Page 81 of Forbidden Billionaires: Vol. 11

Wednesday

“Seriously, Soph, just tell me what you’re about to do.” Yes, I didn’t want to take part in Operation Kissing Booth. But I didn’t really want her to get expelled. There were other ways to get out of kissing a bunch of football players.

“I have to take advantage of the situation I was handed,” Sophie said.

“What situation?”

“Mr. Halifax being out of his room.”

I just stared at her. Was I supposed to understand what was happening here? “I’m so confused.”

“Just be outside his room in 19 minutes and you’ll see everything .”

I didn’t like the way she’d emphasized those last two words. But I didn’t have time to argue with her, because she hurried off in the opposite direction of our lockers.

I shook my head. I guess I had 19 minutes to figure out another solution to getting out of the kissing booth. And I already had an idea in my head. I hurried to RJ’s locker.

“Hey,” I said.

“Hey, baby doll.”

“Stop it.”

“Stop what?”

I rolled my eyes. It was probably a bad idea to complain about the nickname when I was here for a favor. “Did you have any luck tracking that phone number?”

“Nah. It was a burner like we thought.”

“Crap.” I sighed. I’d figured that. “Do you think you could help me with something else?”

“Anything for you.”

I was glad I knew that my kiss thief was a senior, or I’d still be very concerned it was RJ right now. “Do you have access to the latest Hunter Tech cameras? The ones that are barely visible?”

“The V22s?”

“Um...yes?” I didn’t realize they were already on version 22.

He laughed. “You really should be more up to date with our latest innovations, baby doll.”

“I’m not running the company.”

“But one of us will be one day. What do you need the cameras for?”

“I...um...just need them.”

“Right. For what?”

“For private stuff.”

He laughed. “They’re still prototypes. I can’t just go into the Hunter Tech vault, steal them, and give them out all willy nilly.”

“Then give me the V21s instead.”

He gasped. “Those exploded, don’t you remember?”

“Oh, right. Yeah. Not that version then.”

“Just tell me what you need them for. And they’re all yours.”

I sighed. “Can this stay between us?”

“Of course, baby doll.”

I shook my head. “I need to figure out who the Empire High mascot is.”

“It’s an eagle,” Liam said as he opened his locker next to RJ’s.

“Ha. Ha. You’re hilarious. I need to know who wears the mascot costume, genius.”

Liam put a few books into his backpack. “Yeah, Soph was asking us about that at lunch. What’s it to you?”

I really did not want Liam and RJ to know about my kiss thief.

But they were both just staring at me. And they already knew I was trying to trace a number.

They knew something was going on. I had no choice but to give them a bit of information.

Just enough so that they’d help me. “I’ve been getting these weird texts.

And the guy claims to be the Empire High mascot. So I want to see who it is.”

“What kind of texts?” Liam asked.

“Just...random stuff.”

“Is he threatening you or something?” Liam stood up a little taller like he was about to go beat the shit out of someone.

“What? No. It’s just...nothing like that. But I need to know who it is. By Saturday.”

“Why by Saturday?”

“Just because. It’s important.”

RJ whistled and shook his head. He turned to Liam. “The Empire High mascot is definitely blackmailing her.”

Oh crap. Being vague had definitely backfired.

“What does he have on you?” Liam asked.

“Nothing,” I quickly said. “But I need the V22s so I can put them in the men’s locker room. The Empire High mascot must change in there. I’ll catch him in the act.”

RJ laughed. “You want to put cameras in the men’s locker room?”

“Yes.”

“If you want to see what I’m packing just ask, baby doll.”

“RJ, please.” He was so exasperating.

“Oh. Wow. Right now?” He shrugged. “Okay.” He undid the buckle of his belt.

“What are you doing?!” I hissed.

“You just asked me to whip it out.”

“I did not!”

“I literally said, if you want to see what I’m packing just ask. And you responded with RJ, please .”

“You did kind of just ask to see his dick,” Liam said.

“I was talking about the cameras!” What was wrong with the two of them? “Do not whip out your small baby penis.”

RJ laughed. “Well, you’re about to find out how very wrong you are about that.” He unzipped his backpack and pulled out a sleek black box, no bigger than a box to hold a ring. “As soon as we get these cameras set up in the locker room, you’ll see what I’m packing.”

