The Sinner: A Dark College Romance

I ENTER OUR bedroom to find her lying in bed, her phone in her hand watching a music video on YouTube. “We’re leaving in thirty,” I inform her.

She sits up straighter, her cell falling to the bed. She’s been in here all day. I’m not sure if it’s the drugs wearing off that make her tired or if she’s just trying to catch up on her rest, but I like it. Her naked in our bed, all day long. I’ve used her for most of it. But we have plans.

“Corbin called. He and Kira want to go out.”

“Oh.” Her voice gives her away. She already knew. I know Kira called her earlier this morning after I left the house. They set it up. Like making me hang out with Corbin will help our already tense friendship. It won’t. But we’re going to a club, so it’s not like we’ll actually be doing much talking.

“Sin, I’m going to need more than thirty minutes.” She looks at the clock on her cell.

I grip a hold of her neck, forcing her back to the bed, and she sucks in a sexy breath as I run my tongue over her lips. Fuck, I’ll never get enough of her smell, her taste. “If you’re not willingly walking out of this house in thirty minutes, then I’ll throw you over my shoulder and carry you out.”

I don’t want to go but I said we would, and I’m a man of my word.

Her lips smile against mine. “Promise?”

“Always.” I push my lips to hers softly, giving her a kiss, and her hips rise up off the bed, wanting more. She’s not getting it. Not right now. Pulling away, she lifts her hands and runs them through my hair. I groan, my eyes falling closed.

I love tying her up and playing with her, but I also love when she touches me.

“We could stay in,” she offers. “I’m sure our bed is more fun than wherever we’re going.” She continues to play along as if she has no clue. I’ll let her.

“Don’t worry, little demon. I’ll be bringing you back home and tying you to this bed.”

“Sin,” she whimpers, her hips lifting again.

“You’ll lie here next to me the rest of the night, helpless, until morning when I finally decide to let you come.”

Her hands yank on my hair, pulling my head to the side, and she sinks her teeth into my neck, making my cock rock fucking hard before she sucks on it. I don’t stop her. I love that she wants to mark me. I want the world to know I belong to her just as much as I want them to know she belongs to me. “You’re going to run out of time,” I remind her.

“Maybe I just want you to drag me out of this house.”

Pulling back, I slide my arms under her legs and lift her out of bed as she fights me while laughing.

ELLINGTON

I CHOSE A black pleated mini skirt and a white crop top with a pair of Vans. Comfortable but still stylish. Kira messaged me earlier and informed me that Corbin and Sin agreed on Blackout tonight. I wasn’t surprised they picked a club instead of going to a dinner. Somewhere that required actual conversation.

My hair is up in a high pony, and I didn’t put much makeup on. Just some powder, blush, and lip gloss, and topped the look off with mascara. It’s enough to cover my face but definitely not full glam.

We’re in his car while he drives us down the curvy two-lane roads before he pulls into the back of a parking lot. It’s packed but I’m not surprised. Everyone comes to Blackout to get fucked up. I see a familiar car pull up and park a few spots from us and I jump out to see Kira exit Corbin’s passenger side.

She runs to me and throws her arms around me. God, I’ve missed her so much. “You have so much to catch me up on,” I whisper as I watch Sin eye his best friend up and down. Obviously still not happy about this, but if I know my best friend, he sure as hell can’t stop it.

“Let’s go get fucked up.” She gives me a big smile.

Corbin takes her hand and Sin grabs mine, slowing me down to let them walk a little ahead of us. I look up at him and he glares at me. “No drugs.”

His words catch me off guard and I come to a complete stop. He does as well and turns to face me. “Excuse me?” I demand. I know I’ve got a problem, but he’s never seemed to care before. Why would he now?

“You can drink all you want, but do not take any drugs,” he commands, eyes boring into mine.

I want to be mad. Tell him to fuck off. I wasn’t planning on doing any, but now I want to. Who the fuck does he think he is? We move in together and he’s going to tell me what I can and can’t do now?

“Elli.” He snaps my name, making me jump.

“Yeah.” I shake my head, swallowing nervously. Confused by his tone. “No,” I correct myself. “I won’t. I don’t have any on me.”

He snorts like that’s going to stop me, but he drops it and pulls me across the parking lot and into the back door that Corbin holds open for us.

_______________

TWO HOURS LATER, I’m pretty drunk. Had a couple of shots and am on my third drink. Me and Kira are making our way to the bathroom, leaving the guys sitting at the table. Her hand in mine and she’s practically skipping. “I’m so happy to see you happy.”

She throws me a drunken smile, her eyes practically closed. “I’m in love.”

“That—” I’m cut off by running into a hard object. It knocks us back a few steps.

“Hey, ladies.” The guy smiles at us, but I don’t miss how his eyes drop to my chest before going to hers as well. I know him. His name is Marcus, and he goes to Barrington University. He is the it guy if you want drugs. I’ve even bought from him before. It was a couple of years ago, though, at a Halloween party.

Another guy stands next to him; I know him from the university as well.

