Playing Games

My room looks like fashion central threw up in it. I've tried on seven dresses, three pairs of jeans, and fifteen or more shirts. Nothing looks right. Nothing even comes close to looking right at me. I don't look like a pretty girl dressed up and ready to party. I look like Raya Capperton, daughter of Ray Drivel, the conman's trashy daughter playing dress-up.

Just when I decide it's pointless, the door to my room creaks open. Butterflies ruffle my stomach as I anxiously wait to see Kade's blue eyes, but I'm met by a different pair of blues instead. My heart sinks back down from my throat as Ember walks in wearing an excited grin and a killer dress.

Her hair is tossed in perfect ringlets today instead of pigtails. Her red dress is just short enough to drag the eye down, and her classy cleavage brings the eyes back up. She looks far less innocent than she did yesterday. I'm jealous. I've got Paul Colton's latest line of fashion, and she looks better in her thrift store buy. Maybe that's the problem. These clothes are too dazzling for the jaded.

"Hey. I hope this is okay. Kade let me in and told me where to find you."

I nod, forcing a tight smile. I'd fallen asleep while we were watching the movie, and Kade must have carried me back to my room last night.

He'd caught me off guard with the sincerity in his eyes when I asked him about why he was suddenly being nice to me. The look he gave me... He's different than what I once thought, and now it's even more confusing. He didn't say anything much after that.

We sat in a comfortable silence, kept our distance, and watched a terrible movie like it was riveting. I shouldn't have asked that question. I wish I hadn't. Today we've barely spoken at all, since he was busy preparing for the party. I've stayed in my room most of the day.

"Is that what you're wearing?" Her wide eyes only cement my reservations. She sees the trashy girl playing dress-up, too.

"It looks terrible, doesn't it?" I groan, glancing down at the tight white, strapless dress that was meant for someone far more impressive than I.

"Hell no," she gushes. "It's fucking awesome. That's... I'm so jealous."

I almost bite back a grin. I'm jealous of her thrift store dress, and she's jealous of the dress I can't actually pull off. "Maybe we should trade."

She laughs and shakes her head. "Not happening. I'd never look that good in white. There's only one problem... You can't wear that underwear. It's leaving lines."

I try to glance back at my rear, but I can't twist that way in this tight dress. I finally give up and look over at her rummaging through my drawers until she finds where I store my panties and bras. Another boundary. I need to make a mental note to google what the boundaries are around here. I was apparently raised very differently.

"Here," she says, handing me a pair of white thongs.

I don't even know how those managed to make it to the counter. I can only assume Kade tossed them and several other pairs of underwear on the counter that day. It's not something I need to think about right now.

I slip out of the more comfortable underwear and make the trade for the small stringed thing meant for a goddess. This should be interesting. Ember goes to be in front of the mirror as she checks her hair.

"It's crazy down there," she giggles, bubbling over with excitement .

"Already?"

I'd heard the music, but I thought Kade was just setting the mood right for all the partiers on their way. I guess I've been in here longer than I thought, battling my indecisiveness.

"You seriously look like sex in heels. I really wish Kade had bulldozed my house."

I let a laugh out, which is something I really needed. Considering how nervous I am, I'm surprised I'm able to laugh at all.

"Kade didn't bulldoze my house; some frat boys from his party did."

"But he's the one you're living with?"

I shrug and open the door. "I had to live somewhere, and Mr. Colton volunteered his son's house."

"And Kade is cool with all this?" she asks.

"I... I think he is now," I stammer un-surely.

She gives a goofy grin when she sees the lights flickering below. It looks almost like a club.

"This is going to be so awesome," she gushes, and then she loops her arm through mine.

These heels make the stairs a little precarious, but I cautiously make my way down. My long hair isn't balled up on my head or swept back in a ponytail. Tonight I'm letting it hang free with some loose curls. Maybe no one will even recognize me.

Ember giggles more once we reach the thick of the party. It's not too crowded, surprisingly enough. I don't have to press against sweaty bodies to make my way over to the keg.

My breath almost leaves me when Kade steps in from the dining room. No. No. No. He's not supposed to make it hard to breathe, damn it. I have to live with him.

