Total pages in book: 187
Estimated words: 184867 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 924(@200wpm)___ 739(@250wpm)___ 616(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 184867 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 924(@200wpm)___ 739(@250wpm)___ 616(@300wpm)
Caleb’s eyes are on me like a hawk still, watching me swallow down my drink, and it still makes me choke up. His tongue darts out to wet his lips when I put down my glass, and I almost make it tip over.
“Abigail,” Caleb suddenly says slickly. “Would you mind telling me where the bathroom is?”
“Oh, unfortunately, the bathroom is being renovated right now. But we have another one upstairs. Crystal can show you,” Mom says.
Oh shit. I hadn’t thought about that at all.
Caleb scoots back his chair and towers over the table in a menacing way.
“Uh …”
My mom prods me, and I practically feel forced to stand.
“Sure.”
Sweat drops begin to form on the back of my neck as I slowly push back my chair and step away.
Caleb meets me halfway near the edge of the table, and says, “Lead the way.”
The only bathroom this house has left is out of sight of both his dad and my mom.
And definitely far enough to muffle any sounds.
Shit.
The walk upstairs is agonizing, my heart beating faster and faster as we get closer to the hallway and farther away from safety. I can hear his footsteps behind me, like a looming shadow creeping up on me.
I clear my throat and touch the handle of the door once we get there, but the second I try to open it, he pushes me up against the door and plants two firm hands against the wood, trapping me between his arms.
“You did this.” His voice is gruff. Unsteady.
“Did what?” I mutter.
He leans in closer, throwing me a menacing glare. “Don’t play innocent.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“They’re dating.”
I raise a brow. “So?”
“They barely even know each other.”
“Love works in mysterious ways,” I respond.
When I try to move away, he won’t let me.
“Don’t pretend you weren’t the cause of this.” He points at my chest. “You and your mother weren’t supposed to be there. And now my dad can’t stop talking about your mom.”
I shrug. “I don’t see the problem.”
His finger slides down my chest, and my breath catches in my throat when he lingers near my nipple, barely grazing it. “I don’t think you understand, so let me make this fucking crystal clear for you.” I hiss when he pinches my nipple with his index finger and thumb. “My dad is a catch, and if they get together for real, there’s a considerable chance they’ll get engaged and married.”
I try not to react as he twists harder and harder. But it’s really, really hard.
“And that means we become something neither of us wants.”
I gulp back the moan stuck in my throat when he finally releases my nipple.
“Do you get the picture now?”
I know what he’s trying to insinuate.
I narrow my eyes. “You seem awfully opposed to your dad falling in love with someone and actually being happy.”
He scoffs. “My dad is happy. He doesn’t need another woman. Especially not your mother.” He taps my chest like I’m some kind of bug he needs to squash.
“I can’t stop them,” I say.
He leans in, growling, “Make them.”
“How?”
His nostrils flare. “I don’t care how. Break. Them. Up.”
“No.”
“No what?” he retorts.
“No, I’m not going to tell them to split.”
His eyes look like they might start shooting darts at me.
“You will do it,” he grits.
“Or what?” I taunt. “You’re not going to hurt me.” I pause and raise a brow. “Your dad won’t let you.”
His face tightens. “Tell me no again,” he says through gritted teeth. “Swear to God, Crystal, I will make you regret it.”
I gather my courage, knowing full well what these vile boys are capable of. But if my mom and his dad being together hurts him so damn much, then I’m going to be their biggest cheerleader just out of spite.
He knows I’m right.
If my mom and his dad are together, he can’t hurt me.
“No.”
Suddenly, he pushes down the door handle and shoves me inside the bathroom, locking us both inside within mere seconds.
My heart is racing in my throat as I back away while he keeps stalking toward me. But when my legs hit the tub unexpectedly, I fall…
His strong hand grips around my forearm, keeping me from crashing headfirst into the wall. But the air feels too thick with tension as I stare into his hazel eyes, thick lashes lowering over them as his gaze intensifies. I struggle to even breathe properly.
My eyes flick across the sink, looking for something to grab and use as a weapon. A toothbrush, a comb, a toothpick, the … scissors.
“Don’t even think about it,” he growls.
His nostrils flare, the piercing glinting in the dark as the only light that comes into the bathroom is from the little window at the top of the door. “Whatever game you’re playing, you won’t win.”
My eyes slowly dip down his face to look at the intricate tattoos on his neck, a spiderweb filled with roses. “What game?”