Twisted Deeds (Hellions of Hade Harbor #3)

by Mila Kane

I raked my eyes over her tight body. “What, like you?” Winter paused a moment, something flaring in her gaze. Winter had to know how hot she was. It would be impossible not to. With a tight cheerleader physique, long blond hair that fell in waves to her waist, an upturned button nose, and huge, lush baby blues, she could have been a model. She was the poster girl for white, blue-blood beauty, with her pearl earrings, and diamond tennis bracelets. She was the kind of girl who would have made bank on social media but was far too aloof to share photos of her privileged life. She was beautiful and ugly at the same time. A startling contradiction made flesh.

I wondered for a moment what she saw when she looked at me. Then she spelled it out. She dropped my stare and tossed her regal head. “You wish, Martino. I don’t slum it. I have vibrators worth more than you.” Well, that was pretty fucking clear. Like oil and water, it was clear that Winter DeLaurie and I should never mix.

I stepped closer, until I could make out the spirals of indigo in those ocean eyes. “Make me the first commoner to feel what’s under those designer clothes and bratty attitude.” Her nostrils flared a touch. Her eyes fell to my lips and jumped back up to my heated gaze. “Like I said, you wouldn’t dare. I could have you fired with a snap of my fingers.” I nodded. “Maybe so, but the reality is that you were sneaking around the break room, going through a staff member’s locker. Are you fine with everyone knowing what you were searching for? Do you mind daddy dearest knowing?”

“That six-tier monstrosity the pastry chef spent all day on is yours?” I gave her a once-over. “Got a deadly allergy I should know about?” “Why? Are you going to try and kill me? Death by cinnamon. At least it’d be a sweet way to go,” she sighed. Cinnamon. Something clicked. I’d helped my mom make her sweet empanadas enough times to know what went in the apple filling. Was there even the slightest chance that the picky princess wasn’t as terrible as I’d imagined for the last year? I passed her back the Carrick bend knot, laying it on her thigh. “Happy birthday, Ice Queen.” She stared at the rope, surprised by the gesture. “Give it back, if you’re just going to throw it away,” I warned her. Why I was giving this girl a second chance to surprise me, after a year of ignoring her existence, I had no idea. Maybe it was the pot, making me generous. Or maybe it was the way the stars seemed to collect in her eyes when she smiled at me, alone together on the rooftop, hidden from the world. Her fingers traced the shape and then she tucked it into her bag. “You gave it to me. No take backs. This is the only homemade present I think I’ve ever gotten. My dad gave me a new Amex for a gift.” “Well, that was my second choice,” I murmured. She smiled, and opened her mouth to speak, but I never heard her words.

I slid my palm lower and gripped her jaw instead, allowing her to speak, but not scream. “It’s a job at the country club…it’s hardly life or death. Don’t you have a full scholarship?” What the fuck? Is this girl fearless or just dumb? I stared at her for a long, hard moment, trying to figure her out. She was impossible to predict. Good. It was better that way. I didn’t have to worry about her sobbing and pleading when I punished her for being such a brat. “Some of us have more important things to pay for than makeup and blowouts. I guess that doesn’t matter to someone like you, does it?” She let out a long breath. “I’m — I didn’t know you’d get fired,” she finally said. “That’s a fucking shitty apology. Tell the truth — you didn’t care. That’s fine, I don’t give a fuck what happens to you, either, Your Majesty, but you will pay for what you cost me.” She was wriggling against me, moving her hips and trying to dislodge me. The only effect it was having was making me harder, my cock deciding that now would be a great time to fuck the brat out of Winter.

“That’s the second time you’ve said that to me tonight, and it’s the second time you’re wrong. You don’t fucking know me, Winter. Turn over now, or I’ll double what’s coming to you.” My command was absolute. She swallowed hard, her slender throat bobbing against my grip. I wondered how it would feel to tighten my hand and make her claw against my wrist for air. Just the thought was a fucking turn-on. She shook her head. “No.” “No?” I toyed with her throat, tightening and loosening my grip. Her eyes stayed glued to mine. She wasn’t nearly scared enough. “You have to make me,” she whispered. Fuck. The thought nearly sent my cock busting out of my damn jeans. It was the hottest moment of my goddamn life, and it was with her, the woman I couldn’t stand.

“As you wish, Your Majesty.” With that, I yanked her up. She fought against my grip as I sat and leaned against her headboard, then pulled her across my knee, face down. A leg over her shins locked her in place. She landed across my lap and raised her head to scream at me, just as my hand landed hard on her ass. She stilled, shocked out of words. When she collected herself, I struck the other side, and she jerked. “This is exactly what bratty daddies’ princesses should get when they fuck someone over.”

