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Chapter Two

The Invitation

Cordelia

“Fuck, Cordelia, what was that?” Daniel hisses as he pulls his cock free from my mouth.

Discreetly, I glance over my shoulder–sensing the spot they ran from.

Little pigs.

Little pigs, have you come to chase me?

With a shrug, I use the pad of my fingers to wipe the cum from the corner of my mouth.

“I don’t know.”

But that’s a lie. I know exactly who it was and why they were here. I even know what happened next because everything happened exactly as I wanted it to.

Daniel sighs before moving away, straightening his pants as if he could straighten out his misconduct. His lies and deceit. “Cordelia, we have to be more careful,” he says as he looks towards the direction the noise came from, pushing his hair back with his hand. “This can’t keep happening.”

“Daniel, it was probably some critter or a bird. No one saw us,” I coo, batting my lashes, giving him that image of innocence, but all I feed him is more lies, more deceit because that’s what a thief like Daniel deserves… To be a pawn.

Something so small for the greater good of all.

If only he didn’t try to play games with someone who doesn’t like to lose.

.. doesn’t like being played like an instrument.

That’s the thing about men, they will always underestimate a woman, and I find no greater pleasure than leading them into my victory, and watching their faces pale when they notice their loss.

Unfortunately for Daniel, this is all part of the plan, I knew Tate would take the bait.

I didn’t leave my cell phone with Daniel’s text clearly on display for him to see while visiting our parents for no reason.

I sprinkled the breadcrumbs and he followed.

Sucking my lip into my mouth, I picture them horny and angry.

I bet he fucked Chase’s throat, picturing it was me and hating me for it.

Daniel’s voice pulls me from my thoughts.

“I have to go, maybe we can meet outside of campus.”

My lips twitch at his words- that’s not gonna happen. Not today or ever. This is done.

I got everything that I need and I'll take back everything that was taken from me…

From us...

My need for his presence has run its course. Now, I have to venture and do my own thing. Find my own path–one straight to evolution.

Legacy.

Success.

“Sure thing, talk to you soon,” I reply as I stand, cleaning the dirt from my knees, not bothering to look over at Daniel who’s standing in front of the door, hesitant to leave.

“Cordelia,” he says softly, causing me to look up, his lips in a thin line, his eyebrows knit together, and the look of worry riddled across his face. I bet he’s scared to end it not that it would last long any way. Being with Daniel is a mess of contradictions.

“Yes?”

“I think we might need some space.”

I glance back down at the petri dish sitting on the wooden table and do not bother to look at him anymore.

It’s done.

He served his purpose, and thanks to this little stunt, I will lose my spot in the internship. Just like I planned from the beginning. So, I guess in the end, I will still protect him.

“I agree,” I reply, and with that the door shuts behind me, and I resume collecting data.

I bet Tate thinks he has one up on me, probably recorded me. Placing the tip of my pen between my teeth, I think of all the possibilities. This is what makes the game exciting. It has been going on for years, and I was the one that started it.

Closing my eyes, I go back to that summer where all my games were less complicated.

Tate’s tongue danced with mine as Chase’s tongue swirls over my nipple, biting it softly. I moan into Tate’s mouth, which he swallows, his hand tangles in my wet hair.

“I need you,” he breathes. “Need.”

I smile against his soft lips when I feel him tense. Chase's hand is resting on the bulge behind the fabric of his boxers.

So perfect.

I was still a virgin, but they didn’t have to know because I didn’t want to choose. Why did I have to?

Why couldn’t I have the career and life I want? I have no real interest in motherhood, but hearing Dad talk about Tate to his friend stirred something ugly in me.

Like me, Tate has the same love for plants and fungi, and we actually bonded over it. But now, it’s different, because after this year, he will become my competition.

“Let him touch you Tate,” I whisper as I look at my phone, recording while hidden between my jacket and a rock.

“I don’t know.” But he does little to stop my hand from pulling down his boxers and exposing his thick, veiny cock. I raise an eyebrow noticing the ring on the tip.

Interesting .

My mouth closes in, observing as the clear fluid beads his hoop jewelry.

“Chase, lick it off.”

Chase hesitates, and looks up at Tate, looking for permission. But they’re mine, and I always get what I want. Daddy always made sure of it, and they will be no different.

