Hateful Games: (An arranged marriage billionaire romance) (Arranged Games Book 2)

“So, did you get a good look at his dick? Is it as huge as the rumors say? Did you feel it? How was it?” Bianca questions rapidly, sounding awfully curious.

“Are you really skipping over the part where he threw me over his shoulder like a Neanderthal and spanked me in public? Three times!”

“Sounds kinda hot.”

“Oh my god!” I mutter, shaking my head.

“You love that shit in the books you read.”

“Books being the keyword.”

“Whatever, it’s just spanking. I would pay for a man to spank me,” she teases wistfully. “And quit distracting me. I’m not ending this call unless you put a rest to the rumors once and for all.”

“Let it go, Bee.”

“Oh, come on! Let me live vicariously through you.”

“Niall still not putting out, huh?”

Bianca began dating a senior, Niall, beginning of the semester as they hit it off during the fresher’s party. He’s a decent guy, good-looking in a bad boyish way, but extremely dumb when it comes to taking a hint. I’ve met him once when the three of us went out and I could tell they fell for each other hard and fast. The only reason he got my approval was because he treated my best friend like a treasure.

Now, I’m doubting it.

If only he would get his head out of his ass and realize a girl needs more than pretty words. Like getting down and dirty between the sheets as much as the guys. Girls have needs too.

Bianca doesn’t say it but I know Niall’s lack of efforts are starting to affect her.

“I told you that you should’ve just fucked the older brother.”

“For the last time, I’m not cheating on Niall with Dash.”

“Then dump him.”

“Not happening. I love him,” she replies all lovey-dovey. “You still haven’t answered my question.”

“What?”

“Is Nova really blessed down there? Are the legendary stories true?”

“Ugh.” Knowing her stubborn ass won’t let it go, I half-heartedly reply, “I didn’t get a look, okay?” Besides, just the feel of this thickness was too much for me. The second he had dragged me down his length, I was gulping in fear and wicked burning curiosity. I was too afraid to take a glimpse, for the fear I would faint at the sight.

And give him even more ammunition to annoy me.

He already has an enormous ego.

Just like his dick… Shut up, brain.

“But you wanted to?”

“God no.” Liar, Liar… pants on fire. “I don’t want anywhere near that thing.”

“You’re telling me you didn’t even feel it when he was pressed against you?”

“Oh, I’m sorry, I was too busy trying to get away to measure his dick with my invisible inch tape to sate your curiosity,” I mumble sarcastically.

She sighs. “What a shame.”

“I have no regrets. I’m not spending a second alone with him for the rest of my trip.” Especially after his parting words. The man has declared war and I’ll be damned if I lose.

“Well, I gotta go, Ro,” says Bianca from the other end, bringing me back to the present. “And don’t forget my shopping list.”

“And face your wrath? I value my life,” I joke, making her laugh.

“Love you.”

“Bye, Bee.” I hang up.

Last night, after I changed into Nova’s hoodie—which I ignore I’m still wearing and also slept in—he took me out from a secret exit and brought me straight back to his apartment.

I didn’t fight because the last thing I wanted was to face the hungry crowd, who saw me being manhandled and mauled by their favorite boxer. I wanted to forget it ever happened but the thousands of friend and follower request I got on social media threw water all over my plans.

Switching off my phone, I went to sleep.

And the notifications were still coming rapidly when I checked this morning.

Although, I’m feeling a lot better after talking to Bee. She’s the only therapy I need.

Sleep now forgotten, which is a shock because I’m hardly a cheerful morning person, I decide to face the day and my two companions. One of whom I haven’t seen since the fight while the other left me alone as soon as we got home. Probably to sleep outside on the couch because the other side of the bed is untouched.

I reply to my mom’s text—nothing from dear old Dad—that I missed yesterday, I message her back saying I reached here safely. And that her precious future son-in-law was a wonderful chauffeur.

Because hello, delulu.

Leaving my phone on the nightstand, I slide down the bed, grab random clothes from my suitcase, and walk into the bathroom. It’s only seven in the morning, so I’ll have to kill some time before I can go sightseeing and shopping. I’m not the kind of person who feels weird exploring alone or having lunch by myself.

In fact, I love it.

Just me, myself, and I.

And of course, a smutty book to get lost into.

Under the quietness and mist of the shower, my mind travels to the memories of the previous night. I let the feelings they evoked in me reign. Admit the rush of thrill I got when he didn’t treat me like I was made of porcelain. Since we’ve collided, he never has. Unlike most people in my life, to whom I’m simply invisible.

