Total pages in book: 64
Estimated words: 64979 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 325(@200wpm)___ 260(@250wpm)___ 217(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 64979 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 325(@200wpm)___ 260(@250wpm)___ 217(@300wpm)
Seconds later, I got a private message from Full Throttle. Even when we were chatting with everyone else in the forum, I still felt something different toward him, a pull I couldn’t explain, so you could understand my excitement when I saw his request to private message me. From the moment I clicked accept and he showed me a picture of his bike, I became even more infatuated with him.
We’d been privately chatting on the site ever since. I wanted to give him my cell phone number so I could hear his voice, but I was too scared it’d somehow get back to my family and I’d be grounded for life. Instead of risking that chance and losing him all together, we only chatted on the forum a few days a week. Sometimes during the day, other times late at night.
Full Throttle: What are you wearing?
I giggled at his question.
Rebel Rider: Wouldn’t you like to know…
Full Throttle: More than you could imagine.
I blushed, smirking.
“Belle,” Dad interrupted through the intercom in my bedroom, bringing my attention to him.
“Come down to my office. We need to talk.”
Although my father couldn’t see me, I nodded at his request as I answered Full Throttle.
Rebel Rider: If you must know, I’m wearing my schoolgirl uniform. I have to go. Chat later!
I didn’t wait for his reaction. The last thing I wanted to do was make my father wait. It wouldn’t be in my best interest. I was already pushing boundaries with my family on attending a co-ed school, and I didn’t want to push my luck any further. After exiting the forum, I deleted it from my browser history, just in case. Grabbing my backpack, I hurried downstairs.
Once I was standing in front of his office door, I knocked.
“Come in,” Dad announced.
I did, coming face-to-face with not only him but my grandfather too.
Oh no … did they change their minds?
My heart sank to the floor. This couldn’t be good. Not with my grandfather there.
“Good morning, Grandfather.”
He simply nodded to the leather chair in front of my father’s desk. “Take a seat, Belle.”
With each step toward the chair, I played it off like my heart wasn’t beating out of my chest.
“Is everything alright?” I asked once I was sitting down.
“Belle,” Grandfather addressed me in a stern voice, standing beside my father with his arms crossed over his chest, looking every bit the powerful man he was.
They were both dressed in three-piece suits. It didn’t matter how hot it was in Kentucky and trust me, some days were scorching, they were still always dressed in suits.
“Belle, I don’t think we have to remind you of what’s expected of you now that you’re attending Canterbury Academy?”
I nodded. “Of course, sir.”
“Everything you do reflects on our name. I don’t think we need to remind you of that either.”
“Yes, of course, sir,” I repeated to my grandfather.
“Princess,” Dad intervened in a lighter tone. “We’re trusting you to know who you need to steer clear of.”
I cocked my head to the side, confused. “Steer clear of?”
Grandfather didn’t miss a beat, stating, “You need to stay away from Beau Hawkins’ grandson. He’s nothing but trouble. Do you understand me?”
It was like I couldn’t form other words aside from, “Yes, of course, sir.”
“As far as you’re concerned, princess, Tristian Hawkins is the enemy.”
This might have been the first time I’d heard his name, but it wouldn’t be the last…
If anything, it was only the beginning.
Chapter 5
—Belle—
“Thank you, Grady, for the ride.” Our chauffeur had been driving my family around since before I was born.
“Have a great first day at your new school, Miss Montgomery. I hope you make a lot of friends.”
I smiled at him and then slowly made my way toward the entrance of the massive brick building in front of me. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t a little overwhelmed by all the students walking around me. Seeing the guys dressed in their schoolboy uniforms was quite a sight for sore eyes. Some were more handsome than I expected.
Especially, the guy who was suddenly running into me as I opened the door to enter the school. My body collided with a rock-hard chest, knocking me backward. Unable to catch my footing fast enough, I almost stumbled onto the ground. If it wasn’t for his strong, sturdy arm wrapping around my waist and pulling me close to his torso, I would have fallen to the ground.
My heart sped up. This was the first time I’d ever had a guy this close to me before. I silently hoped he couldn’t feel my body’s natural response to him.
Embarrassed beyond belief, I acknowledged, “Thank you.”
This guy was tall, probably six-foot-one, maybe two.
When he let me go, I instantly felt the loss of his touch, and I resisted the urge to whimper in disappointment. Shaking away the daze, I peered up at him while he narrowed his eyes at me, looking me up and down with an expression I couldn’t read. He just stood there, all stealth-like, taking me in.