“You didn’t mention names before.”
“Does it really matter? Do you know them or something?”
Her eyes practically bulge out of her head while she glares at me like I’ve grown an extra. I have a feeling these two guys are not just random hot guys. I swallow hard as I prepare for her answer. “The world freaking knows them, Heaven. Every tabloid ever has had them on the cover more than once.”
“Why? Who are they?”
“What yahoo world did you live in?” she taunts, not meaning to be cruel or derogatory. It’s just her way. “You’ve spent too much time in your head. That’s Ryder Jamison and Maddox Masters. As in billionaires by birth.”
I look over her shoulder then back at her. The out of my league thoughts I had earlier have suddenly grown tenfold. “What are they doing here?” I hiss.
“Well, they’re obviously here for you. I can’t believe you’ve had their numbers all this time and haven’t called them!”
They’re only ten feet away. I suddenly have the urge to run in the other direction, but it’s too late. That would make me look intimidated and weak. Even if that is exactly how I feel, I won’t let them know that. I will just find a way to politely get rid of them.
“You didn’t call us, love,” that sexy British accent calls out to me, sending all coherent thoughts running.
“I – um – I just didn’t think that it was a great idea,” I tell him when he’s next to me.
Heidi looks like she’s about to melt on the spot. Several other girls from around campus are starting to hover close. I suddenly feel put on display, and I’m not sure I appreciate it.
“You wound me,” Ryder’s handflies to his chest. “I thought it was a fantastic idea.”
“Why would you think it’s a bad idea, cupcake?” Maddox asks, moving into my personal space a bit too much.
“I – uh – well I don’t really know either of you. You could be kidnappers or serial killers or something.”
They both laugh loudly at that. “Ordinarily, I would agree, pixie,” Ryder tells me.
“She didn’t know who you were,” Heidi volunteers, making my cheeks flame.
“Oh, we know that,” Maddox tells her with a smirk.
“I’m sorry,” I apologize with a wince. “I don’t look at many magazines or watch much television.”
“So, now that you know who we are, go out with us tonight,” Ryder grins.
“I still don’t think it’s a good idea,” I squeak. “I mean, I still don’t know you. Not really.”
“Then bring your friend,” Maddox gestures to Heidi, whose eyes just turned into dinner plates. Her face looks absolutely cartoonish.
“She accepts. When and where?” Heidi blurts out. I toss her a glare and mouthwhat the hellat her. She completely ignores me. Her only focus is on Ryder and Maddox. It looks like she can’t choose between the two of them either since her eyes are darting back and forth like she’s watching a tennis match.
Ryder’s eyes stay fixated on me. They grow darker despite the bright light of the sun as he scans me from head to toe. He licks his lips like he’s picturing a juicy steak, and I swallow hard. Audibly hard.
“See you tomorrow night, cupcake,” Maddox says after he’s given Heidi the details.
He begins to walk off. Ryder turns to follow. He takes a few steps before he turns around to me again. “Don’t try to get out of it, love. I know where you live.” He winks then turns to follow Maddox once again.
And I’m left standing there, nothing more than a gape-mouthed puddle on the sidewalk.
Heaven
Use Me
I stare at my reflection in the mirror. I’ve tried on everything in my tiny dorm closet. I don’t know what to wear to a club. I’m not even sure how I’m getting into a club.
I have never concerned myself with what to wear. I have never worried about anyone’s opinion of me, male or female. I did my thing, and somehow, it always worked for me.
