Total pages in book: 93
Estimated words: 87909 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 440(@200wpm)___ 352(@250wpm)___ 293(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 87909 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 440(@200wpm)___ 352(@250wpm)___ 293(@300wpm)
“I guess I should go back to my room. Thanks for helping me up, even if I yelled at you at first. I do appreciate it.”
“Why don’t you let me walk you to your room?”
“I don’t know…” I chew on my bottom lip, torn by what to do. I wouldn’t mind someone walking me back to my room. I hate being out here on my own, but I still don’t know if I can trust Vito.
“I promise I won’t bite.” He smirks, his eyes gleaming with mischief, but he makes no move to touch me. His gaze flickers to something behind me. “Looks like Quinton decided to walk you home after all.”
I don’t turn around, but I can hear Quinton’s footsteps approaching. His feet pound against the ground like he is angry. As if he has a right to be upset. Fury builds inside me like lava inside a volcano, ready to spew hot molten rock and kill everything in my path.
All the anger and pain has made me bitter, and all I want to do is hurt Quinton the way he hurt me. I want to defy him, stand against him and do the opposite of what he is asking of me.
The small hairs on my neck stand and a shiver runs down my spine as I feel Quinton come closer, feel his presence, his glare boring into my back.
I look up at Vito, who is taking in my face like he is mapping out my features. He doesn’t seem the slightest bit bothered by Quinton, who is getting closer by the second. Instead, he is simply looking at me like I’m the only thing that matters.
Fuck it. I act on impulse.
Before I can think anything through, I take a step toward Vito. His eyes widen just a smidge, and his lips part in surprise as I push up on my tiptoes, close my eyes, and press my mouth against his.
Oh, shit. I’m kissing Vito.
He doesn’t pull away, which I half expect. His lips are soft and inviting against mine, but there is nothing else there, no spark, no butterflies, no warm and fuzzy feelings. Just two lips touching.
Neither one of us moves, too shocked by what I’m doing. My mind is going at a million miles per hour, confused, shocked, and a little scared by the consequences of my actions. I’m about to pull away when someone else does it for me.
“What the fuck are you doing?” Quinton growls from behind me. The deep, gravelly sound of his voice holds rage and promises retribution. He grabs me harshly and pulls my back against his chest, knocking all the air from my lungs.
My eyes fly open just in time to see Vito smirk with satisfaction. Next thing I know, I’m spun around and picked up by my hips. Quinton throws me over his shoulder, leaving me hanging upside down and grabbing onto his shirt for support.
He stamps off in a fit, my body bouncing on his shoulder with each step. I lift my head enough to get one last look at Vito. He is standing in the hall with his hands tucked in his pockets. The smile remains on his lips as he watches me being carried off caveman style.
Ugh. I want to tell Quinton to put me down, yell at him, pound my fist against his back, but I know he is furious right now, and that means I better let him cool off before I say anything.
It doesn’t matter that he has no right to be angry with me, and I have all the right to be furious at him. Quinton makes his own rules, and if I don’t follow, I’ll have to pay the price. That doesn’t mean I’ll make it easy on him.
He carries me all the way to my room without either of us saying a word. Kicking the door shut after us, he drops me on my bed unceremoniously, making me bounce on my mattress.
My entire body goes rigid, bracing for what’s coming. I expect him to be on me any second, grabbing my throat, tearing at my dress, demanding control, and my complete submission.
“Go to sleep and do not leave this room again tonight,” he orders, then spins around and heads back toward the door.
My mouth pops open, my jaw hanging slack as if I’ve lost the ability to move it at all. I blink slowly, wondering if this is some kind of alternative reality. It has to be. Any moment now, I’ll be sucked back into my universe.
Quinton’s steps falter a foot away from the door. Looking over his shoulder, he asks, “Did you hear me?”
My mind snaps back into what I’m now certain is reality. “Why do you care what I do? I don’t owe you anything.”
“No? You owe me nothing? I guess you can pack your shit and move back to your old room.”