My heart skipped several beats as I heard her knock on the door. Naturally, I was excited, but if I had known what was about to happen, I would’ve been glowing like a Christmas tree. I found myself taking a deep breath and smoothing out my T-shirt, trying to mentally prepare myself for my immediate future, but my stomach unleashed a swarm of butterflies as I opened the door and saw Rayne casually leaning up against the frame, sucking playfully on a lollipop as if her lips needed the attention. She pulled her candy out of her mouth with an exaggerated smack and smiled at me, her perfect teeth sparkling in ivory brilliance.

“Hey…” I somehow managed to say.

My butterflies were out of control, tickling inside my chest and rising dangerously toward my brain. I mentally begged them to still, praying I wouldn’t say or do something that would make me appear foolish. I hoped she didn’t notice how my eyes were glued to her skintight jeans that made her ass plump out, or to the wicked high-heeled boots that most mothers would forbid their daughters to wear. Her scent… fruity flavors filled the surrounding air, and I felt I could easily drown or fall victim to that fabled eternal sleep. Just a kiss would save me but what I liked most about Rayne, other than her obvious looks and easy charm, is that she walked like a confident woman—a woman who’s hot and knows it.

Rayne hummed quietly as she came into the apartment and took in Daren’s form. He really was a lump, reeking of whatever poison he’d chosen, with his limbs haphazardly splayed in multiple directions. His pants and T-shirt had been balled up and cast onto the floor, and one of his white tube socks was missing, while the other was only partially removed and hanging like a limp dick off the end of his toes. He was a sad sight, but I didn’t let my disappointment in him linger. I told myself I was way past his bullshit.

“So, this is him?” Rayne said, gesturing with her lollipop. Her eyebrows rose into high arches, showing how unimpressed she was.

“Yeah,” I confessed to her. “It’s barely six-thirty and he’s toast. He’s been drinking since before noon.”

Rayne secured her lollipop into her mouth again and reached down, running her hands over Daren’s naked chest. Her fingertips traced the edges of the hard muscles of his upper torso, over the light, curly patch of hair in his middle, and down and around a few ribs. My eyes narrowed at her inspection, wondering what my future roommate could possibly be thinking.

Rayne chuckled and plucked her lollipop out of her mouth with a fresh smack. “He’s not bad to look at.”

It was true… Daren was a slob and a jerk, but he had a rocking body. He spent his time at the gym when he should have been studying… at least when he wasn’t drinking....

Cat Games Part 2: The Nickname