Zorro (Reapers MC #16) - Elizabeth Knox Page 0,1

know you were coming.” His eyes light up the same way Portia’s did a few minutes ago, but this is while he looks at me. It almost makes me think he has some sort of thing for me, but I’d know better. If he did, he would’ve surely made a move by now . . . but still, it doesn’t calm the worry soaring through my chest.

I . . . I have no business getting into anything with anyone here. Not when I’m fond of someone who’s living about two-thousand miles away. But that’s another story. He’s a load of trouble, and someone I haven’t been able to keep my eyes off of.

“Yeah, well, I had to pull her ass out of the dorm!” Portia chuckles, pushing her way in front of me a bit, making herself the center of attention as always. I don’t mind it. In the beginning I did, but now I’m used to her quirks.

“Did she now?” He cocks a brow, trying to hide a smug smirk.

“Ian, she’s being dramatic per usual.” I roll my eyes at Portia’s statement.

“Yeah and you weren’t back there sulking over Zack, huh?” Portia gets in my face, places a hand on a hip and stares me down. I swear, every time she does something like this, I imagine those little four-year-old girls who get totally glammed up and compete in pageants. There’s no way I can take her seriously.

Ian slings an arm over my shoulder and his fingers dangle against my skin innocently. “He didn’t deserve you and we both know it.” I look away and catch Portia smirking at what he’s said.

“Exactly, which is why I brought her out for a night of drinking. Fuck Zack! I’ll be back, but first I’ll grab us some refreshments.” Portia moseys her way out of sight in search of the nearest serving station.

Ian leans up against the wall and gives me a stern look. “You aren’t seriously upset about that dude, right?”

“Do you really have to ask? He isn’t my type. Plus, he was way too . . . sporty for me.”

Ian cackles, “Yeah, I seem to think you’re a woman into the dark and broody men.”

“I am,” I answer him while staring directly into his piercing eyes. Clearing my throat, I continue. “It’s a good thing the relationship ended before it really began. I wasn’t really into him and . . . I have my eyes set on someone else.”

“Oh, you do?” Ian asks curiously.

I nod and move so his arm naturally falls from around my shoulder. “I have feelings for this guy. He’s one of my brothers’ friends . . . and, no matter what I do I can’t seem to shake them.”

Ian smiles widely and then it slowly fades away. “Ruby, why in the fuck do you need to shake them? If the guy makes your face light up like a damn Christmas tree, I’m all for it. Don’t fight whatever makes you happy. The only thing you should be doing is fighting for it.”

This is why Ian is such a good friend of mine. “I never thought of it like that. Thank you.”

Just as I go in for a hug, a strong burning sensation hits me in the ass. Instantly I jolt further against Ian, horrified at the fact someone just slapped my ass. “What the fuck, man!?” Ian growls while my heart pumps hastily in my chest, so fast in fact I can hear my pulse in my head. Even my mouth begins to dry up before I even have the courage to turn my head.

“What, dude? She’s dressed up as a sexy little devil. Her fuckin’ ass is practically out anyway.” The guy comes up with the most idiotic excuse I’ve ever heard of.

Ian takes a step forward, ready to lunge at this guy for putting his hand on me, but I go frozen. “Please, just leave him alone . . . just don’t let him touch me again, please,” I mutter, not even sure if Ian can hear me.

“If you touch her again, I will fuck you up. You got me?”

“Damn, dude, sorry. Didn’t realize she was your girl.”

I burrow my face against Ian’s chest and close my eyes, breathing deeply. God, I just want to get out of here. Before I even realize what I’m doing, I tear myself away from Ian and run through the front door of the frat house. I run as fast as I can until I turn down a