Total pages in book: 169
Estimated words: 162138 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 811(@200wpm)___ 649(@250wpm)___ 540(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 162138 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 811(@200wpm)___ 649(@250wpm)___ 540(@300wpm)
“He’s only into me because I’m difficult.”
“That is not true.” She laughed as she pulled back. “You are difficult, but that’s not why he wants you.”
“I don’t get it.”
“You don’t have to. Prescott says he’s never seen him this way,” she said. “He’s never chased a girl or picked a fight with a teammate. Pres said, ‘Especially Mason, who roomed with him for three years.’”
My heart skipped. “I’m scared.”
“We’re almost out of here.” She squeezed my hand.
“God, I can’t wait to leave.” I took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. “I think I’ll even smile more once we’re gone.”
“Lyles.” She laughed. “I love you, but you’ve never been an overly smiley person. Even when you were sort of nice.”
I laughed. “That’s not true. I still smile sometimes.”
“Oh, God.” She laughed harder. “What you consider a smile is not what the rest of us consider a smile.”
I laughed again as she stood up and disappeared into her bedroom to finish getting ready for the party. When her music started blasting again, I brought my legs up to my chest and turned sideways. Luke dreamed of going to a brand new city where no one knew his name or family, where he could reinvent himself. We’d talked about it endlessly, how our friend group would get an apartment together. We’d already broken up for good, and our friendship had never wavered. I missed him so fucking much. I was just starting to drift off into a nap when there was a loud knock on the door. I groaned but kept my eyes closed.
“Marissa, someone’s at the door!”
“I’m doing my makeup. I still have to finish my hair,” she shouted. “And I’m not expecting anyone.”
I uncurled myself and walked over, my pulse racing when I saw Lachlan standing on the other side. Did he ever look less than perfect? He wore a black t-shirt and joggers, and his hair looked damp like he’d just showered. Just looking at him made me want to do things I shouldn’t. I guess this answered my question about whether or not he was going to the party. I didn’t know how that made me feel. Not good, that was for damn sure, especially after last night. I didn’t think I could look at him right now. Not if he was here to pick up Marissa and leave. Maybe I should unlock the door and sprint to my room. After staring at him for a moment, I opened the door and leaned my hip against the frame for a second, taking him in as if I hadn’t just ogled the shit out of him through the peephole. I pushed off, turned around, and started walking back to the living room.
“She’s still doing her makeup.”
“She’s not the reason I’m here.” His words made me freeze midstep.
I whipped back around. “Why are you here?”
“Really?” He let out a soft chuckle. “That’s how you wanna play it?”
I crossed my arms, examined him, and told the thing inside my chest to chill out. He still hadn’t walked inside, which was hilarious since nothing had ever stopped him before.
“Are you a vampire?” I asked. “You need permission to walk inside all of a sudden?”
He bit his lip as he walked inside and shut the door behind him.
“No apology flowers?” I asked when he faced me again.
“I would have brought some if I didn’t think you’d toss them.”
I loved flowers. They were one of the few things that still brought me genuine happiness. I shrugged. “Flowers die anyway.”
One side of his mouth hitched, but he said nothing as he closed the distance between us. I tilted my head up. My black heart turned red and pumped harder when he looked at me like that — like I was the only person he wanted to look at in this universe. I’d lost count of the times I was sure he’d kiss me. Honestly, I'd either jump him or kick him out if he didn’t do it soon.
“Are you going to kiss me now?” I whispered.
His eyes darkened. “I’ve been dying to fucking kiss you.”
“Then do it.” I grabbed his t-shirt and pulled him to me.
His lips crashed against mine with a groan that vibrated through my body. Time vanished as he lifted me off the ground. A bomb went off inside me. Everything outside of him became nonexistent. Kissing a new person usually took adjustment, but not him. He invaded my mouth like he owned it. He kissed me with possession and abandon, holding me tightly against him as if to make sure I wouldn’t go anywhere. He devoured my mouth as if it were our last kiss, and he needed to make sure he got it right in case I didn’t let him do it again. The intensity of it flayed me, traveled deep inside me, and formed a crevice I knew no one else would fill. It was exhilarating and utterly terrifying. And it was just a freaking kiss.