“Tate, please.”

The ping of a notification pulls me out of the memory, moving towards my laptop set up on the end of the table, I grab the glasses resting beside it and read the rejection email.

I didn’t need the opportunity, but I wanted Tate to sweat for it.

I wanted him desperately... so much so that he will fall willingly into my hand.

I needed him for my plan, and now, all the pieces are falling together perfectly.

If only it could happen quicker, then I could move to the next phase.

I look at the time, and with a sigh, close my computer.

Today is Thursday, which means family dinners which also means I will be seeing Tate.

.. Not that it was a bad thing, I enjoyed watching him squirm, but I hated pretending like I didn’t want to give in. All to make his choice… his.

Not mine. Not orchestrated but solely his.

I arrive at my father’s lake house right before the sharp dinner time of seven thirty, it’s a shocker to see Tate’s bike here already.

I bet he’s eager.

I wonder what kind of insult he will make for me, what kind of trap I’ll be walking into. My body hums with anticipation and excitement wondering what his big move will be. The lights to the garage are off… and I can’t help but to tighten my legs as the thrill rushes through my nerves.

I like our games.

Love them in fact. Two predators not willing to submit.

Placing the car into park, I grab my phone out of the cup holder to check on my babies. The camera from their tank in the greenhouse shows me no change–which is great.

Excellent actually.

Tucking the phone back into the cup holder, I open the door and slowly walk inside, but just as my sandals step over the threshold of the garage door, large hands press against my mouth, his scent covering me.

Marijuana and soil.

I can smell the recent soil left under his nails, he must have been gardening.

“Little sister,” he sneers, his hand and body pressing deeper into me. The cold of the wall bites into my skin, sending chills down my spine. I smile as I look up at Tate and see the feral look on his face. His black locks falling over his face, framing his chiseled features.

All power and lust, mixed with hate.

Longing...

All that makes him a fucking great lover.

My beautiful love… is so much like me, already tasting his victory–one I single-handedly delivered to him.

Curiosity dances in my iris as I try to inhale... Tate has his own project.

Mycorrhizal.

Symbiotic. Cooperative. Weak. I crave domination–not mutualism.

Tate wants to create beneficial connections… his own network. While I’m interested in creating something entirely new from something that already exists, he wants to learn how the pathway connects–we could truly be unstoppable together.

Magical.

However, I'm too ambitious to settle for his small town dreams. That’s why we will never work. He seeks small victories, and I want evolution, I want the gold…. The earth shattering creation.

But not my Tate.

He just wants a garden where he can create.

I want evolution.

Greatness.

Still being around them made me weak… made me want things I would normally not care for.

Love. Companionship.

Yet, that feeling is what pushes me to create… to create something perfect for us. Where we are one. What we always were meant to be. There would be no room for doubt… questions… morals …

Just one mind.

One soul.

One heart.

Exhaling a breath into his hand, “What?”

My question comes out muffled against his hand as he presses me into the wall. With his body flushed against mine, I cup his bulge–my own breath hitches when he tenses. His eyes drink me in, feral and hungry before flickering to something colder.

Disgust.

He doesn’t know whether to curse me or fuck me.

“Listen carefully, Cordelia. In my possession, I have a very incriminating video of you and Professor Johnson.”

I fake surprise–lips parting just enough to make him believe he has me. He always needs to believe it. It will make it more real if he believes he ever had a choice.

“Tate.”

“What game are you playing little snake?”

I hate that nickname as much as I hated his pet snake, Medusa. But what I didn’t hate was the firmness of his body against mine. My hands flatten out on his chest, but it’s no use, he’s stronger and more dominant.

“What do you want?”

“For you to be ruined?” he snaps at me, leaning in closer. “For your crown to be snatched from that evil head of yours.”

I scoff.

“Keep dreaming.”

His annoyance rolls off him in waves as he presses me further into the cold wall, while under the palms of my hands, I feel the thundering of his heart.

“Then retract your application, don’t apply for the internship, back out.” I don’t respond to his silly demands because I'm no longer an obstacle. If anything, I delivered him the spot with a golden spoon.

My gaze never wavers as I continue to feel his heart. The familiarity of the rhythm brings me comfort as much as I hate admitting it out loud. I miss this proximity between us.

Thump.

Thump.