Page 18

I adjust the red mask over my face, the cool fabric brushing against my skin. It’s been years since I’ve done this, but the thrill is the same. The energy in the room buzzes, a mix of anticipation and something darker.

The girls scatter into the backyard, their laughter ringing in the air as they take off. Some of them glance back, teasing smiles on their faces, practically begging to be caught. This whole thing is a game, and everyone knows it. No one’s here to lose.

I take a slow step forward, scanning the yard. Most of them aren’t even running. They’re lingering, looking over their shoulders, waiting for someone to make a move. My lips twitch in amusement. Easy. Too easy.

I’m about to head for the girl in the purple dress when something catches my eye. Or rather, someone.

That mask.

The black bunny mask. Her ponytail bounces as she darts between the trees, her legs running like hell. My body reacts instantly, a primal surge of adrenaline coursing through me.

Sienna. Coach’s daughter.

What the fuck is she doing here?

My jaw tightens as I watch her. She doesn’t belong at a party like this, around guys like me—or worse, guys who wouldn’t hesitate to claim her and brag about it. The thought pisses me off more than it should.

She’s running like she means it, weaving through the crowd of trees, her pace quick and steady. This isn’t a girl who wants to be caught. But she will be.

By me.

I move, my strides long and deliberate. Someone else spots her too. His eyes light up as he changes direction, heading straight for her.

Not happening.

I shoulder him hard as I pass, sending him sprawling to the ground with a grunt. “Pick someone else,” I growl, not even bothering to look back.

Sienna glances over her shoulder, her green eyes wide and panicked as she spots me closing in. She speeds up, but it’s useless. She’s fast, but I’m faster.

The gap between us shrinks with every step. My heart, whatever’s left of it, races as I reach out, grabbing her by the waist and yanking her back against me.

She lets out a startled yelp, thrashing in my grip. “Let go!”

“You knew what you were signing up for, bunny,” I murmur, keeping my voice low and rough.

She freezes for a split second, her chest heaving against my arm, and I can’t stop the smirk that tugs at my lips. I don’t use her name, don’t want to give myself away, but it doesn’t matter. The way her body reacts to mine? She knows exactly who’s got her.

She struggles again, her elbows digging into me, but I tighten my hold, pulling her even closer. She’s warm, soft, and every nerve in my body is on fire.

“Let me go!” she snaps, her voice breaking.

I chuckle, the sound vibrating against her back. “Not a chance.”

Her scent is something faintly sweet, like vanilla hits me, and it’s all I can do to keep my composure. Fuck. This isn’t supposed to be personal, but with her, it is.

She squirms, her ponytail whipping against my cheek as she tries to twist out of my grip. My patience snaps.

“Stop,” I bite out, spinning her around so she’s facing me.

Her wide green eyes meet mine, her breath coming in quick gasps. This bunny mask is hot as fuck. She’s scared, but still defiant. There’s something else there too. Something in her eyes that makes my blood heat.

“Why me?” she demands, her voice shaky.

I don’t answer. Instead, I hook my arm under her knees and hoist her over my shoulder.

She yelps, pounding her fists against my back. “Put me down!”

“Calm the fuck down,” I growl, striding toward the house.

“Asshole!”

Her fists hit harder, but it’s pointless. I’ve got her, and there’s no way I’m letting go.

The crowd parts as I carry her through the house, their cheers and catcalls echoing around us. Sienna keeps struggling, but I ignore her, heading straight for the stairs.

I shove open the first door I find, kicking it shut behind me. The room is dark, but the glow from the streetlights outside casts just enough light for me to see her flushed face as I set her on her feet.

“What the hell is your problem?” she snaps, backing away from me.

My problem? My problem is that fucking mask right now. And ever since I saw Eli with his hands down her pants in the library, I can’t stop thinking about what she would feel like. My problem is that she’s Coach’s fucking daughter, and all I want to do is ruin her.

But I don’t say any of that. Instead, I reach up and adjust my mask, keeping it firmly in place. “You signed up for this, remember?”

“I didn’t sign up for you,” she shoots back, crossing her arms over her chest.

That stings more than I want to admit, but I push it down, stepping closer. She doesn’t move, just glares up at me with those fiery green eyes.

“What are you doing here, Sienna?” I ask, my voice low and dangerous.

Her breath catches, and for a second, I think she’s going to answer. But then she shakes her head, her ponytail swinging. “What are you doing here?”

I don’t reply. Instead, I reach out, hooking my finger under the zipper of her Ravens jacket.

