Hurting You Read online J.L. Beck, Cassandra Hallman (Blackthorn Elite #3)

Categories Genre: Contemporary, Dark, New Adult, Romance Tags Authors: , Series: Blackthorn Elite Series by J.L. Beck
Advertisement1

Total pages in book: 73
Estimated words: 67362 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 337(@200wpm)___ 269(@250wpm)___ 225(@300wpm)
<<<<3949575859606169>73
Advertisement2


Just once, I want to do something to them.

“Terrible day,” I finally answer. Remembering how Carly touched Easton, I do the same with the stranger. Running my hand over his chest, I force the words out. “Maybe you can make it a little better?”

His eyes light up, and a triumphant smile spreads across his face. He isn’t a bad looking guy, typical jock with perfect hair, and a megawatt smile, but he has nothing on Easton or Cam. The thought angers me further, no matter what, they’re inside my head, weaseling their way into every thought. I move a little closer, wanting to push the limits as much as I can.

“I’m sure I could, sweetheart.” He cups my cheek, and I cringe at the pet name but manage to keep a straight face. I let my hand drift over his chest and inhale his cologne while trying to hide my disgust of the whole situation when Easton appears out of nowhere.

One moment the guy is standing in front of me, and the next, he is pinned against the closest wall. I can’t make sense of the scene before me; everything is moving too fast. When I finally gather my wits, I find Easton has him by the collar with one hand, the other is clenched into a fist ready to punch the guy.

“Easton, we were just talking.” I cut in, trying to defuse the situation, knowing damn well that it was more than that.

“I’m sorry, man. I didn’t know she was with you. I just walked in.” The guy defends himself, holding up his hands as if to say he’s innocent, and really, he is. This entire thing is on me.

Easton slowly drops his hand, and a sigh escapes my lips. I start to walk toward him when over his shoulder he grins at me, that signature smile of his tells me all I need to know. A dreadful feeling gathers in my gut a moment before Easton rears back his fist, punching the guy in the stomach.

“Don’t ever fucking touch what is mine again,” he snarls and releases him with a shove. I watch as the nameless guy doubles over, holding onto his stomach, the drink in his hand falling to the floor, splattering brown liquid everywhere.

“Fuck you! I’m not yours!” I hiss as I scurry from the room, wanting to put as much distance as possible between us.

Looking around, I see an open door in the hallway. I sprint across the hall, through that door which I quickly realize leads to a bathroom. I try to shut the door behind me, but before the lock clicks in, someone pushes the door in and me with it.

I’m about to keep yelling at Easton when I look up and see that it is not him at all. It’s Carly.

“Where are you off to so fast?” she asks, pushing me back so hard she almost knocks me on my ass. While she locks the door behind her, I try to gather my wits and compose myself.

“What do you want?” I answer her question with a question.

“Just wanted to clear things up between us,” she snaps, folding her arms in front of her chest.

“What’s that supposed to mean? There is nothing to clear up.”

I hate you. You hate me. The end.

“Listen, I am not the bad guy here. Really, I am doing you a favor by giving it to you straight. You don’t belong here, and you definitely do not belong with Easton or Cameron. Everybody knows it, most of all, Easton and Cam. I just mean that you shouldn’t fool yourself. You are nothing to them, but a cheap hooker they’re gonna have some fun with.”

“You don’t know what is going on between us.” I try to defend myself and my relationship with the guys, but I know I don’t have a leg to stand on. I know she is right.

Someone knocks on the door, but both of us ignore the sound.

“You can’t honestly believe there is anything going on, other than you getting paid to spread your legs? You are a class-A gold digger and not a good one at that.”

“Open the damn door!” Easton yells from the hallway, making me jump.

“Of course, hold on,” Carly answers while giving me a vindictive smile that makes me shudder. She turns to open the door. Cam and Easton appear in the doorframe, both looking like they are about to lose their shit. “We’re done here anyway.”

“Time to go, Stella,” Easton growls at me. Cam motions for me to come to him, and my legs move all on their own.

Stepping around Carly, I follow the guys through the house and outside. Neither one of them looks the entire time. When we get to the car, Cam opens the back door for me and ushers me in. Closing the door behind me, I watch as they both get into the front seat.


Advertisement3

<<<<3949575859606169>73

Advertisement4