Hooked on the Game (The Sterling Shore Series #1) (7 page)

Brock is chatting up some girl, and Mel's eyes are on him, though she does well to hide the scowl I'm sure is lurking within.

"Don't tell me Brock's your type," Kade says, cutting into my moment of observation.

"No," I murmur, looking up at him. 
You are, though.

"Good.  I really don't want Brock hanging out and making your room sound like a carnival."

It feels like that was supposed to be a joke, but I'm not sure.  "No worries.  I can promise you won't be hearing anything like that coming from my room.  What about you?  Are any of these girls part of your
business?
"

I attempt to sound teasing, but it sounded more like the words left a bad taste in my mouth.  He scans the room, shrugging.

"Not in that way.  I'm friends with them, but I draw the line at those sorts of personal relationships with anyone you see in this room.  I don't need the drama later on in life.  This group - these people - have some of the most influential parents I've met, which is why they're the hardest partiers.  Let's say I hook up with one.  Later on she or her husband could be the hitch in a major business arrangement."

I shake my head in disbelief.  "You plan
really
far ahead, don't you?"

"I have to if I want to be successful.  Considering it'll be my grandfather's business I take over, I want to be very successful.  It's what he deserves."

Again, I melt.  He has to stop talking about his grandfather.  There's such raw emotion in his eyes when he does.  It's beautiful.

"Do you ever do anything
just
for fun?"

His smile lifts up, and his gaze comes back to me.  "All sorts of things.  I'm driven, but I'm not a robot."

"So?" I prompt, wanting to delve deeper.

"I'm talking to you right now for fun.  I have no business interest in you."

My girly grin spreads to display the fool I am.  His grin mimics mine before he pulls me to the middle of the dance floor.  "Now, let's dance.  For fun."

I let him lead me onto the floor, keeping my perma-grin in place.  His hands slide down to my back as we move to the music.  Summoning up my bravery, I let my hands run up his chest, reveling in the feel of the hardness beneath the thin shirt.  He moves in closer, making our bodies press together as the lust-filled melody guides our movements.

I can't do this.  I can't stare at him and dance like this without letting myself do something incredibly stupid in the heat of the moment.  So, I turn around and press my back to his front.

His hands move to my hips as he draws us to be touching, and I close my eyes to forget all the people around us as our bodies grind together.

"Kade!  We're doing shots!" a guy calls, motioning him over.

No.  I don't want to stop dancing.

"Time to work.  I'll be back," he says in my ear, making me shiver in his wake when he disappears into the crowd.

I've got to get this under control.  I can't be drooling over a prince when I'm the inmate's daughter.

Each time that damn song
has played, Kade has pushed me into the corner to pretend as though we're just as entangled as the others.  This last time, his lips brushed mine when he accidentally got too close.  That's not a nice thing to do to an idiot like me who can't seem to get my fantasies to stop running wild.

I was fine before this party.  Now I'm staring at him as much as Mel stares at Brock.  I'm pathetic.

Ember has kept me company on the dance floor, and considering the large amount of beer I've consumed, I almost need her as a crutch.  She laughs wildly as we tangle on the floor, both of us trying to hold the other up.  It earns a loud gush of laughter from us both.  Letting go has been refreshing.

I look over to see Kade's eyes on me as he leans against the doorframe, feigning interest in his friend by nodding ever so often.  A barely-there amused smile tugs on his lips as he watches me, and I can't look away.

The only thing that manages to snap me out of my trance is the
Good Man
song.  Oh no.

Kade's eyes widen just as I'm ripped away by foreign arms.  "Pool or kiss?" Brock slurs, chuckling after.

Mel is just a few feet away, and she looks like a puppy that has just been kicked in the face.  Ember is wrapped up in a polo-shirt-wearing guy, and I'm stuck.  Pool.  Definitely the pool.

I open my mouth to affirm my decision just as I'm whirled around.  Soft but firm lips find mine and steal my breath, as familiar hands travel down to my back.

