advances, but the pay off is I’ll get to see Bex.
I haven’t been able to stop thinking about her in that sexy top, her shoulders bare and begging for my lips. I knew I couldn’t kiss her, but I had to touch her. The way she relaxed against me when I gripped her thigh under the table made me feel like I could conquer the world. And then Riley had to show up and ruin everything. Playing this bullshit game with Riley in order to get my shot at Bex has put me in a foul fucking mood.
“See you soon, babe.” Riley’s voice snaps me back to reality and I practically growl into the phone.
“Later.” I hit End and then immediately pull up Kaipo’s number.
“Cousin,” he answers.
“You home?”
“Yup. What’s up?”
“I need you to go to the Eta Pi house with me. Guess they need help setting up for the thing tomorrow.” When he doesn’t immediately respond, I fess up. “I need a buffer. If I go alone Riley will corner me or try to get me in her room, I need a reason to leave.”
“Or we could both stay. I wouldn’t mind getting friendly with my date.”
“It’s like you want to die.”
He chuckles. “You’re too easy to fuck with.”
“You got my Achilles heel, man.” I rub my lips together and contemplate how much I want to give away. I decide to give it all. “I really like her. Promise me you’ll treat her like she’s your sister.”
“I’m happy for you. You know I’ll take care of her.”
I glare at the freeway in front of me. “How do you manage to make that sound dirty?”
“She’s in good hands. Skilled, capable hands.”
“I hate you.”
“You have nothing to worry about. I’ll do whatever it takes to make her feel good.”
“You’re a prick. Be ready in ten.” I hang up on him laughing his ass off; and pray that I can get through the next thirty hours without blowing things with Bex and killing my fucking roommate.
I texted Bex letting her know that Kaipo and I would be there and hoped that she would come down so I could see her. Once we get to the sorority house one of Riley’s minions let’s us in, a girl whose eyes grow twice the size when she gets a look at Kaipo. At six-foot-five with shoulders as wide as the doorway he can be intimidating upon first sight. She sends a text to Riley and I pace impatiently at the base of the stairs searching for Bex.
Kaipo has one shoulder against the wall, his head down while chuckling and texting. I narrow my eyes on him. “What’s got you in such a good mood?”
He continues to text. Another burst of laughter comes from his lips. “Bex. She’s fucking funny.”
I snag his phone and look at the screen.
He makes no effort to take the phone back and when I read their exchange I can see why.
I’m downstairs with your boy. He looks like he’s ‘bout to Hulk out if he doesn’t get eyes on you soon.
I’ll be down a little later. I got pooped on by a snake. Hafta shower.
Kinky.
I suppose, if you’re into that sort of thing.
I’m a psych major and there are people who are most definitely into that kind of thing. Loren may or may not be one of them.
Lovely. So you’re saying I should go ahead and wear the snake eau de toilette?
Baby, you could wear the shit of a thousand animals and my boy here would still be barkin’ at your door.
Sounds messy.
I shove his phone back at him, not even mad because if I’m being honest with myself, he wasn’t lying.
“Our hero has arrived!” Riley stops mid-staircase when she sees Kaipo, and disappointment sours her smile. “You brought a friend.”
“The two of us can get it done a lot quicker.”
She stops at the bottom step and leans in to kiss me. I turn my head just in time for her to plant her lips on my cheek. Suspicion clouds her eyes as she pulls back.
“Sore throat.” I rub my neck for emphasis. “I wouldn’t want to get you sick, that’s all.”
“Since when—”
Kaipo saves me by clapping me on the shoulder and addressing Riley. “Point us to the project, princess.”
She smiles coldly at me, and steps around us. “This way.”
I look back one more time to see if Bex is coming down the stairs before following Riley through the kitchen out onto the back patio that is at least one thousand square