Broken Princess (Van der Borne University Book 2)

by Dakota Lee

  I’ve conjured her up somehow, because here she is in the middle of the quad, having a snowball fight with her friends. I lean against a tree, watching her laugh and duck and dodge and throw. My lips pull into a grin. I love seeing her like this. Happy. But I hate that it comes at the expense of her hanging out with her grad school friends. I should be throwing snowballs and chasing her around the quad, tackling her in the snow. And afterwards, we should be disappearing together to my dorm for warm cider, hot showers and even hotter sex.

  I pull my phone out of my pocket, hitting the third number on speed dial. “I need some advice.”

  * * *

  I spent thirty minutes on the phone with Simon, and he said exactly what I thought he’d say. That I feel guilty because I’m still not being completely honest with Jordanna and myself. It’s not like this time I’m deceiving her. I just don’t know how she’ll react if she knows everything, and that has my stomach tied up in knots. Things are already so unstable between us. This could push her away.

  My phone chimes as I’m fixing a drink.

  * * *

  I know it’s your birthday this weekend and I’m still pissed at you for ditching me at the club, and no, I didn’t get you a gift. But I’m not a total ogre. How about dinner and if you grovel enough, I might let you have me for desert. Meet me tomorrow at eight?

  * * *

  She wants to take me out for my birthday. The excitement I feel reading the text is short lived because I can’t go.

  * * *

  What are you saying? Unwrapping you is a gift. Tomorrow’s no good. How about Sunday?

  * * *

  You’re passing on a chance for sex?

  * * *

  No, I have plans that I can’t get out of.

  * * *

  Plans, huh? Is she prettier than me?

  * * *

  Is she jealous?

  * * *

  Nobody’s prettier than you except my little sister.

  * * *

  And yet I don’t think you’re ditching me for her.

  * * *

  There’s this thing we all do for my birthday. We start the night before and are still partying when midnight rolls around and there’s no way I can get out of it.

  * * *

  I might be persuaded to show up if you ask nicely.

  * * *

  You’d be uncomfortable sitting around with us, but I’m glad you’re finally admitting you want to spend time with me. I’ll call you tomorrow.

  * * *

  Ok then, Happy Birthday.

  * * *

  It wasn’t entirely a lie. She would be uncomfortable and so would I. We crossed an invisible barrier at the country club, but Jordy’s nowhere near ready for the level of craziness that happens on my birthday. I’ll be staying at the house this weekend. My friends will show up with the car at seven for dinner and drinks and then we’re swinging by The Rift to meet up with the rest of the guests before heading to a show. Usually we party so hard that we’re zombies dragging back in the next morning.

  She’s thinking about me. Now more than ever, I wish I could skip the whole thing. If I do, it’ll raise suspicions so I have no choice but to play my part as the carefree birthday boy.

  At least I know what to expect and unlike last weekend at the club, there will be no surprises.

  Jordanna

  The lies slide so easily off Logan’s tongue, I wonder if he knows he’s even doing it. An event that I’ll be uncomfortable with. Really? How stupid does he think I am? I know this birthday celebration is so much more than a boring obligation with family and friends. If it weren’t, then why is everyone meeting him at The Rift on swap night?

  I’m dressed just like they are for cocktail hour and sneak inside, wondering if I’ll find them engaged in some super secret society ritual. Maybe that’s what this is. He’s getting tapped for some exclusive skull and bones type frat and doesn’t want me to know. Maybe that’s what all the games ultimately amount to. Being worthy of being in their group. If all he gets is a secret ring for the destruction he leaves behind, he’s more twisted in the head than I think.

  A hand comes from behind, covering my mouth, muffling my yelp of surprise. A second hand wraps around my stomach, pulling me backward against a hard body. The press of lips on the back of my head has me on high alert as I’m pulled back into the shadows. Whoever’s holding me isn’t hurting me, but my heart’s still bouncing around in my chest.

  A conversation drifts over to us from the other side of the bell tower. I crane my neck trying to see who it is, but it’s too dark to make out any features, and the voices are unfamiliar. The scent of cedar and spice permeate the air, creating a comforting fireplace aroma, but the music does the opposite of relaxing me. Haunting tones and brooding melodies swirl around me, reminding me of the playlist from that time in Logan’s studio. The hairs on my arm raise as if magnetized, and goose bumps dot my flesh.

  “Is this…” The hand around my middle squeezes and I fall silent once again. He holds me firmly in place, which is preventing me from turning to see who he is. His hand disappears, then reappears in front of my eyes, holding a piece of fabric. I swallow past a lump in my throat as the material slips over my eyes. His fingers graze the back of my hair as he ties the blindfold in place, completely blocking out my surroundings.

  Now, I’m moving forward, relying on this stranger to get me safely to our destination. We turn here and there, but I have no reference to where we are. We could have walked the entire length of the floor or in a circle.

