Scandalous Games (Arranged Games Book 1)

(Seven years ago)

Love really turns people blind.

The prime example of that notion sits in front of me when I come downstairs and I’m met with the sight of the clinging couple. Niall and Bianca. Still together.

My hand balls into a fist as she sits on his lap with her melodic laugh spilling in the room while he kisses and nips all over her delicate neck. Since I’m a glutton for punishment, I stare at the reverence in her pupils as she runs her finger over his jaw with a shy smile.

I also watch him.

The way he possessively gazes at and holds her. The arrogance on his face as he knows he has everything he could ever want. Perfect family. Perfect friends. Perfect girlfriend.

I’m not the least bit surprised by Bianca, not after I watched her pretend like nothing ever happened. The fact that she almost got raped outside the club because her boyfriend forgot about her. No, like a goddamn lovesick fool with a warped sense of loyalty, she had invited him back into her arms the next morning.

Why the fuck do I care if she still wants him?

And how many times do I have to remind myself that it’s none of my business? She must really be desperate for love if she’s continuing to date my scumbag of a stepbrother. She will soon learn that having the biggest heart is the worst weakness, and soon… her biggest mistake.

I got distracted by her soft beauty and was caught in her web for a second. But it’s time I snatch what Niall values the most—Bianca.

My stepbrother only cares about two things: his reputation and his possessions. If anyone threatens either, he lashes out. And I plan to use the same weakness against him.

Over the weeks, I’ve slowly and passively planted the seed that I desire Bianca. It helps that she always fucking blushes in my presence and despite how hard she tries, her eyes always stray to mine when I’m in the same room.

Especially after I saved her the other night.

In his jealousy-induced brain, Niall mistakes it for a crush on her side when it is anything but. He’s so stupid he doesn’t realize she is devoted to him.

He doesn’t notice my presence but her dark brown gaze collides with mine and she sucks in a sharp breath, freezing on his lap. They begin to move down my naked chest but snap back up when she realizes the involuntary action.

Our eyes lock as though an invisible thread tethers us.

I just know she’s thinking of the scene in the club when she watched me deep throat a random girl. I almost smile when I recall what she did after.

Our connection breaks when there’s a loud slamming of the door and my best friend, Justin, rounds the corner. Niall’s head snaps in his direction and his eyes turn into slits. He hates his guts just as much as he hates mine. Solely on the fact that we are close.

Justin ignores his glare and meets me in the kitchen, making Niall’s head turn and notice my presence. His eyes narrow in comical rage at my half-naked state in front of his girlfriend, who looks anywhere but at me. Just to fuck with him, I run my gaze over her languidly, purposely spending a little too long on her tits.

I smirk before listening to Justin.

“When the fuck is he going to remove the stick up his ass?”

“When the sun stops shining.”

“So… never.”

I pull out a mug from the top shelf and pour myself a cup of coffee before offering one to Justin. The lovey-dovey couple stays bickering on the couch. As I lean against the counter facing them, I sip the black liquid while my attention drifts to her.

Like a moth to a flame.

Except, she will be the one getting burned.

“Shit. You want her.”

I go still for a moment but casually deny it. “No. I don’t.”

“So you wouldn’t mind if I have a go at her?”

“Breathe in her direction and I’ll snap your neck.”

I curse inwardly when the bastard laughs and slaps me on the shoulder. “Stop drooling over your brother’s girl. It won’t end well.”

“She won’t be his for long.”

His brows draw together in suspicion. “Whatever it is. Don’t fucking do it, Stern.”

Mood sour, I throw the rest of my coffee in the sink and ignore his warning. My mind is already made up. I’ll probably be doing her a favor. “Is the party still on?”

“Obviously.”

“Invite Niall.”

“The fuck. Why?” His lips pull in disgust as he flicks his gaze to Niall.

“Just do it.”

“Whatever. The asshole probably won’t even come.”

Oh, he will, and he’ll show up with Bianca to flaunt her in my face. It’d be the last time he ever does, though.

***

An hour after the party is in full swing, they arrive and I smirk. Bianca looks nervous and apprehensive like she’d rather be anywhere else. The tight-as-fuck purple dress she’s wearing molds to her ample curves enticingly. I run my tongue between my teeth as I realize it barely reaches the tops of her thighs and slides up even higher as she walks.

The urge to shove Niall’s arm from her ass rises to the forefront of my vision and turns it black with red-hot jealousy. I gulp the rest of my whiskey down and slam the glass on the bartop. If I let my desire for the siren of a woman cloud my judgment, I won’t be able to go through with tonight.

