Hooked on the Game (The Sterling Shore Series #1) by C.M. Owens Page B

least it's not Kade she's wrapped around.
    I groan inwardly.  I can't keep doing that.  Kade is... my roommate?  My friend?  I don't know, but I can't be interested in him.  He's an elite and I'm the girl from the trailer park.
    I do well to hide in the back, possibly seeming like the creepy girl just watching everyone.  After observing everyone dance and drink for thirty minutes, I start to relax.  No one at all has said anything rude to me whatsoever.
    "Raya, right?" a guy asks, proving I'm not hiding as well as I thought.
    "Yes." I force a smile and turn to meet him, drawing in a deep breath to prepare for whatever he might say.
    "I'm Brock." He proffers his hand, and I place mine in his for the shake, though I admit I'm wary.
    He grins, giving me a shot of his dimples as he props against the wall beside me. He's dressed in a pair of designer jeans, a blue T-shirt, and a sexy gaze. Considering I don't know if he's one of the many who ridiculed me, I don't exactly swoon.
    "Nice to meet you," I murmur as sincerely as I can muster, while returning my eyes to the party.
    "It's Get Wet time!" a girl's shrill voice announces as the music dies down.  "Same rules as always.  When you hear the song, grab someone to lock up with until it stops.  All ladies without a partner, prepare to be tossed in the pool!"
    My stomach tilts to the point I'm worried I'll get sick.  She can't be serious.  Surely no one would actually throw me in the pool.  Shit.  Kade has thrown me in the pool before.
    "I think I might hang out over here with you," Brock says, grinning as the girl speaks with the DJ behind the traveling booth.
    I swallow hard as she continues.  "Tonight, the Get Wet song is Good Man !"  The DJ plays a sample, and everyone roars in cheers, getting excited.  Then the song changes, and the girl hops down, beaming from the mischief she just delivered.
    I don't feel like partying anymore. Now I just want to go crawl in a closet and hide.  The girl who was announcing the bomb-drop sidles up next to Brock, rocking back on her heels as hearts form in her eyes.
    Warm hands wrap around my waist seconds before the Get Wet song kicks in.  I'm whirled around and pushed into the corner, gasping for air.  My eyes lock with Kade's and he grins as he brings his lips within centimeters from mine, keeping one arm pressed against the wall, blocking our faces somewhat.
    "What... w-what are you doing?" I hoarsely release, swallowing hard thereafter.
    "Making people think we're doing what we're supposed to be doing.  Otherwise, you'll get tossed in the pool.  Considering you're wearing white, and you don't have... much on back here," his hand trails over my rear, making me tremble as he slides his hand back up to my back and tugs me closer, "you might not need to get caught."
    I shiver noticeably, feeling trapped and completely stupid as a crushing wave of unbidden desire unfurls within me.  This just changed... everything for me.  I don't even remember how to hate him in this moment.
    "Whenever you see Mel drift toward Brock," he says, motioning toward the game announcer and Brock who are in a tongue-tango lip-lock, "find me, and I'll make it look like we're just as engaged as everyone else enjoying the festivities."
    My knees try to buckle, but I steady them, locking them into place like I just shoved steel rods in there.  "So they're a couple?"
    I leave out the part where Brock was acting like he wanted to play this game with me.
    "No," he chuckles out.  "Brock isn't in the market to settle down, but Mel wants him. So, she plays this game every party.  When the DJ sees her close to Brock, he plays the song.  That's your cue.  Just find me, unless you want some strange guy locked on your lips or tossing you in the pool."
    His eyes move down to my lips, and his breath catches for a second.  With his mouth just slightly ajar, I finally see the silver mystery a little better.
    "You do have your tongue pierced," I murmur to