“Sorry,” I say and sidestep Marcus, pulling Kira behind me as we try to squeeze between him and the wall.

His hand shoots out, stopping us again. “It looks like you two could use a little help.” He reaches for me, and I take a step back, bumping into Kira.

“We’re good.” I push his hand away. Sin is still not in a good mood. Kira and I don’t give a fuck about the guys, but you can tell they’re not happy about being here with us tonight. And Sin’s been watching me closely. I keep thinking about what he said to me in the parking lot, and I wonder if tonight is a test somehow.

“You could be better,” the other guy says, making Kira gasp. She thinks he means our looks; I know he means drugs.

Marcus reaches up and rubs his chin, looking at me. “Need a party favor tonight?” he asks.

Kira answers before I can. “No.”

I’m sure that’s for Sin and Corbin’s sake. She doesn’t want Corbin or her brother to know that she’s tried them with me before. If Sin knew she did, he’d lose his shit.

The Lords would never. Getting high or taking any kind of substance to inhibit their behavior goes against their oath. They are always on their A game.

“How about you, Elli? Want a little something?”

I bite my bottom lip. The need to be good for Sin battles with the need to rebel just to see what he’ll do if I go against what he said. Reluctantly, I shake my head. “Not tonight.”

“Come find me when you change your mind,” Marcus adds, winking. “If there’s anything I can give you.” And then they continue down the hall.

I roll my eyes, entering the bathroom with Kira. She starts fixing her hair in the mirror. “God, I’m so glad I’m no longer part of the dating scene.”

“Yeah,” I mumble, walking into a stall and pulling up my skirt. “So, you and Corbin. Fill me in. All the details.” I’ve been a shit friend.

“Yep. He’s so great, Elli.” She sighs.

Exiting the stall, I walk over to her and start washing my hands. “I hope he’s good to you.”

“Amazing.” She bats her eyes.

Man, the girl has it bad. I’m happy for her. “Sin didn’t look so happy.”

She snorts. “I don’t care what he thinks. And neither does Corbin.” Unlocking the door, she pulls it open and in walks the last person I want to see tonight. Sin’s chosen.

Amelia’s eyes look over me before pulling her lip back with a snort. I hate that I turn to watch her go to the sink. She opens up her Hermes clutch and reapplies her lipstick. Eyes meeting mine in the mirror. Thoughts of her fucking my boyfriend run through my mind and jealousy courses through me like electricity.

Popping her lips, she turns to face us. Placing her hands on her hips, a smile spreads across her face. “How’s it feel to be two for two, Elli?”

My brows pull together, confused by her question, but it’s Kira who actually asks. “What are you talking about?”

She looks from me to Kira, then back to me. Taking a step closer, the smile just grows. “You mean your best friend doesn’t know about Daddy and his friend?”

I stiffen at her words. The blood rushing in my ears. How would she know? She wouldn’t. She’s digging. Staying silent, she snorts and looks to Kira. “She’s fucked both of her stepdads.” Leaning forward, she whispers in my ear, “What do you think your mother would do if she found out?”

My hands fist down by my sides. My mother knows about James, just not the truth. The story he told her. I’m sure it was that I came onto him. Threw myself at him. But my mother has no clue about Lincoln. Or she would have mentioned him too.

Pulling back, Amelia shrugs. “I mean, if my daughter slept with my husbands, I know what I’d do to the fucking whore.”

“Who told you that?” Kira demands, pushing me to the side. She thinks it’s a lie. A horrible rumor being spread about me. I’ve never told her.

Pushing her hip out, Amelia looks down at her nails. “Your brother.”

“He’s fucking lying,” Kira shouts.

“Was he, though?” She tilts her head to the side. “Let’s ask Ellington. Elli, tell us that James and Lincoln didn’t both fuck you in James’s office.”

I’m trying to catch my breath. Unable to answer even if I wanted to. The betrayal I feel from Sin all too consuming. Why would he tell her? When did he tell her?

“Elli?” A hand touches my shoulder and I jump back from Kira. Her eyes full of pity watching mine fill with tears. I knew it was too good to be true. Sin isn’t the kind of guy you fall in love with and marry. He’s the kind that uses you until he gets bored and moves on.

“You know you’re a pity fuck, right?” Amelia continues at my silence.

“Shut up!” Kira snaps at her.

But she doesn’t. Instead, she steps back into me. “You’re an easy fucking lay that he feels sorry for. He might be fucking us both, but you’re the one he’ll dump once he’s decided you’re no longer worth it.”

Kira begins to laugh, making Amelia’s face tighten. “Seriously? Now we know you’re lying. Because my brother is not fucking you.”

Amelia opens up her clutch and removes her phone. She then holds it up in front of us and a video starts to play. It’s Sin’s room at the house of Lords. There’s no sound but the video is as clear as day. He’s sitting on the bed, fully dressed, his back up against the headboard staring down at his phone in his hands. Sin looks up and then you see Amelia enter his room. He gets to his feet, setting his cell on the nightstand. She walks right up to him, and they waste no time. She removes her sundress. He removes his shirt. She kicks off her heels and then pushes her underwear down her bony legs. She’s not wearing a bra, her fake breasts on full display for him.

