Page 9

I t’s been three weeks since I laid eyes on Aubree Callows and I haven’t known a second of peace since. No amount of alcohol, or fucking my fist, could erase the lust that her words left behind on Friday night, and by the time Monday afternoon rolls around, I am still struggling to keep my cock under control. I don’t think she realizes how amazing it is to have someone not fall at my feet and be desperate for my attention. It’s both infuriating and downright refreshing, and I spent the rest of my weekend reading over the small amount of information that Duchess gathered for me. I tried to press her for more, but she told me to fuck off and ask her out like a normal person.

Something I would gladly do, but from the verbal lashing Aubree gave me at my party the other night, I’m not sure she’s ready for that stage of us yet. So, I’ll have to settle for mild stalking and work on changing her mind. Between the few run-ins I’ve already had with her and the information Duchess emailed me, I know a few things, but it’s not enough, I need more.

It’s why I’m glad Mr. Rogers sent an email to the few of us at the top of his class, asking if anyone was available to tutor her. I normally ignore whatever he sends, but much to his surprise, I responded the very same minute I received it, securing myself as her tutor. There was no way I was letting any of the other pricks in class have the honor, and besides, this is a sure-fire way to get me in her good graces and get to know her a little better.

The library is fairly busy as I make my way through it, an unusual sight for me since this is the last place you would usually find me, but Mr. Rogers took the liberty of booking us a meeting room for the hour. Something I am mildly considering sending him a gift basket for, since I find Aubree already waiting when I arrive. I shouldn’t be surprised by her punctuality, everything about her screams good girl, and that isn’t just based on the purity ring on her middle finger.

“Hello, Trouble,” I say by way of greeting, as I come to lean on the door frame of the small room, letting my eyes drag over her. Which means I see the moment her spine snaps straight at the sound of my voice.

Today's outfit consists of a cream cardigan held together in the center by two little ties, a light blue pair of flared jeans, cream wedges, and an array of gold jewelry. Her face is painted to perfection between her foundation and blush, finished off with a nude pink lip that matches today's bow in her hair. Said hair is pulled back in an artfully messy ponytail, with a few dark tendrils framing her face, and the pink tips falling down to the middle of her back. She looks fucking perfect, and the glare she sends my way just adds to her appeal.

“What do you want, Alexander?” she sighs, and before I can even open my mouth to respond she cuts me off. “You know what? I don’t care what you want, just go away, I’m waiting for someone important and I haven’t got time for your games.”

It’s only then that it strikes me that there is no realm of possibility in her mind where she thinks I could be here to tutor her. What was it she called me the other night? A self-absorbed jock? Clearly she thinks that is an accurate description of me, and she is happy to apply the stereotype. Oh this is going to be fun.

“But I promise playing games with me is fun,” I purr, pushing off the frame and moving toward her, until I can take a seat on the side of the desk where she already has her books ready, and her eyes instantly snap back down to them to avoid my gaze.

“Yeah, I’m sure it’s about as fun as a dentist appointment,” she mumbles, snatching her books from beneath my thigh. “Now would you please go away, I seriously do not have time for you right now,” she adds in irritation, and it only makes this whole situation even sweeter.

“Oh, such a good girl with such pretty manners,” I muse, reaching out and twirling one of her black curls around my finger. “Who is this important person you’re waiting for, hmm?”

Just like I knew she would, she bats my hand away with a flick of her fingers, her angry eyes once again snapping to meet mine. “Not that it’s any of your business, but I’m waiting for a tutor.”

“A tutor huh? I bet I could give you lessons in a few things.” I try not to let my mind wander to all the things I could teach her, especially when my eyes flash to that ring on her finger. I wonder just how pure she really is? Fuck. Don’t go there, Alexander, your cock does not need encouragement.

“I’m not really in the market to learn about the inner workings of an alpha male who peaked in high school, or sexually transmitted diseases, but thanks anyway.” She pairs her words with a sardonic smile, and I can’t help but bark a laugh.

“You really are funny,” I reply, rising from my perch on the desk and pulling out the chair beside her. “Now, should we get started?” I take a seat at her side and move to grab her books, when she slams her hands down onto them to stop me from taking them.

“What the hell are you doing?”

“Getting on with our lesson,” I tell her simply, once again trying to take the books, but she keeps them in a tight hold.

