Tame the Beast (Ever After #1) (3 page)

“I’m sure.” Rose nodded as they turned past the last building before their dorm. “He seems like the type, but it’s a great way to meet more people. And I plan on enjoying these years. What about you?”

“Yeah, but—”

“And Luke and Deacon will most likely be there. They’re all friends, right? I thought you liked them?”

“Yeah from the few minutes I met them, but—”

“But nothing,” Rose interrupted before Clara could make more excuses. “You told me your sister made you promise to go to at least one party, right? Why not get it out of the way now? Come on. Please, Clara?”

Clara looked into the pleading eyes of her new friend. Rose’s pout was almost as good as her sister Harper’s. With one huff, Clara blew the few stray hairs that managed to escape her low bun. “Fine.”

Rose cheered as they entered their residence hall. At least with the scavenger hunt taken care of, Clara would have the rest of the day to rest. She planned on putting her sore feet up and diving back into her current story the second she entered their room.

The hours of escape flew by fast, and Clara soon found herself catching hordes of clothes that flew her way. Corin was very persistent in telling them to dress to impress. Rose was thrilled, determined to turn Clara into her personal Barbie doll. Clara pretended to be unfazed, but her gut fluttered with the excitement of a makeover, even for one night. She blamed Rose’s sparkling optimism. It was contagious.

Taking a deep breath, Clara took in her new look. The added makeup around her brown eyes made them stand out. Her pale yellow button up flowed loosely around her torso while Rose’s dark skinny jeans did a number to show off Clara’s lean legs. Legs that went on forever thanks to her roommate’s black heels. There was no doubt that her feet would hate her after the night.

She hated to admit it, but Rose had a great sense of fashion. Clara had never been concerned about her wardrobe unless it was for a special occasion. She always had other things on her mind. But one glance into the thin dorm mirror and Clara’s body tingled with delight. Playing with her hair that was no longer held prisoner by the usual hair tie, Clara beamed at Rose and asked, “Ready?”

“Uh-huh,” Rose replied, smacking her lips together as she applied a coat of ruby red lipstick. “Are you?”

Clara nodded. “A little nervous. I don’t do parties.”

A soft smile pulled at Rose’s pink cheeks. “Honestly, this will be my first that doesn’t include a birthday cake.” Self-assurance grew in her voice as her eyes met Clara’s. “But I’m going to enjoy this year.”

Clara smiled wide. “I knew there was a reason I liked you.”

Rose laughed as they waltzed out their door, arms linked. The cool summer wind brushed against Clara’s warm cheeks. Excitement buzzed through her. Walking toward the student apartments with Rose by her side made her realize just how much her life had changed in a few days. Clara no longer needed to check in with her father when she was running late. Not that she ever ran late, but it was the idea of being on her own that gave Clara a new sense of independence. She was beginning to understand what made Rose so cheery. Somewhere between studying for exams and dreaming of the future, she had entered adulthood. She knew the day would come, but she’d been so concerned with graduating and moving on she almost missed the moment.

By the time the bass from the party reached Clara’s ears, she was ready to enjoy herself. From the happy looks on the faces of the crowd, the party would not disappoint. It didn’t take Corin long to spot them from across the room. He was at their side in a few long strides. His eyes swept over Clara with such lusty approval it made her skin crawl. She didn’t want Corin’s attention. Never had.

Before she could turn and sprint back to her dorm, he asked, “What can I get you, ladies?”

Rose was quick to respond, “What do you suggest?”

With a wicked glint in his eye, he asked, “Do you trust me?”

Before either could answer, he disappeared into the crowd and headed for the kitchen. The girls looked back at each other, both wondering the same thing. Do they follow? With small shuffles, they stepped further into the room. It wasn’t long before Rose was bouncing to the song that poured from the speakers, encouraging Clara to do the same. The music itched at her body, and soon she was moving in sync with her friend as she scanned their surroundings.

The apartment was not like she imagined it would be. Instead of the typical college bachelor pad with limited furniture and beer bottles scattered over every surface, Corin’s place looked like it came out of a home magazine. She was impressed which, to her dismay, made her distaste for him lessen. When he returned with two cups in hand, Clara happily reached out. The red liquid sloshed around the rim.

