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)
Smiling, I asked, “Can you point me in the right direction of the office?”
“Only if you tell me why you’re going there.”
I nervously chuckled. His voice was deep and throaty, stirring emotions I wasn’t expecting.
“I’m a new student.”
“Yeah, that much I gathered.”
"Right.” I nervously chuckled again. “I guess you’d know everyone at this school, huh?”
“Something like that.”
I politely smiled. “My name is Belle Montgom—”
“I know who you are.”
It didn’t surprise me he was aware of who I was. Most people in this town were.
Changing the subject, I added, “I’m supposed to meet Riley Harding in the office. She’s supposed to show me around the school and my new classes. My father said she was part of the welcome committee.”
“Well, you’re in luck, kitten. You’re standing right in front of him.”
Did he just call me kitten?
“But you’re a boy.”
He arched an eyebrow with an amused expression on his handsome face.
“I just meant”—I stupidly shook my head—“I thought you’d be a girl.”
“I hate to disappoint you, kitten.” He mischievously grinned. “But I’m all man.”
His smile was contagious. I couldn’t help but return the sentiment. We stood there for a few seconds, neither one of us saying a word. His inquisitive regard didn’t falter. Although his eyes didn’t move from my face, I still felt his stare on every inch of my body. So much so that I was the first to look away.
Bowing my head for a moment, I swept a strand of my hair behind my ear, pitifully trying to break the unexpected tension between us.
Unable to remain silent any longer, I questioned, “Where should we start the tour then?”
I never expected him to reply, “How about in my bed?”
My eyes widened as I jerked back. “Excuse me?”
He chuckled. “Oh, kitten, you should have seen your face. Are you always this entertaining?”
I was about to respond, but he did yet another thing that completely caught me off guard. He grabbed my hand.
“What are you—”
“You’ll see.” With that, he began walking, pulling me close behind him as I tried to keep up with his long strides.
The only thing I could contemplate was how much bigger his hand was in comparison to mine. It didn’t take long until he was taking me into an empty classroom. In one quick movement, he let go of my hand, closed the door and leaned against it with his arms crossed over his chest.
What was happening?
“Are you scared, kitten?”
My eyes snapped to meet his.
Was I scared?
Yes.
No.
Maybe?
As if reading my mind, he threatened, “You should be.”
Instinctively, I stepped back as he pushed off the door. With each of my backward steps, he met my stride. Stepping forward as I stepped back.
I swallowed hard, trying to remain calm in a situation I wasn’t prepared for.
I did the only thing that came to mind, stating, “I think we’re late for class.”
“And she finally speaks.”
Another step back.
Another step forward.
“Riley, isn’t this against the rules? Us being in here alone?”
“Rules were made to be broken, kitten.”
Three steps back.
Three steps forward.
“My name is Belle.”
“Kitten, it’s whatever I want it to be.”
I was running out of steps.
“If you come any closer, I’ll scream.”
He sadistically smiled. “And the pussy has claws. How about next time, I feel them down my back instead?”
I gasped. “What are you insinuating?”
“You lying beneath me.”
“That’s quite presumptuous of you.”
“You riding my cock would have been presumptuous of me.”
My jaw hit the floor.
Four quick steps back.
Four quicker steps forward.
“Careful, kitten.”
As soon as the last word left his mouth, my back hit the wall with a hard thud. I was dizzy, but my hands instinctively shot up to his chest, my palm right over his heart.
His pulse was steady.
Precise.
Calm.
Not one ounce of regret was in his brazen stare. Except he wasn’t looking at me—Riley was looking through me.
What did he want?
What occurred next happened so fast, yet it still felt like it played out in slow motion right in front of my eyes.
Caging me in with his strong, muscular arms, he leaned in close to my mouth. Close enough to where I could feel his breath on my lips, making me lightheaded from the peppermint scent. Or maybe that was still from the impact of my head hitting the wall.
Either way, I couldn’t move.
I couldn’t speak.
I was barely breathing.
Then, without saying a word, he ever so lightly kissed the corner of my lips. His mouth lingered for a moment before he pulled away to look deep into my eyes.
I’d never forget what he asked next…
Not in a million years.
In a condescending tone, he questioned, “How’s it feel to be kissed by a Hawkins, kitten?”
—Tristian—
She shoved me.
Hard.
I’d be lying if I said I didn’t expect it. Although coming from her, I was more shocked she actually had the balls to do it.
“Tristian?” she acknowledged angrily.
“The one and only.”
“You said your name was Riley.”
“Do I look like a Riley, kitten?”