Reason and Romance (River Valley Book 1) (14 page)

He reeled off the top five male nominees. Alex didn’t even bother looking surprised when his name was announced. Justin, Quentin, and Grant had all made it too.

“And for the female nominees, we have Marissa Adrian Blake …”

Every muscle in her body tightened. She pressed her pencil so hard that it tore a hole in the paper. Her name hadn’t been on the original list, so how had the entire school voted for her as one of the top five female nominees? How was it even possible? Besides, she’d only lived in River Valley for a few weeks. No way had she beaten out many other senior girls who’d lived here all their lives. The vote had to be rigged somehow. Yeah, that had to be it. Or maybe someone was playing a cruel joke.

When the bell rang, she left in a daze. People were actually coming up and congratulating her. For once they were smiling.

It was almost … nice.

Vaughn Mackintosh fell into step with her before Adrian had even made it halfway down the hall. “How does it feel being the official queen bee?” she said. “Congratulations, by the way. Not that I ever had a doubt.”

The last few words had Adrian looking at her sharply. “My name wasn’t on the nomination list,” she said slowly.

The other girl’s expression was demure. “Oh, you can do a write-in vote. If that person receives enough votes from the entire student body …”

“And you just told them to vote for me out of the goodness of your heart?”

“
Au contraire
. I hinted, I cajoled, and I gossiped, but I didn’t tell them.” Vaughn smiled. “You have some pretty influential admirers, you know. They made their wishes known, if you catch the unsubtle drift.”

By then, Adrian had enough. “You haven’t stopped talking about me behind my back. What did I ever do to you?”

“What do you mean?”

“You’ve spread rumors about me.”

“Well, of course. Gossip is my business, and I strive to keep my reputation smutty.” There was that familiar twinkle in Vaughn’s eyes. “You’re the best thing that’s happened to the school lately. So, of course, we talk about you. It’s nothing personal, honey. If you want me to spread rumors about someone else, I’m game.”

“You’re insane.”

Vaughn’s laughter pealed. “Some would agree with you, but honestly you’re too paranoid for your own good.” Smiling, she shook her head. “Not everyone is out to get you. Would it interest you to know that Alex hasn’t hooked up with anyone lately?”

“It’s not my business who he hooks up with.”

“Mm-hmm. Why don’t you ask him which female nominee he supports?” With a last chuckle, the blonde left.

Adrian stood there as if turned to stone. She’d voted for Alex, yes—probably more out of guilt than anything else—but she hadn’t thought he’d return the favor by making sure she was nominated. Or maybe she’d misunderstood Vaughn. Maybe the blonde only meant that Adrian’s status as his future stepsister had helped her cause.

“You have some pretty influential admirers, you know.”

She couldn’t get Vaughn’s words out of her mind. They haunted her for the next few classes as people offered their congratulations. Only a few days ago had they pointedly ignored her, but now they were acting as if they were her friends. When lunch time rolled around, she was heartily sick of the suck-ups.

Alex never glanced her way. They were sitting at the same cafeteria table, but for all the attention he paid her, she might as well not be there. Even Grant had nodded briefly at her, which was more than what Alex had done.

She finally cornered him after she’d served her detention. As luck would have it, he was at his locker all alone. He was on the soccer team, if she remembered correctly. Captain, of course. She’d tried her best not to memorize any details about him, but some had sunk in anyway. When she approached, he straightened.

“We need to talk,” she said.

Alex lifted a shoulder. “Why?”

“I just want to know if you had anything to do with—”

“Why talk to me now?”

“What?”

Alex leaned against his locker. “We aren’t exactly on friendly terms, Adrian. You act as if I don’t exist most of the time. So, while I’d love to chat with you, I’m looking for the knife in my back.”

What did he think he was talking about? He’d virtually ignored her, but now he seemed insulted she’d returned the favor.

“You aren’t exactly the talkative type,” she said.

“I disagree. I think I talk more than you do.”

“Oh, that’s funny.” She hadn’t meant to sound so snide, but she went on. “Since when do you talk anyway? You just sleep around and break girls’ hearts.”

Wait, did I just say that?

A corner of his mouth tipped into a smile. “You sound suspiciously bitter, Adrian. Don’t tell me I broke yours.”

