Her venomous attitude and bitchy behavior didn’t hamper the unwanted fantasies at all. In fact, it made them worse. Made me want to rip her clothes off, pull her hair, and hate-fuck her up against the nearest wall.
No wonder Dad was unable to resist her advances. She was like a fucking succubus. Still, he should’ve known better, especially after all the things her father accused him of doing twenty-five years ago.
I braced my shoulders and fortified myself with a deep breath, pushing all thoughts of Kinsey’s stunning face and body aside. She might be able to use her looks and charm to get what she wanted from every other man on the planet, including my father, but I’d never let her get to me.
Never.
7
Kinsey
“Oh mygod.”Erin’s eyes widened as I did a twirl in my dress. “It’s perfect!”
I smiled and turned to the floor-to-ceiling mirror in Erin’s massive walk-in closet. The black and silver dress currently clinging to my curves was the most expensive thing I’d ever owned. I bought it at a local boutique yesterday with some money George gave me in return for a favor, and it was well worth it.
“So you think I’ll fit in at this party?” I said, glancing back at Erin.
“Definitely. No one will ever know you’vedaredto wear non-designer clothing before,” she replied in a faux posh accent, nose snobbishly upturned. “Imagine, my darling! The absolute horror! I have no idea how all the peasants manage.”
“You’re way too good at that,” I said, grinning and shaking my head.
“It’s because I’ve grown up around all that crap,” she said, rolling her eyes. “Honestly, it makes me wanna throw hands sometimes.”
I turned back to inspect my reflection. “Now I’m sort of nervous again.”
“Don’t be! It’s just a high school party.” Erin paused for a beat, got off her vanity chair, and sidled up beside me. “A high school party you received a personal invitation to, I might add. I think Nate has a crush on you.”
I smiled demurely, cheeks warming. “I doubt it.”
“He totally does.” Erin waggled her index finger. “I overheard your conversation with him the other day, remember?”
“You mean theoneconversation I’ve ever had with him?” I said, arching a brow. “Where we spoke for thirty seconds?”
“Oh, come on. You know he’s hot, and you know he totally wants to bang you,” she said, leaning in and focusing on the mirror so she could fix her hair. “You should get right in there tonight. Blow his mind and leave him begging for more.”
I laughed. “Maybe I will. But what aboutyou?” I asked. “Any boys you’re hoping to hook up with?”
“A lady never tells.”
I playfully elbowed her. “Hypocrite.”
“Hey, you’re the one refusing to admit you think Nate is hot!” she said, grinning wickedly. She arched a brow. “Or… is your mind on someone else? Like Jax, maybe?”
I grimaced. “Definitely not.”
“Are you sure? He’s always staring at you,” she said, turning to grab a pair of heels from the closest shelf. “I’m getting a serious enemies-to-lovers vibe from you guys.”
I snorted. “You read too many romance novels.”
“Guilty as charged. But seriously, he’s always looking at you.”
I thought about the conversation I had with Jax the other day and stiffened, lips pursing.Judgmental prick.
“He only looks at me because he can’t stand me,” I said. “He’s always watching and waiting for me to mess up in some way so he can use it against me and try to get me kicked out of town.”
“I’m sure he wouldn’t gothatfar.”
My forehead wrinkled. “Are you kidding? Don’t you remember what he did in my first week here?” I said. “Also, I’ve told you about all the crap he’s said to me since then, haven’t I? He hates me.”