"Hey," he says, grinning when he sees me. His eyes scale up and down my dress, making me flood with a tingle of excitement. "Need one?" he asks, holding up his cup.

"I need two."

I motion to Ember, and he offers her his best I'm-too-sexy-to-be-real grin. She shivers beside me, letting her grip tighten on my arm. I don't like that. I don't want Ember eye-fucking him right now.

"Here," he says, handing me my cup first. Then he fills up another and hands it to Ember.

She takes it while twirling her hair like a little girl with a crush. I tug free from her as she drools, but Kade either doesn't notice or doesn't care. Thankfully. Crap. I shouldn't be thankful.

"Feel like introductions?" Kade asks, sidling up next to me.

I sigh out heavily. "Yeah, sure. Ember, this is Kade. Kade, Ember."

He chuckles beside me and places his hand on the small of my back. "I've already met Ember when she came in to find you. I was asking if you wanted me to introduce you to everyone. Let you get a feel for the crowd."

Ember is almost forgotten as I stare into the endless pools of blue that suddenly carry such a meaningful depth instead of a guise of shallowness. "Not right now. I think I'll stick to nursing a beer and observing."

I glance over to see Ember has moved on to a preppy polo-shirt-wearing guy. My eyes return to Kade and his tight black T-shirt and dark denim jeans. He looks too good.

A guy has fortunately started talking to him, keeping him distracted as I shamelessly ogle him for the first real time. He doesn't look like a business-suit in training; he looks like forbidden fruit I desperately want to taste.

"You good?" Kade asks, acting as if he's about to leave me stranded.

"Um... yeah. Go have fun."

"Business," he says, offering me a wink. "You go have fun. It'll be loud, so call me if you need me for anything. My number is programmed in your phone."

The speck of silver in his mouth intrigues me again, but I dare not stare at those perfect lips too long. I can only see a glimpse of the secretive thing when his mouth opens, so it has to be a piercing. Gah, I wish I hadn't thought about it.

He gives me a quick wave before walking away. I don't have my phone. I was so busy gawking at him that the words never left my mouth. I hope I don't need him for anything.

I turn around, seeing Ember still giggling in that guy's arms. Whew. At least it's not Kade she's wrapped around.

I groan inwardly. I can't keep doing that. Kade is... my roommate? My friend? I don't know, but I can't be interested in him. He's an elite and I'm the girl from the trailer park.

I do well to hide in the back, possibly seeming like the creepy girl just watching everyone. After observing everyone dance and drink for thirty minutes, I start to relax. No one at all has said anything rude to me whatsoever.

"Raya, right?" a guy asks, proving I'm not hiding as well as I thought.

"Yes." I force a smile and turn to meet him, drawing in a deep breath to prepare for whatever he might say.

"I'm Brock." He proffers his hand, and I place mine in his for the shake, though I admit I'm wary.

He grins, giving me a shot of his dimples as he props against the wall beside me. He's dressed in a pair of designer jeans, a blue T-shirt, and a sexy gaze. Considering I don't know if he's one of the many who ridiculed me, I don't exactly swoon.

"Nice to meet you," I murmur as sincerely as I can muster, while returning my eyes to the party.

"It's Get Wet time!" a girl's shrill voice announces as the music dies down. "Same rules as always. When you hear the song, grab someone to lock up with until it stops. All ladies without a partner, prepare to be tossed in the pool!"

My stomach tilts to the point I'm worried I'll get sick. She can't be serious. Surely no one would actually throw me in the pool. Shit. Kade has thrown me in the pool before.

"I think I might hang out over here with you," Brock says, grinning as the girl speaks with the DJ behind the traveling booth.

I swallow hard as she continues. "Tonight, the Get Wet song is Good Man!" The DJ plays a sample, and everyone roars in cheers, getting excited. Then the song changes, and the girl hops down, beaming from the mischief she just delivered.

I don't feel like partying anymore. Now I just want to go crawl in a closet and hide. The girl who was announcing the bomb-drop sidles up next to Brock, rocking back on her heels as hearts form in her eyes.

Warm hands wrap around my waist seconds before the Get Wet song kicks in. I'm whirled around and pushed into the corner, gasping for air. My eyes lock with Kade's and he grins as he brings his lips within centimeters from mine, keeping one arm pressed against the wall, blocking our faces somewhat.

