Love & Hate (Book One: Hate) (17 page)

“
Oh I know. I choose this top specifically for tonight.” I say with my head held high.
Cutter Daniels doesn’t scare me.

“
That sounds ominous. Well I hope I’m around for when the shit hits the fan.” He says still grinning from ear to ear. “Hey I have a question that I have been meaning to ask you for a while now.”
Okay, weird.

“
What’s that?”

“
Well I was going to see if you wanted to be my little sis. You know how you have a big sis in the sorority; well you get a big brother too. That is, if you want one.”

I hadn’t even thought about it. I have a big sis already. Millie and I got the same girl. Her name is Lexi. I like her she is nice but I haven’t spent much time with her. Millie assures me that we will get to know her more next semester when we move in the house. Millie also tried to explain to me our family tree but that was way over my head. I suggested that we have ancestory.com for sorority families because that shit is complicated.

I don’t have to give Tanner’s question much thought. I really like him and he already has that big brother vibe going on. He is really nice to me and went out of his way to hang out with me at parties. Being his Little Sis sounded pretty perfect.

“
Oh, wow yes. I would love to be your Little Sis. Thanks for asking me.”

“
You’re welcome. And no worries I already got approval from Cutter, I told him a few days ago I was going to ask you.”

“
Oh, yeah that’s probably for the best.”
Apparently Cutter has made it very clear to Tanner that we are together.

“
So where is that man of yours?”

“
I have no idea. I haven’t seen him yet.” Tanner just gives me a worried look. I start to silently freak out about my outfit choice.

“
Well good luck. I better start mingling with the ladies. I’ll see you in a bit.”

After Tanner leaves I decide I need a drink and fast. I head over to the bar to get a beer. I am in line all of two seconds when a large hand yanks mine and starts dragging me through the crowded basement. I know it is Cutter. I also know I am totally screwed.

CHAPTER 16

I watch him as he pulls me through the house. He is dressed in dark blue jeans and a black button up shirt with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows.
Why does he have to be so freaking hot? And why the heck is he wearing black?

He drags me through the house to a bedroom without saying a word. The room has a bunk bed in it and two small desks. I notice some of Cutter’s things scattered about the room. This is totally confusing. I thought Cutter was living in the dorms. Why are his things here in the frat house? I get ready to ask him when he slams the door behind us. He strides over to me. There is a look of pure rage on his face.
Oh shit.

“
Take your shirt off, Paige.” He growls and starts to lift up on the hem of my silk top.

“
No. Absolutely not and since when did you move into the frat?” I ask pushing his hands away.
Why hadn’t he told me he moved into his fraternity house?

He glares at me, almost daring me to continue to defy him. I oblige him and start to walk toward the door to leave. But he is faster than I am and blocks my exit.

“
I moved in a week after we got here. And I wasn’t asking. Take that damn shirt off.” I instantly feel bad knowing he has been walking home in the middle of the night almost every night since we returned from Missoula. I would have never asked him to stay knowing he had to walk all the way across campus. However, that issue is going to have to take a back burner to this ridiculous shirt issue.

“
No. You can’t just order me around Cutter. I am free to do whatever I want. You don’t own me.” I say with my chin held high.

Cutter takes this as a complete challenge. He mumbles something and pulls me against him so I have no escape from his glaring eyes. “That’s where your wrong darling. YOU. ARE. MINE.”

Cold shivers run down my spine. I know I shouldn’t be turned on by his cave man tendency but I am. He knows this. He can read me so well. A slight grin appears before he pushes my back against the door and crashes his lips to mine. The kiss is pure fire; there is nothing soft or gentle about it. I feel like he is going to swallow me whole. This scares me a bit so I pull back ending our kiss. I take a deep breath to steady myself for the conversation I know is inevitably going to come.

His bright blue eyes are stormy now with a hint of pain in them. I instantly feel bad. “Why did you wear that Paige?”

“
I thought it was beautiful.” I know I’m playing games but I’m still pissed about earlier.

“
Cut the shit Paige. Tell me what would possess you to wear green tonight.”
What possessed me? What possessed you to let a girl paw all over you today?

“
I don’t know.” I say shyly looking at the floor.

“
Were you trying to piss me off?”

“
Yes.” I say feeling bad for being so petty.

“
Why?”

“
I saw you today.” I murmur.

“
What are you talking about? Saw me where?” I can hear the concern in his voice.

“
I saw you outside of the bookstore. You were talking to a dark haired girl. She hugged you and kissed you.” I choke. The minute I say it tears start to prick my eyes.

Cutter let out a deep sigh. “Paige, look at me.” I refuse to so he tips my chin up so I am forced to look him.

“
I was across the street in my favorite spot and I saw the whole thing. You let her touch you. You let her kiss you.” The tears are streaming down my face now.

Cutter pulls me to his chest. He holds my head against his shoulder and lets me cry. “Paige, I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to hurt you baby. She is just a friend. I swear it.”

I regain some control and my tears slow. “You guys looked so comfortable with each other. It looked like you were a couple.”

Cutter closes his eyes in a long pause then opens them fixating on me. “I have known her since I was child. Our families are very close. I haven’t seen her in a while so she was excited to see me. I didn’t think anything about it. I didn’t mean anything by it and I doubt she did either.” He says sincerely.

“
Who is she?” I don’t know why I want to know this, but for some reason I feel the need to ask.