  We finally come to a stop and pressure on my shoulders, pushing down, clues me in that he’s telling me to sit. My butt hits sturdy thighs and my back is flush against someone’s chest. I ventured up here, knowing that it was probably a bad idea, so whatever situation I’ve found myself in is my own doing. Last semester, I would’ve vomited at the thought of someone touching me at a swap night party. Tonight, the nerves are there, but also a curiosity. I just hope the rules of decency apply and that they’ll stop if I say so.

  Before I can ponder that thought, I’m being pulled to my feet and hoisted in the air. I let out a small yelp as I sail through the air, and another when I’m caught. Strong arms carry me, my body jostles and I get the impression that we’re descending stairs. A breeze drifts across my legs, and before I can work through that sensation, I’m placed on a softer surface. Leather. Am I in a car?

  A door slams shut beside me. Yup, we’re definitely in a car. I don’t know where I’m going or who's taking me there, but I don’t dare move a muscle in case they realize I’ve crashed their little party and kick me out in the middle of the street.

  We come to a stop maybe an hour later, and I’m dragged from the car, my heels scraping along the sidewalk as my kidnapper? Guide? Pulls me along. Once again I’m pushed to a seating position. That feeling of dread and disassociation hovers on the corner of my mind, but I’m still connected to my body and sense movement around me. It’s not a panic attack, but it’s close. I take deep breathes trying to calm the nerves in my stomach.

  “I’m going to leave this blindfold on. The choice is yours whether to leave it or take it off. If you do, whatever you see, whatever you hear, it goes no further than these walls tonight.”

  Those are the only words spoken before the person walks away, as Closer by Nine Inch Nails blares through the speakers. My senses are hyper aware of the sounds around me. More so than they were at the party, where Simon stopped me from venturing closer to the couples in the upstairs game room. But this time is different. The only person preventing me from seeing anything is me.

  The part of me that has clear-cut boundaries says keep the blindfold on. The researcher in me says rip it off and take it all in. This might be the last push I need to shed my good girl persona. Because even though I’m collecting information on each of the BP’s I’m not sure I can ultimately go through with my plan.

  Okay, Jordanna. Treat this like a life study class, I say to mys
elf as my hands reach up to slip the cloth away from my eyes, letting it dangle around my neck.

  I’m sitting on a settee with a coffee table beside me. The soft glow from a series of tea light candles flickers just enough so I can see what’s happening in front of me. Strippers? This is the big reveal? I’m processing the big letdown when the track changes again and the men sitting in the chairs closest to the strippers stand to their feet.

  It’s then that I realize they’re dancers too. They couple up, forming a line and walk down what I think is a hall. Once they’re out of sight, I realize I’m out here alone. I spring to my feet, going the way they did, and find a door that’s ajar on my left. Peeking my head inside, I conclude we’re at the theater. Slipping quietly through the door, I take a seat close to the rail of the upper balcony. Looking down, I ca see the orchestra seating and first six rows are full. Who the hell rents out a theater for their birthday, you ask? Logan McKay and his friends, that’s who.

  The lights dim and nervous chatter ripples through the air. The dancers from earlier take the stage performing a burlesque show. It’s gaudy and bold and sexy and the singing and dancing transports me to another time and place.

  * * *

  Intermission is announced, and the guests head towards the hall to stretch their legs and refresh their drinks. I stay in place, not wanting anyone to know I’ve crashed the party. I check the time on my phone. Ten minutes to midnight.

  “You shouldn’t have come here, Jordy.” Logan says, slipping into the seat next to me. There’s no way he could have seen me in the dark, so that means one of the people tossing me around earlier must’ve told him I was here.

  “Why because one of the girls you used to fuck is here?” I recognized Claire when she stepped closer to the stage to talk to the dancers. “I hope you at least took time to shower during transitions from one bed to the other last weekend. And for the record, you could’ve just told me that the idea of a foursome was a lot hotter than plain old sex with me, instead of using your friends as the excuse for why you sent me home.”

  “Things with Claire were over before you and I ever got together.”

  “According to her, there’s some overlap, and even if that’s not true, she’s here hanging onto your every word, even after she watched you pound into me at brunch.” I gnaw my bottom lip, watching him out the corner of my eye. “And if it’s so over with her, then why is she here with you, when you said I couldn’t be?”

  “She knows what’s about to happen tonight, and thought I might need someone to hang out with.”

  The lights flicker again and everyone returns to their seats for the second half of the show. “All these people in here and she was worried you’d be sitting alone? I don’t buy that.”

  The theater goes completely dark. The spotlight tracks the curtain as it goes up.

  “It’s not always about whose around. It’s more a question of what they’re willing to do.”

  “Shouldn’t you be getting back?”

  “I think I’ll enjoy the show more, watching from here.” With that, he grabs me, pulling me over so that I’m on the edge of the row, nearly obscured by the curtains decorating the balcony. Before I can sit, he grabs my hips, pulling me into his lap.

  “Let go.” I say struggling to get free. “You won’t be able to see anything like this.”

  His lips ghost across the nape of my neck. “I’ll be able to see enough.”

