Page 22 of Palm South University: Season 2

THE KAPPA KAPPA BETA AUCTIONis one of the best events of the spring semester. It always kicks off Greek events, starting a string of fundraisers, socials, and everything in-between. Fraternity brothers and non-Greek guys alike clamor into the bar, cold cash in hand, ready to buy a date with a beautiful KKB girl.

My beautiful KKB girl is currently wrapped in my arms.

And luckily, she’s not for sale tonight.

“I think my Little is about to pass out,” Skyler says, chuckling a little. She finishes typing out a text and tucks her phone into her small purse before leaning in closer. We’re in the back of a cab on our way to the auction and Skyler is all dolled up for the occasion. Tight black dress, gold high heels and jewelry to match, hair down and carefully curled. Red, red lipstick.

She doesn’t ever have to try to look sexy, but when she does, it’s enough to knock a full grown man on his ass.

“She texting you?”

“Yeah. She’ll be fine. Some sex-on-a-stick piece of man candy is going to buy her and take her out. Then she’ll thank us.”

I shift, trying not to think about why hearing that scenario made my stomach uneasy. “Yeah, I’m sure. So, you still plan on ditching me for a tournament next week?”

“Don’t say it like that.” She frowns.

“What? It’s true. It’s Valentine’s Day and my girlfriend would rather hang out in a smoky room full of smelly old men than let me take her out on a nice date.”

Skyler pokes me hard in the rib and I double over, laughing. “Ass. You know this tournament is too big to miss. It’s a qualifier for the one this summer.”

“I know, I know,” I relent, pulling her in for a kiss. I know her red lipstick will be smeared all over me, but I literally have no fucks to give when she’s dressed like this. I’m not stupid enough to think she doesn’t feel what I feel, like what we have has an expiration date quickly approaching, so I’m going to take full advantage while I still can. “We’ll have our own Valentine’s Day when you’re done.”

“Can it include Netflix?” she asks as the cab pulls into Ralph’s. I pay the driver and step out first, extending my hand for hers.

“Of course.”

“How about some under-the-covers action?” She licks her lips and lowers her eyes just enough to make me groan.

“Definitely.”

The cab pulls away, but I tug Skyler’s wrist back until she’s flush against me in the dark parking lot of the bar. Grabbing her face in my hands, I press my lips to hers, tilting my hips so she feels exactly how excited I am for our date. She moans as I slip my tongue inside her mouth, letting one hand fall down the soft fabric of her dress, gripping her hip and pulling her closer.

And that’s when the first flash assaults us.

Breaking the kiss, we both pull back confused, eyes trying to adjust to the darkness as we look for what caused the white burst of light. When three quick flashes follow, I pull Skyler against me, shielding her from whatever the fuck is happening.

“Skyler Thorne, is this how you’re prepping for the qualifying tournament next week?”

Another flash.

“Who’s this? Your boyfriend?”

Flash. Flash.

“Great dress. What do you plan on wearing to the tournament?”

Skyler’s hand fists in my shirt and she buries her head into my chest. “Shit,” she murmurs.

“Don’t worry,” I soothe, pushing through the small group of paparazzi as they try harder to talk over one another. I keep Skyler covered with my arms and she lets her hair fall in front of her face as I guide us toward Ralph’s. When the bouncers notice us, they rush to help, fielding off the remaining reporters as their cameras continue flashing. When we finally break through the doors and are free from the questions, Skyler pulls back, eyes wide.

“Oh my God.”

“That was insane.”

Skyler nods, fingering the curls in her hair as she looks out the tinted windows of Ralph’s where the bouncers are refusing to let any of the photographers in.

“You really are blowing up on the poker scene, aren’t you?”