This is not the time for my dick to stir in my pants.

I stop by this sorority house for one reason, and it does not include raking my eyes over every square inch of Cherry’s gorgeous body. She’s at the drinks table when I arrive, cleaning up after these half-drunk party people who tend to leave a trail between every food source and their mouths.

Seeing her across the room, I almost forget why I’m here. I’m supposed to find Vanessa, Dylan’s sister, and tell her that he’s been in a car accident. It’s minor, but everyone in her family except her is at the hospital emergency room. And as no one was able to reach her by phone, I’m here to pass along the message. And it was a good call that her mother suggested I check Vanessa’s sorority house first, because here she is.

The only unexpected bonus is that Cherry’s here too.

And although we haven’t spoken since that night she turned eighteen, seeing her now, I instantly need a taste before I leave here.

Making a quick stop to Vanessa, I’m about to let her know about Dylan when I end up surrounded by a bunch of familiar female faces who run in our crowd. They’re all dressed to the nines, yet holding on to the usual college kegger styled red plastic cups, filled with beer or something stronger. These girls are pretty young, but I’m sure I’ve seen a bunch of them with either Jackson or his friend, Caleb. Most of the familiar faces get closer, tittering on flirtatiously about God knows what. The rest just stand there staring up at me in awe. Or maybe they’re hopeful that they’ll get to knock boots with a Knights brother as we’re a limited commodity around these parts. As my time is limited, I give them all a quick nod and head over to Vanessa.

I pass along the news, making a point to note that his injury’s minor. She doesn’t have her car at this shindig, so I agree to drive her to St. Grace-Mercy Hospital where Dylan’s being treated. Following her across the room, I wait for her to tell Cherry before leaving, and I probably stand way too close to her while Vanessa whispers the information to her. Cherry’s so busy neatening up the food tables that she doesn’t sense I’m there when I step up behind her. After what went down that night I deflowered her then kicked her to the curb for her own good, I should keep my hands to myself. She probably hates my guts.

But I don’t hate her.

It’s the opposite.

The sex we had that night is in a league of its own. In the three years since we’ve been staying out of each other’s way, no woman has measured up to Cherry. Which is a problem, because I wasn’t keeping track before her.

I shouldn’t dare touch her, but fuck it. I want her. Resting my hands on the sides of her waist, I pull her toward me and act like there’s no love lost between us.

“Guess who, sexy?” I groan out close to her ear, unable to resist pulling the soft flesh of her earlobe between my teeth. Her breath hitches once she realizes it’s me, and fuck, my cock is already straining against my jeans, pressing against the small of her back and begging to come out and spend time in her sweet playground.

“Jace.” She turns and looks up at me, giving me a pasted-on smile that must only be for the benefit of the party people around us. “I didn’t expect to see you here,” she says through clenched teeth.

“I just stopped by to get some information to your bestie. But hell, I’m glad we bumped into each other. You look great. And I heard happy birthday is in order.”

“Happy birthday? Really Jace? After that…” she shakes her head and takes a breath. “Thanks.”

It’s clear to me she doesn’t want to cause a scene. Knowing that detail gives me an advantage. Making full use of the moment, I run my hand through her hair and lean down to her ear again. “Do you have any idea how much I’d like to take this dress off you right now?” I whisper.

She bats her eyes up at me, wrapping her arms around my neck as she relaxes her body into mine. “I guess I have some idea. And you know what?”

“Tell me.”

“You’re the last person on the planet I’d get naked for, Jace Knight,” she coos into my ear. Not that anyone can hear a word we say over the loud music.

“You’re still upset about what happened?”

Cherry takes a step back and resumes her focus on the drinks table. “Maybe you should go now, Jace.”

I tried. Can’t blame her for holding my actions against me. Reaching into the pocket of my dress slacks, I check the time on my phone screen. “Yeah. Take care, Cherry.”

She looks back at Vanessa, ignoring me. “Tell Dylan I’m sorry to hear about his accident and even more sorry that I can’t be there for him.”

Vanessa puts an arm around Cherry’s shoulder and pulls her in for a brief hug. “It’s all right. I’ll text you when I know more.” Cherry doesn’t look my way again.

I can be all bent out of shape about the tables turning—she’s rejecting me the way I’d done to her over and over again in the past—but I’m not.

All that rage she has tells me one thing.

Cherry’s not over me yet.

Which is good, because I’m not done with her either.