4. Devin

4

DEVIN

T he house is buzzing with energy again, the kind that only a Friday night party can bring. We've managed to keep things under control so far, but there's this nagging feeling in the back of my mind like we're being watched.

Jace and Alec mentioned earlier that Tessa Collins has decided to keep a close eye on the Sigmas and I've noticed her lurking around since then, popping up at a few events, asking questions, and chatting with some of our rival fraternities. It's like she's waiting for us to screw up so she can jump on it and blast it out to the whole campus.

I lean against the kitchen counter, sipping my soda, and scan the crowd. Sure enough, there she is, hovering near the edge of the living room, her eyes flicking around like she's cataloging everything that's happening. She's talking to a couple of freshmen, nodding and smiling like she's just there to have fun. I narrow my eyes, suspicious of her motives.

The sight of her gets under my skin, a mix of annoyance and something else I can't quite put my finger on. We've worked too hard to rebuild Sigma Theta's reputation, and I'm not about to let some nosy reporter blow it all up because she's got a grudge to settle.

I finish off my drink and toss the cup in the trash, deciding it's time to throw her off whatever scent she thinks she's picked up.

Sauntering over to where she's standing, I flash her my most disarming grin. "Well, well, well, if it isn't the infamous Tessa Collins," I say, leaning against her. "You planning to write a piece on how we've perfected the art of throwing the lamest frat parties ever?"

Tessa turns to face me, her expression cautious, like she's trying to figure out if I'm serious or just messing with her. "Devin, right?" she says, arching an eyebrow. "Risk chair, if I remember correctly?"

"The one and only," I reply, making a grand, sweeping bow. "I see you've done your homework."

"I do my research," she says, her tone cool, but there's a glint in her eyes and I know I've got her at least interested.

"Of course you do," I say, leaning against the wall beside her. "But seriously, what brings you here tonight? Looking for your next big scoop?"

Tessa shrugs, trying to play it off. "Maybe I just wanted to see if you guys could pull off another half-decent party without breaking any rules."

"Ouch, harsh," I say, clutching my chest. "But I'll have you know, we're all about staying on the straight and narrow these days. No jungle juice, no keg stands—just good, clean, wholesome fun."

She snorts, clearly not buying it. "Is that what you call it?"

"Hey, don't knock it till you try it," I shoot back, flashing another grin. "We've got water pong, some party games and I'm pretty sure even the music is the censored versions. We're basically saints at this point!"

Tessa's lips twitch as though she's trying hard not to laugh at that. "If you say so."

I glance around, making a show of looking for something. "So, who've you been talking to tonight? Anyone spill any juicy secrets?"

She narrows her eyes at me. "Why do you care?"

"Oh, just curious," I say, waving a hand dismissively. "You know, trying to figure out what angle you're working this time. Are we the bad boys we used to be, or have we convinced you we've cleaned up our act yet?"

Tessa crosses her arms, studying me like she's trying to decide if I'm worth the trouble. "You think I'm here just to write another exposé?"

I shrug, playing it cool. "I think you're here because you're smart and you know a story when you see one. But hey, if you're just here to have a good time, who am I to stop you?"

For a moment, we just stand there, sizing each other up. I can tell she's not convinced, but I've at least managed to get her off-balance, which is exactly what I wanted. She's not going to get anything out of me tonight, and if I have something to say about it, she's not going to get anything out of anyone else either.

"Well, enjoy the party, Tessa," I say, pushing off the wall and giving her a little salute. "And remember—what happens at Sigma Theta stays at Sigma Theta. Unless, of course, it's super boring, in which case feel free to tell the world."

She shakes her head, a small smile finally breaking through. "You're impossible, you know that?"

"Yep," I say, grinning wide. "But at least I'm fun."

Before I can saunter off, a clamor rises around us and I find myself pulled by a few freshman girls toward the middle of the room, where an impromptu game of spin the bottle is taking place.

