This is War (Checkmate Duet 1)

“I knew you were arrogant, but Christ.”

“What?” I ask.

“Do you have a full refund policy, too? Get an STD, all panties returned and burned.”

“I’ve never had any complaints,” I say, crossing my arms and leaning against the wall so I can study her features.

“I’m sure.” She rolls her eyes, flipping through the channels.

“Have you ever had one?”

“Had what?” she asks, avoiding eye contact with me.

I curl my lips up. “An orgasm.”

I watch as her fingers lose their grip on the remote and it falls to the floor. “I’m not answering that!” she shouts, reaching for the remote again.

“Why not?” I shrug. “It’s a valid question.”

“It’s none of your damn business.” She hisses.

I chuckle. “That’s a no.”

“No it isn’t.”

“Then just answer the damn question.” I groan.

She slams the remote down and stalks toward me, seething. “Fuck off.”

I smile as I watch her walk back down the hall. Now that’s the Viola I know.

Viola hides out in Drew’s room most of the night, which is just fine by me. It’s Day 1 alone with her, and I’m already desperate to go out and drink away all the memories of her walking wet and naked down my hallway.

She finally resurfaces, walking straight to the kitchen and ignoring me like the priss she is.

“I thought you’d be all tucked into bed by now.”

“Believe it or not, I need to eat,” she snaps, opening the fridge door.

“Work up an appetite in there?” I ask, pinching my lips together.

“Do you have an off button?”

“Actually…”

“Never mind,” she quickly spits out. “Forget I asked.” She groans, knowing exactly where I was about to take it.

Trying to get under her skin as best I can, I ask in my best conversational tone, “So can you give yourself an orgasm?”

She gasps as her eyes widen in shock. “Do you just say the first thing that comes to your teeny tiny brain?”

“Hasn’t let me down yet.” I shrug. She rolls her eyes at me, and I laugh. “Want me to make you something for dinner?”

“No,” she says on instinct. “I don’t want your hands anywhere near what goes into my mouth.”

She closes her eyes and immediately catches herself, but it’s too late.

“Well, I’ve never been told that before, but hey, there’s a first for everything,” I say nonchalantly. I have to say it. “However, whenever I offer to cook for a girl, we usually skip the dinner portion of the night and go right for dessert.”

“It doesn’t count if you have to drug them,” she retorts automatically. Christ, this girl has a lot of pent-up aggression. I could offer to help her with that, but I have a feeling it would end with her knee in my junk and me collapsing to the ground.

She continues busying herself in the kitchen, pretending I’m invisible. I guess I deserve that, but I’m not about to let her ruin my night.

As if on cue, my phone rings on the counter between us and before I can grab it, she glances down at it and frowns.

“Sarah From The Bar?” she asks, cocking one brow up in disdain. “Classy.”

“Don’t be jealous, princess. I have a nickname for you too.” I smile wide, knowing she’ll know exactly what I mean. V the Virgin.

“Is it under Never in a Million Fucking Years?”

I press a hand to my chest, as if her words actually hurt me. “Not even in a million years?”

“Grow up, asshole.” She takes her PB&J sandwich and twists around me, walking out of the kitchen.

I answer my phone before Viola’s out of hearing distance. “Hey, baby.”

“I’m in the area tonight. Was thinking about stopping over. Is that okay?” Her loud moans and perky ass immediately come to mind.

“Yeah, baby. Of course. Can’t wait to see you.”

“Think…short skirt, low cut top, no panties…” she drawls out in a smooth voice.

“Even better.” I grin, getting hard just thinking about how much fun we had last time.

“I’ll be there soon. I’m not too far away,” Sarah says before we hang up.

Viola peeks her head around the corner, obviously having listened to my whole conversation, and glares at me. If looks could kill, I’d be six feet under.

“What?” I say, smiling.

She rounds the corner and comes at me as if she’s going to knock me out.

“What? Really?” She seethes. “It’s only been a few hours and you’re already breaking the house rules! I have two tests tomorrow. I don’t need your sexcapades keeping me up all night.”

“I’m flattered you think I can go all night, but…”

“No. Guests. In. The. House.” Her stance is fierce, her body boiling. “Got it?”

I take a step closer, feeling the warmth of her skin radiate near mine.

I’ve put up with enough of her shit for one night. “We didn’t agree on anything,” I hiss, my voice dropping low. My eyes glance down and watch her breast rise and fall with each breath she takes, her pulse rapidly beating in her neck. She’s seriously worked up.