This night had gone a different direction than I anticipated.

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

“Surprise!” Hannah flung her arms in the air when the door opened. All three of us stood on the front doorstep, but Beth and I wore sheepish grins while Hannah was poised for a magazine shoot. She was the only one who hadn’t changed out of our club apparel. Beth and I changed to jeans and T-shirts while she still wore ripped black leather pants with a black corset top. The top was frayed at the ends as well, with holes that exposed her black bra. Ruby red lipstick, heavy eye shadow—Hannah could’ve been the lead singer for a metal band.

“Uh…”

The guy stared at her for a moment. His lips were pursed together and moved in a fish movement, confused, as he scratched at his head. Jesse hadn’t opened the door; Cord either. Not even Jamie. It was the fourth roommate. He was dressed in blue scrub pants and a white shirt. He looked ready for bed. His dark hair was messed and sticking up, as if he’d just come from bed. I was racking my brain trying to remember why he looked familiar. Then we heard someone ask from inside, “Who is it, Derek?”

Beth and I shared a glance. This was the roommate who was the boyfriend of our RA. No drinking for us tonight.

A wide grin stretched over Hannah’s face and she pushed her way in. We followed, giving Derek an uneasy look. He waited, holding the door open and nodded to us, being polite. Beth gestured to me. “She’s here for a group project with Cord and Jamie. We came to keep her company.”

He nodded and didn’t say a word. This could’ve been a normal thing from how he was reacting. Gesturing around the corner, where Hannah had disappeared, he led the way after he closed the door. I couldn’t help but grin as he made sure to lock the door before he moved around us.

We moved into the kitchen and into the massive dining room where we got our own shock.

It wasn’t just the three of us girls or only Cord and Jamie.

Kara was at the end of the table. An empty chair beside her that was filled by her boyfriend when he moved around us. But at the opposite end was Jamie, and in his lap…Tiffany. She was currently drilling holes in her sister’s head, but there were two other occupants at the table. On one side was Cord and across from him was Chandra.

Visions of her flashed in my head again. I cringed as I snuck a peek at the living room where the offense had taken place. Never again. I did not want to see her naked and straddling Cord again.

Beth dropped her bag on the floor between us. She muttered, “So I guess it’s a study night for all of us.”

The entire table was covered with books, papers, pens, highlighters, and laptops.

Yep. They had the same idea as Hannah. I wondered if it’d been Tiffany. Did the two sisters think alike?

But then I was distracted once again.

The basement door opened and Jesse walked through. He was barefoot and in gym shorts. No shirt, judging from the soft gasp I heard beside me, there was plenty of service ready for him. I couldn’t blame Hannah’s reaction. I’d seen him without a shirt, without any clothing many times, but it never got old. He had just worked out. I could always tell. His muscles were more enlarged than normal. His body was more sculpted and his hair was wet. He was fresh from the shower. A lone droplet of water fell from his forehead and crashed to his chest. It made a solitary trek all the way down until it disappeared underneath his short’s waistband.

My throat went dry and I licked my lips. The same lust as always was smoldering in me. It was waiting for the opening, the word from him, the gesture to follow him. None came, yet. So I held myself still and I tried to keep my pounding heart from being heard by anyone else in the room.

Hannah’s eyes went wide as she took him in. She licked her lips. “Oh my.”

He heard her and stopped. His gaze jumped from her to me. They latched on.

I was given a swift kick in the gut when his eyes narrowed and hurt flashed in them for a moment.

Swallowing over a lump in my throat, I knew I should’ve texted. I shouldn’t let him know ahead of time. He could’ve been prepared, but then Hannah would’ve missed the vision before her. I wouldn’t have minded that. My gut clenched in knots as a sultry smile came over her. She tilted her head to the side in a sexy poise, and strode over to him with her hand outstretched. “Hello there. I’m Hannah, Tiffany’s sister. We’ve never formally met before.”

I flinched. Even her voice was husky and seductive.

Jesse was still watching me. A dark look appeared and he scowled before turning his attention to the wanton friend-of-mine in front of him. Ignoring her hand, he clipped out, “I know who you are.” Then he moved around her, back down the basement, and slammed the door behind him.

I jumped from the fierceness.

Hannah rotated back to us. “What a dick.”

Jamie shoved Tiffany off his lap, but stayed in his seat. His scowl matched the one Jesse had worn. “Maybe if you’d stop being a slut, he would’ve been polite.”

Tiffany frowned at her boyfriend but crossed her arms over her shoulder. She said to Hannah, “Jamie’s right. Don’t hit on Jesse. He’s had his share of whores trying to use him for his dad.”

Hannah snorted, “Or just for him. He might be a dick, but he’s hot. I’d forgotten from the few times I saw him in person before.”

Holding still, I was aware of the two pairs of eyes trained on me. Beth and Cord. They were both silent, just watching, just waiting, just judging. I felt ready to burst.

Everyone else was fixated on the sisters, who seemed ready to rip into each other. Kara came to the rescue as she gave Beth and me both a friendly wave from her chair. She pointed to the empty chairs around the table. “Cord and Jamie told us about the computer eating your paper. Have a seat. We figured it’d be a fun night if all of us stayed in for a study night. These are some of the best times I’ve had at the house.” She glanced at Hannah. “Don’t worry about Jesse. He’s not a fan of new people.”

Derek leaned over and pressed a soft kiss to her forehead. She melted into his arms but continued to smile our way.

They were out of place, happy amidst a room full of wolves. I could imagine Tiffany and Hannah sharpening their fangs as they stared ‘em down.

“Yeah.” Chandra shoved back her chair and stood awkwardly. Her entire demeanor was forced. “Sit. Get comfortable. Do you guys want some food or something to drink?”