She mumbled something into the covers. I pinched her ass cheek hard, and she lifted her head. “I didn’t quite catch that apology, Your Majesty, try again.” “I said fuck you, Martino. You can go to hell. I’m glad you got fired, you lunatic,” she snarled at me. I tutted loudly and spanked her again, her hips bucking into every movement. “That’s not very good manners for a well-bred brat. Try again.” I spanked her again, and she arched her back and gasped. “I’ll never apologize to you,” she challenged, her eyes blazing as she twisted to stare up at me. “Is that right? Maybe we need to try something else,” I suggested and reached into my pocket. I had her lower legs trapped under one of mine, so she was stuck there, waiting to see what I’d do. The butterfly knife caught the light; I twirled it in my fingers. She really stilled this time, her attention fixed on the blade. “I’m not like your country club trust fund boys. I’m not someone you want to fuck with.”

“Everyone’s here,” Selena told me, slipping her arm through mine and steering me between the red leather booths. “Even the Ice Gods.” “Wait, what? Why?” I’d stopped in my tracks at her words. Panic bubbled up in my chest. I couldn’t see Asher right now. Not after last night. Not when he knew what his rough, humiliating touch had done to me. She raised an eyebrow at me. “How should I know? They felt like pie and milkshakes? I’m not a mind reader.

“And Asher is?” Selena tossed her head. “Maybe it’s time to look outside the Ice Gods, to the rest of the team,” she sighed. “Whatever. After last night, I’m swearing off men.” I’d called Selena on the way home to talk about Trent Fitzgerald. Since Selena’s late father had been part of Invictus H.H Group as well, she knew the family. “If Trent is interested in you, count yourself lucky. That boy is going to be rich as Croesus one day.” “There’s more to a man than his bank balance.” “Yeah, I know, why do you think I like the Ice Gods? It’s not for their checking accounts…but there’s a reason why you get those conquests out of the way at college. Trent is the sort of man you marry.” “I’d rather die,” I announced shortly. “Well, don’t be overdramatic or anything.

Her cheeks were red as hell, and she was sniffling. “What’s with the granny pads? Maybe her pussy’s too loose to keep a tampon in.” I ignored the ignorant comments to focus on the girl who looked like she wanted to die. She was embarrassed. It seemed like a small thing, but she was shy, and she probably thought most of the dumb meatheads watching us right now were hot and didn’t want to admit she was a fully functioning human female in front of them. I grabbed a pad and stood. Folding my arms over my chest, I fixed one of the players leaning over us with a cool glare. “It’s mine. Got something to say about it?” Silence fell. Four pairs of eyes fixed on mine and didn’t dare glance away. I stared the ringleader, Evan, down. He was the quarterback at HHH and thought that made him God’s gift. He was insufferable. “It was just a joke, Winter,” Evan muttered. “Really?” I stepped closer to him. “Tell me another joke about my vagina. I dare you.” The silence was deafening. Honestly, I was abusing the fact that the players, without exception, knew my father was the team’s biggest donor and that they couldn’t afford to upset me. “Whatever, who cares?” Evan said after a moment, backing down. “I’m sorry, Jessie. My bad.” “Oh, and FYI — there are no such thing as big vaginas, just small dicks…got it?”

Poker face, Winter, remember? Swallowing my nerves, I sauntered past and waved at Eve, who was sitting between her psycho brother and her boyfriend, Beckett. I met Asher’s eye and flipped my hair back over my shoulder, dismissing him and his attention like it was nothing. Who’s the bitch now, Martino? My flash of bravery lasted until I had passed their table and reached the ice machine. I filled both our glasses with ice and then moved to the soda. I was almost finished filling the second cup when a deep voice made me jump and spill soda all over my hand. “Tell me the truth, Your Majesty. Which one was redder this morning…your ass or your forehead?”

Your need to play Discipline Daddy to someone is boring, and like I’ve told you before, I have vibrators worth more than you, so move along.” Asher leaned in, his hands landing on the counter on either side of me. “You’ve got some fucking mouth on you, DeLaurie. One day, someone, somewhere, is going to show you that the sun doesn’t shine out of your ass…and put you in your place.” “In my place?” I snorted, fighting the suffocating feeling of heat pooling in my core. What the hell was wrong with me? Was I actually enjoying this? He carried a knife, for fuck’s sake; he’d cut my hair and spanked me. I was more messed up than I’d ever imagined. It was clearly past time to start seeing a therapist. “Yeah, in your fucking place.” He leaned in, his hot breath against my lips. “On your knees…crawling, naked and humble, until the brat act dies…” I was transfixed by the intense glint in his eyes. “Then what happens?” I wondered aloud, and then immediately cursed myself for encouraging his psycho daydreams. “Then…you find out who you really are, because this mean girl, Ice Queen thing? It’s getting old.” I wet my lips, and his eyes followed the movement. I found my voice. “Like I care what you think about me.

