When Rivals Fall (Bayshore Rivals 1)

Shit, I shouldn’t have done that.

When his gaze shoots back up and our eyes meet there is a spark there, and that spark ignites an entire fire inside me. Without thinking I take a step forward at the same time as he does. Our lips meet in a furious, almost punishing kiss. There is an urgency to this kiss, and it’s completely unlike the one I experienced with Sullivan. Its rage and anger, and I feel like if I don’t continue kissing him right now I might combust.

Snaking my arms around his neck I pull him closer. My nipples brush against the soft fabric of his shirt, and I damn near moan at the sensation. His hands easily find my hips and he pulls me closer, so close there isn’t a millimeter of space left between us. I can feel my core pulsing, my body melting into his. I know he wants me, the hardened bulge in his jeans telling me so. We continue to kiss, his lips pressing against mine, his hands holding onto me with a possessiveness that excites and terrifies me.

He nips at my bottom lip and I moan feeling the bite deep in my core. I want him, need him. Blood rushes in my ears, and then it ends. Like a cold bucket of water has been tipped over me. Banks pulls away pushing me backwards. I sway unsteadily on my legs. His lips are wet and swollen and all I want to do is run my fingers over them.

“No! You’re not going to pull that shit on me,” he growls, shaking his head in annoyance. “This might have worked on Sullivan, but you can’t use the same trick twice and expect no one to notice.”

“He told you?” I respond hoarsely, lust still clogging my throat. My lips swollen and my skin burning where he touched me.

Grinning, he says, “Of course he told us, we’re his brothers. Now keep your lips, and your body to yourself, because next time I won’t stop. Next time, I’ll take and take until there isn’t anything left.”

Without another look, he pushes me out of the way and exits the room. Bringing a hand to my lips I can still feel his kiss there, the heat of his body burning into mine and I know I’ll be thinking about him for a long while to come.

Chapter Five

Four days pass without Banks showing himself. My little towel stunt must have had some type of impact on him because he no longer follows me around. That doesn’t mean I’m allowed to roam around on my own though. Sullivan and Oliver still escort me every place I go. By now, I’m getting used to it. I’m also getting used to the way people gawk at me and the snotty remarks that follow. Turns out college is just like high school, only with more people and less consequences.

“Where are you going?” Oliver asks, falling into step beside me. He’s the oldest of the Bishops, and I like to tell myself the smartest. When it comes to cracking them, Oliver will be the hardest nut. “This is not the way to your dorm.”

“Great observation skills, Sherlock. I’m going to the library,” I snap, hoping it will deter him enough that he will leave me alone. I can’t concentrate when one of them is close by and I really need to write this paper. It wouldn’t be a problem to do it at my dorm, but the professor is adamant about only using library sources so it’s either the library or a failing grade.

“I’ll help you study,” he snickers, and I already know he is going to do the opposite.

“Look, if you don’t let me do this…” I stop, because I don’t want to sound weak, or give them any more ammunition, but I also don’t really have anything to threaten him with nor do I want to. “I will fail this class if I don’t go to the library and then I’ll have to leave the school. How will you make my life a living nightmare if I’m not going to school here anymore? Huh?” I mock, the idea of dropping out wouldn’t be so bad if I didn’t have to face my father.

“We’ll just follow you wherever you go,” he says nonchalantly, as if he’s already thought the scenario through.

“Even back to my parents?”

Oliver’s gaze turns dark and he cuts me off mid-step, my body colliding with his, causing me to bounce back off of him. I can feel myself falling backwards when his arm circles my waist and he pulls me into his chest. “Oh, we won’t let you get away that easily. We’re done here when we say we’re done and not a moment sooner. Do you understand?”

This close I can see just how beautiful he truly is, high cheekbones, a strong, sharp jaw, and full lips that draw you in. His hair is a disheveled glossy mass of russet brown that I want to run my fingers through.