Page 51 of Their Cruel Play
The Discovery
Harper
“Fuck it.” Parker holds his hands up. “We aren’t trying to encroach on your property. But some of us were wondering when you were going to let Harper go.”
Let me go?Why would that matter?
“Are you fucking with me right now?” If Caden wasn’t in the booth, he looks like he would have Parker pressed up against the wall with his fist in his face.
Parker swallows and backs up a step. So he isn’t entirely stupid. “We just figured if you were done with her?—”
“What makes you think that?” Luke stands. Parker is bigger, like Caden, but right now, he looks small, as if he’s shrinking into himself.
“The other girls were available after you finished?—”
“You think Harper is like the other girls?” Caden finally makes Nico get out of the booth so he can stand beside Luke.
Eli draws me to lean against him. His arms wrap around my waist protectively—or possessively? Maybe both. Parker holds up his hands in surrender.
“I’m just the messenger, man.”
He also winked at me, but I don’t need him to get in more trouble. He seems nice enough. Though when I think about it, he and the others probably just want to use me too. Not actually date me.
Fuck, guys suck.
“Harper is ours. Period.” Luke crosses his arms over his chest. “She won’t be free for anyone else.”
“That’s cool.” Parker plays it off like he didn’t just come up and ask the guys I was with if they’re finished with me. As if I’m open for business after they dump me? Hell, maybe that’s why Rebecca changed schools.
“Make sure the others know not to come sniffing around Harper.” Caden looks like he wants to punch the guy. “Don’t look at her. Don’t talk to her. She’s ours and only ours.”
“Cool, man.” Parker fades away into the restaurant. A girl at the other table gets brave and clears her throat.
“So what about you guys? I mean, if the deed is done, she doesn’t need all of your attention.”
I glance around Luke to see who’s talking. She’s some girl I don’t know, but I’m pretty sure she’s a sophomore. Yeah, this won’t go well at school. Most of the girls were in a holding pattern, waiting for the guys to lose focus on me.
“It goes both ways.” Luke shakes his head. “We’re hers now. Find some other dicks to jump on if you’re so fucking eager. We’re off the market for the entire year. We won’t touch another girl.”
“Seriously?” The girl sounds incredulous. “I mean, she’s only one girl and there are five of you, so I mean, when’s the girl going to have a break?”
Like she’s really worried about me. She’s just hoping I won’t be able to keep up and they’ll need a backup pussy.
“That doesn’t concern you.” Luke glares at her. “Go back to your breakfast.”
He slides in next to me and shakes his head. “Fuck.”
“Complicated, aren’t we?” I give him a wary little smile.
He grabs my hair, making me gasp, and drags my head back. “You’re mine, princess.”
He takes my mouth in a kiss that’s meant to punish and claim. Like it’s my fault that guy asked about me. Or that those girls want what they think they’re entitled to.
Our little arrangement might shake up the whole system.
His kiss softens as he explores and nips, making my insides burn. I melt into him, letting him take what he needs.
Because, though I’ll never admit it to him, part of me needs him too.