“I thought you said those cameras were in the Hunter Tech vault.”

“They’re supposed to be.” He shrugged.

He’d already stolen them? That little thief. Thinking about thieves reminded me of my kiss thief. I swallowed hard. Again, I would have been very concerned about RJ being the kiss thief. But Sophie was right...there was just no way. Yeah, definitely no way.

I reached out for the box, but RJ pulled it back. “RJ, please. I’ll do whatever you want. But I need those cameras.”

“Interesting. So...you’ll owe me one?”

“Sure. Whatever.” It was terrible to owe RJ favors, but what choice did I have?

He smiled. “Great. So we agree that you owe me a favor.”

“I already agreed.”

“Fantastic. What a deal. I was just pulling them back because I was going to offer to set them up for you. So you don’t have to sneak in. But now I get a favor too. This is a great day.”

I couldn’t believe I’d willingly just given him a favor. He was going to make me do something so weird with that. But I didn’t even care right now. “Thank you. You’ll get the cameras set up today?”

“Mhm. I’ll do it right now.”

“Thanks, RJ.” It was totally worth the favor now that I knew he was putting up the cameras too. I’d been really worried about having to sneak into the guy’s locker room.

“Scarlett,” Liam said. “If someone is threatening you...you know you can tell me, right?”

I nodded.

But he still looked concerned. “We’ll figure out who this asshole is, don’t worry.”

My kiss thief wasn’t an asshole. At least, I hoped he wasn’t. But...great. All that mattered was that we were about to unmask him. “Thanks, guys. I really appreciate your help with this.”

“We better hurry before the locker room gets too busy,” Liam said.

RJ nodded. “I’ll text you with the login later, baby doll.”

The two of them hurried off.

I breathed a sigh of relief. There was no way we wouldn’t catch the mascot red handed. And then I’d be able to skip the kissing booth... Shit. I glanced at the clock on the wall. It was almost time for Sophie’s date thing. I hurried back toward Mr. Halifax’s room so I wouldn’t miss it.

But I only made it a few steps before someone grabbed my wrist.

Before I could turn around, I was pulled backwards into a dark closet. The door slammed closed and the smell of cleaning supplies invaded my nose.

I spun around, but I couldn’t see anything.

His fingers tightened on my wrist.

I blinked fast, trying to get my eyes to adjust to the darkness. I knew it was my kiss thief that had pulled me in here. And I needed to see him. But before my eyes had any chance at adjusting, the guy stepped forward, making me step back until my back collided with one of the shelves.

My heart pounded against my ribcage. “Who are you?” I whispered.

Instead of responding, his lips slammed against mine. Like he was desperate for me.

I parted my lips and kissed him back. I’d be lying if I said I hadn’t dreamt of him doing this again. After staying up late talking to him all night, I felt closer to him.

And this kiss was somehow even better than the first one. I felt desired. Alive. And God, all I wanted was more. I reached up and placed my hand on his chest. I wanted to pull him closer. But when I tried to find his Empire High tie, it was missing.

He grabbed my hand off his chest and put it behind my back. And then he clasped both my wrists in one of his hand as he kept kissing me. He pulled on my wrists, making me arch my back.

I was vaguely aware of something falling off the shelf behind me, but I didn’t care. I just wanted this kiss to last forever.

He groaned into my mouth and pressed his body more firmly against mine.

I could feel his hardness against my stomach.

I loved the feeling of him against me. I loved his hands on me.

And his lips on mine. He was kissing me like I was the air he needed to breathe.

Like I was the only thing that mattered.

I tried to free my hands, but he just gripped my wrists tighter to keep me in place. Completely at his mercy.

His free hand landed on the center of my chest, where I’d touched him a minute ago. And for just a second, his hand stayed there, like he was completely content with feeling how fast my heart was beating from his kiss.

But then his hand skated right, cupping my breast through my shirt.

Screw feeling alive before. This was feeling alive.

I arched into him even more.

He groaned again and bit my bottom lip.

God.

But then his hands fell from my body.

“Wait,” I said and took a step forward.

He didn’t respond.

I saw a flash of light and turned my head as the door opened. And whoever it was had pulled the hood of an Empire High blue hoodie up over his head so I couldn’t identify him as he left.

The door closed and the darkness was all around me again.