“
Laney Davis. You know her, don’t you?”
Laney Bitchface Davis as Tess so lovingly calls her?

“
Yeah, I know Laney. I didn’t see her face so I didn’t know it was her.” I tell him sheepishly. I feel better knowing it was Laney. Over the years I have been to several parties with Laney. She attended public school but knew a lot kids from my school as well. She has always been pleasant to me but because of what Tess’ says about her, I still have a tendril of worry in the back of my mind.

“
I’m sorry Paige. I shouldn’t have let her kiss me even if it was harmless.”

“
No, I’m sorry. I overreacted. It just shocked me is all.” I say still pinned to his chest.

He pulls back to look at me again. “Paige, I told you I don’t want anyone else and I meant it. You’re mine baby.”

I simply nod in agreement and cuddle back against his warm chest. Cutter however, steps back from me making me feel uneasy.

“
There is no one else. I promise you that.” He gives me a sly smile and walks over to a dresser. He pulls out a red t-shirt I have seen him wear several times. “Take off your shirt Paige and put this on. I can’t have my girlfriend walking around in a damn green shirt.” He hands me the shirt and I smile.
Wait, did he say girlfriend?

“
Girlfriend huh?”

“
Yes. Is that a problem for you?”

“
I… no. It’s just we hadn’t exactly discussed it.” I stammer. He just looks at me still holding out his shirt to me not understanding why I am so confused.

“
Shirt, Paige.”

“
Fine, but I don’t understand what the big deal is. Why do I have to wear red when you are wearing black?” I really don’t want to take off my beautiful silk top. But I don’t think I really have a choice, do I?” I pull my top over my head and snatch the damn red shirt out of Cutter’s hand.

He is smoldering now. There is liquid heat behind his eyes as he watches me stand there in my bra examining his red shirt. He has handed me a shirt I recognize as one of his favorites. It’s very soft and it smells like his cologne. I may just be keeping this shirt after all. I pull it over my head and it fits but it’s still a bit large on me so I roll up the sleeves.

“
Perfect.” He says watching me.

I feel my face redden in slight embarrassment. It is still so overwhelming having Cutter Daniels give me compliments. Sometimes I feel like things aren’t real, that I’m just dreaming all of this.

I try to deflect the growing embarrassment I’m feeling so I ask him why he didn’t tell me he moved into his fraternity.

“
I knew you would make me leave earlier if you knew I was walking across campus.”

“
Oh.” I take a long pause processing what he just told me “Or you could have just stayed the night.” I say with a sexy grin.

“
We both know what would have happened.” He drawls.

“
So maybe that’s what I want.” I cock my eyebrow up.

“
You do huh? You want me to rip off all your clothes? You want me to tease you until you can’t take it anymore? Do you want me to take you Paige? Because let me tell you something baby, once I do there is no going back so you best be sure.”

I can’t respond. I am so turned on. I feel the ache between my thighs and I know I am totally screwed. This man owns me.

Cutter chuckles. “Come on darling. We need to get back to the party before I keep you in my room all night.” He grabs my hand and snakes his fingers threw mine.

I love the feeling when Cutter touches me. I feel as though pure electricity is going right through my entire body. It makes me feel so alive, like I could conquer the world with him by my side.

CHAPTER 17

We returned to the party and surprisingly stayed the whole time. After our heated exchange in Cutter’s room I was eager to just return back to my dorm room to be alone with him. Cutter, however, seemed to be in no hurry. I had the distinct feeling he was trying to put me off. We stayed and talked with Tanner for a long time and I danced with Millie until she found a very cute male dance partner. I knew my job as wing women had come to an end the minute they started making out on the dance floor so I made my exit.

Cutter walked me home and we ended up curled up in my bed talking and watching Deadliest Catch reruns. I only half watched as I was totally enamored with watching Cutter. At some point he caught me watching him and just gives me a flirty grin before flipping me on my back pinning me underneath him.

“
What do you think you’re doing Paige?”

“
Uh, just admiring the view.” I say attempting to flirt.

“
Really? Well, it looks like you’re enjoying it because your cheeks are turning a lovely shade of pink.”

“
I am enjoying it.” I say confidently.

“
I wonder what those cheeks would look like if I did what I’m thinking about doing to you.”

“
There’s only one way to find out.” I tell him slyly.
Holy cow who are you? Where did all this sexy confidence come from?

Cutter leans down so our lips are almost touching. I want him to kiss me so bad. If I lean up a half an inch our lips will meet, I think. But before I can act on it Cutter’s voice stops me. “Paige, you will not win at this game so don’t start something you don’t intend to finish.”

“
Who says I don’t intend to finish this?” The minute I say it a shiver racks my body because even though I trust Cutter he has an edge of darkness to him that scares me.

Cutter notices how my body betrays me and shows him what exactly I am feeling. He looks at me and gives me his devilish grin. He tugs at the hem of his shirt that I am still wearing. It is over my head and off in a split second. Next goes my pajama pants. I am so glad I have gone shopping and invested in some matching bras and panties. I am currently sporting my favorite navy blue lace combo. I thought it complimented my blonde hair and blue eyes nicely.

Cutter must agree, because the moment he see me in them I hear him suck in a sharp breath and mutter something that sounds like a curse. I am about to ask him if he likes my selection when his lips smash into mine crushing my head against my pillow. He is gentle at first but I can feel the hunger building as he kisses me. Something is changing between us, I can just sense it.