She got up slowly, and the fallen hockey player got to his feet beside her. “Shit, I cut myself. Can’t you clean this shit up? Isn’t that your job?” the player barked at the waitress. He went to turn and was shoulder-checked hard. He staggered back a few paces, obscenities flying from his mouth until he saw who had stopped him. Asher stood there, scratching his head, clearly perplexed and pissed off at the same time. I hadn’t even felt him move away from my side. “Martino, we all good? It was just an accident, man.” Asher laughed, and it was a chilling sound. “Sure, we’re good, just apologize to the lady and pick up after yourself.” He pointed at the dishes on the floor. The diner was deadly quiet. The other hockey player blanched. “Come on, man, isn’t that the waitress’s job? I’m not trying to be anyone’s maid,” he tried to joke. He clearly didn’t know that Asher’s mom was a house cleaner, or that his sister had waitressed at this very diner. I hoped he got his head put through a wall.

“I’m going to pretend you didn’t say that. Apologize and clean up, before I feed you the rest of your lunch, broken plate, glass, and all.” I shivered. Asher’s voice was damn menacing. He was all riled up over an asshole who’d been rude to a random girl. Was she his girlfriend? I wondered idly. No, I didn’t think so. This was just Asher. He was famously overprotective. He’d managed to keep the entire school away from his sister for years, despite her being the prettiest girl there. Once Asher was distracted watching the two guys who’d been fighting clean up, I made my escape. “Here,” I said to Selena, setting down her glass. “I think I’m going to go.” “Really? Yeah, it’s a good idea, actually. We need to get ready, and we’ll see these losers later.”

Dad seemed introspective today, which wasn’t like him at all. “Trent was very taken with you last night,” he added, watching me carefully for my reaction. I paled, the blood feeling like it was draining rapidly from my head. “He was?” Dad nodded again. “Yes. He couldn’t stop talking about how beautiful and clever you’ve grown up to be. Duncan was very impressed, as well. You are exactly the kind of girl he would consider a suitable daughter-in-law, you know.” Dad was smiling at me like this was supposed to be good news. “Trent wants to ask you out. I said I’d test the waters first. My little girl’s happiness comes first, after all.” I clenched my hands into fists. This felt like a test of some kind. My affection for my dad and the need to never disappoint him warred with my natural instinct to reject the vilest guy I’d ever met. “Trent reminds me a lot of myself at his age,” my father continued. Holy fuck. What was I supposed to say now?

She smiled at me, then her eyes flickered over my shoulder to someone, and her cheeks flooded with heat. Cayden reached over me and fist-bumped someone right behind me. I didn’t have to turn to know who it was. A hand slid into my back pocket and pinched my ass hard. I bit down a gasp and refused to spin around. Isabelle was blushing for all she was worth. It looked like someone had a crush on Asher. Well, she could get in line. The left-winger had a dedicated fan club. One I’d never be in. “Happy New Year, Ice Queen.” His voice raked across my nerves, and I shivered. His hand was still in my jean pocket, but no one could see since my back was crushed against his front. He tugged me back when I tried to step forward, using my pocket to hook me. I fell into his chest, and his other hand gripped my hip and swiveled me round.

Play nice, Winter. Don’t make your relationship worse. My annoying inner voice reminded me that I might need this maniac’s help. I took a deep, steadying breath and looked up, hitting him with a smile. “Happy New Year, Martino.” Ash raised an eyebrow. “Is that all you’ve got?” I shrugged. “I’m turning over a new leaf. It’s my New Year’s resolution to be nice to the insane and troubled. Get better soon, okay?” I patted his arm. Damn. That wasn’t really playing nice, but he just brought it out in me. He chuckled. “There’s the little brat I know and loathe. Had your New Year’s kiss?” I tossed my hair and rolled my eyes. Maximum brat setting. “Grow up, Martino.” His eyes darkened and a familiar wicked tilt hit his lips. He was going to kiss me. He wasn’t stopping at last night’s punishment. I couldn’t have said if I was excited or scared at the thought, even if someone had held a gun to my head. I just didn’t know.

