“Hey, man,” Adam said, poking his head in my room. “You up?”

“Yeah,” I said. I pulled myself to a sitting position in bed and gestured for him to come inside. He had that look in his eyes that told me he wanted to talk. “Come on in.”

Adam stepped through the door and pushed it closed behind him. It shut with a snap as he walked across the room and sat in my desk chair. I’d been lying in bed ever since Scarlet left, just thinking about last night and everything it meant. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d been with a woman all night and didn’t sleep with her.

“How was your night?” Adam asked pointedly. His eyes were narrowed with suspicion. I rolled my own eyes and sat up straighter. I knew what he was thinking, and I also knew it wasn’t true or fair.

“It was fine,” I said with an attitude. “I didn’t sleep with her.”

“You didn’t?” Adam asked.

I took great satisfaction in the shock on his face. It bothered me that he thought so little of me. “You really thought I would?” I snapped.

“Well, you brought her upstairs,” he said. “What was I supposed to think?”

“Don’t you remember the rules I set?” I asked. I’d been frustrated with Adam lately, but I was more offended that he would expect me to take advantage of a drunk girl.

“I was just asking, man,” Adam said defensively. “Just asking.”

“Well, nothing happened,” I said. “Not really, anyway.”

Adam raised his eyebrows at me. He waited for me to elaborate, and when I didn’t, he sighed and leaned back in the chair.

“I’m sorry I jumped to conclusions, okay?” Adam said.

“It’s fine,” I said. “She wanted to hook up, but I said no. She was drunk, and it was her first time being drunk. So, I didn’t think she was in the right frame of mind to lose her virginity. Plus, I wouldn’t want to win that way. It’s not the same if the girl isn’t really herself.”

“You know that’s what the party has always been about, right?” Adam said. “Taking a girl’s virginity at all costs. You used to defend it.”

“I know,” I said. I didn’t know what had gotten into me, but I was suddenly beginning to see Adam’s point. The party always seemed fun and harmless to me. Until last night. When I saw Scarlet standing in the middle of all those guys, I felt a burning rage rise inside me. I couldn’t stand the idea that she would be taken advantage of. And it occurred to me then, for the first time, that every virgin at the party was somebody’s Scarlet. None of them deserved to be a part of our stupid game. The thought made me feel sick.

“I’m just glad it’s over,” Adam said. “And that it was the last one we have to partake in.”

“The rest of the parties will be fun,” I promised. “No more of this bullshit controversy. Everyone can get on board with what I have planned for the rest of the year.”

“I’m sure,” Adam said with a grin. “I can’t wait.”

“Me neither, man,” I said. I leaned back on my bed and exhaled slowly.

It surprised me how much I agreed with Adam. Before, I’d been ready to fight him to make sure the Virgin Party took place. There was no way I was going to let anyone stand in the way. Now, I was glad it was behind us. I didn’t even care which brother won last night. Whoever would be my successor just didn’t matter anymore. I felt like I was the real winner because I was going to see Scarlet again tonight.

Ever since I met Scarlet, I felt myself changing. I wasn’t sure I liked the changes I felt, but I decided to just roll with it. I’d never been the kind of guy to run from a challenge, and that’s what I saw Scarlet as. She was a challenge, an interesting, intriguing challenge.

For a while, I let myself be distracted by the fraternity. After our first date, I tried not to think about her. I threw myself entirely into party planning, never letting my mind wander to Scarlet for too long.

Now, I wanted to rectify that. After last night, I was more enamored with her than ever. I used to see her as slightly awkward and nervous. She was beautiful and innocent. Delicate and unsure of herself. Last night changed things between us.

I no longer pictured her as innocent or delicate. She was wild and passionate, but she didn’t know it yet. I could tell from the way her hips rose to meet my tongue and the way she moaned with abandon that she was looking to be set free. All her life, she’d been shut away and never allowed to experience life. After last night, I knew she would be itching for more.

As I thought about her, I forgot that Adam was still in my room. He was looking at me with a slight frown on his face. I knew he could tell something was different about me, but he didn’t press the issue. Part of me wanted to tell him how I felt about Scarlet, to let him know exactly what was going on with me. I knew that he, unlike most of the brothers, would understand. Still, a bigger part wanted to keep it to myself for as long as possible. My feelings for Scarlet were new and unfamiliar. I’d never let myself get this invested in a woman before. It was my little secret, too personal to share.

* * *

When I arrived at Scarlet’s house, I parked out front and made my way to the front door. I knew her grandmother would want to see me before we left. After just one conversation, she seemed perfectly smitten with me. It helped my chances with Scarlet if I was in good with her grandmother. Without that, I didn’t know how long Scarlet’s interest in me would last.

I raised my fist to knock, but the door swung open before my knuckles could connect with the wood. Scarlet was standing in the doorway with pink cheeks, her green eyes sparkling in the evening light. I smiled at her as she stepped aside to let me by.

