neck, and I push my body against his, knowing that if he asks, I’ll give him everything.
Leo pulls away and drops his hands from my head. I ache at the loss.
“Was that your first kiss?” he asks.
I nod.
“I thought so.” His voice is labored.
I take a step toward him, and he extends his arm, halting me. Rounding his shoulders, he stands tall. The air in the room changes, growing colder somehow. I cross my arms over my chest, confused.
This time, when Leo speaks, all desire is absent from his voice. “You see, Alma, I am such a bad guy after all. Stay the fuck away from me. If you see me on campus, turn and run the other way. Are we clear?”
I open my mouth to respond, but no words come, and I close it, pressing my lips together, willing myself not to cry—not yet.
Leo rolls his eyes with a shake of his head and turns to leave.
“Predictable.” He chuckles dryly, and then he’s gone.
SIX
Leo
“Damn it.” I thread my fingers around the nape of my neck and groan into the night sky. “What the fuck!”
An empty Mountain Dew can sits atop the pavement, and I kick it.
What was I thinking?
I’ve lost my ever-loving mind tonight. I would fucking destroy a girl as sweet as Alma.
I need to hit something. I need to hurt someone. I need to fuck someone.
I know what I need.
I meant what I said to her about being the most beautiful woman I’d ever seen. She is. God, she does something to me I can’t explain. I would love to take her tight, little body and fuck her so hard.
Her ass.
That long brunette hair with auburn highlights, so thick and soft. Visions of waking up with it splayed across my chest come to mind, but I shake them off.
No.
Everything about Alma is perfection—from her flawless tan skin to her round doe eyes to the dimple on her right cheek. I knew from the second I saw her that I needed to hate her. It’s the only option. It’s the only way that works for her. A prick I might be, but I can’t bring myself to ruin her, and I would. God, I would. It would be easy too.
I’m not sure what Alma’s been through, but it’s something. She has a different air about her than other girls. Her eyes hold determination and pride. I’m not going to break her for fun because it wouldn’t be. For maybe the first time, I don’t care about the challenge. Hell, not that I’d have much of one, given her eagerness tonight.
I don’t know Alma enough to care about her, but I do. The warning bells that come along with that fact are louder than the rest. I can’t develop feelings for her, and she definitely can’t catch any feelings for me.
The party is still going strong when I return to the frat house.
“Hey, man. You okay?” my best friend—only real friend—Ethan asks when I get back.
“Yeah, just looking for someone,” I answer.
“You sure?”
“I’m sure.” I offer him my fist, and he pounds it.
“All right, man. Let me know if you need anything,” he says as a drunk girl hiccups and wraps her arms around him.
He shrugs with a knowing smirk, and I shake my head.
“I’m going back to my place.”
“Sounds good. See you later,” he tells me before allowing the chick to lead him somewhere.
I make my way back to the room where we were playing that idiotic drinking game before. Alma’s roommate is way too giggly, and I spot Mike eyeing her.
“Hey.” I get her attention.
“Hi,” she says cheerfully.
“You and your friends need to leave.”
“What?” She looks to me in question.
“You need to head back to the dorms. Grab your friends and go.”
“Why? Is something wrong with Alma?”
She sounds legitimately concerned, and my suspicions are verified. She’s not some whore like half the girls here. She’s good, like Alma—which is why she needs to leave. I’m not leaving her here with vile creatures like Mike.
“Get the fuck out. Now.” I raise my voice, staring her and her friends in the eyes.
“Jeez, okay,” the girl next to Alma’s roommate says. “Let’s go, Quinn. I’m tired anyway.”
“Okay, me too,” she agrees.
Her eyes keep darting up to me, as if she’s waiting for me to do something else. I could make a scene if I wanted. I excel at wreaking havoc, but as long as Quinn leaves, there will be no scene.
I face the back couch, and Sasha eyes me with