Forbidden Attraction (Forbidden Trilogy) (9 page)

Jordan looks doubtful. “I don’t want you to get hurt, Shiv. You have only been with Liam; you are not experienced with casual sex as I’m sure Grayson is. You’re going to get your heart broken,” she says sadly.

I explain our weekend arrangement and she is furious. “I want this Jordan. I want to experience letting go and having fun for once.”

“Separate rooms, Shiv ... fuck, he’s using you for sex.”

“No he isn’t. So what if he has intimacy issues. We’ll have great sex together without blurring the lines of a relationship. We’ll do other things together over the weekend in addition to sex and still have our own space to retreat to without all the driving back and forth. Please support me on this.”

“Okay. Fine,” she huffs. “Just keep your head on straight and take this arrangement for what it is. Do not give him your heart. Have your fun and then move on.” She smiles.

I emphasize to Jordan that she can’t speak of this to anyone. She doesn’t like it, but she agrees. “Thanks, Jordan.” I hug her tightly. Her support is important to me. I didn’t want this to be an issue between us. “Now tell me about your night with Trevor.” Jordan is the one blushing now as she delves into the information surrounding her romance-filled night.

MY ALARM SOUNDS at six and I hit the snooze button to give me an extra ten minutes of sleep. I couldn’t sleep last night for all the fantasies of Grayson that were on instant replay. I imagined him touching me again, causing me to toss and turn with sexual frustration. Ten minutes of additional sleep is useless in satisfying my sleep-deprived body so I force myself up and into the shower. I let the water run down my body as I mentally prepare to face the man who has me so wound up. I let my hand trail to the place I ache the most and begin to stroke myself, pretending it’s Grayson’s hand. I’m able to get myself off quickly with the cascading water from the shower muffling the sounds of my moan. I’m no stranger to masturbation since I’m unable to orgasm during sex without manual stimulation. Although I did learn, thanks to Grayson, I can also get off with oral stimulation as well. This bothered Liam at first, but he quickly acclimated and learned to use his fingers for manipulation in order to get us both there. I do wonder why he never tried to go down on me or experiment with me. Was he afraid he wouldn’t be able to get me off? Was I a threat to his manhood or was he only concerned about his own needs?

I finish my shower, brush my teeth, and head to my room to decide what I’m going to wear. I have never put any special effort into dressing for class, opting to go with comfort, but today is different. I decide on a sleeveless red floral-print baby-doll dress and red wedges. After drying my hair, I arrange it in a fish braid and let it lay over my right shoulder. My look for today is cute and understated sexy.

I WALK INTO class and it seems like all the attention is on me. I nervously wonder if they can see the guiltiness written on my face from my secret arrangement with our hot professor. I take my seat while avoiding looking where Liam is seated. Grayson announces that we are going to take our first exam and to remove everything from our desk except a scantron and a pencil. He splits the aisle with Donovan as they hand out the exams. Of course he chooses my side of the room to start. When he gets to me, his fingertips brush mine as he hands me my exam and my heart slams against my chest. His touch lasts a millisecond, faster than the blink of an eye, but it’s long enough for me to be affected.

“Relax,” he whispers. “Take one and pass the rest down.” This is his only instruction before he continues on to the next row of students. When he finishes our side of the room, he announces he will be gone for the duration of the exam, but Donovan will be the proctor. I’m overwhelmed with butterflies in my stomach. I watch his confident stride, taking in the snug fit of his slacks and his striped button-down shirt that molds to his gorgeous physique. He is the very definition of eye candy ... too bad I have to share him with the rest of class.

I’m pulled from my lustful reverie by the announcement to begin our exam. I’m one of the first to finish so I excuse myself to grab water from the vending machine before hanging out in the lounge area outside the class. Later Liam ventures out of the room with Heather at his side. They are in deep conversation and don’t notice my scowl. They’ve been spending a lot of time together lately. I wonder if she’s his new girlfriend. I tell myself I don’t care either way. My arrangement with Grayson has been successful at numbing the pain of our breakup. Liam and I had settled into the status quo. It has been a while since a stirring of emotions has taken over. It has to be the risk of the situation ... maybe it’s an adrenaline rush. When the allotted time for the exam expires, Donovan calls all of the students that have migrated to the lounge area to come back in. Shortly thereafter, Grayson reappears to lecture for the remaining class time. I keep my eyes glued to my laptop as I studiously take notes. At the end of class, I notice he is with two female students. They are flirting and occupying his time under the pretense of seeking clarification on our next assignment. Our eyes meet briefly and I acknowledge his predicament before heading out the door.

