Goddess Rising by Alexi Lawless Read Free Book Online

shout-whispered urgently into her ear as they passed the bar. Sam saw Chris first, though his back was to her. And then she saw the object of Rita’s sudden attention.
    Her photographer.
    Sam would have recognized him anywhere. He’d been impossible to overlook that day she’d seen him on the Quad, totally focused as he took his pictures behind a tripod. Up close, her photographer was arrestingly attractive—all tousled, tawny bed-hair, sun-kissed skin, and easy masculinity. He chatted with Chris, his smile fast and blithe as a hummingbird, a flash of even, white teeth gleaming as he laughed at something Chris was saying.
    Sam glanced away, uncharacteristically anxious, just like she’d been the day she’d seen him at the Arches. She doubted he’d recall seeing her on that windy, stormy day anyway, but she kept her face averted just the same as they passed.
    “Wait, stop!” Rita slurred as Sam dragged her away. “I wanna talk to him—”
    “No, you don’t,” Sam replied, determined to get to the door.
    “Oh, yes I do ,” Rita insisted, struggling to turn around and nearly falling over in her bid to make the connection.
    Sam grabbed her friend’s arm again, catching a glimpse as a girl wearing next to nothing launched herself into her photographer’s arms. He caught her easily, his smile bemused as his hands circled her waist with easy familiarity.
    “See?” Sam gestured, disappointment coursing through her. “He’s moved on. Perhaps it wasn’t lust at first sight after all.”
    “But we could have been so good together,” Rita moaned, leaning heavily on Sam as she trudged toward the door. “He’s hot, I’m hot. He’s probably a knockout in the sack, and I’m definitely awesome in bed—”
    “A match made in drunk heaven, I’m sure,” Sam agreed, cutting her off as she maneuvered them out the front door past the throngs of students still trying to get in.
    “Who was that cute blonde dude you were talking to?” Rita asked, slurring a little. “He wasn’t fucking sexy like that chico guapo , 5 but I could tell that vato was all into you.”
    “He’s just a guy I have class with. We’re doing a project together.” They made it down the walkway toward the street where she’d parked her car.
    “Oh, I bet he wants to ‘ do a project’ with you,” Rita cackled loudly, amusing herself with her air quotes. “And you should let him do all kinds of projects with you, jaina . So uptight all the time.”
    Trouble was, Sam didn’t think of Chris’s all-American good looks and winsome smile when she imagined doing any kind of anything with a guy. She imagined a photographer with just-ravished hair and bright golden eyes. But that same photographer made her feel hot and uncomfortable without even trying, and Sam wasn’t entirely sure what to do with that weird, new awareness.
    “I’m serious, chica !” Rita insisted drunkenly as she stumbled toward Sam’s Mustang. “That boy could really loosen you up.”
    “Rita, honey, you’re loose enough for all of us.”
    “I am not a slut!” Rita smacked her back. “I’m an empowered woman!”
    “Perfect. Then empower your ass all the way into my car,” Sam answered, unlocking the door. She helped Rita in, buckling her seatbelt.
    “You gotta ease up sometimes, Sammy,” Rita told her tiredly as she settled in, her head dropping back. “Life’s made for living, you know? I just want you to be happy sometimes, chica .”
    “I am happy, Rita,” she promised.
    “Then how come I’m always having to drag your ass out?”
    Sam didn’t have a really good answer for that, so she remained quiet. Truth was, she felt a little shy most of the time. She’d grown up with guys all her life—got along with them better than girls, in truth—but when it came to girly stuff like dating boys and daydreaming about hearts and curlicues, well, she didn’t know much about that, all told.
    So Sam went with what she knew. And that had always been acting