"Seriously, Kade?" Brock groans, making Kade smile against the kiss with me.

Holy shit.  I'm kissing Kade.

My body decides to seize control and exclude my brain from any and all decisions.  My hands fist in his hair as I pull him closer, and his smile disappears as his grip gets tighter.

I wobble when his tongue delves into my mouth, and the hot metal of his piercing makes me heat up between my thighs, inviting my scandalous thoughts to dance in my mind.  If it wasn't for the incredible grip he has on me, I'd melt into a puddle right now.

The longer the song plays, the more intense the kiss gets, until I'm suddenly backed against a wall.  It takes all my strength not to jump up and wrap my legs around his waist, but I refrain, and settle for the mind-blowing kiss.

I don't know when the song shifted, but it has.  I don't want to pull away.  Hell, I can't, but Kade finally does, sounding breathless.

"Sorry," he says, grinning.  "It was going to be me, him, or the pool.  Mel would have flogged you if it had been him."

Shit.  Why the hell did I think he wanted to kiss me?  He was just saving my ass.

"You.  Definitely you," I blurt out, making him laugh before he tugs my hand in his.  I hope that didn't sound as bad as I think it did.

"Conversation is getting pointless now.  The shots have ruined them all, so they won't remember much from here on out.  I'll hang out with you the rest of the night to keep that from happening again."

No.  I want that to happen again.

Fucking eh.  I'm pathetic.

"Want to go chill by the pool?"

I just nod as he leads me out, and I smile when I see some girls climbing out of the pool for not having engaged in the game
.

"Thanks," I snicker.

He grins, and then shakes his head.  "I never recommend wearing white to one of my parties again."

I let a laugh out as he pulls me down to a chair beside him.  "I agree."

And just that fast, we become lost in conversation for the next two hours.  I don't know how he managed to do it, but I've forgotten every bit of my hatred for him.  He's so... normal.  Not at all what I expected.

As the last few guests start tapering off, Kade pulls me from my seat.  "I'm spent.  I'll warn you, there will be people still passed out in the morning, so you don't run around in your tank and panties."

My cheeks heat and he chuckles as he guides me in.  "You staying to party more?" he asks, walking me through the few still dancing.

"Um... no.  I think I lost Ember though."

"She'll turn up.  I'll walk you to your room."

I want to ask why, but at the same time, I don't want to seem like I'm offending him.  His hand stays on my back as he guides me up, and I try not to concentrate on it too much.

Regret fills me as soon as I open the door.  The light filtering through the window shines down on the dark locks tilted back as two naked bodies collide.

"Ohholyshit," I screech while slamming the door back shut.

My heels do me no good and I stumble backwards into Kade's arms as he chuckles and catches me.  "I guess Ember just showed up."

I shake my head, praying the images aren't forever burned in my mind.  "I couldn't tell who it was."

"I should have warned you to lock your door.  Looks like you'll need another mattress," he snickers, helping me stand on my own.  "Come on.  You can sleep in my room. You'll find something a hell of a lot worse in all my other guest rooms.  Mel's
game
always gets people riled up."

Sleep in his room?  Hell no.

"I can just crash on the couch."

He snorts out a laugh.  "With this many people still here?  Not happening.  These people are notorious for pranking the sleeper.  It's no big deal.  My bed is massive.  It'll be like you're all by yourself."

Doubtful.  How the hell does he expect me to sleep in his bed?

Every part of me is almost shaking as I follow him back down the stairs and to his bedroom door.  The combination keypad on his door has always confused me until right now.  He uses it to keep anyone else from doing what Ember is doing in my bed.  She and I will have to discuss this later.

"I'll grab you a shirt and some shorts."  He flips the light on and I see his devilish grin.  "Unless you want to run and grab something from your room."

"Hell no," I blurt out, forcing him to release a throaty chuckle in response.

I fidget like a nervous girl in the doorway as he moves to the drawers.  "Shut and lock the door."