Discardable.

Tradable.

His filthy yet arrogant words play on a loop in my head as I run my hands down the slope of my neck. I pause, spreading my fingers around the column of my throat. Mimicking the way he did it. With my eyes closed, I can almost imagine it’s his lingering touch still ghosting over my skin. Fingers tightening and squeezing ever so lightly.

The unleashed angst in his gaze that wanted to push for more.

Always holding the promise of crossing the line.

“I wouldn’t be as ruthless with you if I thought you were less than my equal, Rose.” It was the fire behind this confession that hasn’t stopped haunting and invading a dark corner inside me, and kept me tossing and turning.

As I become lost, everything from that moment replays as if I’m right there again. His sculpted and toned body towering and unyielding against mine. Burning with bridled aggression.

I graze my hard nipples with my fingertips as the vision of him shoving my arms over my head flies across my mind. While his deep and husky voice echoes, teasing and taunting.

Shivering under the spray of water, a restlessness growing between my thighs. So confusing and powerful and insistent.

My fingers descend even lower, my stomach tightening while I pant faster.

The ache intensifies and the second the top of my hand comes in contact with my clit, I moan, “Mmhmm.”

Don’t ruin them.

The tiny sound slipping past my lips plus Nova’s taunting voice in my head burst through the lustful haze and has me snapping my eyes open. I yank my hand away from my pussy while immediately coming to my senses.

Jesus! What the hell am I doing?

Shame washes over me and I shut off the showerhead with rough movements. Pulling at the towel from the hook, I quickly dry myself off.

Even though the overwhelming emotions and sensations I felt at Nova’s forced proximity leave a wake of goosebumps on my skin.

It’s pathetic, really, that he’s the only man who’s ever gotten this close.

Taken this many liberties.

Held me possessively.

It leaves me curious and wanting more, not from him, though. And trust me, I’ve tried over the years. All those crappy first dates that showed up instead of straight-up ghosting have left me feeling like I’m too blunt for anybody to handle.

One thing I promised myself was that I’d never change for anybody, least of all a man.

Too bad the one who can handle my snarkiness is my villain and also the man I can never truly have. Unless I willingly want to burn and destroy myself in our mutual hatred.

Exactly why slippery moments like last night and this morning can never repeat.

It was a momentary lapse of judgement.

Nothing more.

Because there’s no way I could be attracted to Nova, right? I mean, it’s insane and impossible. I must really be starved for touch. Or those smutty novels I binge-read have seriously twisted my brain’s wires.

Throwing myself into my favorite pair of black denim jeans, I wear a black tube bra and over it, put on a silky and floral top with a simple knot in the middle. It leaves my midriff bare, making me feel cute yet sexy.

As soon as I’m done blow-drying my red curls into straight waves down my back, I leave the bedroom. Making my way to the open kitchen, I’m relieved to find it empty. There’s nothing but silence as cool breeze blows into the open expanse of the living room from the balcony.

Setting my phone on the counter, I survey the contents of the fridge, hoping to find some fruits to have as breakfast. I’ve never been able to handle heavy food first thing in the morning. Probably because my ass never leaves the bed before noon.

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Humming to myself, I see some leftovers, a half-eaten sandwich and empty beer bottles. Gross. At least one section of the flat resembles a messy bachelor pad. Sadly, I see no fruit. Guess, I’ll have to—

“You ghosted me, trouble.”

I yelp, startled at Malcolm’s deep voice from behind me. “Malcolm!”

He quirks one eyebrow, looking smug and eyes highlighted with amusement while his lips stay in a firm line.

“Way to give a girl a heart attack,” I complain.

He shrugs one big shoulder, looking freshly showered in a plain white tee and gray sweatpants. “I thought you hated Nova. Yet you sneaked out with him.”

“I was given no choice in the matter.” I move back and lean against the counter as he rummages in the fridge. I hide my surprise when he magically pulls out a crate of eggs.

“Omelet or scrambled eggs?”

“Omelet, please.”

Turning toward the stove, he switches it on and settles a clean pan on it. Then says over his shoulder, “You two also spent quite some time alone in the locker. People were complaining.”

I narrow my eyes at his sly insinuation, even though he can’t see me. “We didn’t fuck, Mr. Nosy Pants.”

“No one’s going to believe that.”

“It’s a good thing I don’t live here then.”

“Ever heard of social media? Twenty-first century? Internet?” he teases, as he transfers a perfectly cooked omelet onto a plate. Passing it to me after coming to stand beside me against the island, he shares, “You two are the talk of the town after that little stunt. I told you not to get lost.”

