Ryan's POV

The passed couple of days have felt like a forbidden romance. Hiding from my brother had turned more into a thrilling game than the threatening of Wyatt's life.

At first after Colton found out and threatened Wyatt, he didn't talk to me and avoided me the whole rest of the school day. The next day he came to his senses and apologized. 'I'd rather be scared shitless that Colton will find out about us everytime we hang out,' he said. 'than live my life without you in it.'

If that wasn't the sweetest thing I'd ever heard a guy say to me, then I don't know what is.

Wyatt and I have been friends since the very first day of middle school and we weren't going to give up just because my brother was for once concerned for my well being.

Quickly, but quietly I led Wyatt through the halls of the upstairs and into my room. I knew Colton wasn't going to be home for hours, but it somehow felt forbidden that we were to be alone upstairs together.

"Are we out of spy mode yet?" Wyatt asked as he laid himself back on the lazy boy behind him.

I giggled at his comment and nodded. "I think we'll be safe as long as my dad is home. Colton usually tries to stay out to get away from him."

"Why?" He asked curiously.

"You don't know what they're like while in the same room." I sighed and sat on the floor. My legs formed a pretzel and my head collapsed in my hands.

"I'm sure they'll work things out eventually."

I didn't believe that for a second. Yes, I had my fights with Dad, but they were small, meaningless, forgivable. My brother was too naive and self righteous that he wasn't one to apologize or even think there was a reason he should. To him, he's the only person in the world who's right, and everyone else has got it wrong. The world revolves around him, or no one.

"You alright?" Wyatt asked, a worried expression was on his face as I looked up.

"Yeah, just thinking." My mind was jumping around in different directions. The whole reason for coming here was to study, but concentration wasn't on my side at the moment. "Let's go out."

"What?" There was a weird combination of hope and confusion in his voice with an emotion on his face that I couldn't exactly pinpoint. "W-what do you mean?"

"You know? Like we usually do?" I laughed. "Let's not worry about our homework for tonight, just you, me, the diner. What did you think I meant?"

Wyatt shook his head and cleared his throat. "Nothing." A weak smile came across his face as he got up from the chair. "Let's just go."

The diner was just a short walk from my house. We were lucky enough to live walking distance from all the most important stores and tester aunts. Our town wasn't small enough to know a lot about everyone in it, but not too big so that you could walk around town square and see people you've never at least seen before.

It was almost six at night and I could feel the hunger bubbling in the bottom of my stomach. Once we sat down at the booth we usually sat at, Wyatt spoke. "You better make this worth my time. I did have a quiz tomorrow I was supposed to get at least a b on."

"Since when have I ever wasted your time? I'm the most excitement you have all day." I looked over the menu even though I had the whole thing memorized, and I usually had the same thing.

"True, but you know how much it annoys me when you look over that menu and just order the same thing every time." See? Even he's aware of this strange habit I've picked up over the past couple of years.

"Sorry!" I laugh and look off into the distance. My smile slowly dies as I see Braxton Caine at the bar tables, eyeing me down like he usually does.

For being the smartest guy in school, he was always an idiot for taking a liking towards me. Apparently Colton didn't scare him enough to stay away from me. When my big bro warned me about guys like him who would start to like me in highschool, I never realized junior and senior guys would like me too.

I was too late in realizing I was still staring at him so he got up and started coming this way. Quickly, I put my head down and pretended like he wasn't there.

"Ry, what's wrong?" I didn't get the chance to reply to Wyatt before Braxton was standing right next to our booth.

"Hey Ryan." Braxton sat next to me on my side of the booth without warning. He then turned to look at Wyatt momentarily, shining confidence. "Brookes."

Wyatt gave him an awkward wave as he looked from me to Brax.

Braxton turned back to me quickly and hovered his gaze over my more revealing features and then to my face. A smirk graced his face before he said, "So I'm supposed to be meeting up with my brother in Connecticut in a couple weeks, and I was wondering if you'd like to go out before I leave."

I sent a look at Wyatt who seemed impassive about Brax invading my personal space, but knowing Wy for so long, he was never hostile. He was the sweetest guy I've ever known. The look on his face said it all as he looked down at his palms as Braxton tried to flirt with me.

"I'd love to, but darn," I said, almost with sarcasm. "I'll be doing something worth my time. Sorry."

Wyatt let out a small laugh at my words but Brax wasn't finding it as amusing. "You could have just said no. You don't have to be such a bitch."

"Hey," Wyatt interfered. "Say one more thing to her like that and I will have to be forced to do something about it."

Brax raised an eyebrow at him, amazed. "Really? And what would a pretty boy like you do against a thug-like-menace like me?" He stood up and towered over my best friend who was still sitting.

Wyatt gulped but kept his cool. "If you leave, you won't have to find that out."

I could hear a laugh coming from Braxton before he spoke again, "Okay I'll leave." He raised his hands in surrender sarcastically. "That way I don't have to worry about catching something."

The anger radiating from Wyatt was obvious as he stood up quickly and looked the jerk in the eyes. "You better take what you said back."