The reference to their one-night stand was so obvious that she nearly lost her breath. Suddenly angry, she stepped closer to him.

“Didn’t anyone tell you, brother dear? I haven’t got a heart, Alex. Me being a bitch and all of that.”

His lips curved. “You weren’t that cold in bed.”

Heat flushed her from head to feet. It didn’t help that the top she’d worn today molded to her body like a second skin, and while that did wonders for her figure, it meant that Alex’s gaze seemed to linger on her as if trying to memorize every curve.

If he wanted to play it like that …

She arranged herself on the locker next to his, lounging in such a way that it left very little to the imagination. “Am I supposed to say you were amazing in bed? Because if that’s the case …” Her gaze swept over him with silent disdain that not even he could mistake.

Alex put his hands on either side of her head. It was a quick act that trapped her between him and the locker. “Ouch. So much for complimenting you.” Every time he spoke, his breath brushed her cheekbone. “What brings you here, sister dear?”

She couldn’t breathe. He was standing too close, and if she inhaled, she could smell the fresh scent of shampoo and soap he’d used. He’d had practice, so he had showered, but damned if it wasn’t seductive. Either way, it was bad. He stood in front of her, so she had to keep her head tilted. Otherwise she’d be staring at his shoulder. She couldn’t duck under his arm and twist out of his grip.

When in doubt, go on the defensive. Adrian traced the contours of his abdomen with a lazy swirl of her finger. At the feel of him, her resolve almost slipped. She’d forgotten just how much she’d liked his body.

“I was going to ask you if you knew how I got nominated for Homecoming Court,” she managed. “Vaughn said that I had people backing me.”

Alex’s eyes narrowed and she saw his daredevil smile. He angled his head as if leaning in for a kiss, but he didn’t close the near distance. “Justin and Quentin threw their weight behind you. I hear that even Cates has been doing some campaigning on your behalf.” He closed his hand around hers. “So you’ve been talking to Vaughn, hmm?”

Her skin was tingling everywhere. “She likes gossiping about me.”

“Mm, that’s Vaughn.” His thumb stroked over her cheekbone. “How about it, Adrian? You want to be Homecoming Queen?”

“I think I’ll pass.”

“Shame.”

She pulled her hand free. “Why, Alex, that sounds like you want me to be the Queen. Out of curiosity … who did you nominate?”

His mouth quirked. “That would be telling. Who did
you
nominate for the King?”

She slid her hand up his chest. His heart was beating faster, and her eyelashes swept down, hiding her satisfaction. “That would be telling,” she quoted back at him. “Maybe I didn’t vote for you. It’s not like you deserve it.”

“Oh, I think I do.” He leaned in until his lips brushed the outer shell of her ear. It was so intimate that she nearly gasped in surprise. “Who do you think is protecting your sister?”

Her stomach fluttered. Was it because of his words or his presence? She wasn’t too sure, but either way, she had to turn her head away.

“What do you mean?” she said.

“I mean exactly that,” he said, every word soft and precise. “I took Nicky aside and told her not to listen to the rumors about us. I didn’t want her all upset because the school was calling you a bitch.”

She didn’t know what to think. Nicky was
her
sister, not his. But that certainly explained why Nicky hadn’t been badgering her with questions. Now she didn’t have to worry about Nicky running off to their father because Alex had stepped in.

“Or better yet,” Alex said, “you could tell me why you didn’t let me know about your breakup.”

Her back stiffened. “Is that any of your business?”

“You made it my business when you slept with me.”

“What do you care? You have dozens of girls just ready to fawn over you anytime you want. You’re a player, aren’t you?”

Alex’s green eyes never left her face. “Yeah, that’s me, Adrian. I’m a bad long-term boyfriend, but I’m a great one-night stand.”

“Oh, don’t get ahead of yourself.” She put her hand on his chest, about to push him back. “I didn’t ask for a repeat performance.”

His lips found the skin under her ear, and she couldn’t help but gasp. “And I never offered you one.” Every time he spoke, his mouth moved against her skin.

Her eyes closed briefly. “Well, then, we agree.”

His laugh was low. “You sound breathless, baby. Something wrong?”

Irritation bubbled up in her. “Oh, I don’t think so.” One of her fingers hooked inside his waistband. She was rewarded with a swift intake of breath.