“Oh please, you expect me to believe that you’re my tutor.” The way she emphasizes the words tells me she really does think I am a complete idiot, and I can’t help but smile at her audacity. I have a 4.0 GPA and already successfully run multiple businesses and companies thanks to my father’s expertise, yet she is looking at me like I couldn’t even work out how to get dressed in the morning by myself.

“Would you prefer to see it in writing?” I ask, not exactly joking, but all she does is scoff, pushing back her chair and grabbing her books and bag, storming from the room.

I have no choice but to follow after her, and when I catch up she is mumbling something about stalking asshole jocks, and I swallow my laugh as I take up stride by her side. Of course she doesn’t acknowledge my existence, acting like I’m not even there as she storms all the way to the building that houses our business class. It takes us ten minutes to get across campus, and when we get inside we find Mr. Rogers leaving his office for the day, and when he spies us, he looks nothing short of pissed off at our presence.

“Miss Callows, Mr. Reign, to what do I owe this unfortunate visit?” he grumbles, locking his door, and I let Aubree take the floor with a smile, as I come to lean on the wall behind her.

“Sorry to bother you, Mr. Rogers, but I was waiting in the library for my tutor,” Aubree starts, but our professor cuts her off.

“And I can see you found him, so what seems to be the problem?”

I can’t see from my position, but I have no doubt that there is pure outrage on Aubree’s face, as she points back at me and replies, “Him? He’s my tutor? The hockey jock who I didn’t see pull out a single book in your classes last week?”

Mr. Rogers flicks his stare between the two of us, no doubt annoyed at not just the conversation, but the reminder of our difference in IQ, because he huffs loudly. “Mr. Reign is one of the smartest students I have ever come across in all twenty years of my teaching, and you should think yourself lucky that he offered to step in and tutor you, Miss Callows. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have a dinner I need to get to.”

The professor doesn’t even spare us a second glance as he rushes past us down the hall, and I keep my eyes on Aubree as she remains frozen on the spot. I know what she must be thinking, how can a dumb jock be her tutor, but she only has her own bias to blame for that, and I am going to enjoy every moment of this.

“Well, since we wasted so much time confirming I am in fact your tutor, it’s probably pretty pointless going back to the library. So, your place or mine?”

At my words she whips around with her face full of fury. “How is it possible that you’re my tutor?” she huffs, heaving her bag onto her shoulder, and I don’t hesitate to reach out and take it from her, tossing it over my own.

“A mixture of my 4.0 GPA, responding to Mr. Rogers’ email first, my charming personality, and an incessant need to spend time with you,” I gleam, before turning on my heel and striding away from her, and I only know she follows thanks to the thud of her wedges.

“You mean you’re a cocky, overbearing asshole who can’t take the word no for an answer,” she huffs, struggling to catch up to me, and I gently slow my pace to match hers.

“Look at you, love, you already know me so well,” I tease, moving to open the door and holding it open for her. “So, your place or mine?” I ask again, and she stares daggers at me.

“Hell would have to freeze over before I invite you to my place,” she grits, before brushing past me and shoulder checking me as she goes.

“My place it is,” I muse with a smile, watching the curve of her ass as she storms ahead out of the building, and fuck does she look good walking away from me. When I eventually catch up she is stewing in silence, as I guide her through the short walk around the edge of campus towards Hockey Row, but I’m not one to let silence deter me. “My father is the CEO of a huge technology company and had me in boardrooms with him before I could even talk. When I was thirteen he gave me my first million, and by the time I was fifteen I had turned it into five. I now have more money than I know what to do with, have a seat on the board at his company, and also manage a few of my own, so I may be just a dumb jock to you, but whether you like it or not, I am more than capable of helping you.”

With every one of my words her shoulders relax a little, and by the time we make it to my street she isn’t scowling anymore, so I’m taking that as a win. When she still doesn’t say anything, I sigh, not bothering to say anything else, but as we reach the path that leads to my house, she grabs my arm and pulls me to a stop.

“Look, I’m sorry, okay. I shouldn’t have made presumptions that you weren’t smart, I don’t even know you and I chose to judge you,” she starts softly, shifting in her stance a little. “But in my defense, you have done nothing but act like a cocky, playboy prince charming asshole, from the moment we met,” she snaps with a little more snark and another glare in my direction, before she quickly adds, “No offense.”

My smirk is uncontrollable. “No offense taken, love, I am a cocky, playboy prince charming asshole,” I muse with a smile, before tipping my head towards the house. “Yet I still convinced you to come home with me.” I tug on one of her pink-tipped curls, before walking backwards towards my house so I don’t miss her angry stare. “And you thought I wasn’t smart, huh?”

