when Trent slid into the seat next to me, grinning like an idiot.

“What’s up with you, man? You’ve been staring into space like someone stole your Lamborghini.”

I leaned back, trying to play it cool. “My dad hired me a new bodyguard. It’s a girl.”

Trent barked out a laugh so loud half the class turned around. “A girl? Bro, you? Mr. I bench press my problems? Is she hot at least?”

“She’s not just hot,” I muttered. “She took out five armed guys in under ten seconds. Solo. Like it was nothing. The problem is… I think I’m falling for her.”

Trent’s laugh died into a choking sound. “Falling? For your bodyguard? Kai, that’s not a problem, that’s a sexy plot.”

I shot him a glare, but he wasn’t wrong. “She’s not intimidated by anything. Not my body, not my face, not my dad’s money. Half the girls in this class have been in my bed at least once. But Rhea? She’s a full grown, matured lady. A dangerous fighter. One wrong move and she’ll actually practice taekwondo on me like she said. And yesterday… when she was naked…”

I trailed off, my mind flashing back to long blonde hair wet and clinging to her back, the curve of her hips, the way the towel had barely covered.

“Yo, earth to Kai!” Trent waved a hand in front of my face. “You were about to say something about drawing her? Like, artistically? Or were you planning on drawing her with your…”

Before he could finish the crude joke, someone poked my shoulder from behind, hard.

I jumped so violently I nearly knocked my laptop off the desk.

“Geez!” I yelped, spinning around.

Amanda stood there, arms crossed, smirking with that familiar “I know exactly what you were thinking about” look.

She was one of the few girls I actually enjoyed fucking on repeat, no strings, just fun. She barely dated guys her age either, we had that in common.

“Spacing out again, Kai?” she purred, leaning in close enough that her perfume hit me. “You’ve been weird all day. Who’s got you this distracted? Another conquest?”

Trent snorted beside me. “Oh, you have no idea.”

I forced a grin, trying to shove the image of Rhea’s naked, dripping body out of my head. “Nothing, Amanda. Just… new security. My dad being paranoid again.”

Amanda raised an eyebrow, clearly not buying it. “Security, huh? Well, if you need someone to help you relax after class, you know where to find me.”

She winked and sauntered off, hips swaying.

Trent whistled low. “Bro, you’ve got a sexy assassin bodyguard at home and Amanda is still on speed dial? Some guys have all the luck. But seriously, if Rhea’s as badass as you say, you might want to keep your dick in check before she literally kicks it off.”

I groaned, dropping my head onto the desk with a thud. “Yeah. That’s what I’m afraid of. One wrong move and I’m getting suplexed into next week… while sporting the biggest hard on of my life.”

Trent laughed again. “Welcome to the friend zone, my guy. Or should I say… the bodyguard zone?”

He leaned in closer, eyes sparkling with pure evil genius like he’d just invented the wheel… or at least the world’s dumbest jealousy trap.

“Bro, I’ve got the perfect idea,” he whispered, grinning like a shark. “You just carry Amanda home with you tonight. Greet this badass bodyguard chick like it’s no big deal. Then, right there in the sitting room even if she’s standing right there watching, you start making out with Amanda. Heavy. Tongues, hands everywhere, the works. If Rhea’s in her room, crank up the moans extra loud so she hears every single ‘Oh god, Kai, yes!’ through the walls. Then we’ll see if she’s actually interested in you or if she’s just playing professional ice queen.”

I stared at him, mouth open. “That’s… the stupidest plan I’ve ever heard.”

Trent shrugged, completely unbothered. “Stupid plans are the best plans. Worst case, she kicks your ass with taekwondo and you die happy with a boner. Best case? She gets jealous, drags you into her room, and shows you exactly why she’s the one who should be moaning your name instead of Amanda.”

My brain immediately supplied a very unhelpful, very detailed fantasy.

Rhea bursting out of her room in nothing but that tiny towel again, hazel eyes blazing with jealousy. She’d shove Amanda aside like she weighed nothing, grab me by the shirt, slam me against the wall, and growl, “You think some college girl can handle you, pretty boy? Let me show you what a real woman can do.”

Then she’d drop to her knees, blonde hair swinging, and…

I shifted uncomfortably in my seat, my dick twitching traitorously at the thought. “Down, traitor. She’ll literally murder you.”

Trent noticed my silence and poked my arm. “See? You’re already imagining it. You in or what?”

I groaned, rubbing my face. “I’m not buying this idea at all… but I’ve got nothing better. Fine. I’ll do it. But if she throws me out the window, I’m blaming you.”

“Atta boy,” Trent said, slapping my back way too hard. “Text me play by play. I want details. Especially if she joins in. Threesome with an assassin bodyguard? Legendary.”

I packed up my stuff, heart already racing like I was heading into battle instead of my own safe house. Amanda was more than happy to come over when I casually mentioned hanging out, she loved the thrill of my chaotic life anyway.

On the drive back, she kept running her hand up my thigh, whispering filthy promises about what she’d do once we got there.

But all I could think about was Rhea.

Rhea in that tactical tank top that hugged her perfect tits. Rhea pinning me down with those strong thighs. Rhea hearing me moan another girl’s name and storming in to claim what she wanted, me, with that commanding voice, “You’re mine to protect, Kai. That means you’re mine to fuck too if I decide so.”

By the time we pulled up to the safe house, my pulse was pounding and my imagination was running so wild I was scared Rhea would take one look at me and know exactly what I’d been thinking.

Amanda giggled as we walked inside, already pressing up against my side. “So… where’s this scary bodyguard of yours? I want to see if she’s as hot as you said.”

The living room was empty. Quiet. I cleared my throat. “Rhea? I’m back.”

No answer.

Trent’s stupid plan suddenly felt even stupider. But I was committed now. I pulled Amanda closer, hands sliding down to her ass, and leaned in to kiss her deep, messy, loud enough to be heard.

Right as our lips were about to touch, the door to the secure wing opened.

Rhea stepped out.

She was fresh from a workout, black sports bra clinging to her sweat slicked skin, toned abs on full display, loose sweatpants riding low on her hips, and that long blonde hair tied up in a messy ponytail with a few strands sticking to her neck.

She looked sexy and dangerous at a go.

Her sharp hazel eyes flicked from me to Amanda, then down to where my hands were still gripping Amanda’s ass.

One eyebrow slowly arched.

“Well,” she said, voice calm, cool, and dripping with amusement. “Looks like the spoiled young master brought home a playmate. How cute.”

Amanda stiffened against me. I froze, brain short circuiting between abort mission and please be jealous.

Rhea crossed her arms under her chest, pushing her breasts up in a way that made my mouth go dry. “Just remember the rules, Kai. You’re my property for the next fifty days. Play all you want… but if you get too loud, I might have to come in and throw you both out, so please do it gently and keep it low.”

She gave us both a slow, predatory smile that sent heat straight to my groin and pure terror to my brain at the same time.

Fuck!