“Marcus!” My cry fell on deaf ears. Marcus had wrenched the sliding door shut and jammed it closed. “Are you okay?” a voice asked. I maneuvered around to see a random guy I barely knew standing inside. He was on the hockey team, though, I knew that. There was enough light falling through the slats in the doors to see him. “Fine. Chase, is it?” He clapped a hand to his chest. “You wound me. I’m president of your fan club, and you’re not even sure of my name.” “We don’t have to play this stupid game,” I pointed out. He laughed. “I’m only playing it because Marcus promised me you.” “Well, that’s weird and creepy.” “Really? Shit, I was going for suave,” Chase said. He was handsome, I could admit it, and it was obvious that he usually got a very different reception from girls. Despite that, he did nothing for me. Apparently, I only got hot and bothered by the criminally insane. Suddenly the thought of standing in the semidarkness for seven whole minutes with this stranger was excruciating.

“Marcus, open the door right now! I’ve changed my mind,” I called, trying not to sound as desperate as I felt. My eyes adjusted, and I could make out Chase more clearly, lounged against the wall at the opposite end of the tiny space. “Relax, we can just run out the clock and make small talk. What’s your favorite color? Mine’s blue.” “Seriously?” I demanded, about to bang again when the door slid open.

He jerked his head toward Chase. “Out.” “Yes, sir,” Chase mocked, saluting Asher like he was a drill sergeant. He pushed past him and out into the bedroom. I moved toward the door, needing air, but Asher blocked my way, backing me into the enclosed space again. He barked over his shoulder, “Lock the door. Seven minutes.” The last thing I saw was Marcus’ face, split in a wide grin,

“You don’t get a romantic New Year’s kiss with someone considerate and into you.” “Why not?” I bit out. “Jealous?” A low chuckle floated to me. “I’d rather have my dick bitten off by a rabid dog than compete with your gold-plated vibrator. Simply put, you fucked up my life, and now it’s my turn to fuck up yours.” “Like I can’t just go find Chase and kiss him any time I want,” I slipped out. Through my escalating panic, fighting with Asher gave me something else to focus on. He nodded. “Go right ahead. Next time it won’t be a marker but a tattoo gun.” A shot of fear laced down my spine. I opened my mouth to speak, and he tutted softly. “I wouldn’t dare me not to if I were you. It hasn’t worked out well for you so far.”

I blew out a long breath and leaned my head back against the wall. What did I have to lose at this point? I took a deep breath and leaped. “How badly do you need money?” Asher’s energy changed from curious to pissed off. “You want to know much your bitch act cost me? How low my bank account is?” “No. I mean, I had an idea, something that would benefit us both,” I forced out. “And what kind of deal do you imagine I’d be interested in making with you?” His voice dripped with disdain. “I’d pay you whatever you asked.” Asher was quiet for a long moment. I had no idea what he was thinking. “And in return?” he asked silkily. There was something dangerous in that tone. God, was I really going to do this? I was. I had no choice. “In return, you pretend to be my boyfriend.”

“I would pay you, like I said—” she started. “If you want to be properly fucked, you don’t have to pay for a boy toy. I’m sure some suckers would offer to do it for free.” “I’m not asking to pay you for sex!” She sounded appalled and offended all at once. Her breath was coming faster and faster. “Well, what the hell are you asking for?” “A boyfriend, on paper, someone to come to family dinner and kiss me on the cheek. One dinner. That’s all.” “And you don’t have anyone that Daddy would approve of more than someone like me? Or you’re trying to irritate him…is that it?” I moved closer and brushed my lips up her cheek. “You want to date the guy from across the tracks…worry your parents so much they might decide to come home more often?” She shivered under my touch. Her skin was like fucking satin. Dangerously addictive. I moved to her ear. “I’m not some rebel for rent, Your Majesty.”

She was still panicking. She needed a distraction, and I just needed a fucking excuse. I’d come here to take Winter’s New Year’s kiss, and nothing was stopping me. Still holding her by the neck, keeping her in place, I leaned in and captured her bottom lip between my teeth, biting down just hard enough that she gasped.

“Do you have any idea what your toxic words make me want to do to you?” I asked against her lips. Punish her. Take her. Ruin her. Break her…just enough to keep her. She shook her head, a soft gasp leaving her as I gripped harder for a second, my lips tracing hers. “Relax…I’ve got you,” I murmured, the words leaving me without thought or attention. All my focus was on the fact that Winter was holding onto me like she’d die if she let go. I didn’t hate it. I probably should, but I didn’t. “Is that supposed to be comforting?” she breathed, and I smirked. No, I guess it wasn’t. Then I captured her poisonous lips before she could say anything else to piss me off. My kiss shocked her into stillness.

