Westmore Obsession

Chapter Four

“So... you just conveniently forgot to mention that your brother is the Ethan Prescott?” Maya demanded, her arms crossed over her chest as soon as the lock clicked.

I was honestly expecting this question.

“And that you casually know Cole Montclaire and Alexander Morello? Who really are you, Lily?”

I spent the next twenty minutes trying to explain as much as I could. I told them Ethan and I just weren't close on campus because he promised to give me space, and that Cole and Alex were just his annoying friends who had been around since childhood. I left out my history with Cole. They didn’t have to know, and I wasn’t very proud of it anyway.

By the time Katy left and Maya finally went to bed, my head was throbbing.

The next morning, the campus was buzzing. It was Wednesday, which meant only two days until Westmore’s first home hockey game of the season. Last week had just been practice, but this time, we were up against our biggest opponents: Calvary College. Banner posters of Ethan, Cole, and Alex hung around almost everywhere on campus.

I was heading toward the campus coffee shop before my philosophy of law class, hoping it would help with my exhaustion somehow, when a girl stepped directly into my path, blocking the double doors.

Blonde hair styled in effortless waves. Bright blue eyes. Tailored skirt.

Emily.

Up close, she was even more beautiful than she had been across the cafeteria. She held an iced matcha in one hand and looked me up and down like she was deciding if I was worth her time or not. I sighed. What was her problem?

“You're Ethan's sister, right?” Emily asked. Her voice sounded sweet, but I could hear the edge beneath it, her smile far too fake.

“Yeah. I’m Lily,” I said, hoping whatever this was would end soon.

“Right.” She replied flatly. “Ethan mentioned you were starting here. I’ll tell you this for free, Lila….”

I knew she wanted a rise out of me by purposely getting my name wrong. I just rolled my eyes, not bothering to correct her.

“Westmore is small,” she continued. “People talk, and being a hoe is not such a nice reputation.” She took a slow sip of her drink, her eyes locked on mine. “Ethan’s family, so of course you get a free pass, but it won't be long before people realize you're the loser sibling. Stay away from Cole.”

I was livid at this point. Just what was wrong with this girl?

“I don't need a pass from anyone, Emily. And I certainly don't care about Cole. I hope you warned your little boyfriend to stay away from me, too?” I added, my voice dripping with sarcasm.

Emily gave a wide smile that was as fake as it came. “Good.” She turned on her heel to leave, then paused. “And oh, Cole does not need convincing to stay away from someone like you.”

I couldn't concentrate through my entire two-hour class. The encounter with Emily plunged me deep into thought. Did someone see us kissing? This is all my fault for allowing it. f**k.

By late afternoon, I needed to clear my head. I walked toward the back of the campus athletic center, heading for the quiet library annex attached to the sports complex. It was a secret gem I had discovered accidentally with Maya the week before when we were looking for a quiet place to revise our notes before class. The hallway was dimly lit, mostly empty while the athletes were out on the fields.

I didn't hear the footsteps behind me until a hand grabbed my elbow and yanked me into a dark area right beneath the staircase before the library.

I gasped, backing up and trying to pull my hands away, but I was shoved hard into the wall instead.

Cole.

What right did he think he had? I thought angrily.

“What the hell is wrong with you?!” I hissed, trying to shove him back, but he didn't budge.

He stepped directly into my space, trapping me between the wall and his chest. He smelled lightly of sweat and that oud cologne I knew so well.

“You were talking to Emily,” Cole said, his voice low and dangerous. He leaned in close, his fingers playing with my hair. There was nothing gentle or loving about the way he did it.

“She cornered me!” I snapped, my heart beating loudly.

“And why do you care? Scared I'll ruin your perfect little relationship?”

Cole’s eyes darkened. Instead of answering, his gaze dropped to my mouth. The atmosphere shifted instantly, the tension between us grew almost overbearing.

“You talk too much, Lily,” he growled.

“And you don’t know how to leave me the f**k alone for someone who claims he wants nothing to do with me! Leave me alone!” I was practically screaming now, feeling my face reddening.

Instead of replying, he grabbed my chin, tilting my face up, and brought his mouth down on mine.

It wasn't like yesterday's harsh kiss. This was intense, deep, possessive, and slow enough to strip away every defense I had. His tongue slid past my lips, and a soft gasp escaped my throat, which he drank right in. My hands, which had been raised to push him away, betrayed me completely. My fingers tangled into the front of his shirt, pulling him closer until there was no space left between us.

He groaned low in his chest, his grip shifting from my chin to the back of my neck, holding me right where he wanted me. His thigh slid between mine, pressing up against me, and heat rushed straight through my entire body. I melted into him, completely intoxicated by the taste of him, forgetting Emily, forgetting Ethan, forgetting that this boy had hurt me—

No, no, no. I have to push him away.

With the last strength I could muster, I shoved him firmly. He definitely wasn't expecting that; I used his momentary distraction to push harder this time, finally breaking the kiss.

“Still so easy,” he whispered, smirking.

Before I could stop myself, my hand flew up, and the next second a resounding slap cracked across his cheek.

“No, you are easy, asshole,” I breathed. “Don’t come close to me again, Cole. I mean it. And tell your girlfriend to do the same.”

His smirk returned, but there was a darkness underneath it that scared me. He could do whatever he wanted to me here. No one was around. Maybe I could try running into the library. Oh, Lily! What do you do now? I felt sick.

Slowly, his hand came to my neck. He didn’t press hard, but the presence of his fingers against my skin sent fear shooting down my spine.

“The next time you do that,” he murmured, his dark eyes fixed on mine, “I will make sure you end up on your knees with my c**k down your throat, little Lily.”

Beneath the fear, something else was bubbling up: arousal. I was definitely sick.

“See you Friday, stalker,” he added smoothly, stepping back out of the dark space beneath the stairs. “Ethan bought you a ticket for the front row of the student section to watch our game. Don't be late.”

He turned and walked away, leaving me alone in the dark, my heart racing, my lips bruised, completely terrified, and quivering with need.