Yet it did nothing for me. If anything, it took physical effort not to outwardly cringe.
“Mmm, I think I would enjoy that,” she murmured, her lips falling to my ear. “However, I’ll need proof that you’re up to the task.”
Carmen leaned into my opposite side, her fingers running through my hair. “Oh, I think he is, Ry,” she said conversationally. “In fact, I think this could be a lot of fun.”
“Are you suggesting a test, sis?” Ryan cooed.
“I am.” She batted her eyes at me, moving even closer. “A challenging one.”
Ah, this was too easy. Only here a day and they were falling into my trap without any pushing on my part. Brilliant. “I’m listening,” I murmured, tightening my grip on Ryan’s hip. She was clearly the ringleader, so I focused on her. “What did you have in mind, sweets?”
“Poor Ella hasn’t had a date to a dance in so long. I think you should ask her.” She walked her red claws up and down my shirt, making me want to burn the offending digits with a sweep of power.
Fortunately, her words were music to my ears.
“You want me to take another woman—this Ella—to a dance?” I reiterated.
She nodded. “But not just that. I want you to humiliate her.”
I frowned. “Why?”
Her shoulder lifted. “Because she’s a conceited little tramp who thinks she’s better than the rest of us.”
“And no one has gotten her to a dance since freshman year,” Carmen added.
“Still not seeing a benefit to this,” I drawled, leaning in to draw my nose across Ryan’s cheek. “You seem more my speed. How about I take you instead?”
Her laugh was one of those fake tinkling noises that made most men cringe. So over the top, just like the rest of her.
“Well, if you do your job right, you’ll get both of us as a prize,” Ryan taunted, glancing conspiratorially at her sister before narrowing her dull gaze at me. “But only if you make her cry, new guy. Like, embarrass her well and truly. We’re talking full breakdown.”
My eyebrows lifted. “And I get the two of you as a reward after?” Did men actually fall for this bullshit?
Oh, right. I’d met two idiots who did earlier.
Apparently, the whole twin-sister fetish in this realm really fucked with human morals.
Ryan nodded. “You get us both for as long as you want.”
“However you want,” Carmen said, taking on her role of seductive sidekick and pressing her ample breasts into my arm.
“That’s an intriguing proposition, ladies,” I admitted. But not for the reasons you assume.
Having them both in any position I wanted would be a dream come true. Because I’d tie them to a stake and burn them alive.
Man, how did Isabella live with these cunts?
“So what do you say, hotshot?” Ryan asked, her voice taking on a husky tone before brushing her lips over my jaw.
I say I need a shower, love, I thought, fighting off a gag and instead forcing my lips to curl. “It’s going to take more than a dance to humiliate her to the point of a breakdown,” I said, needing an excuse to have as much access to Isabella as possible. “We’re talking months for what you’re looking for, which means I’ll be requiring more than one night between the two of you.”
Intrigue flashed in Ryan’s features. “It sounds like you have some experience in breaking a woman.”
Now I really did smile, my hand sliding to the small of her back to splay against her spine. “You have no idea, sweetheart,” I drawled against her ear and pulled back. “If you want my services, you’re going to have to pay. Significantly.”
The girls shared a look, devious energy practically breeding between them.
I had them right where I wanted them.
Not only would they provide me with every excuse to get closer to Isabella, but they would also thank me for it.
For every moment up until they learned the truth.
And their stepsister destroyed them.
Fucking beautiful. I couldn’t wait.
“All right,” Ryan murmured. “Convince Ella to attend Homecoming with you this weekend. Do that, and we’ll know you’re serious. Then we can talk about a price.”
“Homecoming,” I repeated, pretending to think it over.
Clearly, Isabella hadn’t said a word to anyone about my proposition this morning. Not that I was surprised. She had no intention of joining me. But I’d change her mind soon enough.
“We’ll give you a taste of what’s to come Saturday night,” Ryan added in an attempt to sweeten the deal. “Consider it a test both ways. We’ll see if you’re as good as you seem to think you are, and we’ll prove we’re better than you could ever dream.”
I smirked. “I think you have that backward, dove.” I tapped her on her nose. “Because I’m far better than you could ever dream.”
“Then prove it,” she taunted. “Take Ella to Homecoming.”
“If I do, the game begins,” I warned. “And I have to pretend to be hers, or there’ll be no future play.”
Respect gleamed in Ryan’s irises. “Understood. We’ll be discreet.”
I nodded. “Then you have yourself a test play, sweets.” My palm went to her hip again, squeezing. “Now tell me your names.”
They both giggled, shaking their heads. “As if you don’t know,” Ryan said.
“I don’t.” A total lie, but I enjoyed seeing some of the light dim from their eyes.
“Really?” Carmen sounded shocked.
“First day, new guy, remember?” I released Ryan. “I don’t even know who this Ella is yet.”
“The girl you dunked in swim class,” Carmen replied, her brow furrowing.
“Cinder?” I asked, snorting. “I thought this was supposed to be a challenge?”
Ryan laughed outright, shaking her head. “Oh, new guy, you have no idea. And I’m Ryan. This is Carmen. You’ll know all about us by the end of the week, assuming you don’t skip all your classes.”
I feigned amusement. “You heard about my day, did you?” I folded my arms to afford me some breathing room because their perfume was starting to give me a headache. Neither chick received the message.
“We hear everything at this school,” Ryan said, her statement resembling a threat. “We own this school.”
“Fascinating.” And unfortunately true, from what I’d observed. “Well, it was lovely meeting you both, but I have a plot to conceive and only three days to make it happen. Unless you want to give me a taste of our deal now?”
Carmen seemed on board with the idea.
Ryan merely smiled. “Not a chance, new guy. Prove yourself first, then we’ll talk.”
I returned her amusement. “I’ll more than prove myself.” With a wink, I pulled open the door to my car, successfully dislodging them along the way. “I look forward to our future together, ladies. I think it’ll be pleasurable indeed.” Particularly when I awaken Isabella’s powers and watch her fry you both alive.
Ah, and what a sight that would be.
“To the future,” I said, sliding into my car and shutting the door. May you both burn for eternity.