Dragging my tongue over hers, I explored her mouth in long, languid thrusts, until her breath was soft and even and her grip on me was clinging and desperate. What kind of woman lived under her spoiled brat act? I’d never worried much about it, but my curiosity was a powerful thing. Why did she hide? What did she hide? Why was I so fucking interested in her? I had no answers to any of those questions. All I knew right at that moment, as she pushed her tits into my chest and met the thrusts of my tongue with her own, was that this girl had my attention. Maybe she always had. Her lips battled with mine, and then her teeth nibbled along my lower lip. She didn’t just have claws, she had bite. Just like me. I grinned against her cheek, moving my lips along her jaw, dragging stubble and gooseflesh in my wake. She shivered. Her nipples were hard points, prodding me through my T-shirt. She was grinding into me. It was hot. Hotter than I’d expected the prissy little brat to be.

“I’m dull. Mine is always the same.” I took a sip of beer, but after the encounter with Winter upstairs, there was little to get excited about. I should have been satisfied that I’d crushed her little plan, whatever it had been, before she’d even gotten started, but instead, I was already hungry for another run-in. Would she try again to persuade me to pretend to be her boyfriend? Why me? How far would she go to convince me? The thought had me hard in seconds. I had plenty of ideas for the debasing and humiliating ways Winter could try to get me to agree to her bizarre proposal. The very thought was sending the blood from my head draining downward to a hard-on that could punch through a wall. Was there anything hotter than taming a brat? When the brat was Winter? No, there wasn’t.

I slowed immediately. It was unsafe to be on this road. There was no sidewalk, no streetlights, every fucking corner was blind. My headlights flickered over her figure, and she flinched. I drove ahead of her and then pulled in and stopped. She paused mid-step when she saw me and then continued toward me. I shoved my visor up. “What are you doing here?” I asked her. Her blue eyes looked dark in the moonlight, her hair like liquid gold. “Walking. What does it look like?” She had the cheek to roll her eyes at me. “Why are you strolling like a fucking idiot down this road? It’s dangerous.” She let out a jagged laugh. “And I’m supposed to think you care if something happens to me? You don’t need to pretend. I’d rather you didn’t.” She took a step to the side. “Get on the back. I’ll drop you off,” I ordered her. She shook her head. “Pass.” She stepped out into the road and moved past me. She really was the most annoying person I’d ever met.

Get on the bike, and we’ll be in town in five minutes.” Winter sighed. “Stop pretending to give a shit, Asher.” “For fuck’s sake,” I muttered, losing patience. I got off my bike, kicking the stand up, and strode toward her departing back. My arms went around her middle, and I lifted her in the air, carrying her backward toward my bike. She struggled fruitlessly in my arms. “Get the hell off me!” “I will, once you’re on my bike.” “No — get off me now.” She wriggled violently, and I nearly lost my grip. Finally, I managed to get her to my bike. She fought me as I lowered her to the ground and then caged her in against the seat with an arm on either side.

“If you want to touch my balls so bad, you just need to ask.” “You’re a lunatic,” she shot out. “The lunatic you were just begging for a favor,” I reminded her. “Listen. We can do this the easy way or the hard way. Easy way, you get on, I take you home in one piece.” “And the hard way?” “Hard way, I tie your hands around my waist and make you sit there. You cry and beg and complain the whole way home, and then I leave you hog-tied in your front yard for your daddy to find. Better hope he’s planning on coming home soon.” “Very funny,” she said. I shrugged. “I’m not known for my humor. I’m stone-cold serious. You’re not walking this road. End of discussion. So, decide how you want to get home and do it now, before I decide for you.” She huffed and glanced away at the crashing waves hitting the rocks below. The moment gave me a chance to study her, up close and personal. She was as stunning as always, more so, since I was so close I could see the points of her caramel lashes and the faintest dusting of freckles over the bridge of her nose. Her eyes were red-rimmed and her eyelashes spiky and wet. The Ice Queen was upset. Was it the remains of that panic attack in the closet? It had been too dark in there to see what her face had been doing while she’d nearly hyperventilated, and she’d taken off afterwards like her ass was on fire. “Why do you care if I die, Martino? You’d get your revenge

Don’t forget, you just offered me the position of fake boyfriend…and the complete access to you that implies.” “I never offered you full access to me — I’d rather die than endure your touch,” she said primly. “Is that right? Should we go test if my belt makes you as wet as my hand did, and examine your little lies, see if they hold up to reality?” I leaned in, resting my forehead against hers. There was nowhere to go. She couldn’t escape me. The thought was a turn-on. A captive woman had never been a turn-on before, not until now. Until Winter. I would take my time humbling the spoiled brat and uncovering that woman I’d glimpsed twice so far. I’d enjoy every second. Her eyes held mine, and she must have read my dark intentions, because she blinked first. In the game of chicken we were playing, I scored another point. Maybe sometime soon, Winter would realize that I’d always win, because I had no boundaries I wouldn’t cross, or personal space I wouldn’t invade, to succeed. “So, are you taking me home or what?” she asked, her voice subdued. “Get on the bike and keep quiet before I change my mind.” My tone was solemn. I’d had enough tangling with Winter for tonight to test my restraint. She got under my skin like no one else. One more provocation and I really would end up whipping her behind with my belt, and I wasn’t confident she was ready for that.

