Page 95 of Foul Territory

I glance at the book in her hand and grin when I read the title. “When did you start studying law?”

She spins around and looks up at me through hooded eyes. “You never know when I might find myself in trouble and need a little legal help.”

“Oh, I’m sure you’ll find it,” I tease her. “Let’s get out of here.” I take her hands in mine. She runs her thumb over the beads on the friendship bracelet I’m wearing on my wrist. I made a few during our craft session but the one that spells out ‘trouble’ is my favorite.

“And do what?”

“I don’t know. What would be your perfect day?” I ask. She drops her arms around my neck.

“Hmm…I have an idea but I’m not sure if you'll like it.”

“Baby, I told you, I don’t care what we do as long as we’re spending time together.” I pop a kiss on her lips.

“Alright. Give me thirty minutes and I’ll meet you back at your place. I need to pick up some essentials.”

“Can I get something?”

“How about some snacks?”

“I think I can handle that.”

“Are you going to let go of me?”

“I don’t think I will,” I say, before leaning down and kissing her slowly so I can savor the taste of her. “Any chance more of that is on your list somewhere?”

“You’ll have to wait and see.” She bites down on her bottom lip and I groan quietly as I follow her back to the table to get our stuff.

As soon as I get back from the store with chips, chocolate, and the caramel popcorn she loves, I rush upstairs to straighten my room. She’s been in here a few times recently but not like this.

It also isn’t lost on me that she is the only girl to ever step foot in my room. I straighten a stack of books and ultimately decide to push them under the bed. I can’t hide every trace of my obsession but those are books we talked about in ourchats. I will bring them out later when I tell her about who I am online. Because I am telling her today.

“You’re sorry? How could you? You had no right to interfere in my life like that!” Sydney’s voice carries up the stairs. Damnit. I knew this fight was coming. I’m not prepared for it today.

I bolt down the hallway and take the stairs two at a time to play referee. Sydney has dropped her bags on the couch and is standing in front of Nash. He’s holding his hands up pleading for her to hear him out.

“I was looking out for your best interest. I was protecting you.”

“Protecting me?” She steps into his personal space. “You were looking out for yourself. You were being selfish. You didn’t care about me.”

“That’s not true and you know it.” His eyes soften as he attempts to reach out for her hand but she steps away.

“No. Don’t touch me right now. You kept him away from me,” she shouts and punches him in the chest. Pretty sure she hurt herself more than she did him.

“Syd.” I hook an arm around her waist before she tries punching him again. Her body melts into mine. The water collecting in her eyes is enough to take me out. I glare back at Nash. He has the decency to bow his head.

“He kept us apart on purpose. We could have been together this whole time,” she says, with a tremble to her lip.

“It wasn’t just Nash. It was me too.”

“You wouldn’t have stayed away if it wasn’t for him.” She glares back at her brother.

“Oh, you think so?” I raise an eyebrow and smirk at her. “You think I was so hung up on you I would have come running the moment he took me out of my chains?” I brush her hair off her shoulders.

She moves closer, pressing her breasts against my torso. “Yes.” Her voice is sweet, yet seductive, and has my body on high alert.

“You’re not wrong. Let’s go upstairs. I promised you a perfect day.”

“Yeah, y’all can take that somewhere else.” Nash waves us off, encouraging us to go to my room. Sydney growls and lunges at her brother. I grab her by the waist and her legs kick up in the air. I miss seeing this feisty side of her.