“Hi,” she said. “Sorry, I just saw you coming when I came downstairs.”

I laughed. “No problem. Is your grandmother here?”

Scarlet nodded. “In the kitchen.” She motioned for me to follow her and I did happily.

As we walked, I noticed Scarlet’s outfit, and my stomach flipped. She wore a tight dress that showed off her hips and butt. With every step she took, my eyes were drawn to her lower half. I forced myself to look away. I didn’t want to be caught admiring her ass, although it was so easily admirable. Instead, I stared at the back of her head, noticing that she had curled her usually straight hair. It made the red look darker, more elegant. I longed to run my fingers through her curls.

We stepped into the kitchen, and I smiled when I saw her grandmother sitting at the table. I walked over and extended my hand.

“It’s good to see you again,” I said politely. “How are you?”

“I’m just fine,” she said, taking my hand in both of hers. “I see you’re taking my Scarlet out again.”

“I couldn’t resist,” I said, glancing playfully at Scarlet. “Just look at her.”

“She is quite beautiful, isn’t she?” her grandmother said with a wiggle of her eyebrows.

“She’s gorgeous,” I agreed.

“Okay,” Scarlet said. “On that note, maybe we should get going.”

“Oh, don’t be shy,” her grandmother said. “It’s a compliment, after all.”

“I know,” Scarlet said, but her cheeks blushed all the same. I knew she wasn’t used to guys complimenting her beauty, but I couldn’t help it.

“We should go,” I agreed. “I won’t keep her out too late.”

“Have fun!”

“Bye, Grandmother,” Scarlet said, bending down to place a kiss on her cheek.

I took Scarlet’s hand, and we walked back to the front of the house. We stepped outside, and Scarlet sighed loudly.

“Sorry about that,” she said. “She’s just excited.”

“I like her,” I said honestly. “She seems cool.”

Scarlet shrugged. “She can be.”

I opened the car door for her and she slid easily inside. As I walked around to get behind the wheel, I felt my palms begin to sweat. I didn’t know why. I couldn’t remember ever being nervous on a date.

“So,” I said, once inside the car. “I thought we could venture out a little more tonight. Do you like Indian food?”

“Love it,” Scarlet said.

“Great, there’s a place in Brooklyn that will make your toes curl,” I said.

My words were harmless, but once they left my mouth, I saw Scarlet’s cheeks blush. I smiled apologetically but didn’t speak again. Our eyes were glued to each other, and I knew she was thinking the same thing I was. Nothing could make her toes curl like I had the night before.

I tried to keep my desire in check as I put the car in drive and drove us toward Brooklyn, but it was hard. Her dress was tight and short. I could see the bare skin of her thighs as I drove. It was teasing me mercilessly, begging to be touched.

We made it to the restaurant just in time. My heart was pounding the entire drive. I tried to keep up the conversation, but it was difficult. All I could think about was how good Scarlet looked.

As we stepped out of the car, I took her hand in mine and led the way to the restaurant. We ate dinner, and the conversation was easier. I was still desperate to touch her bare skin, but with the table between us, it was easier to keep my head on straight.

“That was interesting,” Scarlet said with a laugh when we were done eating.

“You didn’t like it?” I asked.

“It was good,” Scarlet said enthusiastically. “Just unlike any Indian food I’ve ever had before.”

“Well, you have an advantage,” I teased. “You grew up much closer to the real thing.”

“This is true,” she said. “But Indian food isn’t as prominent in France as say, England.”

“Think of it as an adventure,” I said playfully. “You’re all for those, right?”

“I am,” she said. Her eyes were dark with desire as she spoke. “I think last night proved that.”

“I would agree.” I leaned over the table, wanting to be as close to her as possible. She followed my lead, leaning forward and exposing her cleavage. I felt myself harden slightly at the sight. God, she was sexy.

“Speaking of last night,” Scarlet said. Her voice was low and husky. It turned me on even more. “I meant what I said about having sex with you.”

My stomach flipped, and I felt my body heat up. Her words were the biggest turn on of the night. When she first mentioned it, she was drunk, so it was easy to turn down her offer, but now? With her wearing that tight, revealing dress? It took every ounce of willpower I possessed not to lunge across the table and rip the dress from her body.

“Next weekend,” I said. My voice was weaker than I intended. “My parents won’t be home, so I can take you to their place. It’s upstate and beautiful. We’ll have more privacy there than at the Delta house.”

Scarlet’s smile was both joyful and seductive. She nodded slowly and moved her foot closer to me beneath the table. As she played with my ankle, I felt my stomach flip again. It was so easy for Scarlet to turn me on. Just by looking at me the right way, she could make my erection grow with a ferocity I’d never felt before. I couldn’t think of anything other than getting her alone. She had no idea the effect she could have.