Forbidden Kiss (Carson Cove Scandals 1)

“Weird…” I shifted again when Alexis looked down the hallway, just to make sure she didn’t spot me.

“I guess people don’t talk about it much, but she said Alexis’ brother is a gambler and an alcoholic—the company would have gone under years ago if it wasn’t for her.” Melanie shrugged again. “Why do you care anyway?”

“Just curious…” I leaned against the wall. “I grew up in Carson Cove—I’ve never heard of anyone clamoring for advice from the Devereaux family—not about business anyway.”

I didn’t have time to ponder it in the hallway—I needed to get to class. Thankfully, I was going in the opposite direction of Alexis. I knew the history of the Devereaux family—they were usually the talk of Carson Cove. I never had a face for their matriarch until I saw her at the art show. Her marriages usually started or ended with a scandal. Bryant had told me some things about her—and her last husband. I couldn’t believe Carson Cove University would bring her in to talk to the first-year students about being successful when her last marriage turned her into a pariah. There had to be students sitting there with families that suffered because of the horrible things Sawyer King did—and Alexis was by his side while he did most of them.

If I had to sit in a room and pretend like she was some sort of beloved figure after her ex-husband ruined my family, I would probably lose it…

I did my best to focus on my next class. The internal struggle over my relationship with Bryant didn’t like being put in the back of my mind, but I needed to pay attention to my professor. He often went on tangents about stuff that wasn’t in the textbook, but the information sometimes made a special appearance on the quiz, or in some sort of assignment we had to do. I normally liked that about his class, but my head just wasn’t in it. I ended up starting the recorder on my phone just so I wouldn’t miss anything.

One quiz isn’t going to ruin my GPA, but I still don’t want to risk getting a bad grade.

I was ready to scream for joy when the class ended. My eyes were starting to glaze over, and I just needed a break—and another cup of coffee. I had enough time to make a quick trip to the coffee machine, so I started that way. I made it through my entire first year without paying premium price for whatever watered down mess they called coffee, but it wasn’t the day to worry about that. I took a sip as I walked towards my class, turned the corner—and nearly ran headfirst into someone that was coming from the opposite direction—except it wasn’t just someone—it was Alexis Devereaux. I barely came to an abrupt stop—one more step would have left both of us covered in hot coffee.

“I’m sorry, I…” I was mid-apology before I realized who I almost spilled coffee on—unfortunately, none of it actually landed on her.

“Watch where you are going!” She snapped at me, but then her eyes got wide as she realized who had almost run her over. “Taylor…you’re a student—here…”

“A student that needs to get to class.” I didn’t know what to do but I wanted to get away from her as soon as possible.

“Not so fast.” Alexis caught my arm before I could scramble and caused some of my coffee to spill on my hand.

“Let me go.” I shifted my coffee to the other hand and tried to yank my arm free.

“I’ve been trying to figure out who you were—I was just looking in the wrong place.” A shocked—but rather sinister laugh filled the air. “A student? Bryant is dating a student at Carson Cove University—oh this is so fucking rich.”

“It doesn’t matter who I am.” My words seethed across my lips.

“Oh, it matters, darling. It matters a lot.” She continued laughing but leaned towards me. “Do you even know what I can do to a little nothing like you?”

“Not a damn thing.” My head snapped back.

“I thought you were some socialite—a spoiled little rich girl with a daddy complex. Now I know what’s really going on and why nobody could tell me who you were.” Alexis shook her head, and the smile immediately turned into a look of pure evil. “You’re out of your fucking league.”

“Do you really think that? I left on Bryant’s arm—you left with your tail tucked between your legs.” I tried not to show any signs of weakness, but her words were getting to me, even if I didn’t want to admit it.

“Little girls that play with wolves always get eaten.” Her eyes reflected disdain for my very existence. “Why don’t you just end things with Bryant so that we can put all of this behind us—I’ll consider it a lapse of judgment on your part. Otherwise, I’ll have to put you in your place, and that won’t be pretty—especially now that I know who you really are.”

“You don’t control my life.” My jaw tensed up, and I tried to keep my composure.

“Maybe I should pay a visit to my old friend, Dean Richart. I will know everything there is to know about you in less than an hour—and then you’ll regret that day you stumbled into my world. I’m giving you a chance here—end it.”

“Do you think I’m scared of you?” I leaned forward, but I could feel my knees trying to tremble. “I’m not—I might not come from money, but at least I’m not a stuck up bitch.”

“Fine. The next time you see me?” Alexis gave me a shove that caused a few people to turn and stare. “You’ll be on your knees begging for mercy—and I’ll be the one on Bryant’s arm. Things are already in motion—but I’m going to enjoy watching you sob when you see just how fucked you really are.”

Alexis started walking in the opposite direction of the way she was headed when I almost ran into her—she was walking towards Dean Richart’s office. My heart sank into my stomach, and I realized that everyone in the hall had witnessed what happened between us—they were staring at me. I couldn’t find the strength to go to my next class. I walked to the nearest exit, tossed my coffee in the garbage, and didn’t stop walking until I made it to my car.

“Oh my god…” I stared at the steering wheel and tried to process what had just happened.

I had no idea what to do. I didn’t want to believe that Alexis Devereaux could ruin my life by talking to Dean Richart—but I had no idea what she was going to tell him. I had worked too hard to have it all come crashing down—and for what? She was mad because Bryant wasn’t interested in her? I stepped on her toes when she was trying to hit on him? It wasn’t like he would have magically fallen in love with her if I hadn’t walked up to them at the art show. Yes, I enjoyed watching someone as privileged as her get shut down while I had a front row seat. I knew I was playing with fire, but I didn’t expect her to be the one that burned me.

I should have ended things with Bryant when I had the chance. Now it may cost me everything I’ve worked for—losing my friendship with Victoria may be the least of my worries…

Chapter Sixteen

Bryant