“Hold on,” I told her, kicking off the stand of the bike. Her hands were only just touching my hips, nowhere near enough hold for an inexperienced rider. I leaned back and grabbed her ass, and she scooted suddenly forward so her front was plastered against my back. I wrapped her arms tight around my waist. “I said to fucking hold on.”

Actually, I couldn’t even remember when I’d last had time to indulge in any action with the fairer sex. It had certainly been before that fateful Parents' Day. Senior year had busted my ass so hard, and Colorado had been brutal, trying to fit in with the new team. Women had been the last thing on my mind. Except one. I rocked her against it and turned a glare to anyone watching us, my eyes promising murder if they continued to ogle us. “Stop!” she gasped, finally realizing that she really was letting me get off on rubbing her delectable ass on my dick in public. “Why? I’m so close,” I teased her and bit her earlobe. “Has this ass seen a lot of action? Some locker room spit roasts with the team? How many of the stuffed shirts your parents set you up with have been inside this tight body? Do they let you call them Daddy?” “Ash!” She ripped herself off my lap and glared at me. Ash? It was the first time she’d ever called me by my nickname. Her cheeks were pink, her hair tousled. She’d never looked more fuckable. “You’re a pig.” “I thought I was your boyfriend. Giving up already?” I goaded her.

“Hey, there’s someone downstairs for you.” Selena stepped into the room and shot me a salacious look. She had no idea that I’d humiliated myself in front of Asher, basically begging him to pretend to be my boyfriend, only to be brutally rebuffed. “I’m not home,” I muttered. “Oh, I think you’ll want to see who it is,” Selena said, wriggling her eyebrows. Who would she be making that face for? Asher? Maybe he’d changed his mind? I got up and glanced in the mirror as I passed. I’d fluffed my hair a few times and pinched my cheeks before I realized what I was doing. Preening. For the man who’d threatened me with a knife, spanked me, and cut my hair. Maybe insanity was contagious.

“Did you come here just to talk about Invictus H.H Group? Do you have a membership flyer or something? Next time just leave it at the door,” I said in a clipped tone. I didn’t feel safe alone with Trent. I felt dirty, his filthy, appraising stare crawling over my skin like spiders. Trent chuckled, but it was cold as ice. He didn’t like to be made fun of. Men like Trent were all the same. What he lacked in dick size (I assumed), he made up with a supersized ego. “Funny. You’re a funny girl, Winter. Your dad told me something funny earlier this week,” Trent said. I held my tongue. When I failed to ask him what the hell he was talking about, he continued. “The funny thing he told me was that you have a boyfriend. I had a good laugh about it, your dad, too, when I explained to him that you were joking.” “I’m not joking,” I said quickly. He tilted his head to the side. “Of course you are.

“Good evening, princess, I suppose you’re getting ready for the big game?” The big game? “The Hellions’ first game back this semester,” he clarified. Shit. Of course, if my boyfriend was a bigshot hockey player, I should probably go to his games sometimes, even if he wasn’t officially playing yet. “Yeah, I’m getting ready,” I lied, glancing at myself in the mirror. Maybe I should go. “Have fun. I’ve been thinking, remembering that article about Asher that I read…He’s warming the bench thanks to those damn transfer rules. He barely played in Denver, it’s ridiculous. Should your old man see what can be done about that?” I sank down at my desk. “What do you mean?” “I mean, I know a few fellas who work in the federation, and I’m sure I could put in a good word. These rules are bent all the time if you know the right people. If I’m going to meet this boy who claims to be good enough to date you, I want to see what he’s like, on and off the ice.” “That’s really considerate of you…if it’s no trouble.” “For you, pumpkin, anything. I’ll make a few calls. Don’t forget to organize the dinner,” he reminded me. “I won’t.” After I hung up, I turned over what he’d said in my mind. Maybe he could get Asher off his no-play ban faster. That would be amazing. Surely Asher would appreciate it and do whatever I asked him to? Yes, I was sure he would. I couldn’t let up. I was going to win this game with a hell of a trump card. Selena came in as I was getting dressed. “Whoa, where are we going?”...

Selena gave me a critical once-over and then nodded. “Like Asher Martino’s girlfriend.” “Perfect.” I turned around. I was wearing a hockey jersey with Asher’s number and his name across the back. Eve had stolen it from his room for me. It was a standard “girlfriend’s only” move. I paired the jersey with tight jeans and had even painted a small crest of the Hellions’ logo on my cheek. “I don’t know what kind of game you and my brother are playing, but I’m putting my money on you. Give him hell.” Eve had been positively gleeful about me messing with her brother. Oh, I intend to.

