The clean scent pulls me into the room before I know what I’m doing. It’s bright, and citrusy, and reminds me of clean laundry. It’s probably a dumb move because if any of them found out I was in their rooms, I’m sure they would murder me. Nerves make me giggle quietly as blood pumps loudly between my ears as my nerves dance with energy. Listening intently for approaching footsteps, I exhale slowly, shaking my hands to steady them. I know I shouldn’t be here, but I can’t help it. My need to know what makes the king's tick overrules my common sense. I hate surprises.
My original plan was to find the bathroom and take a few notes, but then I couldn’t help that my feet took me upstairs. There are so many students milling around, I’m sure no one noticed my ascent. These three live off campus and, from what I can gather, are the only ones allowed to do so. Why? What makes them so special? This is probably the only time I’ll be allowed in their house to hopefully get some answers, and I don’t want to waste a moment of it. I should start writing names and ask Leah to do some digging, too. I make a mental note to shoot her an email tonight when I’m back, or tomorrow morning.
My eyes adjust to the darkened room. I don’t dare turn on a light, but with the windows facing the back of the house, the bonfire supplies enough glow that I can see most of everything. I run my fingers over the king size bed—neatly made. The material is soft under my touch and I know the sheets probably feel the same. Books line the built-in bookshelves and I walk over to examine some of the titles. I don’t recognize most of them, so I pick one up and start reading the back of it. Mystery. Interesting choice, considering all three are just that.
There are no personal pictures around, and while I’m not positive, I would say this is Julien’s room. I wander around, drinking in everything.. Who is Julien Azarian under the hardass exterior? I stop at his desk and slowly slide open a drawer. There’s nothing unusual there, just some writing materials, so I close it quietly, opening the next to find nothing of consequence. He is either good at hiding things, or he has nothing to hide. I find the second option hard to believe.
I’m too wrapped up in my thoughts to notice his presence until it’s too late. His hand clamps down over my mouth and he pulls me flush with his body, holding me in place. I fight against him, my heart pounding against my ribs as his fingers dig into my cheeks. He spins me around, knocking the wind out of me as he holds me against the wall, pressing his body weight into me to keep me in place. Each labored breath has me inhaling his scent. It’s the same as it was earlier: masculine, clean and citrusy. Now is not the time to be focusing on how amazing he smells, but I can’t help it.
“You really have a lot to learn, Princess. Who said you could come into my room?”
My shallow pants of fear make it hard for me to think straight.Breathe, Riley.You’re going to be a lot worse if you can’t function because of a damn panic attack. My head throbs and my vision blurs. Coming in here was a bad idea; but I didit anyway. I’m the only one to blame for this, and I know it. I push against him, trying to force more room between us when he clasps both my wrists between his large one and pins them above my head. My heart is going to break out of my chest at any moment. It’s beating so hard. He holds my jaw between his thumb and forefinger, forcing me to look up at him. My wild eyes struggle to focus. Julien towers over me, and is easily six-one.
It’s now or never. If I show him I’m scared shitless, he’ll bully me the rest of the time he’s here. If I stand up to him, maybe, justmaybe, he’ll back down. I look him straight in the eye, trying to build up the confidence that I know isn’t there.
“Let go of me, Julien.” The words sound so sure coming out, it surprises even me.
His green eyes spark, and the corner of his mouth pulls up into a devilish grin. He slides his free hand down the side of my body, following every curve as his touch lights me up in pleasure. I shudder under his fingertips. He stops his exploration at my hip and flips me around so suddenly the air whooshes out of my lungs as my cheek hits the wall, smashing my entire front against it.
“Let go of you? You came into my personal spaceuninvited,” he snarls. “I have every right to do whatever the fuck I want to you, Riley. You put this target on your back.” He runs his large finger from my shoulder blades down the center of my spine and draws a small circle at the base, just above my ass. “Not me.”
My whole body tingles with anticipation as wetness pools between my thighs.What the hell is wrong with me?
“I’ve done nothing to you. I don’t even know you.” My scared voice comes out smaller than I mean it to. Something in his tone tells me not to mess with him. Something happened to him. Why is he angry at me? I haven’t met him before today.