He gestures to the bed, and she crawls onto it, rolling onto her back. Standing beside it, he pulls rope out from the headboard and ties both of her wrists above her head.

She closes her eyes, arching her back, and spreads her legs wide for him. He lowers his hands to his jeans and undoes his belt. Pulling it from the loops, he then wraps it around her neck, letting the excess lay down the center of her chest. When he turns to open his nightstand. I slap her phone out of her hands.

“Bitch,” she snaps, bending down to pick it up.

My heart is racing, my stomach in my throat. I want to deny it, but it was right there in front of my face. He was wearing the same clothes that he left our house in just this morning. He lied to me. Told me it was Lord related. But was that a lie? She’s his chosen because he’s a Lord. I just never questioned what it was.

He fucked me when he got home. In our bed. In the house that he said he got for us. I let him touch me and he had just been with her.

“You taped it?” Kira barks. “Sin is going to kill you when he finds out.” She stabs her finger into Amelia’s chest. “And I will tell him. I promise you that. Right fucking now.” She spins around to rush out.

Amelia bursts out laughing, making my friend pause. “Oh my God, this is better than I imagined.” Her laughter grows, the high-pitched sound hurting my ears. “He never told you…” She slaps her stomach, doubling over.

“Who never told me what?” Kira yells at her.

She rights herself and pushes her hair from her face. She’s almost in tears she was laughing so hard. “Every Lord has cameras in their rooms at the house of Lords.”

Kira’s face pales, her eyes now wide. Swallowing, she whispers, “No—”

“Yes.” Amelia steps into her. “Corbin has been recording you every time you let him fuck you in his room. And then he shows it to all of his friends, laughing while they all watch how shitty of a lay you are.” With that, she flings her hair over her shoulder and saunters out of the bathroom.

Silence fills the bathroom and I place my hands on the countertop, my head dropping. I’m trying to breathe once again.

“Did you know?” she whispers.

“No.” I had no clue my boyfriend was fucking Amelia. I mean, she’s his chosen. I just never thought about it. But of course, he is. And as far as the cameras in their rooms? I’ve only been in his once and we didn’t do anything. I stormed out, saw Kira in the hallway, and begged her to get me the hell out of there.

“He would not sleep with her.” Kira denies it. “She is—”

“His chosen,” I shout, pushing away from the counter to stare at her. “I’m nobody. Nothing. She is his chosen. She’s important.” Even the Lords don’t want me. For some girls, being a chosen means something to them. Their chance to serve. I had always thought it was disgusting. But now? Now I realize I’m nothing to Sin other than a pity fuck. That’s worse. “Did you not see the video?”

“That could have been weeks ago.” She runs a hand through her hair. She’s focusing on my situation to avoid her own. I saw the hurt in her eyes that Corbin hadn’t informed her he’s been recording them.

I don’t even bother telling her that video was from this morning. She’s got her own shit to deal with now and it just makes me look like an even bigger stupid bitch. “Don’t tell Sin about the video. Or that we spoke to Amelia.”

She bites her red-painted lip. “Give him a chance—”

“If you can keep a secret about fucking Corbin then I think you can keep my secret of what just happened,” I snap. Sin doesn’t deserve a second to explain why he’s cheating on me. It’ll just be another situation where I look like a stupid slut.

She sucks in a deep breath, squaring her shoulders, and I run a hand through my hair, trying to slow my racing pulse.

“Your secret is safe with me.” Then she turns and exits the bathroom.

“Fuck.”

Staying a few extra seconds, I make sure to clean up my face and get my breathing under control. Just when I think I’ve finally gotten myself together, I exit the bathroom and make it back to the bar. I can see our table from here, across the room. Corbin and Kira are gone. Not surprised. She probably told him they were leaving. Not like he’d care; Sin isn’t speaking to him anyway.

I catch sight of Sin sitting there, sipping on a beer, the same one since we got here. It’s got to be warm by now. And I’m also not surprised to see the queen bitch herself standing right there. Her hands on the table as she’s leaning over, her tits in his face. Again. Just like in the video.

What I am surprised about is the way he looks up at her. It’s with hatred. How he used to look at me. Back before he found out what I whore I really am.

Any normal person would know that this thought process isn’t healthy or rational. But it’s how I think. I love the Sin that doesn’t give a fuck. That he holds you down and wants to mark you. I don’t want a man who is afraid to break me. And I thought that was him. I was wrong.

I spin around to rush out the exit and hit a hard body. “Sorry.” Looking up, I sigh. Not again.

“I feel like you’re doing that on purpose.” Marcus laughs. His eyes drop to my hands and then frowns. “Where’s your drink?”

“Don’t have one,” I shout over the music.

“Well, that won’t do.” I let him grab my arm and pull me over to the bar, knowing I’m going to piss Sin off and not giving a fuck.