I never claimed to be a good man. And I won’t start now.

Maybe once it’s all over and she’s no longer in love with Niall, I’ll make her mine.

I already know what she likes, her favorite food and movies. I also know she’s clumsy, loves to talk, funny, and she intrigues me like no other. Because of her, I spend my weekends at home just to catch a glimpse of her rather than traveling, which I love. Because of her, I don’t hate the city as much as I used to.

So maybe I’m doing it more for selfish reasons.

The corner I’m standing in gives me a full view of the room, the mass of sweaty bodies on the dance floor, some playing pool in the corner. Niall runs into his friends, slapping their backs and laughing with them while oblivious that Bianca is uncomfortable, even as she smiles.

Seriously, what does she see in him?

“So, is that the guy you want me to fuck?” hums Justin’s friend, Teresa, sizing Niall up and down with a heated gleam in her eyes.

“Seduce. Not fuck,” I clarify. “Long enough until the girl with him sees you two together.”

Teresa is always looking for a good time, especially if it’ll ruin someone else’s night. I met her through Justin, who she hooks up with when he wants to blow off some steam while she does it in the hopes of dating him. The whole town knows he’s the heir to the Merchant legacy and the next CEO of his family’s real estate company.

So it didn’t take much convincing after I told Teresa that Niall is a trust fund kid and will have his own company—my father’s—to run one day. After she heard this, she was all game.

“You’re an evil man, Dash,” she muses seductively while running one finger down my chest. “Breaking that poor girl’s heart. You want to steal her from him?”

I push her hand away from my chest and dryly reply, “How about you stick to your business?”

“Fine.”

“Take him in one of the rooms upstairs once he’s away from her.”

She flicks her hair back and retorts, “I know the drill.”

Shaking my head, I watch her strut her way to Niall and his friend’s little group and introduce herself. My stepbrother secretly leers at her ass before roaming to her face. I curse his stupidity for ignoring the beautiful girl he’s lucky to have and chasing after another pussy. In this room, Bianca outshines everyone. No other woman holds a candle to her innocence.

If she were mine, she would become my entire world. Until her, I didn’t realize how much I craved to have just that.

The night goes on and it isn’t long before Niall ghosts Bianca. Yet again.

Instead of moving from my spot, I observe her. She’s standing in the crowd, small eyes scanning the dark room while worrying her bottom lip. A tempting and innocent little bait if there ever was one.

My phone vibrates in my pocket, so I pull it out and read the text.

TERESA: Show time.

ME: You have 15 fifteen minutes.

TERESA: Only need five. *wink emoji* Looks like we’ll be doing that girl a favor after all. Because guess who invited me to the room. Hint… Not me.

Fuck. Does this mean he’s cheated on Bianca more than once? A flicker of guilt inserts into my psyche but I shove it down. Pocketing my phone, I focus on my obsession just as another guy approaches her. Jaw clenching, I push through the crowd and stop right behind her. She shivers while tilting her head to the side, sensing my presence.

“Scram,” I growl at the little shit.

He scatters away after one look at my face. Bianca twirls around and lifts her chin defiantly. Crossing her arms that push her full tits together, she taunts, “Stalking much?”

I fight the urge to smile and stay quiet.

“Why can’t you leave me alone?” she grumbles in annoyance.

“That seems more of your boyfriend’s thing, kitten.”

“He went to get me a drink.”

“You’re a terrible liar.”

Her face goes beet red and my dick hardens, imaging the same color while she chokes on my shaft.

“He—he’ll be back,” she stammers.

I lean down as she swallows and hover my mouth against her ear, inhaling her scent. When she sharply inhales, I ache to bite into her skin. Instead, I taunt, “Or maybe he likes to sneak away too.”

She shoves me back at my insinuation and angrily growls, “He would never.”

“Why? Has he finally fucked you, kitten?”

Doubt creeps in just as an embarrassed flush appears, giving me my answer. With a smirk, I turn around and walk away. And when I look back, she’s already halfway up the stairs.

Come morning, my stepbrother will finally learn life is neither fair nor perfect.

And Bianca… she will remember me as her savior when I’ve always been the villain.

Ten minutes later, when I slide behind the wheel ready to leave, there’s a text on my phone. Attached to it is a photo of a hurt Bianca standing in the doorway. I throw my phone, unable to stare at her crying face.

The sense of victory I expected never comes and I drive away.

It’s almost after an hour that there’s a knock on my bedroom door and I jerk it open, coming to a halt.

“Bianca.”