“Wait!” I yelled. I felt around in the dark closet until I found the doorknob. I threw open the door and looked both ways for someone in a blue hoodie. But the hallway was still full of people in Empire High blue and orange. And I didn’t see anyone with their hood up.

I sighed. My kiss thief had masterfully disappeared into the crowd.

I tried to think if I’d gotten any more clues. I’d tried to touch him, but he’d pulled my hand away. And I didn’t know what his cologne smelled like, because all I could smell was lemon-scented cleanser.

How had I not gotten any more information? I sighed and leaned against the closest locker. The kiss thief strikes again. And he stole second base.

“What the hell are you doing?!” someone shouted down the hall.

I turned to see Mr. Halifax standing in the doorway of his classroom. He looked so pissed. And then he disappeared into his room.

Oh no. I ran toward Mr. Halifax’s room just in time to see Sophie sitting on Mr. Halifax’s desk. Her legs were spread and Pavel was standing between them.

Sophie’s shirt was completely undone and you could see her lacy black bra. But at least her skirt was in place and Pavel was fully clothed.

Sophie pushed on Pavel’s chest to get him to step back. “I’m so sorry, Mr. Halifax. I didn’t think you were coming back to your room today.”

“Both of you...out!” he yelled and pointed to the door.

Pavel listened and walked out of the room. But Sophie just slid off the desk, smoothed her skirt down, and walked right up to our teacher.

“Mr. Halifax, please don’t tell my father. He’ll be so disappointed in me.” She pretended to look all innocent, even though I knew she’d planned this whole thing.

Honestly, Uncle Rob would probably just laugh. And then ask her why she got caught.

“And Pavel the exploder is new here,” she said. “Don’t give him detention because of what I did. I was just trying to be a good girl and show him around the school.” She batted her eyelashes at him.

Oh my God, Sophie!

Mr. Halifax still looked very pissed off. “Miss Hunter,” he said firmly.

For just a second I stared. Because I honestly had no idea what was about to happen. I almost thought Mr. Halifax was about to lift Sophie up and put her back on his desk.

“Put your shirt back on,” he said firmly. “Now.”

She looked down at her unbuttoned shirt. “Oh. I’m so embarrassed. I didn’t realize.” She slowly buttoned it as she stared up at him.

The two of them just stared at each other in silence as she finished buttoning her shirt.

“Are you going to give me detention?” Sophie asked and bit her lip.

“No.” Mr. Halifax stepped back. “Leave before I change my mind.”

“Thank you so much, Mr. Halifax.” She lightly touched his arm and then hurried out of the room. She saw me and stifled a squeal of excitement. She hooked her arm through mine and pulled me down the hall. “Was that as epic as it looked?” she asked.

Honestly, I had no idea what I’d just witnessed. “I think...I think he was actually jealous.”

“Right?” She fanned her face. “And don’t sound so surprised. He’s like obsessed with me. Pavel on the other hand? I don’t know if he explodes like we think, but his kiss was just meh. I don’t think he’s your kiss thief.”

“I know. He can’t be. Because while you were kissing Pavel, the kiss thief was kissing me.”

“The kiss thief struck again?!”

“Mhm.” I felt my cheeks grow hot thinking of how heated the kiss was.

“I totally knew today was going to be the best fresh start ever. I’m so much closer to seducing Mr. Halifax. And you’re seducing...wait, was it Jacob?”

“I have no idea. He pulled me into the dark custodial closet. He’s so sneaky.

” Seriously, how could I not tell? Guilt twisted around in my stomach as we made our way outside and down the front steps of Empire High.

It had to have been Jacob, right? It made sense for him to kiss me after our lunch date. But my mind was spinning.

“Did you get any more clues in the darkness?” Sophie asked.

“Yes. There was one thing. He wasn’t wearing a tie.”

“A lot of guys ditch their ties as soon as the last bell rings.”

True. “And he was wearing a hoodie.”

“And lots of guys switch into hoodies after class too. Especially guys that are waiting around for football practice to start.”

Yeah, I’d found out literally nothing. But that was fine, because I already had a perfect plan being set up by Liam and RJ. “Well, we’ll find out soon enough.”

“Right, Operation Kissing Booth!”

“No. No kissing booth necessary. Because we’re about to have full access to the men’s locker room.”

“I’m sorry...what?”