“You look flushed, baby. Something wrong?” she said.

He moved his head again. A low moan sounded in her throat when his lips grazed hers. She was Adrian Blake, and she didn’t let anyone do this to her. Oh God. It was terribly wrong … but it felt right. Too right. The only consolation she had was that Alex was breathing hard.

Someone thumped the locker next to them. It was so loud, so intrusive that Adrian jumped, but she wasn’t alone because Alex started too.

Grant Darlington’s indifferent gaze swept over them. “I steered some people out of the way before they saw you with her,” he said to Alex, his duffel bag over his shoulder. He must have come straight from football practice because he’d clearly showered. “Next time, get a room.”

Alex’s mouth twisted into a wry smile. “Thanks.”

“Mm-hmm. Need to talk to you, Adrian.”

This was her escape route, and Adrian knew it, so she followed Grant outside to the parking lot. With every step, she berated herself. Somehow she’d ended up in a compromising position with Alex, all plastered against his locker, practically at the verge of tearing his clothes off right there in the school. In the school building!

“I want to take Nicky to the dance,” Grant said. “Will you talk to her for me?”

Adrian stared. Her little sister was a sophomore and Grant was a senior. He was so close-mouthed whereas Nicky couldn’t keep her mouth shut.

“But why? I don’t think you like her, do you?” she said.

He shoved his duffel bag higher on his shoulder. “No, I don’t like her, but the guys want me to go, and I need someone on my arm.”

“Why not pick another girl?”

“Nicky’s just a kid, Adrian. She won’t bother me; she won’t expect anything. It’ll boost her social standing, and I’ll get an escort. It’s a win-win.”

Adrian pursed her lips. Most likely, he’d buy a corsage for Nicky and drive her to the dance and then dump her off with her friends. Nicky wouldn’t even be insulted since she just wanted to go. It would be the safest date in the world.

It was a little odd, really, because he was almost six and a half feet of pure muscle and athleticism. Had he been someone else, he probably could have been the most popular guy in school, but no, that wasn’t a game he cared to play. He was the quietest of Alex’s friends, and in the short time Adrian had known him, she’d never been able to figure him out.

“You don’t like risking yourself, do you?” she said.

Grant shrugged. “Not with people, no. You on the other hand …”

“You think I’m risking myself with Alex, you mean?”

“I don’t care what you guys do.”

She nodded. “Fine. I’ll talk to my father.”

He was turning away when curiosity propelled her into calling after him. “Grant, wait,” she said. “Do you even have an opinion at all?”

She wasn’t sure if he’d answer, but to her surprise, he pondered her question. “You’re cold, but you’re smart, Adrian. I have the feeling you could probably break Alex’s heart if you were so inclined. In that case, be my guest.”

“I thought he was your friend.”

“Yes, he is, but he deserves to be taken down a peg or two.” And now Grant was smiling. “Then again, so do you.”

CHAPTER TEN

Adrian studied her reflection in the bathroom mirror. She’d adjusted her dress for what seemed like the umpteenth time, so it would drape her body just right. She’d even practiced walking in her new stilettos. Her hair and makeup were all set. Now if only she could just stop being so nervous.

She pressed a hand to her abdomen. The funny thing was, she hadn’t been nervous at that infamous party, but she’d had her anger and heartbreak to hold her up.
This
was her first true social outing. If it went well tonight, then maybe, just maybe, things would get better.

Squaring her shoulders, she stepped into the hallway. She could hear the murmur of voices in the foyer. “She had better be going with us,” Quentin was saying. “I don’t want her skipping out—hot damn!”

All conversation died as they turned, one by one. Her mouth curved into a sudden, dangerous smile as she glided across the foyer. She’d spent hours searching for the right “take-no-prisoners” Homecoming dress. Since Justin was doing his best imitation of a human tomato, she rather thought it had worked.

She knew what he was seeing. The dress was a deep, rich crimson, one that complemented her dark hair and eyes. It draped in a deep V across her chest, banded on the edges by brushed satin. The straps crossed beneath her breasts and met at the small of her naked back. The finishing touch was a straight skirt that would have been almost chaste, had it not boasted a slit that went straight from her ankle almost to her hip. All in all, it was one that she would never have worn for Jason.