Total pages in book: 64
Estimated words: 64979 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 325(@200wpm)___ 260(@250wpm)___ 217(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 64979 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 325(@200wpm)___ 260(@250wpm)___ 217(@300wpm)
I didn’t want to let him go.
The less I spoke to Chase, the easier it was to allow myself to truly fall for Tristian Hawkins.
My bully had become my everything, and it surpassed our family rivalry.
The sound of Erica’s horn honking brought my attention back to the present. I grabbed my purse before making my way down the stairs.
“Belle,” Grandfather announced at the bottom of the steps, catching me off guard. “Where are you off to in such a hurry?”
I smiled, kissing his cheek. “Erica and I are going to dinner and a movie,” I lied, feeling bad that I was.
“Erica Peters?”
“Yes. How do you—”
“I do business with her father. They’re a well-respected family in our community, Belle. It pleases me you’ve made friends with her. As I always say, you are who you hang out with.”
“Right…”
“And Tristian?”
I resisted the urge to react. “What do you mean?”
“You’ve managed to stay away from him?”
I nodded. “Of course, Grandfather.”
He swept my hair behind my ear. “Keep it that way. That boy is nothing but trouble. Rumor has it, his grandfather is having a hard time with him.”
“He is? Why?”
“The less you know, the better.” He kissed my forehead. “Have fun with Erica.”
I couldn’t stop thinking about what Grandfather had unknowingly disclosed the entire drive to the party.
What did he mean by that? What was Tristian doing? Had his grandfather found out about us?
Question after question assaulted my mind. It seemed like time simply flew by. One minute, I was sitting in Erica’s car, and the next, I was at the party talking to Travis about the latest slasher flick.
“Let’s play spin the bottle!” Kristi shouted, bringing our attention over to her. She was the one throwing the party. Her parents were out of town.
“Aren’t we a little old to be playing this game?” Travis asked as we walked over to her.
“Who cares! I’ll go first!” She spun it, landing right on Travis.
“Get your ass over here.” He smiled.
She smirked, sashaying over to him. She threw her arms around his neck and remarked, “And you said we were too old for this game,” before she laid one on him.
I was about to step back and go to the bathroom, but Erica chimed in, “You’re next, Belle.”
“Oh.” I shook my head. “I’m not playing.”
“You have to!” she added. “Live a little, and spin the bottle.”
“I’m not really a spin-the-bottle kind of girl.”
“More reason for you to play!” She spun it. “Here, I’ll do it for you.”
“Eric—”
My eyes shot to where the bottle landed. My wide eyes locked stares with the guy I least expected.
Tristian.
I hadn’t seen him until now. He was sitting on the kitchen counter with a beer in his hand, his harem of cheerleaders circling him and doting on his every word. Jealously instantly coursed through my veins. His inquisitive gaze didn’t leave my face as he started walking toward me from across the room.
He wouldn’t… Not in front of all these people.
With each step that brought him closer to my mouth, the more I felt my grandfather’s words tearing through my mind: “Stay away from him.”
Why did I feel like I was suddenly committing a crime?
I blinked, and it was three, two, one…
Tristian hovered above my body.
I licked my lips.
He grinned. “Getting them ready for me, kitten?”
I nervously chuckled.
In one slow movement, he gripped the back of my neck and tugged me toward him.
I closed my eyes. I had to.
The scent of him governed my senses as his breath blew against my lips. The second I felt his mouth on mine, my grandfather’s voice vanished like it was never there to begin with.
Ever so lightly, he pecked my lips, and I followed his lead. Never had we kissed quite like this. Our tongues weren’t touching, but it still felt like the most intimate kiss. He teased me with the tip of his tongue, gliding it all along the outline of my pouty mouth. Our movements were in sync with one another.
It was easy.
Natural.
In front of all these people from our school.
He pecked me one last time, and then he rested his forehead against mine. My pulse quickened, anxious for what was to come.
“And they’re supposed to hate each other!” Kristi yelled, breaking my trancelike state.
Immediately, I stepped away from him, and my hand flew to my mouth.
“Don’t you fucking dare,” Tristian warned in a dominant tone, knowing I was about to run.
I did.
I ran out of that party, scared of the consequences of his rash decision.
I barely made it out the door before he gripped my wrist, yanking me against his hard chest.
“Where do you think you’re going?”
I lost it.
Suddenly pissed.
Pushing him, I roared, “Isn’t it obvious? Away from you!”
He jerked back as his face blanched with a hurtful expression.
“How could you do that? How could you kiss me in front of everyone?”