Page 25

Mitch returns with our beers, and I chug a few gulps, but choke on a swallow when he presses his body into my front and grips my ass with his free hand.

I teeter back into the wall, and he leans a bent arm above my head, locking me into a corner.

Deep blue eyes darken beneath his lashes as he scans my breasts that almost pop out from my strapless dress. “God, you look so fucking hot tonight.”

“Are you drunk?”

“No. You wanted me to be your boyfriend. So I am. And I can say things like that when I’m your boyfriend.”

I nod, not quite buying his words. It seems like he’s a bit too into the role, one that doesn’t fit the Mitch I know.

My eyes scan the crowd, but I still don’t see Ryan. Or Elina.

“Want to dance?” I ask once I finish my beer.

“Absolutely.” Mitch grabs my hand and leads me over to the space set up in our large conference room.

A DJ booth covers one corner, casting colorful sparkling glimmers onto the parquet floor.

Blue and white strobe lights flash occasionally in time with the bass.

When we reach the middle, I pop my hip for the samba.

Mitch’s hand slides over my abs, bringing my arm up and into his hold.

A loud squeal cuts over the music, and the crowd moves toward the entry hall. When I straighten up on my toes to peek over people’s heads, Elina’s blonde hair swooshes behind her in a rush down the main staircase while she wears a giant smile on her painted face.

Lead fills my stomach when she jumps into the open arms of the devilishly handsome man with inky hair, a broad form, and a sculpted face, wearing a custom-cut black suit.

Ryan grabs her into a tight embrace and spins them slowly, Elina’s hands clasping around his neck.

As I inch closer with my sisters, the metal in my belly ignites like bullets when I see her hand…

A gigantic diamond ring nearly blinds me, and my fingers clutch at my bare chest as if my heart has been removed.

Backing up, I look for a place to sit, but Mitch is right there behind me. I stumble, my brain going numb. Too many thoughts happen all at once for me to even pick one out of the mess left by the two figures caressing by the front door.

“I heard he proposed on the rooftop at Luminescence this week.”

“Fucking lucky. That restaurant is impossible to get into, and she’s wearing, like, a ten-carat Harrington princess cut.”

“No, that’s only three. She was aiming for five carats, but I think it’s like a family heirloom or something.”

“So romantic! I love them together. King and Queen of Northview right there.”

“Their kids will be so attractive.”

“Cardell Enterprises just got richer with the Burberry Company merger.”

Pushing away from the cacophony of voices, I make it to the bathroom on the first floor and into a stall. Once on the toilet, I dig my thumbs into my eyes so they don’t leak. No one can see me cry.

He’s not mine. He never was. No matter what happened on Massacre Monday, he was just messing with me.

Somehow, all those years of pining over Nico don’t hold a candle to the destruction my heart’s suffering at this moment. If I have to even look at Elina with that ring on her finger, I’ll vomit.

How crazy am I to be this upset by a man who was never mine? For someone’s attention I was trying to get off of me? This is what I wanted, right?

If I were honest, it’s not. But that hurts too much to admit, especially now that it doesn’t matter.

Rage and brokenness surges through my veins, and I channel it, lean over the sink, stare into the mirror, and pull up my reserves.

“I’m Pippi fucking Freidenberg.” I tell myself with a solid nod. Once I’ve patted my face with a sprinkle of cool water, I head back out into the party, find Mitch, and plant my lips against his in front of everyone.

Peeking an eye open, I catch Ryan standing near the back of the room with Elina and a group of Sigmas greeting the happy couple. He doesn’t even glance at me. So, I grab Mitch’s hand and pull him to the dance floor.

Every seductive move I know comes out as I drop it, shake it, flip it, reverse it, and slide all over Mitch as he spins me around, then gathers me in his arms, letting his fingers grip my ass, easing us into a sway.

When I sneak a look, Ryan acts as if I’m not there.

“ Damn , you got me hard, Pip. I swear. Do you know what you do to me?” Mitch whispers, pressing his erection against my stomach as he rocks us back and forth to a slow song.

Again, my eyes dart over his shoulder to the big hockey player, but the crowd shifts as Ryan leads Elina toward the hall. Elina, all smiles and air kisses, waves goodbye as the two of them exit through the front door.

Ryan never once looks at me. Like I’m a nobody.

It’s not even eleven o’clock! Where are they going?

Ugh…I’d hate to guess exactly where they’re going.

Suddenly wanting to hide in my room for the weekend, I turn away, but Mitch follows.

“Your room?” he asks, and I can’t find the words to get rid of him. The lump in my throat will cause me to choke, and he’d know. It’s too embarrassing to admit that I may have feelings for someone else’s man.

Maybe I need comfort. Mitch has been there for me over the last couple of years. Can I just use him and be over this heartbreak?

As soon as we get to my room, he shuffles us toward my bed while simultaneously slamming my door closed, then collapses on top of me. His lips caress my neck, my throat, my cheeks, everywhere he can touch in a rapid series of kisses.

“Do you know how much I want you? How much I care for you? God…I can’t stand that we’re not together. It fucking hurts , Pip. I’m so into you.”

He presses his body against mine as I listen to his affections, feeling hollow inside. Here, I have a perfectly reasonable person on me, wanting me, but I can only think of the smirky asshole across town getting ready to fuck his fiancée. And he has every right to. As do I with Mitch…

But I don’t want to.

Mitch leans up on his elbows and gazes at me in the dim light of the room.

“I’ve wanted to be your first so bad, Pip.

Did you save it for me? ’Cause I think you’ll be appointed to be mine.

I do. Dad thinks it’s going to happen. When I graduate, I’ll be a judge.

We can have lots of kids and you can stay home, do whatever you want.

Establish some charities or clubs. I’ll take care of you. ”

Everything in me cringes, locking tight. That’s the last thing I want. To be taken care of . No. I want experiences with my partner. To be free, independent.

I want a fucking choice.

“Do you still have it? You know I can’t stand girls who are run through. He didn’t force you, did he? Are you still pure for me?”

“I-I…” I don’t even know how to answer him without raging. His words have me on tilt.

He sucks on my neck again and moans as he dry humps me, then murmurs, “We can do other things, though. Until the Culling.”

Finally, I snap. Shoving him back and off me, he stands and hurriedly wipes a string of saliva from his bottom lip.

“I need to remain pure . It’s best if you’re not in here. Don’t think I can resist you.” Not even bothering to make it sound true, I cross my arms and dare him to try anything with me.

His eyes narrow. “Did you give it up to that guy? You lose your virginity to him? You let him fuck you like a slut?”

I place my hands on my hips and tilt my chin up. “You can either walk through the door, or hobble. Which one will you pick?”

“You disgust me,” he seethes, hurrying from the room, and my frustration hits the ceiling.

“Fucking pig!” I scream after him down the hall. Once he’s gone, I lock the door behind him.

If he’s my appointed, I’m running away from Northview and Gnarled Pine Hollow.