I sit cross-legged next to one of the girls who dragged me over and as I get settled, I glance up to find my eyes meeting Tessa's across the circle. Raising a brow at her, I watch as she shrugs and gets comfortable.

The game starts and the bottle is spun a few times, various people pairing up to exchange quick kisses, laughing at themselves as the music pumps through the speakers.

The bottle turns around and around and it lands on me and I glance around the circle, wondering who I'm going to have to kiss. I feel a sudden sort of self-consciousness when I see Tessa's eyes on me, biting her lower lip. The room suddenly feels ten degrees warmer for some reason.

I reach out and spin the seltzer bottle, watching as it loops around and around before slowly coming to a stop and landing on…

"Tessa!" one of the girls shouts, sending a swooping sensation through my stomach. Sure she's objectively cute, in a nerdy way, but now, under the dim lights with a hint of a challenge in her eyes, there's something that draws me in.

The group around us starts to cheer and chant, egging us on, and before I know it, I'm stepping forward, dropping down to one knee in front of her. My brain is telling me this is a bad idea, that I should just laugh it off and spin again, but I can't bring myself to move.

Tessa meets me halfway, her expression unreadable, and then, before I can think about it too much, our lips meet.

And holy hell.

It's like a jolt of electricity, the kind that makes your hair stand on end and your heart race. Her lips are soft and warm, and there's this spark between us that I didn't expect. I'd been thinking it'd be just a quick kiss, something to laugh about later, but this…this is something else.

For a moment, the noise of the party fades away, and it's just us. The world narrows down to the feel of her mouth on mine, the way her breath mingles with mine, and the slight hitch in her breath as we pull away.

When we break apart, I'm left blinking, trying to figure out what the hell just happened. Tessa's looking at me with wide eyes, and I know she felt it too. That spark, that electricity—it wasn't just me.

But then the group around us bursts into applause and laughter, snapping us both back to reality. Tessa gives me a quick, almost shy smile before retreating to her spot in the circle, and I fall back on my heels, trying to play it cool, even though my heart's still racing.

I force a grin. "Guess I'm too hot to handle," I joke, but inside, I'm reeling. That kiss wasn't supposed to mean anything, just a stupid party game. But now I'm left wondering if maybe there's more to Tessa Collins than I thought.

The kiss lingers on my mind even after the party is long over and I'm heading for bed. I feel the tingle of her lips against mine, the soft scent of coconut and lime body wash haunting me like a ghost.

As I ease myself in between the sheets, I press a finger to my lower lip and close my eyes, imagining Tessa kissing me once more.

It feels like I'm flying, the way her lips move over mine. Her body presses to me, all soft curves and skilled hands that roam over me, stroking along my sides until they slip into my boxers, and I shiver when she grasps me in hand and starts to stroke, moving slowly at first, then faster and faster.

Her eyes lock with mine and I pant, entranced by the way her green eyes shimmer in the low light of the bedroom, pupils blown wide as evidence of her own arousal.

"I want you," she whispers, slipping a finger into her mouth as she laves over it before sliding it down her body, which is suddenly bared before me. Her wet digit pushes between her folds and she arches her back, whimpering as she continues to stroke my rock-hard length with her fingers.

"Fuck," I whisper, unable to tear my eyes away from the sight. It's the most erotic thing I've ever seen and I can't bring myself to stop staring. Tessa moves as she does in life, like she's always in charge as she continues to jerk me off while fingering her pussy.

"Can I kiss you?" I find myself asking, nearly breathless with desire. Tessa's teeth dig into her lower lip as she bites it, nodding.

I lean forward, capturing her mouth with mine and this second kiss is more delicious than the first, all heat and flames as I lick into her mouth.

Her hand never stops moving, not for one second and I feel myself getting closer. Just before I'm about to burst though, a loud noise startles me and I sit up in bed, looking around wildly.

Shit. I must have fallen asleep and dreamed about her. My cock is hard and throbbing and I reach a hand down, quickly jerking myself off to completion, mildly annoyed at the entire situation.

God. If we're not careful, this girl could be bad news for us.