"What... w-what are you doing?" I hoarsely release, swallowing hard thereafter.

"Making people think we're doing what we're supposed to be doing. Otherwise, you'll get tossed in the pool. Considering you're wearing white, and you don't have... much on back here," his hand trails over my rear, making me tremble as he slides his hand back up to my back and tugs me closer, "you might not need to get caught."

I shiver noticeably, feeling trapped and completely stupid as a crushing wave of unbidden desire unfurls within me. This just changed... everything for me. I don't even remember how to hate him in this moment.

"Whenever you see Mel drift toward Brock," he says, motioning toward the game announcer and Brock who are in a tongue-tango lip-lock, "find me, and I'll make it look like we're just as engaged as everyone else enjoying the festivities."

My knees try to buckle, but I steady them, locking them into place like I just shoved steel rods in there. "So they're a couple?"

I leave out the part where Brock was acting like he wanted to play this game with me.

"No," he chuckles out. "Brock isn't in the market to settle down, but Mel wants him. So, she plays this game every party. When the DJ sees her close to Brock, he plays the song. That's your cue. Just find me, unless you want some strange guy locked on your lips or tossing you in the pool."

His eyes move down to my lips, and his breath catches for a second. With his mouth just slightly ajar, I finally see the silver mystery a little better.

"You do have your tongue pierced," I murmur to myself. "I thought so."

His grin slides up, and I look up to see his eyes intensely focused on mine. "You've been trying to get a look?"

My face heats, and he leans in closer, making this even more intimate. He rolls his tongue in his mouth so that he can shove part of the bar between his pearly whites, and then he bites down on the metal so that it's the only thing I can see other than his perfectly straight teeth.

Yep. I think I just forgot my own name.

The bar slinks back into his mouth, and his grin returns. "You could have just asked."

The song shifts, and the make-out frenzy ends. My breaths are erratic and scattered when he finally leans back and returns my personal space. I waver in my heels, but his arm wraps around my waist to steady me.

"I guess you did more than nurse that beer," he says with a teasing grin, thinking my staggering posture is due to alcohol. It's not the toxins in the drink that are making me unbalanced; it's him. This is so bad.

"I guess so," I lie, making his smile grow.

"Good. You need to loosen up."

He pulls my hand in his and takes my empty cup. I'll just let him think I've had more than one. If he found out what his touch was doing to me right now, he'd mock me relentlessly.

"That dress looks good on you. I'm glad I didn't let you bypass the dresses you'd 'never wear.'"

I giggle lightly, silently chastising myself for sounding like an idiot with a crush. His smile is rewarding though, and it makes me want to giggle more. I look around nervously as he hands my cup to one of his friends to refill.

Brock is chatting up

some girl, and Mel's eyes are on him, though she does well to hide the scowl I'm sure is lurking within.

"Don't tell me Brock's your type," Kade says, cutting into my moment of observation.

"No," I murmur, looking up at him. You are, though.

"Good. I really don't want Brock hanging out and making your room sound like a carnival."

It feels like that was supposed to be a joke, but I'm not sure. "No worries. I can promise you won't be hearing anything like that coming from my room. What about you? Are any of these girls part of your business?"

I attempt to sound teasing, but it sounded more like the words left a bad taste in my mouth. He scans the room, shrugging.

"Not in that way. I'm friends with them, but I draw the line at those sorts of personal relationships with anyone you see in this room. I don't need the drama later on in life. This group - these people - have some of the most influential parents I've met, which is why they're the hardest partiers. Let's say I hook up with one. Later on she or her husband could be the hitch in a major business arrangement."

I shake my head in disbelief. "You plan really far ahead, don't you?"

"I have to if I want to be successful. Considering it'll be my grandfather's business I take over, I want to be very successful. It's what he deserves."

Again, I melt. He has to stop talking about his grandfather. There's such raw emotion in his eyes when he does. It's beautiful.

"Do you ever do anything just for fun?"

His smile lifts up, and his gaze comes back to me. "All sorts of things. I'm driven, but I'm not a robot."

"So?" I prompt, wanting to delve deeper.

"I'm talking to you right now for fun. I have no business interest in you."

My girly grin spreads to display the fool I am. His grin mimics mine before he pulls me to the middle of the dance floor. "Now, let's dance. For fun."

