Page 90 of Eternal

“Let’s go find Violet,” Mila says when we finally reach the fraternity’s front door.

She grabs my hand so we don’t lose each other as we push our way inside. Smoke clouds around us, making my head swim with an instantaneous contact high. The air is thick and hazy from people smoking, and the floor is sticky with how much booze has been spilled.

We push our way into the main foyer, and it’s packed with people. Almost the entire school shows up for Sigma Sin parties, so it’s absolute chaos.

Glancing up, I can’t help searching the second-story balcony to see if Declan’s at his usual perch, but he’s not there. Jase and Maddox lean on the railing, talking,and Jase is watching me. He says something, and then Maddox glances in my direction as well.

I still don’t know enough about Jase to properly judge him, but I get an uneasy feeling every time I look into his eyes. He’s the reminder of what I’ll always be to my father. A chip in his poker game. A pawn.

Tearing my stare from Jase, I look to the staircase and spot Declan. Kole and Violet trail behind him, and Kole’s arm is wrapped around her shoulders. Violet stayed the night with Kole last night, so she’s been here since the party started.

Declan watches me with every step. His cool-gray eyes peek through his black strands of hair. He shouldn’t look this good without trying, but he does, and it pisses me off. Everything about him is impossible to resist.

Declan’s jaw clenches as he takes in my outfit, showing off his strong, square jawline. And even if I’ll never admit it to Mila, his appreciation makes me thankful she talked me into wearing it.

“There she is.” Mila points to Violet.

But I can’t break my staring contest with Declan. Ever since that day in his studio, things have changed. I’ve seen another side to him, and in return, he saw me at my most vulnerable.

I’m used to fighting him, but what I want now is something else, and I’m still trying to reconcile that as he walks up to me. His mouth tilts in a smirk, and I want him to pin me to the wall and fuck me. I want to open myself up to him completely. He looks at me like I matter.

How?

I’m more work than I’m worth.

More confusion than clarity.

But what if Decan was right? What if our constant battle was a mask for feelings we didn’t know how to explain? What if Jase was our wake-up call? What if Declan really does want me?

How does this end?

I wait for Declan to break from the group, but he doesn’t. He walks straight up to me and grabs the back of my hair in his hand, tipping my chin up to claim me in a deep kiss.

My fingers sink into the front of his T-shirt. I can’t help pulling him to me as he cups my jaw and holds my beating heart in his hands. His tongue tangles with mine, and I float so high I’m above us, looking down on us standing here.

The throbbing music dulls, and all I see, feel, and hear is Declan kissing me in front of all our friends.

Publicly marking me as his. Officially, even if they’ve already suspected.

When he breaks the kiss, he doesn’t immediately pull away, brushing his lips back and forth over mine.

“What are you doing?” I’m out of breath. “Everyone’s watching. We can’t—”

“You’re my girlfriend, right?”

I nod.

He smirks. “Then accept it.”

Declan turns to glance over at Kole, and I realize Mila and Violet are staring at me with wide eyes. It’s official now; there’s no more hiding it.

“So…” Declan glances back at me. “Kole and I need to take care of something. But I’ll find you when I’m done.”

“You invited me here just to disappear on me?”

“Disappointed?”

I glare at him. “No.”