Swallowing hard against the hellacious knot in my throat, I do just that.  I linger on the lock, wondering how to steel myself for the rest of the night.

"Here," he says, bringing my attention back.

He hands me a pair of black boxers and a red T-shirt.  Damn.  These boxers have touched him in places I
really
don't need to think about.

"You can change in the bathroom.  I'll change out here."

I watch as he pulls his shirt over his head, and my eyes fall on the numerous tattoos that line his chest, sides, and stomach.  They all seem to form a pattern instead of seeming randomly detached.

"What do the tattoos mean?" I ask, unable to quit staring.

He grins as he tosses his shirt on his dresser.

"They're blended together, but they all mean different things.  There are different points in my life I wanted to remember, so I did what I wanted to in order to mark them.  I don't get one anywhere I can't cover it up easily.  You going to change?"

I'm almost worried I'm drooling right now.  His body is flawless.  The perfect definition of his chest and abs becomes a feast for my hungry eyes.  This should be illegal.  Sexy, rich, and nice should not be wrapped up in one untouchable package.

"Raya?  You okay?" he chuckles out.

I snap my eyes free and turn on my heel to almost dive into the bathroom.  This is going to be a long night, and if I sleep at all, I'll be shocked.

I strip down completely, including the stringy underwear I'll never be able to sleep in.  After tossing on the clothes he's given me, I walk back out with my dress in hand.  I carefully tucked my underwear inside to keep them from falling out in front of him.

"Just toss your dress on my dresser.  I'll send it to the drycleaners with my stuff," he says without looking at me as he types something on his phone.

I suck in a sharp breath of air.  He's in his track pants and he's still shirtless.  I huddle up in my room most of the time, so I never get to see him getting ready for bed.  I won't be hiding in my room anymore.  I want floor seats for this show from now on.

I put the dress on his dresser, next to his stuff, and then I walk over to the far side of the ridiculous bed meant for Jack's giant.

"You need me to set an alarm or anything?" he asks as I slip into the heavenly folds of his bed.

Wow.  His bed is so much better than mine.  And I thought mine was pretty frigging fantastic.

"No.  You can just toss me out with the sun, though."

He laughs and slips into the covers on his side.  If you had told me I'd be sleeping in Kade Colton's bed two weeks ago, I would be in the hospital from my side-splitting laughter.

He just chuckles as he turns over, giving me a view of his perfect back.  I should probably face the other way, but I can't tear my eyes away.  He hasn't mentioned that kiss, and I doubt either of us ever will.  I just wish I could quit thinking about it.

Chapter 6

Frustrated

A hard body is pressed against me, hot breaths are on my neck, and a firm piece of temptation is touching the inside of my thigh.  My eyes go wide in the bed, and I realize Kade is almost on top of me, holding me to him, and wrapping me up like I'm his.

His soft, dark hair is against my chin, and I lick my dry lips as I try to ignore the fact he's aroused in his sleep.  I should probably move out from under him, but after the hellacious night of dreams I've had about him, it's hard not to put his morning arousal to use.

He stirs lightly, tightening his hold on me as he breathes in deep.  His knee comes up to press against the spot I never imagined he'd touch.  Frustration grabs me and shakes me with an agonizing tug.  It's been so long since a guy has made me feel anything like this.  Even though the sex with Jeremy wasn't great, it was sure as hell exciting to lead up to it.

He mutters something in his sleep, though I don't know what, and then his hand slides up to grab my left breast in a groping motion.  A pathetic moan slips through my lips, and I mentally slap myself.

Heat floods between my thighs, and a forgotten ache comes back with a vengeance.  This isn't good.  This isn't good at all.

"Christ," he gasps, jarring me out of all my fantasies.

He scrambles back, releasing me from his delicious clutches, and leaves me with that damn ache that now refuses to leave.

"Shit, Raya.  I'm sorry," he grumbles while wiping his eyes and rubbing his head.

I sit up, praying I'm not as red as I feel, and I shrug, pretending as though I just woke up.

