Total pages in book: 87
Estimated words: 83520 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 418(@200wpm)___ 334(@250wpm)___ 278(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 83520 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 418(@200wpm)___ 334(@250wpm)___ 278(@300wpm)
“Seventeen.”
“Why doesn’t she attend Hawthorne Prep?”
A shadow flickers in his eyes and I swallow thickly, realizing it was the wrong question to ask.
“My father thought it would be an enriching experience for her to study abroad.”
“I’m sure it has been,” I agree.
When a heavy silence falls over us, I take a hasty step in retreat before pointing toward the foyer where the staircase to the second floor is located. “I’m going to head upstairs.”
He scrutinizes me before finally nodding. “Sure. I’ll catch you later.”
“All right,” I squeak.
And then I’m gone, scampering down the hallway. Much like Kingsley’s mansion in Hawthorne, his beach house has a number of spacious rooms for entertaining. If I had to guess, I’d say that it was professionally decorated. Every piece of furniture and accessory looks as if it were handpicked to go specifically in this house. It resembles a spread in a glossy architecture magazine.
My hand wraps around the railing as I reach the staircase. Just as I step onto the first tread, whispered voices halt me in my tracks and my feet falter.
“Mmm, that feels so good.”
Recognition slams into me.
Aubrey.
My ears perk, straining to pick up the slightest sound as a pit blooms at the bottom of my belly. Even though I should put some distance between myself and the couple making out in the study on the other side of the grand foyer, I swing around and sneak across the gleaming hardwood to the door that’s cracked open no more than a few inches.
This time, when a whimper escapes, the sound is much closer.
My brain is screaming to leave well enough alone, but I can’t do it. She could be in there with any number of guys.
But…
I need to know if it’s Austin. All the suspicions I thought we’d laid to rest last night reignite within me before bursting into flame. My heart hammers a painful staccato against my ribcage as I slink closer. After everything yesterday—him jumping into the water to save me, holding me close, the bath, and then the way he touched me…
I had assumed the feelings between us were genuine. The realization that I could be wrong is like a dagger piercing my heart. My mind tumbles back to last night. Only now do I realize that he never denied being with Aubrey.
What he said is that I needed to trust him.
And rather stupidly, I did.
Careful not to make a sound, I inch closer to the study until I’m able to peek around the corner of the doorjamb into the brightly lit room. It doesn’t take long for my gaze to land on the couple inside.
Air leaks from my lungs one painful molecule at a time until there’s nothing left.
There’s no mistaking the dark head, broad back, and muscular arms.
Austin.
He has her pinned up against the far wall. From this position, I have a clear view of the way he strokes his knuckles down Aubrey’s cheek as she stares up at him with heavy-lidded eyes. He lowers his mouth to the side of her face before whispering something in her ear I’m unable to pick up.
After a handful of moments, she whines with a pout, “Why are you even with that girl? You can’t actually like her.”
His hand drifts from her face to her breast before giving it a squeeze. Another moan escapes from her as she shifts against him, thrusting out her chest in order to get closer.
“Don’t be ridiculous. Of course we’re not together. It’s just fucking.”
The admittance is almost enough to bring me to my knees. My hand flies to my mouth as a sob gathers in my throat and fights for release. Unable to stand the sight, I stumble back a step until the couple is no longer in view. Pain radiates throughout my entire being until it throbs in my fingertips and toes as I spin on my heel, racing blindly up the staircase.
A sheen of tears stings my eyes, blurring my vision, as I reach the second floor. It’s a shock when I slam into a hard body and stumble back a step, teetering on the edge of the landing. With a gasp, my arms pinwheel as I attempt to regain my balance. Strong hands reach out and lock around my shoulders before yanking me forward until I crash against the steely strength of a hard chest.
“For fuck’s sake, you almost fell down the stairs,” a harsh voice snaps in my ear.
I push away just enough to meet Duke’s gaze. His eyes narrow as he carefully searches mine. The anger filling his expression morphs into concern.
“What happened? Why are you upset?”
I wince, remembering how he tried to warn me last night and I refused to listen.
God, I’m so stupid.
“Can you take me home?” My tongue darts out to moisten my lips. “Please?”
He blinks, thrown off by the request. “You want to leave right now?”