“What is it?” Rose asked over the pounding music.

“Jungle Juice. Our own little blend, so take it slow,” he replied with a wink.

Rose’s smile grew as the liquid touched her lips. “It’s good.”

Clara swallowed hard and tilted her cup. The sweet mixture swept across her tongue. Its fruity tastes filled her senses, but the burning in her throat was stronger than any taste from her father’s beer or sip of champagne. Surprisingly, she enjoyed it.

Corin nodded his approval. “Come on,” he said as he guided them to a long table where cups stood like bowling pins at either end. “You ever play before?”

Clara tried to hide her nervousness with a smile. She didn’t go to parties. At least not ones dominated by her peers who drank themselves silly. She wasn’t even sure what the proper protocol was. Afraid to embarrass herself, Clara struggled for words. The stuttering sounds that spewed from her mouth caused her cheeks to burn more.

Bless Rose’s heart for coming to Clara’s rescue, as she batted her eyelashes and asked, “Why don’t you teach us?”

Corin pounced at the opportunity by kicking the two teams off the table before yelling, “Hey Marcus, get your ass over here.”

Marcus’s wide frame pushed through the crowd and took his place at Corin’s side, the top of his head barely reaching Corin’s shoulder. “Are we going to take on these beautiful ladies?”

“No, we’re going to teach them.” Corin’s lust-filled gaze left Clara feeling dirty. “You can be Rose’s partner.”

Clara shivered at the thought of Corin creeping his way to her side under the pretense of teaching her how to play. There was no way she was going to allow that to happen. Raising her chin, Clara tried to mimic the flirtatious tone Rose used earlier. “Actually, I wanted to be Rose’s partner. You don’t mind, do you?”

Corin’s gaze raked over her again. Clara resisted the urge to throw her drink in his face. Perhaps the shock would snap him out of the little fantasy she was sure his mind was thinking. No way, no how. He could stare all he wanted. She wasn’t going to return his desire.

“Okay.” A roguish smile pulled at his lips. “Maybe we’ll play for something good.”

“Maybe you just teach us first.”

To her relief, Corin’s attention returned to the game as he explained the rules. It seemed simple enough. Throw the little ball at the cups and pray it goes in.

With Rose at her side, the duo proved to be quite the pair. They dominated the table as new friends found their way over to watch and cheer along with every shot.

In a daze, Clara looked around and soaked up the joy that pulsed through every one of her veins. She was about to turn her attention back to the game when she caught a glimpse of someone pushing through the overcrowded doorway.

A hum of cheers greeted him. The energy of the room sent tingles deep within her stomach. A wicked grin formed on his full lips.
A smile like that should be illegal,
she thought as her heart pounded violently against her chest. She forced her attention to the red cups at the end of the table but her mind remained fixed on the tall stranger with the broad, muscular shoulders. He had the type of arms that saw hours in the gym, strong and sculpted. Clara found herself wondering what each curve would feel like under the tips of her fingers.

Her cheeks flushed red hot at the brazen thought. She didn’t gawk at guys, at least not any outside of the pages of a book.
Those
men were safe to swoon over. She couldn’t embarrass herself in front of a fictional man.

Clara tried to focus on game, but her hormones were already in overdrive. She had never responded to someone so intensely from just one glance. It unnerved her in every way possible, and yet, she found herself trying to steal another glimpse. This time, her eyes met his steel blue ones. Her heart pounded as she tried to force her cheeks from overheating. She couldn’t explain it, but something in the depth of her libido told her there was nothing innocent in the way he stared back.

* * *

“Adam!” Luke greeted from across the crowded floor. The party was in full swing, and each step into the apartment felt like one more worry falling off of Adam’s shoulders. Here with the bass pounding, drinks pouring, and beautiful ladies dancing, he was in his element. Adam found his way to the keg where Luke handed him a much-needed beer. “Man, you look like you just came back from a fight.”

You have no idea,
Adam thought. The meeting with his mother yesterday had been a nightmare come to life. For over an hour, she chastised him for his behavior involving a certain teaching assistant and her shame of giving away passing grades for a couple of reckless nights. In exchange for her silence, the assistant was transferred to a new university with a clean record, but under the condition she would squash any future rumors. Angela Beaumont was furious at the man her son was becoming. She even went as far as to remind him how disappointed his father would be if he were still alive. Adam’s gut twisted with guilt, but what pissed him off the most was the moment she laid out her final ultimatum.

