Total pages in book: 99
Estimated words: 95950 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 480(@200wpm)___ 384(@250wpm)___ 320(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 95950 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 480(@200wpm)___ 384(@250wpm)___ 320(@300wpm)
“Looks like your fan club is trying to get your attention,” I joke.
It’s kind of amazing that they’ve done such a quick one eighty. It just goes to show you how fickle our classmates really are. They don’t care about Austin. They care about winning football games and making it to the championship. They care about having another banner to hang in the hallway.
It’s as if he can read my thoughts.
“They’re not my friends,” he says with a snort. “Come Monday, half of them will pretend I don’t exist.”
Sadly, there’s not much I can say to that since it’s the truth and we both know it. We’re outcasts, but for different reasons. The funny thing is that Austin should fit in. He’s stupid handsome, a gifted athlete, and his descendants founded both the town and school. He should be treated like royalty. But he didn’t grow up here, and there’s too much bad blood between his ancestors and this community.
I’m not sure if there’s anything he can do to change it.
Once outside, Austin drops onto the plush couch and pulls me onto his lap. It feels like second nature to thread my arms around his neck. Two weeks ago, I couldn’t have imagined doing something so intimate. I couldn’t even picture being alone with him in the same room.
And now everything has changed.
It was rough in the beginning, but it’s all worked out and I couldn’t be happier. I have the boy I’ve secretly longed for since we first met. The very same one who only has to glance in my direction and my pulse kicks into overdrive, thumping a painful beat against my flesh.
His hands settle around my hips to lock me in place. I can feel the heat of them singeing me through my jeans. It’s enough to make me wish that we’d skipped the party all together. But how could we do that when he’s the reason the Hawks won in the first place? If there’s going to be any movement with our classmates, it’ll be made now. Plus, it’s Kingsley’s party and Summer is here. Even though Austin has set aside his issues with him, he’s still protective of his sister.
For the time being, I’ll happily snuggle against his broad chest as the bright orange flames twist in the firepit. The heat is just enough to warm my chilled skin as silvery moonlight pours over us. The music from inside is more muffled, but faint wisps along with the steady bass can still be heard as the fire’s reflection dances in his eyes.
It’s impossible to believe this boy now belongs to me.
Just like I belong to him.
It’s almost too good to be true.
“Are you cold?” The concern that weaves its way through his voice strums something deep inside. It wouldn’t take much to fall even harder for him.
Instead of admitting that I’m freezing, I shrug. “A little.”
“Want to head back in the house?”
I shake my head. “No, I’d much rather stay on the patio where it’s less crowded.”
One hand slides into the thickness of my hair before he pulls me close enough for his lips to settle over mine. As they do, I open and the velvety softness of his tongue slips inside my mouth to tangle with my own. That’s all it takes for the noise and people to fade to the background. I can’t help but open more fully until he’s able to devour me.
That’s precisely what it feels like.
Being consumed in the best way possible.
“Get a room,” someone shouts, breaking into the protective bubble that surrounds us.
“Or don’t,” another guy laughs. “I wouldn’t mind watching that girl get fucked.”
Austin strokes his tongue against mine before reluctantly pulling away. He glances around, spotting one of the loudmouths near the pool.
“Hey, Garrickson?” Austin calls out, voice raised over the noise of the party.
The redheaded kid glances at us with a stupid grin on his face.
“Shut the fuck up.”
Austin’s attention locks on his friend. “You, too.”
Their smiles dim in wattage as they glance at each other before swinging away.
“So fucking childish,” he grumbles.
“Welcome to high school,” I say lightheartedly, not wanting them to ruin our night.
His expression eases and his lips hitch. “Yeah, I guess so.”
A burst of wind whips over us and a shiver scampers across my skin. When I press closer to his warmth, he grabs the hem of his sweatshirt before yanking it up his body. As soon as it’s removed, he drags it over my head. I shove my arms through the sleeves as the material settles around me. It’s so warm and smells exactly like Austin. It takes every ounce of my willpower to resist bringing the thick cotton to my nose and inhaling a lungful of his masculine scent.
“Better?”
“Much,” I say with a contented smile. “Thank you.”
For the second time, I burrow against his brawny chest before tilting my head and slanting a look up at him. “Aren’t you cold?”