Fierce(38)

I wish I could say something, but I have no idea what to say. Nothing would help change anything for him. He’s trapped in some kind of shady business, fighting, trading, just so he can save his brother.

Shit. This is getting more complicated by the minute.

All I know is that he’s trying not to fall apart here. I can see it from the way he’s slumped over against me, clinging to the one thing that’s at least a little good in his life. Me.

My free hand goes up on its own and starts caressing his back.

Hunter lifts his head and looks at me from the side. His eyes shine with sadness and unexplainable fury. His plump lips are parted and the moment I look at them, all I want is to feel them on me. To comfort him with my love.

Because I want to give it to him.

I’ve really fallen for him.

For a second he hovers close to my face. He inches forward. Not for a moment do his eyes leave mine as he takes in a sharp breath.

He’s so close to my lips, all I have to do is lean in and kiss him.

Suddenly the back door opens, and Hunter leans back. A guard steps out.

“You!” he yells.

“Shit!” I say.

Before I know it, Hunter’s already grabbed my hand and we’re running.





Chapter 14


Unraveling the Secrets



Hunter and I go our separate ways when we reach our dorm. I’m still a little shaken by everything that happened. Breaking into a movie theatre. Bumping into one of those guys that scared the shit out of me. Hunter and his brother. Our almost kiss.

It’s not that I’m afraid. It’s more like a jittery, butterfly-like feeling.

I want to jump and dance, grab Hunter and just kiss him already.

But I can’t. I’m such a freaking wuss, I can’t even stand the idea of feeling his cock underneath me.

Well, that part was a bit shocking. Not sure if it was positive or negative.

Scary as hell. But a compliment, too … I think.

Still, I’m like a frolicking girl when I run upstairs and storm into my room.

“Oh my God,” I scream as I enter the room.

Evie jolts up from her bed and looks spooked.

“Jesus! You almost gave me a heart attack there,” she says.

“I can’t believe it,” I say, and I slam the door shut behind me.

“What?”

“Hunter and I went to the movies.”

“So that’s what you were doing. I was already starting to think you’d never come back, and … Hey, wait a minute. Did you just say ‘Hunter’?”

I sit down next to her and squeeze my own hands together out of pure delight. “Yes, Hunter. We snuck inside, and it was totally against the law, and I loved every second of it.”

She just gapes at me, her eyebrows askew.

“Holy shit, I almost kissed him,” I say.

I flop down on her bed and slap my hand across my mouth out of disbelief. “This is so unreal.”

“Hold on. You went with him without buying a ticket?” She turns around and looks at me. “Autumn Blakewood went to the movies without paying? You? I can’t believe my ears.”

“I know, right … And the weirdest thing is that I liked it, too! Now I get why people do stuff that’s against the rules. It’s so freaking exciting!”

I start rolling around in the bed because I have too much energy. I try to pull Evie with me, but she won’t budge.

“Are you serious? The real Autumn would never do that.”

“It was only one time,” I say. “Don’t worry about it so much. I had fun. That’s important.”

“Hunter’s changing you. Can’t you see? Before you know it, you’ll be just like Brody.”

I snort. “No. I’m not a pot smoker.”

She chuckles and shakes her head. “Well, I still think it’s not a good idea to hang out with Hunter.”

“I … I think I’m starting to fall for him,” I say softly.

Her confused face turns into an angry frown. “What? You’ve got to be kidding me.”

“I’m not.” I sit up again and grab her hand. “I know it when I feel it. I like him, Evie. I really, really like him.”

She jerks her hand away. “Please tell me this is a joke.”

I get up from the bed and change into my pajamas. “No … I’m serious.”

She sighs and gets under the blankets without speaking another word.

“I don’t get why you’re acting like this,” I say, trying not to sound harsh.

She just shrugs and buries her head in her pillow.

“Evie …” I say, as I crawl into my own bed.

“I don’t want to talk right now,” she says softly.

“Okay.”

I really don’t know what else to say. I don’t get why she’s so mad at me. Does she really hate it so much that I’m hanging around Hunter?