I’d had the whole game to rethink my strategy, and I had to talk to him. Maybe I’d gone about this all wrong. I should just explain to him why I needed this. That I was scared of Trent and the life my father imagined for me, already barreling toward me at top speed. But being vulnerable like that had never come easy. When I thought about lying my heart bare, I was once again that seven-year-old, my hand in a box of cereal, hidden in the pantry, listening to the person I loved tell the world how stupid I was. Trusting. Naïve. Delusional. After the game, I got a message from an unknown number. Wait for me after the game. We need to talk. A Maybe he’d decided to help me after all?

His footsteps rang out as he walked toward me. I tried to make out his mood. It was impossible. I wet my lips, my mouth suddenly dry. “You wanted to talk?” I managed to get out. He strode up to me and didn’t stop when he reached my seat. He bowled right into me, his arms going under my legs and hoisting me over his shoulder in a fireman’s carry. “Hey! What are you doing?” I demanded with as much dignity as I could, considering my head was dangling down his back. A harsh slap to my ass took my next protest from my mouth. “Shh, brat. Don’t make this worse on yourself,” he instructed firmly. He carried me onto the ice, walking sure-footedly toward one of the goals. “What the hell do you think you’re doing?” I hissed,

“Can’t you skate? You look like a newborn deer on the ice,” he remarked, raking his gaze over my struggling legs. “I’m more a tennis girl,” I ground out. He chuckled. “Of course you are. But a nice serve and country clubs aren’t going to help you now. I fucking warned you, Winter, and you’ve chosen not to listen.” “Because you’re making the wrong choice! I’ll pay you — name your price…I’ll give you anything you want⁠—” “Anything? Be careful with your words, Ice Queen, I’m not the sort of man who takes them lightly, and I’m no gentleman either…” He stepped in and cupped my cheek. “If you offer me anything, I’ll take everything.” I fought to breathe normally. This guy had a dangerous effect on my internal organs. I couldn’t breathe, my heart was too fast, my skin sensitive and too aware of how close he was.

After a moment, he gripped my chin and pressed down on my tongue, silencing any possible sound I could have made. “If I didn’t know any better, I’d think this was your first time sucking anything in that rude mouth of yours.” My eyes gave me away. He raised an eyebrow, clearly surprised, and then moved his thumb, sinking it further into my mouth, going nearly all the way to the back. I gagged, the invasion frightening at first. The rest of his hand still gripped my jaw, locking me in place. His thumb thrust lewdly between my lips, finger-fucking my mouth. Spit gathered at the corners of my lips, trailing down my chin. It was messy and ugly. I wanted to wipe it away, but I couldn’t do anything but take it. There was a freedom in that feeling that I never would have expected. Asher’s gaze ran over me like his eyes were memorizing every detail. “If this mouth is a virgin, then I can guess about the rest.” He pulled his thumb from my mouth and smeared my spit across my cheek like he was wiping his hand dry. It was degrading and infuriating, but again, there was nothing I could do about it. “But even with the added bonus of popping that overripe, prissy cherry, I’ll pass.” “What?!” I blurted out. Sure, this was embarrassing, and confusing, but it had seemed like Asher was talking himself into helping me. I was about to win. “I told you that I never lose, DeLaurie, and I’m not starting now. But I’ll give you an A for effort…

Winter had about five invitations at once. Good thing I was right there, looming over her shoulder and scaring away any potentially interested parties. “What?” she snapped and looked up at me. “Don’t tell me you have more to say?” “You think I’m going to let the girl everyone thinks is my girlfriend play Fire Truck with someone else?” A pulse beat in her neck. It was strange to think I’d once found her so unreadable. Now, her emotions seemed clear as day, even though her ice-queen poker face hadn’t changed. “I thought you didn’t want anything to do with me, remember? Which means I need to find someone else to help me, ASAP. So, run along.” She wriggled her fingers like she was shooing me away. Considering I’d just tied her up and left her pants-less for the team to find, she had balls. “You do need to find someone else, but for tonight, since you flashed my jersey all around the rink, you’re mine. I don’t let anyone else touch what’s mine.” She narrowed her eyes at me. “How very caveman of you.” “Got that right, now get a move on and follow me, before I club you over the head and drag you out of here by your hair…caveman style.” She flushed but straightened, not doubting for a moment that I’d do it. Good. She was learning.

