When Sinners Play (Sinners of Hawthorne University 1)

“We did it.” She grins at me, her hazel eyes shining.

“Yup.” I grin back. “You going to the party tonight.”

Her eyebrows shoot up. “Yeah. But more to the point, are you? I thought you swore off Hawthorne parties.”

I shrug. “Well, I figured I’d give it one more try.”

“Uh huh. And the prospect of getting boned by Gray Eastwood afterward has absolutely no bearing on your decision.”

Shooting her a scandalized look, I purse my lips. “First of all, I can get boned by Gray Eastwood anytime I want—”

“—much to Caitlin’s annoyance,” she fills in helpfully.

I chuckle, then add, “Don’t expect me to become a regular social butterfly, but just this once, I figured, why not?”

“That’s the spirit. You want a ride over?”

“I think I’m going with Gray. And probably Declan and Elias too.”

“Cool.” She tilts her head, her dark hair spilling over her shoulder as she glances at me. “They really do everything together, huh?”

I don’t miss the heavy innuendo in her voice, and I swat at her lightly. “I should never have fucking told you about that night.”

“Um, yes, you most definitely should have.” She chuckles, shaking her head. “Jesus, that kind of action is the sort of thing most of us girls just dream about. Has it been weird at all between you four? Now that things are kind of going somewhere with Gray?”

“I don’t know.” I hike my messenger bag higher on my shoulder, glancing around the busy campus without really taking it in. “Not really? I mean, we all still hang out together. But there’s… something between me and Declan and Elias. I don’t know what to do about it though. Nothing’s official. Hell, not even Gray and I are officially anything. We’re just… finding our way.”

Max nods sagely. “That’s not a bad plan. You had such a rough beginning, and even if things are better now, it doesn’t erase any of that. Take things slow.” She nudges my shoulder again. “Hold on to your heart.”

“With both fucking hands,” I assure her dryly.

“Good.”

The smile reappears on her face as we split up to head to our respective dorms, and she gives a little wave before she disappears into her building.

I head up the stairs at a fast clip and dump my messenger bag on the floor as soon as I step inside my little apartment, letting out an audible sigh of relief at the knowledge that I won’t have to carry it anywhere for the next few weeks.

Gray texts me a few minutes later to let me know what time he’ll pick me up, and I jump in the shower before sliding on a pair of curve-hugging jeans and a casual but sexy top that shows off a hint of cleavage as well as a few tantalizing glimpses of my tattoos. I put on a little makeup and gather my blue-blonde hair into a loose ponytail, then step back to admire my handiwork in the mirror.

I won’t be as glammed up as some of the girls at the party tonight; I’m sure of that.

But this outfit makes me feel sexy. It makes me feel like me.

And no matter who tries to make me feel like shit for my messed up childhood or my druggie mother, I’m still damn proud of who I am.

I made it this far.

And tonight, I’m gonna fucking celebrate that.

29

Gray must like my outfit too.

Less than a second after I open my dorm room door and step out, he’s got me pinned against the wall in the hallway, his large, muscled body pressed against mine as his lips and teeth devour the skin of my neck.

My fingers thread through his hair as I tip my head back, staring up at the ceiling with half-focused eyes as pleasure shoots through me like little sparks.

Fuck, how does he do this?