falling for the Badboy

Chapter Thirty Two

"Firstly, you look gorgeous. Secondly, your mother is THEE Catherine Smith!" Alexa blurts out the moment I reach them. I expected Lexi to be the first one to speak, but judging by her wide eyes and open mouth, she's still in shock.

"So, pretty girl," Raven says, narrowing her eyes at me, "were you ever going to let us know that you're casually the daughter of the famous Catherine Smith? Or was that a secret forever?"

"Uh, were you going to tell me that alien boy—oh, I mean Tyler—is your brother? No, right? Exactly. So, we’re even," I shoot back, folding my arms.

Raven rolls her eyes, muttering, "You’re deflecting." Then she snaps her fingers in front of Alexis’s face. "Hello? Earth to Lexi?"

"I have, like, a million questions," Lexi finally says, blinking. "How is Catherine Smith your mother—"

"Lex, that’s literally the dumbest question ever," her sister cuts in before I can respond.

"Guys," I interrupt, raising a hand like I’m about to swear an oath, "I didn’t think it was a big deal, okay? But now you know, so can we please move on?"

"Nope!" Lexi says firmly, with Raven and Alexa chiming in, "Agreed!"

"Okay, fine. Go ahead. Ask me anything."

"Can I say hi to your little brother?"
"So, you’re not scholarship girl?"
"How come you and Christian were acting all lovey-dovey?"
"So, Michaela is your stepsister?"
"Why do the two of you act like strangers at school?"
"Has Christian always known?"

"Guys, chill!" I say, holding up both hands like I’m warding off a swarm of bees. "Raven, yes, Christian has known for a while. No, we weren’t being lovey-dovey. Michaela is my sister, but we just mind our own business. I’m not scholarship girl. And yes, you can meet my brother. Happy now?"

I pause for breath, feeling like I just ran a marathon. "Phew, that took a lot of energy."

We talk about everything and nothing, all the random stuff that makes zero sense. Of all the parties Mom has ever thrown, I can confidently say I enjoyed this one the most—thanks to my friends.

"Please tell me we’ll always get invited to Catherine’s grand parties," Alexa says, her eyes gleaming with excitement. "I was so happy my parents and their kids got an invite!"

"That depends," I tease, grinning at her, "on whether I’ll keep getting princess treatment."

We all burst out laughing, the kind of laughter that makes your stomach hurt in the best way.

That’s when I spot the cute little demon himself—Jake. He’s scanning the room like he’s on a mission. He’s either looking for me or cake. Let’s be honest, it’s probably me… because I’m the one who gets him the cake.

When his eyes finally land on me, I wave. The second he spots us, he starts making his way over.

"Oh my God, he’s so cute! He’s so cute, he’s so cute!" Lexi practically squeals, bouncing on her heels.

Raven smirks. "Chill, you perv. He’s nine."

Lexi gasps, smacking Raven on the arm, but she’s too excited to even argue. By the time Jake gets to us, she looks like she might actually explode from happiness.

"Hey, Jakie. Where’ve you been?" I ask, crouching slightly to his level.

"Uhm, looking for you," he says shyly, his voice barely above a whisper. Oh wow. He’s shy because of the girls.

"Well, my friends wanted to say hi!" I gesture to each of them. "This is Raven, Alexa, and Lexi. And Lexi here says she likes you."

I can’t hide the grin spreading across my face. Jake’s cheeks turn bright red, and he looks down at his sneakers. Shy Jake? This is a scene I never thought I’d witness.

Finally, in a voice so soft I almost miss it, he mumbles, "I like her too."

Lexi practically melts on the spot, flashing him the warmest smile, while Alexa and Raven clutch their chests dramatically.

"Awwwwww!" they chorus, dragging out the sound like they’re in some cheesy rom-com.

And for once, Jake doesn’t run away. Maybe this party isn’t so bad after all.

                               ***
It takes approximately ten minutes for shy Jake to disappear and for the little devil to return. He's cracking jokes with my friends now, fully in his element, though I notice the faint blush that colors his cheeks every time Lexi says Something to him.

Seeing that he's comfortable enough without me hovering, I excuse myself. "I'll be right back," I tell them, slipping away to get my phone from my room。

The trek to the other side of the mansion feels longer than usual, probably because my shoes are hell-bent on destroying my feet. By the time I reach my room, I'm practically limping, muttering a string of complaints under my breath.

I push the door open, stepping inside, and am about to close it when something-or rather, someone -pushes it back. I don't need to look to know who it is. I can smell him before I see him. It's ridiculous that I've memorized his scent: woodsy, clean, and just... him.

He steps inside, a large, commanding figure, the soft glow of the room's dim lights catching on his tailored suit and the gleaming Tom Ford shoes that scream wealth and perfection. My eyes shift upward, and I find him staring at me with a look that sends a shiver down my spine.

"Victoria," he says, his voice like warm honey with a touch of something darker, something dangerous.

My heart stumbles over itself. Did I drink anything alcoholic? Is that why my brain feels so foggy? Because what the actual hell is going on with me?

"Huh?" I manage, my voice embarrassingly breathless.

He takes a step toward me, and my stomach flips. Then another step, his long, athletic legs closing the distance in seconds. His gaze doesn't waver, his dark eyes locked on mine, and I can feel my blood rushing to my face. Thank God the room is dimly lit, or he'd see how red I've gotten.

He stops inches from me, towering over me, and hooks a finger under my chin. His touch is firm but gentle, and his other hand brushes against my neck, his thumb grazing the sensitive skin there. A jolt of heat rushes through me.

"I've been dying to do this all fucking day," he murmurs, his voice deeper now, rougher.

Before I can process his words, he leans in and claims my lips.

The kiss is overwhelming, like nothing I've ever felt before. His lips are warm and demanding, moving against mine with an urgency that steals my breath. He tilts my head slightly, deepening the kiss, his hand sliding from my chin to cradle the back of my neck. His fingers tangle in my hair, and I feel like the world is spinning, like I'm falling and he's the only thing holding me steady.

I grip his jacket instinctively, trying to anchor myself, but the scent of him and the sheer intensity of the kiss makes it impossible to think. He pulls me closer, his chest firm against mine, and I feel his other hand splay across the small of my back, pressing me even tighter to him.

When his teeth graze my bottom lip, a gasp escapes me, and he takes the opportunity to deepen the kiss further, his tongue brushing against mine in a way that's both maddening and intoxicating. Heat pools in my stomach, spreading through me like wildfire.

It's not just a kiss-it's a claim, a confession, and a promise all wrapped into one. When he finally pulls back, his forehead rests against mine, both of us breathing heavily.

His voice is low and husky when he speaks again. "I've wanted to do that for a lot longer than today."

And just like that, I'm utterly and completely ruined.

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A/N Heya,
I'm back again with another chapter. Please vote and comment.

Thanks for reading and stay tuned

By the way, Catherine Smith is such a boss lady.



Damn woman.