Before any more words could be swapped I grabbed Wyatt by the arm. "Come on, Wy. Let's just go. I'm okay, really."

As we walked away Braxton scoffed and sent some sort of rude remark our way, but we were both too annoyed of his attitude to hear.

"Just forget about that jerk, you deserve better."

I looked down at my feet as we stood outside the diner. "He's right though, isn't he?"

Wyatt looked deep into my eyes, sending the usual shiver run down my spine that I could never admit to. "Right about what?"

"That I'm a whore," I whispered, so quietly he probably had trouble hearing.

"You're not like you're brother, Ry." He pulled me close to his chest and I returned the gesture by hugging him close. "Just because he sleeps around doesn't mean you do."

"I have before, though." I wiped a tear from my eye as I remembered the heated moments and the guilt that followed. "You remember that night more than I do."

"He's gone now, remember?" Wyatt released me a little to wipe some stray tears away. "He can never hurt you again, remember?"

I nodded and tried to push the thoughts of the assault out of my mind. That scary moment of my life was over. Cody couldn't hurt me anymore. He was gone.

Yes, I may dress a little more slutty than someone my age should. Yes, I've made out with more guys than I probably should. There was one thing I knew for certain though, I wouldn't turn into the girl version of my brother.

Not a chance.

***

Colton's pov

Some girls are more difficult to persuade than others. Often times it would take me a little over a week to persuade the girls who weren't exactly booty call material. Every now and then I'd be lucky enough to find a kinky girl who'd just want to mess around and have fun, but sadly those didn't come around often.

Of course, through my many years of women's studies, I can get pussy quicker than a lot of guys out there. Looks are one factor, then there's the other component, figuring out what the hell the girl you're trying to take advantage of likes. Depending on the type of girl you're taking out, you need to have a knowledge of many different types of personalities.

Obviously the sweet and innocent ones want the kind and gentle guy, and the bad girl likes it spicy and rough. Then there were more complicated girls, the ones that dance to the best of their own drum. Girls like Dahlia Evans for example. They always have their own needs, but I've always been able to meet them.

Yes, Dahlia may still be reluctant, but I've only known her a couple weeks. The fight in her will eventually go down, and then she would be mine. Just like everyone else.

The thought if her screaming my name as she shook beneath me sent shiver up my spine. I had to concentrate though, I was on a date with a perfectionist and I couldn't be destroyed by hormones now. Not when this date was going so well.

"So I heard that you were in line for the team captain role." Genome raised her eyebrow as she took a drink of her water. We were still waiting patiently, making small talk, as our food was being prepared. I could tell she was trying to act as proper as possible, but it was hard for her to keep eye contact for too long.

"Yeah," I said, sending her a pantie wetting smile. "I'm pretty good on the field. Pretty sure I'll be getting a scholarship for how good I am. Jackson and I are pretty much fighting for it."

Lies. There was no scholarship.

"Impressive." Genine tried keeping her eyes on mine, but I guess I intimidated her with my intense gaze. "A-any other plans for the future?"

A stutter? Good, she's nervous.

"Oh, you know. Maybe I'd go into journalism." Not a lie. "I'm really good at reading people and their . . . desires." The last word I said slower to give it more meaning and a heavier weight.

Genine swallowed and gave a nervous smile.

"What about you, Genine?" I gazed into her eyes and then looked at her lips and her neck to see what her reaction was to this action.

Crimson filled her cheeks as the blush became very prominent. "I want to become a senator someday." That future plan made way too much sense for her. The time she devoted to student council alone made her seem more than perfect for the job, but I wasn't here to think about her future. This was about adding another girl the the empire I had built for myself. An empire that would continue to grow.

"I'd vote for you." I winked and I could see how she almost died inside.

At this dinner was the most I'd ever seen her smile. It was a beautiful smile, but it wouldn't last longer than a week if I pop her cherry in the time I seemed for a girl of her difficulty. Five days. That was my goal.

Our food came moments later, the smell of Sweet and Sour chicken filling our nostrils. The waiter asked if there was anything else, and I sent him on his way.

"So tell me about yourself," I asked, pretending to be interested.

"Oh, well," Gen seemed almost surprised that I wanted to hear about her. "I'm an only child," Wow, didn't see that one coming. "Head of the council, which you already know, I'm fighting for the highest GPA in the school, but these other two students are big competition and are getting in my way." I inwardly smiled at the realization that Dahlia and I were those people.

"Anything else?" I said, taking a bite of rice. "Surely someone as beautiful as you would have some interesting hobby of some sort."

Another blush engulfed her cheeks as a smile erupted. "I write a little."

"Wow, now that's unique." I take another bite and swallow before asking, "What do you write?"

Gen shuffled her food around on her plate before answering. "Romance." Her voice was quiet and meek, probably from embarrassment due to the mention of romance on a first date.

"Hey," I said, she lifted her head slowly, her eyes meeting mine. "No need to be nervous around me, okay? I'm lucky to be going out with someone so intelligent and gorgeous at the same time. It's rare that a girl as beautiful as you is smart too. To be honest, I'd take an intelligent blonde over a dumb blonde any day."