“What are you—”

I tug it down slowly, the sound loud in the silence between us. She doesn’t stop me, just stands there, her chest rising and falling as I slide the jacket off her shoulders.

Underneath, she’s wearing a pale blue bra that does nothing to hide the peaks of her nipples. My jaw tightens as I reach out, brushing my thumb over one of them. She gasps, her hands flying to my wrist, but she doesn’t pull away.

“You shouldn’t be here, bunny,” I say, my voice rough.

“Neither should you,” she whispers.

I lean in, my lips brushing against her ear. “Get on your knees.”

Her eyes widen, and for a moment, she just stares at me. “What?”

“Now,” I growl, the command leaving no room for argument.

She hesitates, her hands trembling at her sides, but then she slowly sinks to her knees, her gaze locked on mine.

I reach for my belt, the sound of the buckle echoing in the small room.

Her knees hit the carpet, and I smirk, adjusting my mask just enough to let the cool air hit my face. She’s glaring up at me, defiance still burning in those green eyes even though her breath is uneven, her chest rising and falling like she’s run a marathon.

“Fuck you,” she spits like it’s poison. “You’re out of your goddamn mind if you think—”

“Quiet,” I growl, cutting her off. I reach down and tangle my hand in her hair, tilting her head back so she has no choice but to look at me. “You knew what you were signing up for the second you walked through that door, sweetheart.”

Her lips press into a tight line, but there’s a flicker of doubt in her expression. Good. I can work with that.

“You think you’re in control here?” I lean down, my voice dropping lower. “Let me clear that up for you… you’re not.”

I let go of her hair, and she falls forward slightly, catching herself with her palms on the floor. Her eyes dart to the door like she’s thinking about bolting.

“Don’t even think about it,” I warn, stepping closer. “You won’t make it two steps before I’ve got you pinned again. You’re better off staying right there, being a good girl.”

She glares at me, and for a second, I think she’s going to spit some smart-ass remark. But instead, she bites her lip, her hands curling into fists.

“You hate this, don’t you?” I murmur, crouching down so I’m eye level with her. “That you’re not the one calling the shots.”

Her lips part, but she doesn’t say anything. Instead, she shifts on her knees, her gaze flicking between me and the door like she’s trying to calculate her odds of escape.

“Look at me,” I demand, and when her eyes snap to mine, I see that mix of anger and adrenaline.

I reach down, brushing my thumb along her jawline, forcing her to hold my gaze. “You don’t have to like me,” I say, smirking. “You just have to listen.”

Her lips tremble, and I think she’s going to snap at me again. But then she surprises me. She leans forward, her hands coming to rest on my thighs as she inches closer.

“That’s more like it,” I murmur, watching her every move.

She hesitates for a second, and I can see the war playing out in her head. But then she closes her eyes, her lips brushing over my zipper, and I swear every nerve in my body lights up like a goddamn Christmas tree.

“Good little puck bunny,” I say under my breath, my hand slipping into her hair again, tugging just enough to make her gasp.

Her hands move to unbutton my pants, and I can’t stop the low groan that escapes my throat. She doesn’t look up at me this time, her focus entirely on what she’s doing.

“You’re pierced,” running a thumb over my leaking head.

“Less talking, bunny .”

Her lips part around me, her tongue flicking, teasing, testing my patience. My grip tightens in her hair, tugging her closer as I lean back against the wall.

“Yeah, just like that,” I murmur, the words slipping out as her warm mouth works over me.

She’s hesitant, faltering at first, but when she finds her rhythm, it’s like she forgets to hold back. Like she’s giving herself to the moment, even if it’s begrudgingly.

And fuck, it’s everything.

The door flies open so hard it smacks against the wall, and I whip my head around to see Eli standing there. Mask in his hand, hair all over the place like he just sprinted through the damn house.

Sienna freezes mid-motion, lips parted, her hands trembling slightly before she jerks away from me. Her wide, green eyes land on him, and then on me. Her whole body goes stiff.

“You’re not Eli,” she whispers, her voice shaky but laced with anger. She wipes at her mouth like she’s trying to erase the whole scene.

“No,” I growl, my voice low, a little dangerous. “I’m not.”

Eli’s eyes are locked on us, on her, more specifically, and there’s a charged moment where the room feels like it might explode. He takes a step forward, his jaw clenched so tight I swear I can hear his teeth grinding.

“Eli, walk away right now,” I demand.

“No fucking way,” he says, his voice calm but deadly. “Wait your turn.”