I let him lead me onto the floor, keeping my perma-grin in place. His hands slide down to my back as we move to the music. Summoning up my bravery, I let my hands run up his chest, reveling in the feel of the hardness beneath the thin shirt. He moves in closer, making our bodies press together as the lust-filled melody guides our movements.

I can't do this. I can't stare at him and dance like this without letting myself do something incredibly stupid in the heat of the moment. So, I turn around and press my back to his front.

His hands move to my hips as he draws us to be touching, and I close my eyes to forget all the people around us as our bodies grind together.

"Kade! We're doing shots!" a guy calls, motioning him over.

No. I don't want to stop dancing.

"Time to work. I'll be back," he says in my ear, making me shiver in his wake when he disappears into the crowd.

I've got to get this under control. I can't be drooling over a prince when I'm the inmate's daughter.

Each time that damn song has played, Kade has pushed me into the corner to pretend as though we're just as entangled as the others. This last time, his lips brushed mine when he accidentally got too close. That's not a nice thing to do to an idiot like me who can't seem to get my fantasies to stop running wild.

I was fine before this party. Now I'm staring at him as much as Mel stares at Brock. I'm pathetic.

Ember has kept me company on the dance floor, and considering the large amount of beer I've consumed, I almost need her as a crutch. She laughs wildly as we tangle on the floor, both of us trying to hold the other up. It earns a loud gush of laughter from us both. Letting go has been refreshing.

I look over to see Kade's eyes on me as he leans against the doorframe, feigning interest in his friend by nodding ever so often. A barely-there amused smile tugs on his lips as he watches me, and I can't look away.

The only thing that manages to snap me out of my trance is the Good Man song. Oh no.

Kade's eyes widen just as I'm ripped away by foreign arms. "Pool or kiss?" Brock slurs, chuckling after.

Mel is just a few feet away, and she looks like a puppy that has just been kicked in the face. Ember is wrapped up in a polo-shirt-wearing guy, and I'm stuck. Pool. Definitely the pool.

I open my mouth to affirm my decision just as I'm whirled around. Soft but firm lips find mine and steal my breath, as familiar hands travel down to my back.

"Seriously, Kade?" Brock groans, making Kade smile against the kiss with me.

Holy shit. I'm kissing Kade.

My body decides to seize control and exclude my brain from any and all decisions. My hands fist in his hair as I pull him closer, and his smile disappears as his grip gets tighter.

I wobble when his tongue delves into my mouth, and the hot metal of his piercing makes me heat up between my thighs, inviting my scandalous thoughts to dance in my mind. If it wasn't for the incredible grip he has on me, I'd melt into a puddle right now.

The longer the song plays, the more intense the kiss gets, until I'm suddenly backed against a wall. It takes all my strength not to jump up and wrap my legs around his waist, but I refrain, and settle for the mind-blowing kiss.

I don't know when the song shifted, but it has. I don't want to pull away. Hell, I can't, but Kade finally does, sounding breathless.

"Sorry," he says, grinning. "It was going to be me, him, or the pool. Mel would have flogged you if it had been him."

Shit. Why the hell did I think he wanted to kiss me? He was just saving my ass.

"You. Definitely you," I blurt out, making him laugh before he tugs my hand in his. I hope that didn't sound as bad as I think it did.

"Conversation is getting pointless now. The shots have ruined them all, so they won't remember much from here on out. I'll hang out with you the rest of the night to keep that from happening again."

No. I want that to happen again.

Fucking eh. I'm pathetic.

"Want to go chill by the pool?"

I just nod as he leads me out, and I smile when I see some girls climbing out of the pool for not having engaged in the game.

"Thanks," I snicker.

He grins, and then shakes his head. "I never recommend wearing white to one of my parties again."

I let a laugh out as he pulls me down to a chair beside him. "I agree."

And just that fast, we become lost in conversation for the next two hours. I don't know how he managed to do it, but I've forgotten every bit of my hatred for him. He's so... normal. Not at all what I expected.

As the last few guests start tapering off, Kade pulls me from my seat. "I'm spent. I'll warn you, there will be people still passed out in the morning, so you don't run around in your tank and panties."

