“What do you want, Travis?” The disdain in her voice doesn’t go unnoticed. I can only laugh at how bored she sounds.
“Well, I was thinking we could play a little game.” Her eyes blink up away from her Kindle, but she doesn’t turn her head. “Winner gets bragging rights for the rest of the week.”
She lowers her lashes, her expression barely changing. “Not interested.”
“Hmm…” I say, pretending to really be thinking it over. “I think you’ll be very interested in this game. See, it fully benefits you. I only get partial benefits.”
I see her throat move. “Then why would you even want to play?”
“For the thrill, princess. You know I can’t deny a challenge.”
Her shoulders move up and down, her breathing speeding up. “Fine. What is it?”
She doesn’t even take her eyes off her Kindle, but I’m about to change that.
“Close your eyes.”
That gets her attention. She jerks her head toward me, furrowing her brows. “Are you joking?”
“What? You don’t trust me?” I ask, the corner of my lips tilting up and giving me away.
“I wouldn’t trust you even if Jesus himself came and blessed your forehead with a Bible in his hand.”
“Funny you bring up what’s in my hand…because I have something I know you’ll really enjoy.”
She narrows her eyes, knowing I’m definitely up to something.
“Viola…” I lower my voice. “Close your eyes.”
She waits a moment to read my face, but I don’t give anything away. She finally exhales and closes them.
“Good girl,” I praise. “Now relax.”
She obeys and releases a gentle breath. “If you smash a pie or something in my face, I’ll feed your balls to the birds,” she threatens, and my smile widens.
“I wouldn't dare,” I mock. “The name of the game is Guess that Object. Are you ready?”
She sighs. “Sure.”
I step in closer to her neck and inhale her clean scent. If I didn't want to wring her neck the majority of the time, I’d be tempted to do much more than just smell her.
I bring my lips closer, just below her ear and place a soft kiss. Her body shudders. I see the strands of her hair stand as her skin pricks with goose bumps.
“Is this where I guess?” she asks, unamused. “What's rough, dry, and promises an STD?”
I back away, trying to read her. I know she's fucking with me, but how can she pretend her body didn't react the way we both know it did.
“That’d be your virgin vagina,” I answer before she can.
She clenches her teeth. “That doesn't even make sense. How would you get an STD if I was a virgin?”
“So you're finally admitting you're a virgin?”
“No, asshole.”
“Then I rest my case. No evidence supports your theory.”
“Are you fucking high or something?”
“No.”
“You make no sense.”
“Fine, how about this? What's thick, long, and vibrates?” I don't wait for her response before continuing, bringing the toy around her and softly brushing it over her pebbled nipples. “And is used to make you come harder than a porn star?”
Her eyes spring open as she lowers her eyes and notices the toy in front of her.
“With my help, of course,” I add.
Her jaw tightens, and I see her body go rigid. “You wouldn't know what to do with that,” she hisses, grabbing it out of my hand.
“I'm pretty sure you don't know what to do with that.”
“I know enough not to need you.” Fuck. She’s feisty today.
“That’s not what it sounded like the other day.”
“That was a moment of weakness.”
“Are you saying you'd rather get off with some fake cock than a real one?”
“When I have to. What's it to you anyway?”
I furrow my brows, really seeing Viola in a much different way. I expected her to be humiliated when she realized she left it in the shower, but she’s barely flinched. Instead, she owns it completely. She's definitely not an innocent twelve-year-old girl anymore. She's the one girl who sees through my lines of bullshit and charm.
“It's important to me if you can get yourself off or not,” I say genuinely and mocking all at the same time. “As your temporary roommate, it's my job to make sure you’re taken care of. If this little battery-operated thing isn't doing it, we’ll need to seek other options.”
“The vibrator only does part of the job,” she informs me, her words strong. “While I fuck myself, I rub my other hand over my clit, faster and faster, until my knees buckle, and I scream.”
My throat is so fucking dry that I can barely get the words out. “You're messing with me.”
She smiles and lowers her eyes back to her Kindle. “You should know better than to play mind games with a princess, King.”
She thinks she’s won, but the fun is only beginning.
I can’t believe Travis just walked out here with my vibrator, all cocky and hell-bent on embarrassing me. I’ll deny it till the day I die, but I was so distracted by how sated I felt that I completely forgot it afterward. Knowing how well he can work me up, Travis King and a vibrator can only mean dangerous things—dangerous things and dangerous thoughts.
I finish reading my chapter, and when my phone vibrates, I see I have messages from Jason and Courtney. I smile as soon as I read her message.
Courtney: You’re missing out on all the hot cowboys. I’ve already been proposed to twice.
I’ve missed her since she left. Had I known the circumstances that I know now, I would’ve changed my mind.
Viola: I wouldn’t mind if you brought one home for me. However, with my current track record, maybe don’t. I’d just scare them off.
I glance over at Travis, who’s made himself comfortable in the chair next to me. After he dressed, he brought all his work shit out here and started looking over his laptop. Aside from his basketball shorts and junkie T-shirt, he looks all business. I can still smell the fresh scent of his shower on him, and it’s consuming my senses as I try to stay focused on hating him.
Courtney: You mean staying with Travis isn’t helping your dating life?
I can hear the sarcasm dripping from her mouth.
Viola: Travis lost his shit when I went out with Jason.
I hit send, quickly looking up to see if Travis can tell I’m talking about him. He’s barely flinched, so I know he’s completely zoned in on whatever he’s working on.
I pretend I’m reading on my phone as I wait for her to respond. She knows all about Travis since she flew back and visited me for a couple of weeks last summer. I always stay with Drew, but Travis and I have always had a mutual agreement not to be around each other anymore than we had to. Not much time has passed, and I’m already in hell.
Courtney: That’s because he so obviously wants you. I can even tell you that from all the way over here!