“Yo!” Luke called out. “Adam, you okay?”

Adam’s irritated thoughts were pulled away from the meeting and back to the party. Forcing a smile, he replied, “Yeah, man. I’ll tell you about it later.”

“Does it have anything to do with why you gave your apartment up to Corin?”

“Later.” Adam wasn’t in the mood to discuss why he was forced to move back into the family home, giving up his prized apartment. He would rather enjoy what was left of his night.

Determined to push the last of his mother’s harsh words out of his mind, he downed the contents of his beer and refilled his cup before venturing out into the mass of partiers. His eyes surveyed the beautiful women around him until they settled on a familiar pair that captivated him from the moment he stepped in the room.

She wasn’t his usual target, but there was something about her. He watched as her brown eyes darted back to the pong game, giving him ample time to assess her properly. Not that her beautiful gaze would have stopped him otherwise. Still, with her attention back on the game, Adam took in her full appearance and almost let out a groan. He had the impulsive desire to wrap those long legs tightly around him, pull on her brown strands, and show her precisely what the word pleasure meant.

As if she knew his thoughts, her brown eyes found him again, and like a fool, he looked away and immersed himself in a conversation with the nearest person. The girl before him looked as if she had won a prize. She batted her eyelashes and laced her words with heavy flirtation.

Any other day, he would encourage her efforts, but midway into their conversation, he found himself searching for the brunette. He didn’t understand why. She didn’t look like his type. He liked them easy, and this girl looked every bit of refinement. She would not bite at his lure like the usual women did. No, this one was different.

When he caught the brunette’s eye again, adrenaline raced through him as every ounce of blood made its way to one organ. He was hooked. He had to find a way to talk to her, even if it meant ditching the beautiful and very willing woman before him. Throwing out some lame "Excuse me" to the girl, Adam weaved in and out of the crowd.

His fingers twitched around his beer as he searched for the best way to introduce himself. It needed to be smooth. Something in his gut said his typical game wouldn’t work on her. When he noticed a familiar blonde standing next to her, he almost leaped with joy. Now, if he could only remember the girl’s name. Adam recognized her from somewhere, but with all of his blood currently taking a southern vacation, there wasn’t much left for his mind.

He must have done something right in his lifetime to please whoever controlled fate, because as he approached the table, the brunette cheered, “Rose, that was awesome!”

Rose! How could he have forgotten? She was the blonde Luke had his sights set on. With renewed confidence, Adam found his way in and congratulated his new friend Rose on her shot. He forced himself to keep his attention solely on Rose. If he played his cards right, his new friend would be making the introductions. And she did not disappoint.

“Adam!” she greeted. “Come to take your chances against Clara and me? Oh, Clara,” she turned to her friend, “you didn’t get to meet Adam yet. Clara, Adam. Adam, Clara.”

Yes, Fate would be getting a Christmas basket this year.

With introductions made and Rose’s attention focused on her next shot, Clara was left all to Adam. He sent her a grin he knew made women weak, but instead of the typical woozy response, Clara replied with her own striking smile and said, “It’s nice to meet you.”

Adam was almost at a loss for words. There was an air of innocence about her, which he was beginning to find extremely attractive. Despite the game going on, her brown eyes continued to shift back to him. He was intrigued by the quiet confidence she held. It was captivating, and he found himself asking questions to find out who she was rather than how to get in her pants.
Her very tight, black pants.
Adam’s heart accelerated at the thought, but he told himself to behave.

“So, Clara,” he said in the smoothest voice he could muster. “What made you choose Beaumont?”

“I didn’t,” she admitted in drunken honesty. “Well, not exactly. I applied for a bunch of scholarships.” With wicked concentration, Clara threw her little orange ball into one of the last two remaining cups. Putting their conversation on pause, she celebrated her good fortune with Rose. At the end of the table, Corin and Deacon looked stunned, but the game wasn’t over yet. Smiling, Clara returned her gaze to him and shrugged. “Beaumont gave me one, so it was hard to turn down.”