Total pages in book: 98
Estimated words: 93312 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 467(@200wpm)___ 373(@250wpm)___ 311(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 93312 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 467(@200wpm)___ 373(@250wpm)___ 311(@300wpm)
I dig into my purse, pulling out some cash, but he stops me.
“I got it,” he says, throwing three twenties down onto the table.
“Let me pay for half at least.”
“Nope.” He stuffs his wallet back into his back pocket, then motions for me to lead the way.
“Thanks,” I say, turning to face him, walking backwards toward the front of the restaurant. “For the ride and the food.” He smirks at me, but then his eyes focus on something over my shoulder.
“Isn’t that your mom?”
I turn around, fully expecting him to be mistaken, but low and behold, there she is, all dolled up, walking through the parking lot on some guy’s arm.
What the hell?
“Do you want to go say hi?” Aiden asks.
I shake my head. “No, that’s okay.”
The guy helps my mom into the back of a car before climbing in behind her, and then it takes off out of the parking lot. If this is a date, why go out of town? It’s not for the fine dining, that’s for sure. And why wouldn’t she mention it? Maybe it was a meeting, or a client? I roll my eyes at myself. Not likely. Not at this time of night.
Looks like I’m not the only one with secrets.
Shayne
I mouth the words, silently singing along to “Queen of the Night” by Hey Violet as I make my way toward the lunchroom when a hand darts out, jerking me into an empty classroom. I squeal, surprised, and yank my earbuds from my ears.
“Happy birthday,” Thayer says, pushing me up against the wall next to the door. I slap at his shoulder, craning my neck to look out the rectangular window in the door.
“Someone could’ve seen you.”
Thayer shrugs, bending down to grab my thighs and lifts me to his height. My legs automatically wrap around him, my hands gripping his shoulders, and then his lips are on mine, hungry and demanding. I open for him and his tongue pushes inside. I moan, feeling his length twitch between my legs, and shamelessly grind against him, seeking the friction that I need.
He pulls away, breaking the kiss far too soon. “So, birthday girl, what do you want for your present?” he asks, his voice gravelly.
“Anything?” I bite down on my lip.
“Anything.”
I lean forward, bringing my mouth to his ear. My heart is pounding, but I’m going to say it anyway. “I want you to touch me again,” I whisper.
“Shayne,” he groans. “You can’t say shit like that.”
“Why?” I pout. He touched me once, and I’ve been dying to feel it ever since.
“Because now I have to walk around with this all day,” he says, pushing into me to demonstrate his point.
“I guess I’ll just have to take care of it myself…”
“Fine. Meet me in the barn after we have cake and presents with our parents. Then I’ll give you your real present.”
“Ready?” Valen asks, jerking me from my memory. I tear my eyes away from the classroom that triggered it to find her frowning at me, probably wondering why I’m staring at the empty, dark room.
“As I’ll ever be.”
That was a year ago today, when things with Thayer and me first started to heat up. I did meet him in the barn that night, and he gave me exactly what he promised. Thayer wasn’t exactly known for his morality, but for some reason, he fought going any further with me. It was fun and exciting and reckless to sneak around at first. But eventually, as our feelings grew, having to hide got old. But we couldn’t stop it, no matter how many times we tried to end it.
We head out to the student lot, making our way through the crowded parking lot to Valen’s pearl white Mercedes. Since it’s my birthday and my mom had to fly out for a quick two-day trip, I’m celebrating with Valen. I wouldn’t have it any other way. It doesn’t feel like my birthday, anyway, without Grey and my mom around.
When Valen asked me what I wanted to do, I suggested touring the Lizzie Borden house in Fall River. She thought I was joking. I wasn’t. As we brainstormed on things I could do as an eighteen-year-old, it came down to either a strip club, an eighteen and over club, or a piercing or tattoo. The thought of something as permanent seemed too intimidating, but a piercing? A piercing I could do. I’m actually excited.
“Have you talked to Aiden at all?” she asks once we’re inside the car, starting the engine.
I shrug. “Here and there.” It’s been a week since he brought me home. We say hi to each other in passing, and he’s texted me a couple of times, but that’s it. I think he knows I’m not interested.
“Well, that’s disappointing.” She pulls out of the parking lot, heading for her house. Our appointments aren’t until later tonight.