Her grip on my wrist eased; she’d realized I wasn’t stopping. Her nails sank into my sleeve, not resisting, but holding me right there where she wanted me, instead. “There are people,” she murmured. Ah, so that’s what she was worried about. She thought I’d let other people see her unravel. “No one can see you but me. No one gets to see you like this but me, got it?” I growled at her, my hand working her cunt faster and faster, the wetness making a soft squelching noise as she rose quickly. She swallowed hard, her eyes hazy and lost, and nodded. She tilted her head back, her hips moving against my hand of their own accord now, chasing her own pleasure. I gripped the back of her neck with my free hand and pulled her forward, bending her in two, my hand buried deep between her legs. “You keep your eyes open and on me when you come. Those are the rules, Your Majesty,” I ground out.

“Those are my rules, and you already know what happens when you break them…or at least your ass does.” She moaned, and I leaned up and kissed her to capture the sound. The sound was mine, and only mine. My tongue slid along hers and thrust into her mouth, her head locked in my captive hold, just as she came. Her cunt tightened, her body shook, and she moaned into my mouth again. I stole her breath and the sound of her pleasure, drinking it all down. It was hot as hell, the way she gave over control. Her trust. The way she shivered in my hands. Her cunt was pulsing like mad under my fingers. Whatever experience she’d had at home with her gold-plated vibrator clearly hadn’t cut it, because this girl was ripe with unleashed pleasure, her body begging for release.

“Where’s Asher?” I demanded. “You mean the other half of Winsher? He’s out. Why? Can’t last a whole night without missing him?” Marcus teased me. “More like his scrotum is due for a trim, and I’m here to deliver.” I grabbed a pair of scissors off a nearby desk and snipped them viciously in the air. Marcus stepped back, looking amused, and nodded toward a room. “Well, his room is through there. Wait in there. Go nuts.” “Thanks.”

His eyes landed on the jersey and suddenly seemed darker than usual. “What the fuck are you wearing?” he asked silkily. There was a note of threat in that tone that thrilled me and scared me at the same time. “What does it look like?” I wet my lips, my mouth suddenly dry. “Whose fucking jersey is that and where is he right now?” Asher advanced into the room. I backed up, heat working through me. “Why? Jealous?” I asked breathlessly. The look on Asher’s face was burning into my mind like a brand.

This jersey covers more than my cheer uniform, so…” I rambled until he interrupted me. “Yes,” he said shortly. He was still backing me through the locker room, and I had the feeling that if I took my eyes from his, all hope was lost. Like a panther closing in on you, losing eye contact would mean certain death. “Yes, your move was lame?” I asked, confused. It was hard to think when he was looking at me like that. He shook his head slowly. “Yes, I’m jealous,” he clarified. I stopped my slow escape, shocked into stillness. How was he able to turn me inside out so easily? He never said or did what I expected him to. “What the hell?” I demanded, irrationally angry at him for making my heart flutter like a trapped butterfly in my chest. “I said I’m jealous. I don’t like seeing some other fucker’s number on you. I really don’t fucking like it, and it’s not happening again. You want to wear someone’s jersey, you wear mine.”

He stroked the back of my head. It was oddly comforting. “Ice Queen, you’ve got all kinds of issues going on in that pretty, complicated head of yours, don’t you?” “Go to hell,” I snapped at him. I wasn’t about to melt under his gentle touch. Not when he’d stripped me naked and was now stroking my hair like I was his badly behaved cat. “You do know, it’s okay not to be okay, or whatever crap they tell you in therapy.” I held my tongue. The last thing I needed right now was to be more vulnerable. I’d already showed my soft underbelly. One cruel blow was all Asher needed to crush me for real. “You could be not okay with me. I don’t give a fuck,” he continued, and leaned in. His hot breath hit the top of my spine and moved along it. His lips traced silent words on my shoulder. “I don’t care if you’re crazy. I don’t care if you’re sane. It doesn’t matter to me. I’d play with you anyway.” “How romantic,” I managed to get out. “We can be the most touching love story of the psych ward together. Let me up, I’m freezing my nipples off.” “As you wish,” he murmured, letting up his dominating grip on my nape.

“So, all this because the PI was tailing your mom? You could have just called me, I’d have made him stop,” I sighed. Asher nodded, and then shrugged. “But I wouldn’t have this phenomenal photo on my phone, would I? You want to give me a big smile for one more? Become the leading lady of my spank bank for the rest of my natural life?” He gave me a maddening smirk, and it was clear he thought he’d won this round. I just couldn’t take it lying down. Before I could question it, I dropped the towel and rested my back against the wall. Asher jerked like I’d slapped him. I flipped my hair back over my shoulder, letting him see it all. My bare breasts, my pussy…everything. Then I tilted my head to the side and gave him a saccharine-sweet smile, raising a hand to flip him off. “Cheese,” I deadpanned.