Aubree follows me with a stomp, still glaring, as she huffs, “You really are an annoying asshole.”

“I think I prefer charming asshole,” I muse as I open my door, holding my arm out wide to gesture her inside, and she pushes past me once more in an attempt to piss me off, but jokes on her, because every brush of her against me has me hard as fuck.

I don’t even get a chance to turn around or close the door before she squeals out my name in horror. “Alexander!”

Spinning around quickly I find a sight I have become accustomed to in the last couple of weeks. Well if I’m being honest the last couple of months, they weren’t exactly good at hiding things. Daemon has Archer bent over the back of the sofa, and they are going at it like damn rabbits. No wonder Aubree is so surprised, I’m sure she and her purity ring have never seen anything like it, but me on the other hand, well, this is just a normal Monday around here now.

“Oh hey guys, this is Aubree,” I start, finally closing the door behind me, noting Aubree shielding her eyes in a desperate attempt to escape the situation. I appraise my two teammates with nothing but nonchalance, as I continue, “Aubree, the guy bent over the sofa is my roommate, Archer, and the one fucking him is his boyfriend, Daemon.”

Aubree stutters as she responds, “Erm, yeah, we met on Friday at the party.” Both her cheeks are stained pink, and it sends ungodly thoughts racing through my mind, especially considering the display in front of us. “Alexander,” she adds, saying my name with nothing but a plea.

“Fuck off, Reign,” Daemon grunts, coming to her aid and not faltering in his thrusts, and I roll my eyes at the moody fucker.

“Alright, keep your dick in your boyfriend, Forbes, we’re going.” I turn back to Aubree who is still covering her eyes, and I smirk as I guide her away from the sex show and towards the stairs.

She keeps her eyes covered until we are in my bedroom with the door closed, and only once she is sure that it’s safe does she pull them away. “Alexander,” she scolds, and I have to will my cock not to fucking react. “I cannot believe you just did that!” she adds in outrage, staring at me with nothing but accusation.

“Me?” I ask in confusion, moving to sit on my bed. “It’s not my fault those two are too horny to make it to Archer’s room,” I shrug. “They’re in the honeymoon phase.” I open her bag and pull out the books she had in the library, before pushing it aside and flicking to the pages we need.

“What does that even mean?” she asks, letting her eyes scan my room.

“The honeymoon phase? You know, the phase when a couple first gets together and they can’t keep their hands off one another? It’s PDA city around here these days between Archer, Nova, and Jake,” I grumble, reading over the work Mr. Rogers assigned her and rolling my eyes. No wonder she doesn’t fucking understand it, it’s bullshit.

“No, I don’t know how it is, purity ring remember,” she replies, slowly moving further into my room, not touching anything yet assessing everything.

“Ah yes, chastity belt agreement with the sky daddy.” I confirm with a nod, scribbling notes on her work, as she comes to a stop at my desk.

“Why do you have a picture of Sinclair Striker on your shelf?” she asks, and I look up to find her staring at the picture of my mother.

“You know her?” I question, tossing her books aside and pushing off my bed to join her.

“Know her? I love her! My mom and I have watched every single one of her shows, she’s amazing, and don’t even get me started on her clothing line, not that I could ever afford it, but my gosh she’s an absolute genius,” she gushes, and for the first time since I have met her there is a genuine pain-free smile on her face. I’m in awe. “Now why do you have her picture you pervert?” she snaps, snatching it from the shelf and turning to me with yet another glare, and I smirk.

“Well, I also happen to think she’s an absolute genius,” I muse, looking between her and the picture. “Beautiful, smart, and I have this picture because it’s from her last show, where she was pregnant with me.”

Her mouth drops open in surprise. “Sinclair Striker is your mother?”

I pull the frame from her hand and place it back on the shelf. “She goes by Sinclair Reign now, and yes.” Moving back towards my bed, she doesn’t follow, still staring between the picture and now me.

“How the hell did an angel like her birth a heathen like you?” she asks genuinely, and I bark a laugh.

“I’ll tell her you said that, it will make her laugh,” I reply, pulling out my phone to text my mother, and Aubree storms towards me and snatches it from my hand.

“You will tell Sinclair Striker no such thing,” she demands, and I can’t help but smirk.

This tutoring thing is going to be fun.