When We're Alone

Chapter thirteen

STONE

Iwatchhergo, and it takes every ounce of willpower I have to not follow and rip his arm away from her. God, she looks spectacular. I have no idea why she’s in underwear, barely there heels and a man’s jacket, but I can’t deny that she pulls it off. I just wish every other fucker here hadn’t seen it. The phantom feel of her body against mine and her pulse against my thumb as I held her throat taunts me. Would she have let me kiss her? Would she have let me fuck her right there, wrapping that ponytail around my wrist? Mason walks ahead of me out onto the patio area where fucking Dane and his cronies are, and I follow, stepping up with Reid and Mason as I try to push all thoughts of Ava out of my head.

“What the fuck do you want, Dane? Can’t you get the message?”

“Actually, I’m here to announce a bet.” The bets are a tradition between Oakview and Highland that has been around for generations. If one has something the other wants, they can call a bet. The other side has to agree, and the win is final. One hasn’t been called in a while, so I’m curious.

“What do you want?”

“Ava.”

“What?” Murmurs ripple through the crowd.

“She’s Oakview now, but she was Highland,” he continues, and I realise exactly what happened.

“So she moved before you managed to get any and now you want your shot?” I laugh then, because the look on his face shows it’s true. Good.

“Whatever. The challenge has been issued and the bet is set,” Dane taunts. “The winner of a poker game gets dibs on Ava, and the loser has to stay away from her and from me. No repercussions for mixing schools.” I don’t answer. The thought of him with Ava boils my blood. Where has she gone with Cole now, anyway? Back to his house? “I don’t know what’s taking so long, you know you have to agree.” He’s right, I do. I’m not going to be the first member of the Elite to refuse a bet in generations, ruining our reputation and my dad’s hard work.

“Fine.” I spit the word out like it’s betrayed me. I don’t even want him to have the opportunity to talk to her, even if it’s her decision what happens from there. I want to beat him, right here and now in front of everyone, and then I want to run after her and do the same to Cole and the same to Lewis. Fuck all of these guys who get to touch her when I can’t. I push those thoughts to the side and head back inside to the poker table in this guy’s basement. It’s game time.

I torture myself with images of her underneath Cole until I can’t stand it. I can’t relax at the party, even with a smoke and a drink, and I glare at any girl brave enough to approach me. My foul mood even keeps Winnie and Caitlin away, the most persistent of them all, and Reid finally gets his wish of attending a party where he doesn’t hear me get laid. I wonder the whole time if she’s still with Cole. Or has she met up with Lewis? By the time I get home I’m ready to snap, and I need confirmation.

I test the handle to her room and find it unlocked. Does she know about the key? Opening her door slowly, I see her curled up on her side, sleeping peacefully, and the tension starts to drift out of my body. Her face is soft and calm—not in the stoic mask she normally wears or glaring, but restful. Her black hair spills out around her, some falling across her face, and I get the urge to smooth it back. I take a step back to stop myself from touching her, but I can’t bring myself to actually leave the room when I get to see her so defenceless like this. Even as I berate myself in my head, I take a seat in the armchair in the corner and watch her, her breaths coming slow and steady as her chest rises and falls gently. I match my breathing to hers and gradually calm down, letting everything else go as I watch her. I’m so fucked.