"Sorry for?" I ask, doing all I can to keep this from being awkward.  "I just woke up."

He breathes out heavily while getting up from the bed.  "Never mind.  I need to grab a shower.  You good?"

Hell no, I'm not
good
.  That's a terrible word to describe me right now.

"Yeah," I drawl out, feigning a yawn.  "Maybe Ember has left my room.  I'd like a shower, too."

He tenses up, which is odd.  "If she's not, then just come back down.  You can use my shower when I'm done."

Images of me climbing in the shower with him attack my already scandalous mind. 
Stop it, Raya!

"You okay?" I ask.

Shit.  It must have really pissed him off to be touching me.  I'd find it offensive, but I'm starting to understand his way of thinking.  I'd ruin his reputation in the business world, considering I come from nothing.  And he doesn't even know about my father's scandals that would really destroy his pretty name.

A washing sense of disappointment cloaks me, almost drowning me with severe realizations.  I have to stop thinking about him like this.  I'm the daughter of a conman.  It would ruin him if people thought we were really together.  I have to squash those rumors if he's ever going to be anything in a world full of socialites who judge so harshly.

"Yeah.  I'm fine," he finally says through a sigh, but I've already left the bed and have almost reached the door.

I don't acknowledge his words.  I don't know why this suddenly bothers me so much.  Maybe it's because, even though I kept telling myself no, I kept hoping something might could happen.  It can't though.  If anyone ever found out I belong to Ray Drivel, my name would destroy Kade and his future.  No one would trust anyone connected to Ray.

I almost run up the stairs to my room.  Ember's ass had better be out.  When I open the door to see the bed made, deceitfully seeming clean and pretty, I sigh in relief.  It's then the first tear falls from my eyes.

I moved out here to get away from my past, only to learn there's no chance of ever having a better life because of it.  I can work like hell to redeem my name, but I'll always be linked to the notorious man.  They won't care what an incredible, loving father he is.  It'll only matter what he once did.

A tiny knock at the door
makes me flinch, but I steady myself before answering.  "Yeah?"

"Raya?" Kade says as he steps in, seeming uncomfortable.

He's still freaked out about this morning.  "Yeah," I murmur again, moving my eyes back down to the book I'm not really reading.

I've been on the same page for over an hour.  My mind is too busy to make room for reading.  I've been sorting through the numerous ways to squash this rumor about Kade and me.

"You okay?  You haven't come out of your room all day.  Did... Is... Does this have anything to do with this morning?"

This morning when you freaked out for touching me?  No.  Never.

I almost roll my eyes at my mind's snide remark.  "I don't know what you're talking about.  I have to finish reading this for class.  The only thing that happened this morning was you woke up and took a shower.  Beyond that, nothing else happened."

I look up just as he pockets his hands.  His eyes are on the floor, his body is rigid, and his lips are in a tight line.

"You... Look, I don't know why I was spiraled around you or why you're pretending you didn't notice, but we can't make this awkward.  I apparently like the way you feel when I sleep.  No big deal."

No big deal.  Nice to know.  It was a huge deal to me.

"Kade, I really do have to read this.  As for you liking the way I feel when you sleep, I honestly have no idea what you're talking about."

I grin up at him, praying he doesn't see how forced it is.  He relaxes a little, and then comes to flop down on my bed beside me.  I wish he'd just leave.

"New sheets?" he asks, smiling at the bed dressed anew.

Fortunately, Kade has tons of freshly packaged sheets in the hall closet.

"Two strangers were in my bed, so yes.  New bedding all around."

He frowns, almost as if he's confused.  "It wasn't Ember in here?"

"Ember is still a stranger.  I just met her Friday.  I only invited her because she's one of the few people I've met that wasn't making fun of me."

He breathes out heavily and pulls his phone out of his pocket.  "You're different today."

My phone buzzes on the table beside me, and I answer as I reach over to get it.  "I'm just exhausted.  Someone made me go to this party until early this morning."