"I'm glad you find people like me so intriguing." Gen lifted an eyebrow at me and smiled. That was one thing I didn't get about her. One moment she's blushing and then the next she's confident as ever. Was it just me or were girls getting harder to figure out.

This problem arose with Dahlia too and -there I go talking about her again. I needed to sleep with her and fast before she becomes a liability to my sanity. The only question was how do I get a girl who hates the very idea of being around me in bed? Failure is not an option, it never was

"So these romance books, are the beauty of your words equivalent to your good looks?" I smile at the cheesy comment and so does she.

"If that's your flattering way of asking if I'm any good, then yes. I am very good." After taking a bite of her Chinese she looks at me and continues. "And what does a guy like Colton Millers do in his spare time?"

Sex. Study. Exercise.

"Other than field hockey? You and I have writing in common, but I like writing truth rather than fiction. I also play the piano." No these weren't my top hobbies, but mentioning my top priority would definitely scare her off. If the person you're trying to sleep with isn't a whore, they will definitely shy away from anyone no matter what they looked like at the mention of sex. As for Genine, who would crucify any guy who'd pull that kind of move on her, bringing intercourse up would be ill advised.

An impressed look came across her face at them mention of piano and I could tell right away she was big on music. "Would you play a song for me?"

"Would you write a romance story for me?"

A small smile crept on her face as red filled her cheeks. It was weird seeing her smile this much. Genny didn't smile, barely ever, except for me. That was all the proof right there that she liked me. Now I just had to use that knowledge to my advantage.

"I don't know," she answered truthfully. "Would you read it?"

"For you?" I plastered a grin in my face and spoke, "I'd buy a whole library full of your work."

Throughout the rest of the dinner we talked mostly about her and all of her accomplishments, making her believe I actually cared that she won this prize and that. That she was the Queen of the Speller Bees in middle school and that she has been top in her class since her first day of elementary.

Strangely enough, I've never had a class with her.

Dahlia, Genine, and I were all in the running for Valedictorian. Genny had no idea that I was her competition, and I was going to keep it that way. In all honesty, though, it's obvious who's going to walk away with the title.

Me.

It's always been me.

"So," I said after giving the waiter the check. "Shall I take you home?"

Gen nodded. I took her hand and led her to the car, once again opening the door for her as she slid in.

The drive was mostly quiet, music softly playing to mask the silence. Small talk was exchanged, but other than the the lack of talk was comfortable instead of awkward.

When I pulled into her driveway I didn't have to worry about opening the door for her. She was already walking up to her door, making me trail behind to catch up. "Gen, wait up!"

I grabbed her arm gently and spun her around before she could escape into her house. My eyes met hers and suddenly they were filled with need. The way her dress was snug against her body, exposing a little more breast than usual, made me feel my blood temperature rise. I tried to look at her face instead, but her curves were too enticing.

Without warning, I pulled her close. My arm wrapped around her waist and brought her to mine. She flushed, but didn't pull away as I brought my mouth down to hers.

A sweet taste of peppermint came to my attention as I deepened the kiss. I could feel her wanting more as she wrapped her arms around my neck.

For a goody goody she sure had quite the make out experience.

I hoped she didn't feel the bulge that was growing where our waists touched in fear of her never wanting to see me again. I was relieved when she didn't notice or chose to ignore it.

My hormones were raging and I couldn't help myself as I pushed her into her front door and held her face as I ran my tongue along her bottom lip, making her shiver. I saw her goosebumps and made the ones on her neck disappear as the warmth of my lips ran over the right side of it. Gen started to breathe more heavily as I continued to leave tender kisses down her neck and then up her jawline. Bringing my mouth back to her brought back my excitement as my tongue entered her once again.

Just when she started really getting into the kiss, it was hard, but I pulled away. A small whine escaped from her mouth and I smiled.

"Not bad for my first kiss?" Genny's words surprised me.

"I'm your first?" I couldn't hide my triumphant smile. There weren't many girls that I've kissed that have never been kissed before. Usually they were so inexperienced and nervous, but Genine was confident. If her first time is good in all aspects, she was going to be a great fuck.

She nodded, but not embarrassed. "You impressed now?"

"I've just never met a girl like you." And how many times have I said that line before?

"It's hard to compete with me when I have so much promise." She winked. I bet that her confidence could diminish a little after I'm done with her, but that was just a chance I had to take to add her to the list.

It was interesting though to meet a girl as confident with themselves as I was.

"So then if I asked you on a second date," I said, knowing the answer. "would you say yes?"

"Definitely." Her smile was so sure of her feelings. It was sexy how she was so sure of herself.

If I didn't want to lose control and tackle my lips upon hers once more, I had to leave.

"How about tomorrow after my detention?"

"Way to be romantic, Colton." She laughed. "Yes."

"Great, be sure to wear something you wouldn't mind getting wet." I winked at her and let the sexual innuendo sink in. Her cheeks were bright red as I looked down at her with my usual smirk. "We're going boating."

"You like romance? Well, I can do romantic."