My cheeks heat and he chuckles as he guides me in. "You staying to party more?" he asks, walking me through the few still dancing.

"Um... no. I think I lost Ember though."

"She'll turn up. I'll walk you to your room."

I want to ask why, but at the same time, I don't want to seem like I'm offending him. His hand stays on my back as he guides me up, and I try not to concentrate on it too much.

Regret fills me as soon as I open the door. The light filtering through the window shines down on the dark locks tilted back as two naked bodies collide.

"Ohholyshit," I screech while slamming the door back shut.

My heels do me no good and I stumble backwards into Kade's arms as he chuckles and catches me. "I guess Ember just showed up."

I shake my head, praying the images aren't forever burned in my mind. "I couldn't tell who it was."

"I should have warned you to lock your door. Looks like you'll need another mattress," he snickers, helping me stand on my own. "Come on. You can sleep in my room. You'll find something a hell of a lot worse in all my other guest rooms. Mel's game always gets people riled up."

Sleep in his room? Hell no.

"I can just crash on the couch."

He snorts out a laugh. "With this many people still here? Not happening. These people are notorious for pranking the sleeper. It's no big deal. My bed is massive. It'll be like you're all by yourself."

Doubtful. How the hell does he expect me to sleep in his bed?

Every part of me is almost shaking as I follow him back down the stairs and to his bedroom door. The combination keypad on his door has always confused me until right now. He uses it to keep anyone else from doing what Ember is doing in my bed. She and I will have to discuss this later.

"I'll grab you a shirt and some shorts." He flips the light on and I see his devilish grin. "Unless you want to run and grab something from your room."

"Hell no," I blurt out, forcing him to release a throaty chuckle in response.

I fidget like a nervous girl in the doorway as he moves to the drawers. "Shut and lock the door."

Swallowing hard against the hellacious knot in my throat, I do just that. I linger on the lock, wondering how to steel myself for the rest of the night.

"Here," he says, bringing my attention back.

He hands me a pair of black boxers and a red T-shirt. Damn. These boxers have touched him in places I really don't need to think about.

"You can change in the bathroom. I'll change out here."

I watch as he pulls his shirt over his head, and my eyes fall on the numerous tattoos that line his chest, sides, and stomach. They all seem to form a pattern instead of seeming randomly detached.

"What do the tattoos mean?" I ask, unable to quit staring.

He grins as he tosses his shirt on his dresser.

"They're blended together, but they all mean different things. There are different points in my life I wanted to remember, so I did what I wanted to in order to mark them. I don't get one anywhere I can't cover it up easily. You going to change?"

I'm almost worried I'm drooling right now. His body is flawless. The perfect definition of his chest and abs becomes a feast for my hungry eyes. This should be illegal. Sexy, rich, and nice should not be wrapped up in one untouchable package.

"Raya? You okay?" he chuckles out.

I snap my eyes free and turn on my heel to almost dive into the bathroom. This is going to be a long night, and if I sleep at all, I'll be shocked.

I strip down completely, including the str

ingy underwear I'll never be able to sleep in. After tossing on the clothes he's given me, I walk back out with my dress in hand. I carefully tucked my underwear inside to keep them from falling out in front of him.

"Just toss your dress on my dresser. I'll send it to the drycleaners with my stuff," he says without looking at me as he types something on his phone.

I suck in a sharp breath of air. He's in his track pants and he's still shirtless. I huddle up in my room most of the time, so I never get to see him getting ready for bed. I won't be hiding in my room anymore. I want floor seats for this show from now on.

I put the dress on his dresser, next to his stuff, and then I walk over to the far side of the ridiculous bed meant for Jack's giant.

"You need me to set an alarm or anything?" he asks as I slip into the heavenly folds of his bed.

Wow. His bed is so much better than mine. And I thought mine was pretty frigging fantastic.

"No. You can just toss me out with the sun, though."

He laughs and slips into the covers on his side. If you had told me I'd be sleeping in Kade Colton's bed two weeks ago, I would be in the hospital from my side-splitting laughter.

He just chuckles as he turns over, giving me a view of his perfect back. I should probably face the other way, but I can't tear my eyes away. He hasn't mentioned that kiss, and I doubt either of us ever will. I just wish I could quit thinking about it.