Page 105 of Broken Beauty

“The plot overall was the twist. The experience she had when she was seventeen.”

“Did the FBI agent find out who she really was?”

I smile at Ash.

My eyes go down to his lips before meeting his eyes. “I don't know yet. I haven't finished reading the entire book. I'm close to the end.”

Ash looks down at my lips before leaning in slowly and kissing me. Ash kisses me like he wants to own my soul and take away all of my fight.

He deepens the kiss and nips my bottom lip making me gasp. He thrusts his tongue inside and I feel his hand on my jaw.

“You are so addicting, Ariella,” Ash mumbles against my lips as he starts to lay me down on the blanket. “How do you do it?”

I remove my lips from his, my chest rising as I try to calm my breathing down.

“Do what?”

“Make the demons in my head silent.”

I look at Ash with sadness filled in my eyes.

I put my hand on his cheek. “I didn't do that, Ash. You just managed to make them quiet by thinking about something else.”

“You're the only one who can do it.” Ash rests his forehead on mine.

I wrap my arms around him and pull his body closer to mine.

I can feel his heart beat rapidly against my chest. Even though it's a little chilly outside I feel warm with Ash in my arms. I only focus on the vibrations of his heart beating against his chest.

The sound of the waves are in the background and I manage to close my eyes, falling asleep.

Fifty

Ariella

Present

Liam sent out an email saying he had an important announcement he wanted to make in class today.

I can’t help but wonder what it is.

When I walk inside the classroom it's empty except for Liam who is sitting at his desk looking through papers.

The door closes behind me and I grip the strap of my backpack tighter when Liam's eyes connect with mine.

We haven't spoken once since he told me about my grade. I try to never be alone with him because I know what he is capable of. I have heard of the allegations that no one tries to speak too much about.

Liam likes to keep his secrets hidden and away from trouble.

“Ariella.” I turn my head to look at Liam who is now leaning against his desk. “Can you come here for a second?”

My heart starts beating rapidly and the grip on my backpack tightens. I walk up to Liam and stand in front of him.

“What's up?”

“Your grades. I've noticed that they have dropped.”

I lick my bottom lip nervously. “I have been super caught up with things outside of school. I couldn't really focus too much on what I was doing in all of the assignments.”