Page 62 of Devious Love

My pulse races, my body flooding with need, but rather than press his lips to mine, he backs away. Hands balled into fists, he frowns. “I can’t…We can’t.”

“Why not?” I ask.

He studies me silently, branding me with his gaze. Then, he turns on his heel and storms out. The door slams shut, and the air, once full of electricity, feels dull and cold. My heart clenches painfully as I stumble to my bed and hide under my comforter once again.

I barely slept.All night, my mind worked overtime, coming up with all kinds of scenarios and what-ifs. Each dream was more vivid than the last, making it hard to believe they weren’t real.

Two questions swirl inside my head, getting louder and louder. What would’ve happened if he hadn’t pulled away? What if I’d kissed him first?

Shaking the thoughts from my mind, I step out into the hall, heading for the bathroom. When the door next to mine opens, Ispin around, nerves skittering through me as I prepare to come face-to-face with Dominic.

Instead, I’m greeted by a pair of dark brown eyes, not hazel. Red hair, not blond.

The Butcher.

Remi.

She’s wearing a white tee that falls to mid-thigh, her legs bare. Her hair is messy, her makeup smudged, her lips curled up in a sinister grin.

“Sorry, I heard footsteps and thought it was Dom.”

My body goes numb. “Sorry to disappoint.”

She assesses me, head tilted to the side. “You didn’t disappoint me. Quite the contrary.”

“Good to know.” I slip past her, my jaw clenched.

As I reach the bathroom door, a noise down the hall catches my attention. There he is, at the top of the stairs, carrying two steaming mugs of coffee. He’s shirtless, and his black sweatpants hang low on his hips.

When he sees me, he pulls up short, his features darkening. His eyes dart to Remi and then land on me again, his lips parting as if he wants to say something.

“Mia,” he whispers.

“Save your breath.” I step into the bathroom and close the door in his face.

He told me he’d been thinking about our hookup, about me, for the past year. He almost kissed me last night, only to run away and fall into bed with his ex in the room next to mine?

It’s certainly a choice, and I want nothing to do with it.

I restmy head against the booth and focus on breathing deeply. I want to be in my room. I should be finishing the essay due this week. And I desperately need a few more hours of sleep.

“Yay!” Chia squeals across from me.

I snap up straight and eye her. “What?”

“I was looking for this.” She sets her phone on the table so Jeff and I can see the invite.

“A pink party?” Jeff asks from beside me.

“Yes,” she chirps. “The Cove throws a color-themed party every year, and from what I’ve heard, it’s epic. We should go.”

“You’re saying it’s time to break out the fake IDs?” Jeff smirks. “I’ll talk to Tessa tonight. If she?—”

“She already said yes.” Chia grins wickedly.

With a sigh, he drapes his arm over my shoulder and peers down at me. “Guess we don’t have a choice, firecracker.”

“Seems so, stud.” I shrug.