Rowdy Boy

Until … him.

A few seconds peeking into the band practice room is all that’s needed to make my jaw drop.

Right there on the stage is the most gorgeous black-haired boy I’ve ever laid my eyes on. His jaw razor-sharp, his lips thick and kissable. Three distinct moles—two on each cheek and one on his chin. Brows slanted, cheeky, as though he’s perpetually daring someone to look at him—someone like me.

He casually plays the guitar and sings his lungs out with a beautifully raspy voice. Suddenly, he adjusts the mic, and his green, devilish eyes land on me.

This moment, this one second feels stuck in time.

As though the world comes to a standstill, and all that’s left is him and me … and my heart that’s about to be thrashed to hell by the likes of him.

A filthy, dirty smirk forms on his face.

My fucking God.

My heart just skipped a beat.

“Monica? Monica!” Ariane’s suddenly right in front of me, snapping her fingers as though she’s trying to call for a butler. “Hello? What’s going on? What are you …?” The moment she turns her head, she’s silent, and then she mutters, “Oh …”

“What’s his name?” I ask.

She grabs me by the shoulders and pushes me aside, breaking the connection I had with that one boy who made my heart throb without ever touching it.

“No,” she says in a way that reminds me of a stern mother speaking to a toddler. “Not him.”

“What? No, I wasn’t—”

“I saw you look,” she says. “You don’t wanna go there.”

I don’t think my cheeks have ever been redder, but there you go. “I’m not—”

“He’s bad. Like, really bad. I promise you, he’s the worst kind of asshole. Trust me on that,” she says, still clenching my arms as though she’s trying to stop me from going inside. “Don’t talk to him. Don’t get anywhere near him.”

“Why not?” I ask, confused as to why she’d go to that length just to warn me.

“Everywhere he goes, he leaves damage. He’s nothing but trouble.”

I wonder if she means he damages property … or girls’ hearts.

She pulls me along into a new hallway. “I promise you, there are plenty of hot guys here, and they’ll treat you much better than he ever will. I can introduce you to one if you like. I know some guys from the football team that are still single.” She winks.

“I’m good,” I say, holding up my hands. “No boys for me.”

“Oh, right …” She stops in her tracks. “I’m sorry, that was inconsiderate of me.”

I wave it off as if it’s no biggie, even though it is. But I don’t want to make it a bigger deal than it already is. “It’s fine.”

“I won’t push you to do anything, so tell me if I go too far, okay?” she says.

“Thanks, I really appreciate you giving me a tour and helping me get settled here,” I reply.

She leans in. “If anyone bothers you, you let me know.” She looks me in the eyes as if she wants to find my soul. “You know …”

Yeah, I know what she means.

“I won’t let it get that far, promise. No boys for me. I’ve learned my lesson.” I roll my eyes.

“Boys only break your heart anyway,” she adds lightheartedly, but she has no clue—none at all—and it shows. “Oh, I think it’s about time for your first class to start,” she suddenly says. “C’mon.”

Before I know it, she’s pulled me all the way upstairs, right in front of a classroom. “English!” she says. “The bell will ring soon, and I have something I need to take care of before my first class, so I gotta go if you don’t mind.”

“Oh, it’s fine. Thanks so much for all your help,” I reply. I wonder what’s so important that she needs to take care of right off the bat when school hasn’t even started yet.

“You’re welcome, but if you need anything else, just send a text. I’m always available.” She sends me some fake kisses. “Gotta run, love. Bye!”

“Bye!” I wave her off, but I’m not really looking because all I can think of is that boy I just saw … and the way he looked at me that almost promised trouble.

I don’t think I’ll be able to stay away, even if I tried.

Cole

Sweet fucking mercy.

Those eyes.

The way she watches me adjust the mic, as if I’m touching myself instead of the mic, makes all the blood rush to my dick. Fuck.

I haven’t even had a proper look at her ass or her frame yet, but a small glimpse has me turned on.

I’m already hooked, and I don’t even know her name.

Do I need to? Maybe. For now, all I need to know is that she’s interested in me … and I’m definitely interested in her too.

I don’t care who she is or where she came from. She’s new, and fresh meat always gets me excited. It’s not often new girls step onto the Black Mountain property. Once the new school year starts, there’s an influx of new girls, but they’re all so young and inexperienced.