After the lake party, I dropped the D-bag part off of his contact name, but left the Devil. He’s still my dark devil, though now he makes my body tingle with something other than loathing and resentment.
Does a joint run at night count as a date when we’re living in the same house?
With my heartbeat skittering all over the place, I type out a quick reply.
Blair: Visiting my mom, but be back soon. You owe me a race, so I’m in. Loser makes dinner?
Devil: You drive a hard bargain, little thief. That’s called a rigged bet.
Blair: [GIF of a cute young girl shrugging unapologetically]
Devil: Deal. See you at home. [smirking devil emoji]
“Wow, you’ve turned red.” Mom laughs, delighted. “Is it a boy?”
“Uh, yes. But it’s, um.” I don’t know what to say. Devlin isn’t my boyfriend. The butterflies that come to life in my chest as I read his text again can fuck off. “A friend from school.”
It’s the best I’ve got to explain the complicated thing Devlin and I have. Enemies to frenemies? I don’t know what’s going on.
Nothing seems to have anything to do with revenge between us anymore.
“It’s nice to see you happy with a crush,” Mom says.
Crush.
Oh god.
My lips part. Is that what it is? The feeling that makes it hard to breathe around Devlin?
It’s not just that he’s hot or that his kisses reach in and batter my heart.
I think I actually like Devlin.
Mom cracks up at whatever expression my face is locked in.
Twenty-Nin
e
Devlin
When I’m around Blair, something brings me to life. Makes me feel in ways I’ve kept numb. I thought it was the thrill of the game, of controlling her. But I think it’s more than that, it’s just her.
She’s in my head, my dreams, my fucking veins. And she won’t get out.
Every breath I take is tinged with the hint of vanilla.
This might have started as a way to torment her for revenge, but she’s dug her way so deep into me, I don’t want it to end. I want her stubborn spirit and her moans. The desire to break her from pleasure, then put her back together to do it all over again has surpassed the savage part of me hellbent on destroying her.
The game has changed forever, because now I’m playing for keeps.
But Blair is only here for the money, right?
Take that away, and she’s gone again. Back to spitting fire and fury at me.
I rub a hand over my mouth as I stalk from my bedroom to hers. Halfway there, I pause. The shower is running.
A faint, cut off cry of pleasure reaches my ears, muffled by the rush of water. I remain stiff in the hallway, staring at the bathroom door. Another moan follows, high and fucking divine.