Page 25 of The Devastation You Reap

"Good. Something tells me that the challenge will do you good."

"I'm a sucker for a challenge," he confesses as we climb the stairs. "But do you know what else?"

"I'm afraid to ask."

His arm wraps around my waist, pulling me firmly back against him, his lips brushing the shell of my ear.

"I never lose."

"Oh God," I moan, as heat floods my veins.

"Nah, Red. Just Leon is fine."

"You really are something, you know that?"

"Sure do. Lead the way, Red. I can't wait to see your room."

"Oh no, you're not—"

"We'll see." I don't need to turn around to know that he's got the cockiest smirk on his face right now.

6

Leon

The second she steps inside the dorm, Macie looks around as if there's going to be someone here to help. She's soon going to realize that she's about to be disappointed because I saw Charlie and the two guys she lives with leave not so long ago.

It's just the two of us all alone with no one to help her out.

If I were a less patient man, I could probably drag the information I need out of her tonight. It's tempting, but that would mean missing out on the fun we're going to have together. And despite the fact she thinks she's going to be able to resist me, I already know that she won't. I'll make sure of it.

One way or another Macie Fletcher—not Smith—is going to drop her guard and open herself up to me before I play my final hand and introduce her to the man who she's willingly handed herself over to.

"Looks like we're alone," I murmur, following her deeper into her dorm. "It's a shame we've got plans or we could have made the most of it."

She spins toward me, her eyes holding mine, but while she tries to look like she's strong and in control, I can see all the cracks in her armor, her fear, and all they do is feed the darkness inside me that I'm willing to stay away, if only for a few hours.

"I don't know who you think I am, but that isn't going to be happening. I'm not that kind of girl."

"So you've said."

"I don't understand why you're even bothering. You're not going to get what you want from me." Her determination to do the right thing, to appear unfazed by me is amusing. It's going to be even better when I prove her wrong and show her how really, deep down, she's just like all the others.

"Who says I want anything?" I say, resting against that counter and crossing one leg over the other in an attempt to look casual. She doesn't need to know that I've waited years for this opportunity, that I'm more excited than I've been in a very long time at the prospect of shattering her guard and taking exactly what I need.

"Guys always want something."

"Like Micah?" I ask, battling with the jealousy that swept through me like a tsunami when I saw them together as they approached the building.

"Micah didn't want anything, we were just chatting."

"He walked you home, Macie. Dude wanted something."

"Not all guys are like that," she huffs.

Pushing from the counter, I walk toward her, blatantly running my eyes down the length of her body. She's wearing a blazer over a white shirt and dark pair of skinny jeans. She looks hot. Innocent. Just asking to be dirtied up if you ask me.

"Trust me, Red. He was more than thinking of it. Probably wondering exactly what kind of lingerie you're wearing beneath your clothes." Her lips purse in frustration. "Want to know what I think?"