Fair Game (The Rules #1) Read Online Free

see the way her eyes widen the slightest bit. Her lips part, her tongue appears, touching the very center of her upper lip and my skin tightens. “How about a victory kiss for starters?”
    “Fuck you,” she spits out.
    Just before she slaps my face and storms off without another word.

S top texting me. I broke up with you. Deal with it.
    I toss my phone beside me on the bed and flop back against the pillows with a dramatic sigh. “I hate men.”
    “You and me both sister,” Kelli agrees though I know she really doesn’t mean it. She never came back to our dorm room last night and finally texted me at one in the morning to let me know she was staying the night with Dane.
    As a matter of fact, she has that after-sex-glow thing going on since she arrived fifteen minutes ago. They must’ve been doing it all morning. Her hair is a mess, her cheeks are flushed and she moves like her limbs are made of rubber, all languid and easy.
    Lucky bitch.
    I, on the other hand, had to break up with my boyfriend last night—who was just okay in the sex department—and am now once again single.
    If you don’t count on me also being the personal property of one Shepard Prescott, thanks to the ridiculous bet Joel agreed to.
    God, I hate him so much. Both of them.
    “Joel won’t leave me alone,” I say as I watch Kelli move about the small room. She’s gathering up clean clothes, probably going to take a shower and I realize she might still be all sticky sweaty from her sexual escapades.
    Ew.
    “You did just break up with him,” Kelli points out as she turns to face me. “I’m sure he’s pretty upset.”
    “Are you saying I shouldn’t have broken up with him? He did offer me up as part of his bet.”
    “He didn’t offer you up. Shepard Prescott took over the entire situation. You know this.” Kelli starts laughing. “You should’ve seen the look of shock on his face after you slapped him. It was priceless. There was a red handprint on his cheek, Jade. You hit the boy hard.”
    “Whatever. He deserved it.” I glance at my buzzing phone. Another text from Joel.
    It’s not my fault. Come on Jade.
    Please forgive me.
    “Ha.” I start texting.
    I never want to see you again. Quit making an ass of yourself.
    “He makes me crazy,” I mutter as I discard the phone, wishing he would just leave me alone. I’m probably being a total bitch but I can’t help it. He never ran to my defense, he never told Shep to back off, nothing. He let it all unfold and then left me having to deal with the aftermath.
    I’m feeling pretty justified in breaking up with him. We’d been growing apart anyway. This was just the final layer of frosting on the gigantic shit cake our relationship had turned into.
    “You’re so mean,” Kelli says, shaking her head. “What was Joel supposed to do? Shep Prescott is a big deal. Very intimidating. Joel didn’t have a chance.”
    “So? He should’ve defended me, not run away.” I shrug, but what she says makes sense and guilt swamps me. “Besides, you’re mean too. You treat Dane terribly.”
    Kelli waves her hand, dismissing my lame accusation. “We’re not talking about Dane. And really, I’m not as mean as you. Poor Joel. He thought he had that game won. Did you see his hand?”
    “Did you see Shep’s?” The way he revealed it too. Smug bastard. One card after another. One queen after another. My heart had sunk with every card that fell onto the table. Until it was in the pit of my stomach and I knew I lost. Not Joel.
    Me.
    “You know he wasn’t serious.” When I say nothing, Kelli continues. “About the bet. About you. He can’t claim you as his prize. You’re a human being with your own mind. He wouldn’t be that much of an asshole to try and collect.”
    “Please. He’s a spoiled rich asshole who can have whatever he wants. I’m sure he believes he has every right to claim me.” A shiver moves down my spine and I try to ignore it. The words are kind of sexy when you