He smiles as I check the message on my phone.  An involuntary grin spreads when I see the message is from Kade, who really did program his number into my phone.

It's a picture of me in my skimpy white dress while I'm on the dance floor with Ember.

"That party had you smiling, so it couldn't have been too bad.  I thought you might want a reminder about what fun looks like, in case you forget sometime soon."

"Thanks," I chuckle out.

"Better.  Hungry?  You've been hiding all day, so I assume you've got to be starving."

"I ate some of my tuna earlier.  I have a few cans up here."

He turns his nose up, which makes me chuckle in response.

"That's disgusting.  I'm actually getting so used to the smell that I didn't even notice it.  Why the hell do you eat so much tuna?  It can't possibly be that good."

I roll my eyes, still smiling, and then I turn my attention back to the book.  "It's
that
cheap."

The bed shifts when he moves, and I look up to see him almost scowling at me.  What the hell did I do?

"Wait.  You're eating that shit because you don't have money or something?"

That's embarrassing.  Why did I even say anything?

"No.  I've got some money, but food is just food.  It's something that goes in your stomach to keep you alive.  I'm not going to spend massive amounts of money on something just to enjoy it for a few minutes."

I don't have hardly any money, but I won't tell him that.  I'm sick of being a charity case.

"Hell no," he growls.

He pulls me up by my arm and hoists me out of the bed.   "What the hell, Kade?" I ask, shocked.

"Have you seen the pantry?  There's more shit in there than anyone can eat, and you're choking down that vile shit because you need to save cash?  That's a little insulting, Raya.  Go find something that you want to eat."

I laugh lightly while shaking my head.  "Kade, believe it or not, it's not
vile
.  I grew up on tuna in a can.  It's what us lower class citizens do."

He takes a deep breath and slows down on the stairs, still dragging me behind him.  "Promise me you'll start acting like you live here, too."

He turns to face me, and my heartbeat quickens.  There's that look - that depth of sincerity I never thought he could possess.  He's making it hard not to throw myself at him.

"I promise."

"Good."  He lets go of my hand and starts walking down the steps again.  "Dad called and wants you to come to a charity event next weekend at his house.  You game?"

I swallow hard and start following him again.  "Me?  Why?"

Because I'm a charity case?

"Because he likes you," he says with a shrug.  "Take it as a compliment.  He doesn't like many people."

"That would be... weird, wouldn't it?  Me at some ritzy function meant for people like you.  I'll probably pass, but tell Mr. Colton thank you for me."

I start to turn around, but he speaks before I can.  "First of all, people like you?  You mean people that don't wipe their asses with money?  I can assure you my father prefers people like you, since he used to be one of you.  Secondly, you'll fit in just fine, and I'll be there.  It's not like you'll be in the trenches alone.  Come on.  Don't make me go deal with all the rich people kissing my father's ass by myself."

It's almost comical to think the man who came from nothing is one of the most prominent men in Sterling Shore.

"You sure?" I ask, probing for some sort of promise
he
wants me there.

"Positive.  I'll drive you back to the store to get a dress.  You'll need something nice."

"There're a ton of dresses in there, thanks to you tossing half the store on the counter."

"Not good enough.  You need something a little more flashy.  It's one of those parties.  If you feel like it, we'll go right now."

I can't let his dad buy me another dress.  It already feels wrong to have accepted as much as I have.  Taking any more will just feel greedy.

"Um... I don't care to wear one of the others.  I'd rather wear one of the others, actually."

A small grins slides over his lips and he comes to pull my hand in his again.  "Either you come with me to find you a dress, or I'll go alone.  Are you sure you want to let this fall in my hands?"

I roll my eyes.  He's not going to have it any other way.  "I trust you," I say with a shrug, hoping I just called his bluff.

I turn around and rush back up the steps, ignoring his enigmatic chuckles.  He's bluffing.  He doesn't even know my size.  Those girls see hundreds of people a day.  There's no way they'll remember.