WEDNESDAY’S CLASS IS somewhat better in that I get my lustful thoughts under control. Grayson still ignites my stomach butterflies, but at least I feel less transparent. He, on the other hand, doesn’t seem affected at all. I’m just another student in his class. He lets class out fifteen minutes early so I call Jordan to see if she wants to eat out tonight.

“Hey, what are your dinner plans for this evening?”

“I am glad you called. Trevor’s frat is having a keg party tonight,” she replies. “But first, I thought maybe we could get our bits waxed this afternoon. I normally get a bikini wax, but I think I am ready to get the full Brazilian.”

“Jordan, you are crazy if you think I’m going to willingly put myself through that kind of torture,” I squeal. “I’ve heard stories.”

“Come on, Shiv. You were just complaining this past weekend how embarrassed you were over your Grayson seeing your womanscape. Do this and you’ll be ready for Friday, not to mention the reported increased sensitivity.”

“I’ll go with you, but I am not sold on the idea,” I huff. “I’ll have to think about it.”

Needless to say I give in to Jordan’s persistence. I couldn’t have prepared for the pain if I tried. Things women do for the sake of beauty. After having our girly bits waxed to perfection, we head home to get ready for tonight’s party.

Jordan rummages through her closet and pulls out the perfect dress for me. The sleeveless champagne colored bandage dress accentuates every curve while the V-dipped neckline brings my girls to the forefront. I pair the dress with nude pumps. Jordan’s body-con dress is equally sexy. I let my hair air dry into waist length waves, letting her do my makeup. She goes with a subtle look and smoky eyes to contrast the in-your-face sex appeal my dress screams.

“I thought this was a keg party,” I question. “Why are we getting so dolled up?”

“One: most of the girls will go for the slutty look to get attention, we are exuding sexy and classy. Two: I want to look hot for Trevor and I want my bestie to be just as hot,” she responds in a matter-of-fact manner. “We are going to be the talk of the party.”

“Great,” I groan. Jordan knows I don’t like a lot of attention focused on me. This is not my crowd. I’m going as Jordan’s wing-woman.

We arrive at the Alpha Epsilon Psi house a little after nine. Just like Jordan predicted, all eyes are on us. The guys are beside themselves to get our attention. We are directed to the kitchen where mixed drinks are being served in red Solo cups. I don’t ask what’s in the mix as I’m sure the guy making the drinks is no mixologist. After a couple drinks, Jordan asks if I’d be okay if she went to find Trevor.

I assure her that I’d be fine and that people watching will keep me entertained. I lean against the doorway of the kitchen and look at the people dancing in the living room. I immediately spot Liam dirty dancing with Heather. He is kissing and grinding against her like they are alone—a precursor for what’s to come. Knowledge of them being sexually involved and seeing them together like this are two different things. My heart aches and I quickly look away. I need more alcohol to numb the pain. Patron has been a proven source of liquid desensitization. I am in luck when I see these frat guys have splurged on the good stuff. The designated bartender for tonight is quick to line up three shots at my request. I take each shot without a break in-between. I am thankful that Jordan and I took a cab here so neither of us would have be the designated driver.

Jordan is yet to return and I’m now hiding out in the kitchen. The alcohol courses through my bloodstream at a blazing pace and I feel myself start to relax. Some time passes and Jordan comes by to check on me. She encourages me to mingle and I choose not to tell her about Liam because I don’t want to ruin her night. The song
Fascination
by District 78 blares through the speakers from the living room and my mind falls on Grayson.

Images of him from this week make me tingle with anticipation for Friday. I pull my phone out of my clutch purse and decide to give him a call. My trusty friend Patron is making me bold and I just want to hear his voice. As his phone rings a guys slithers up behind me and wraps his arms around my waist. At that exact moment Grayson picks up.

“Hello ... Shiv?”

“Hi handsome,” I slur.

The guy behind me decides then to make his presence known. “Hey baby. Why don’t you get your sexy ass off the phone and come dance with me,” he says while pulling me closer to him.

“Siobhan who the hell is that and where are you?” Grayson spits angrily.

“I am at a frat party and that is ... wait ... ” I don’t know this guy’s name. “Hey my fuck buddy wants to know your name,” I say to him.

The guy snickers at my drunkenness. “The name’s Nico and I’d be more than willing to be your new buddy for tonight.”

“Fuck!” I hear Grayson swear. He’s not amused. “Goddammit Siobhan, where are you?” Yep ... he’s definitely pissed.