“That’s not true, now is it?” He drags his hand around to my stomach and slides it further yet. His flat palm rests on the curveof my sex before he lifts the hem of my dress and slowly rubs his fingers over my clothed slit. Oh God, that feels good, too good.
A quiet moan escapes my lips as my eyes flutter closed.What’s not true?We know one another?I’m sure I’d remember someone who looks like him—tall, dark, and handsome. As my body takes control, reeling at his talented fingers on me, my mind struggles to keep pace. My knees buckle at his ministrations and he presses himself against me, holding me up. My too slow brain finally catches up, reminding me what a terrible idea this is, and I push back against him. The fight coming back to me after a momentary lapse in judgement. He’s made it abundantly clear he’s my enemy. And it doesn’t matter how hot he is, I’m not sleeping with someone who has it out for me.
“I can smell you, Princess, and your panties are soaked. I never would’ve pegged you for a kinky one.” He nips at my ear, and I gasp in surprise before biting my lip to stop the moan that wants to break free. My hips rock involuntarily into his hand, adding a delicious pressure to my already sensitive clit.
This is wrong.
So, so wrong, but I can’t stop my body from moving on its own, chasing the impending release. I can’t think straight, my insurmountable pleasure within reach. My sight is hazy with the impending orgasm that hovers. I’ve never gotten close this fast.
“S-stop calling mePrincess,” I moan as he presses a little harder and my legs begin to shake. I’ve never liked the nickname. People have thought it was funny over the years, but I’ve never laughed. I’ve always seen the name as a dig, an insult. I’m right on the edge, the pleasure coiled so tight in my belly I feel as if I could explode.Please don’t stop, Julien. Make me come.He chuckles and I second guess if I said those words out loud.
“Please,” he mocks. Finding his way under the thin material of my panties, he plunges two fingers inside of me over and over, finding that delicious spot. He presses his hard body against mine and his rigid cock is pressing against my ass. He grunts when I press back into him and internally I smile, knowing I pried a reaction from him.
“You gonna come for me like a good girl?” He growls in my ear before he licks the shell and bites on the lobe. I heave a breath and rock my hips, chasing the release my body desperately needs.
“Y-yes. Please, Julien.”
“I love to hear a pretty girl beg.”
He slows his hand and I keep rocking my hips, trying to maintain the pressure until he withdraws completely. “No,” I gasp and turn around to face him. I pant and my face flames hot with embarrassment.What did I just do?I’ve done something so reckless. He sucks each long finger between his lush lips before popping it out, one digit at a time, sucking me off him. I will my body to move, to doanything—but I just stand there, frozen, staring at him in shock. What just happened?
He bends at the waist, bringing his face close to mine. “Next time I see you snooping where you shouldn’t, a ruined orgasm will be the least of your worries. I’ll find out, Princess. I’ve got eyes and ears all over this place. Don't do anything else stupid,” he hisses, his eyes flashing with anger.
I clench my jaw and breathe deeply through my nose, not letting my anger get the best of me. I can usually control my temper, but something about Julian Azarian makes me lose my damn mind! And not having a firm grip on my control is going to get me in trouble here. He makes sure my dress is around my hips, surprisingly gently, and grabs my wrist, pulling me out of his room, slamming the door closed behind us. Shaking off the lingering daze, I yank myself free from his grasp, his scentstill clinging to my clothes, and I storm off, putting some much needed distance between us.
“You’d better not touch that pussy, Riley.” He hollers from the top step as I reach the bottom, making me stop dead in my tracks. “It’s not punishment if you finish the job I started.”
A few people look in my direction and whisper to one another.Please, just let me die now.My entire body feels like it's going to burst into flames at any moment—embarrassment and wrath fighting for first prize. Visions of touching myself dance in my head and when I move my arm in front of me like I’m going to do just that, he glares daggers at me.
He’s won this battle. I’m woman enough to know when I’ve been beat. I also know the type of rumors that are likely to spread now.
Just what I need…a reputation.
