Total pages in book: 130
Estimated words: 119230 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 596(@200wpm)___ 477(@250wpm)___ 397(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 119230 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 596(@200wpm)___ 477(@250wpm)___ 397(@300wpm)
Ilaria laughs and I can’t help but wonder if she’s pitying me. “Yeah, girl. He’s about as bad as they come.”
“Shit. He’s my new neighbor. His bedroom looks directly into mine, and last night he got naked, stared at me through the window, and rubbed one out while watching me. Then when I actually looked up and noticed, the asshole winked at me.”
Ilaria laughs again. “Oh, girl. You’re in deep trouble.”
“He won’t … he won’t actually hurt me, will he?”
“Physically, no,” she says. “He’d never touch a woman, but he’d sure as hell use all the tricks in the book. Intimidation, threats, toying with your heart. Nothing is off-limits to Tanner Morgan, and if he’s chosen you to be his little toy, then it’s guaranteed you’ll be crushed. He’s the type of guy who lets you think you’re winning and right when you become vulnerable, he’ll pull the rug out from under you and watch you burn. You need to be careful.”
“You sound like you’re speaking from experience.”
Ilaria shakes her head. “Not me,” she says. “My friend, Chanel. She was close to him last year … until she wasn’t. But honestly, I don’t think she’s ever really gotten over it. He’s not the type to do things halfway. If there’s a target on your back, he’s going for the kill.”
Well, fuck. That’s just what I need.
“So, I suppose that means I’d be stupid to push away someone offering to be a friend, huh?”
“Yeah,” she says, her lips pulling into a delighted smile. “It would make you a real fucking idiot.”
“Good thing I’m only an idiot when it comes to choosing boyfriends.”
“Yeah, I’m not going to lie, you picked that one really well. Where were your friends when you made that mistake? Surely someone was whispering in your ear to run for the hills.”
I laugh, shaking my head. “They weren’t just whispering, they were practically screaming it, but I just had to see it though. My best friend, Erica, she couldn’t have been happier when I told her we were finally over.”
“I bet,” Ilaria says, reaching over and gripping the class schedule out of my hand before scanning over it. “Ah, you have first period history with me. I’ll take you there, but second period you’re on your own. I’ll introduce you to the girls during break and then we can work out how we’re going to destroy Tanner Morgan and his band of douchebag friends.”
Chapter 7
BRIELLE
Mrs. Porter welcomes me into her history class, and I’m only just saved from standing and introducing myself to the class when none other than Tanner Morgan strides through the door.
Juuuust great. I was hoping to avoid sharing any classes with the guy, but let’s face it, I haven’t exactly been the poster child for luck over the past few days.
Tanner barely spares a glance toward Mrs. Porter before he slinks through the classroom, turning down the first row and heading to the seat right in the very back corner. I’m not surprised he’s late to class. He’s the type of guy who’d probably be late to his own funeral.
“Make it quick, Mr. Morgan. You’re late,” Mrs. Porter scolds, though her tone is far too lenient compared to the scolding tones I’ve become accustomed to at Hope Falls Public. “I don’t need to remind you how bad that looks for your first class of your senior year. Let’s not make this a habit.”
My stare flickers up to Tanner, watching as he saunters down the narrow walkway toward his seat, his hands deep in his pockets. A soft grin lingers on his lips, probably pleased to have irritated Mrs. Porter so early in the day, but it quickly fades as his sharp gaze snaps to mine.
The tension in the room builds and my breath catches in my throat, waiting for him to pass, but it feels as though it takes a lifetime. How is it possible to have this many encounters in such a short amount of time? Fuck, I’ve seen this guy naked and fondling his manhood, and damn it, it was one hell of an impressive manhood. He’s a girthy motherfucker, but also long, and while I wasn’t even a little close enough to tell if it has thick, protruding veins, I just know it does.
And just like that, my cheeks flame the brightest shade of red and he smirks, knowing exactly what’s circling my head.
Crap.
I turn away, unable to handle his intensity, and just when I think he’s about to pass, Tanner moves in behind me, one hand braced against the corner of my desk as his other comes down by my opposite elbow, caging me in like some kind of wild animal. My stare remains locked straight ahead, and I stop breathing completely when he begins to lower himself down, his breath gently brushing over the sensitive skin of my neck.