“You’re not an idiot, Malcolm. I bet you knew Nova was going to react badly.”

His voice drops low as he leans closer. “So did you, love.”

The retort is on the tip of my tongue when the slamming of the front door pulls us apart. I frown when I hear two sets of footsteps, followed by a girl’s cheery voice.

Instantly, Malcolm’s whole demeanor changes to his original frostiness. More intense than usual while his shoulders stiffen as the voice comes nearer. We’re both standing close as we see Nova and a girl, who looks about my age, round the hallway.

My fingers curl against the island when I take in Nova’s ample muscles in broad daylight, looking like he came from a morning run. Sweat gliding down his chest makes his golden skin glisten over a tight set of abs, corded arms with his veins popping, while his running shorts hang dangerously low over the V of his hips.

I’d be a fool if I denied his body was a work of art.

Strong.

Coiled with aggression.

Chiseled and muscular.

And I had all of him pressed against me last night.

Retreat, retreat, retreat.

I yank myself out of the stupor, listening to my brain’s warning when Nova’s sharp gaze zooms in on me, roaming down the length of my body. I suddenly feel naked underneath his brazen stare. Payback for me doing the same a second ago, before narrowing in the corners when they flick to his roommate standing cozily beside me.

Is he jealous? I push away the absurd thought.

Our connection breaks when the strange girl, who I completely forgot about, comes forward and introduces herself.

“Hey, Rosalie, I’m Miya,” she says with a smile. “We didn’t get to meet last night. Apparently, someone was hogging you all to himself.”

The name rings a bell and I recognize her instantly as Nova’s cousin. Tall and willowy with short wavy hair hanging to her shoulders and exotic features, she’s a gorgeous woman. The energy she’s exuding, paired with a genuine grin, she reminds me of my older sister, Jasmine. If they ever meet, they’ll click like two peas in a pod.

I can’t help but smile when she says the last part with a pointed glare toward Nova. Only to nervously bite it down when Nova stares at my lips, looking feral and annoyed. I school my features and focus on Miya.

“Hii, Miya, I’ve heard about you.” I wave my hand in a hey motion. “I didn’t know you were coming to meet me.”

Her head whips to an impassive Nova. “You didn’t tell her?”

“Do I look like a pigeon?” he quips, running his fingers through his messy hair as he walks past an irritated Miya and deeper into the room.

Miya rolls her eyes at his response before looking apologetically at me and murmurs sarcastically, “My arsehole cousin suffers from short-term memory loss.”

“I think he’s just an ass,” I reply, making Malcolm snicker.

Miya finally takes notice and their eyes lock, the tension between them palpable. And if I said Malcolm’s icy exterior was scary, his heated intensity takes the cake. The man looks like he could eat her alive.

I’m too busy observing them to notice the sudden warmth against my back. Nova’s musky scent hits my nostrils, raising the tiny hairs on my neck. I behave as nonchalant as possible while wondering when he moved so swiftly, as silent and graceful as a panther.

His hand brushes my waist, like he has every night to touch me intimately, as he wedges his shoulder between me and Malcolm to steal a bite of my omelet.

“Hey! That was mine,” I snap, when he steals another.

“My house, my food,” he arrogantly replies. Pushing me aside completely, almost tripping me in the process, he grabs my plate and walks off. “Cook your own.”

“Jerk,” I say to his retreating back as he goes to the living room, where he slumps down on the big couch. Malcolm follows suit with his own plate. I stare at their heads, flabbergasted as they switch on the television to some random soccer match.

“Selfish pricks.”

“Are they always like this?” I mutter to Miya, who wears a matching expression like mine.

“You’ve met them, right?” Her tone is sarcastic. “I love Nova but sometimes, I just want to smack the shit out of him.”

Her threat still holds a deep note of affection, revealing they are more like siblings than cousins. Although, I find it extremely hard to believe he’s capable of loving anyone. Or has the capacity to be nice. Or possess humanity.

Because with me, he’s demonic, leaving nothing but destruction around.

“Too bad, ’cause I want to do it all the time.”

She laughs. “Do you want to go out and have breakfast together? My treat.”

My first instinct is to say no since I don’t really know her. The idea of making small talk with a stranger, especially one related to Nova, sounds painful. Nevertheless, she came all this way to spend time and doesn’t seem half bad, so I swallow down my natural impulse and nod.

“Sure.”

“Perfect, I know an amazing café.”