  The show starts, and not ten minutes into it; I notice a shift in the room. The air is thick and dark. The dancers are wearing flesh colored costumes and the sexualized performance is an erotic dance that looks all too real. I glance down at Logan’s hands resting on my thighs.

  The movements on stage become background noise as the sight in the orchestra section catches my attention. Heads bobbing up and down, tits jiggling. “They’re…” The words lodge in my throat.

  “You still want me to go back down there with my friends?”

  Logan’s right. I shouldn’t be here. Shouldn’t be seeing this. I let out a shaky breath, telling myself to look away. For some reason, I can’t. His hands reach up, palming my tits. My eyes flutter closed, as he scrapes his nails across them. “Are they sensitive?”

  I shift in his lap, noticing he’s thickening behind me. “Don’t start something you can’t finish, Jordy.”

  “I’m just trying to get comfortable.”

  “By grinding on my cock? I’d say you want the opposite of comfort. Though I suppose if you suck me down, like I’m a pacifier, it could be soothing for both of us.”

  “Have you ever done what they’re doing?”

  “Fuck in public? Many times.” He says, pulling my hair to the side, kissing the crook of my neck. “I’d ask you the same, but I already know the answer.” I hear that familiar clink from his belt.

  Is he about to ask for a hand job? Distracting myself from that thought, I ask, “Do you?”

  His ministrations stop as he yanks my jaw around. “I’d better. Or are you telling me that over the winter break you experimented with someone else?”

  “What’s it to you? And while we’re at it, what the hell can you do to them if I did? That’s an easy answer. Absolutely nothing.”

  “The question, baby, is what can I do to you.”

  He stands, pulling my skirt up, and quickly sits back down, easing me into his lap. Pushing inside, stretching me. A part of me knew where this was going when I challenged him. I was expecting hard and fast, instead I’m getting slow and achingly sweet. I don’t want sweet. Not from him. He pulls me back against him when I try to take over the pace.

  “I told you before, you get what I give you. So tonight, in honor of my birthday, you get to feel each and every touch.”

  “We don’t have time for this. Someone could see.”

  “Exactly.” He says nibbling my neck. “And despite what you’d have me to believe, you’re not revolted by the idea.”

  Shifting against him, I say, “I’m trying to watch the show.”

  “Baby, we’re about to be the show.” He rocks up, swirling his hips, hitting deep inside my already swollen walls. “Mmm, do you know how long I’ve waited to do this?”

  “This isn’t our first time.”

  “It is in one of my haunts. Jordy, I’ve dreamed of having you like this. And it makes me so fucking hard knowing you’re not running away. Fuck baby, I can’t think of a better birthday gift.”

  “What if I wasn’t here? Would you be with Claire?”

  He grips my hair, pulling my head back. It stings and feels good at the same time. His voice drops, dripping with disdain. “Why are you asking about her while I’m inside of you?”

  “Because based on what I’m seeing, all you’ve done is created your own private swap night here at this show.”

  “I wouldn’t fuck Claire.”

  “Would you let her touch and kiss on you? Suck your dick?”

  “Maybe.”

  I freeze at his admission.

  “There. Now you’ve got what you wanted, and I made you feel like shit. So you can go on and hate fuck me now, since that seems to be the only emotion you’re willing to acknowledge.” He snickers in my ear. “What? You think I don’t know that’s what you’re doing? The thing is, Jordy. I don’t care. I’m in this pussy and whether you love me or hate me, I’m enjoying every single minute of it.”

  “What if I don’t come?”

  “That’ll never happen.”

  I force my body to stop responding, damn near shaking from the effort not to moan, when he pinches my nipples through the top of my dress.

  “Oh, baby, trust me. You don’t want to play this game.”

  “It’s not a game. If you want me responsive, you’ll have to be responsive too.”

  “I am. This rock hard cock is all for you.”

  “I want you to answer some questions, or I’ll be the lamest fuck you’ve ever had.”

  “You wanna negotiate over an orgasm that I know I can gi
ve you? Fine. One Question.”

  “Five.”

  He drags his nails across my thighs. “Two. You can hold out only so long.”

  “Three. I’m stronger than you think.”

  “I know what you like, and I’m not afraid to make you scream my name in here. Do you want everyone down there to see me wrecking this beautiful pussy? Two.”

  “Fine.” He settled on two I really only had one question I want answered. “Why did you say you wouldn’t fuck Claire, even though she’s your date this evening? And it’s obvious fucking is the point of this show.”

  “Because once I’m done, I don’t go back.”

  “Never?”

  “That’s right.”

  “Then why are you coming back after me?”

  “That was two questions, we’re done.”

  Shit. Technically, he’s right, but I need an answer. “I wanna know. Why are you, doing something you say you never do?” His lips are against my ear, his fingers tugging on my clit. I’m losing the fight, but I need an answer.

  “I can set you off right now. So fighting how good I make you feel is useless, Jordanna. I own your pleasure and I always will.”

  I shake my head, denying his version of the truth. “Please, Logan. Talk to me.”

  He lets out a shaky breath, dropping his face to the crook of my neck. “I decide when I’m done with someone. Not Bella.”