Page 7

7

CONNOR

I ’m barely holding on.

I’ve been humiliated.

I’ve been ticketed.

I’ve been recorded against my will in a Barbie car.

I just need one fucking thing to go right.

We pull into the motel parking lot, and I throw the car into park like it personally offended me.

Allie stretches, sighing happily. "This has been the best day ever," she says.

I close my eyes.

Breathe in. Breathe out.

Do not strangle her.

My eyes pop open. I grab the keys, shove the door open, and stalk toward the front desk.

The motel receptionist barely looks up from her phone. "Need a room," I grunt, throwing my wallet on the counter.

Allie prances in behind me, completely unbothered.

I press my palms into the counter, speaking through gritted teeth. "Separate beds. Got it?"

The receptionist chews her gum, unimpressed. "Only got one left, bud."

I freeze.

Allie gasps dramatically. "Oh nooo," she says, pressing a hand to her chest. "What a tragedy."

I stare at her. I can’t tell if she’s being serious or not.

She’s pure evil.

I turn my attention back to the receptionist, "Tell me you're lying."

She shrugs. "I mean, you can sleep in the car."

I drag my hands down my face. "Fine," I mutter. "I’ll take it."

Allie beams.

I don’t like that look.

* * *

I shove the key into the door, push it open, and immediately want to die.

The room is small, with a tiny bed.

One. Fucking. Bed.

I exhale sharply.

Allie strolls in behind me, whistling. "This is so cozy," she chirps, throwing her bag onto the chair.

I run a hand through my hair, debating if I should just walk into the ocean and drown myself.

"I’ll sleep on the floor," I mutter.

Allie gasps, hand over her heart. "You’d deprive me of your body heat? What if I get cold?"

I whip around, glaring. This girl has been playing with me since that kiss. Her hot and cold behavior is giving me whiplash.

"Then I hope you fucking freeze, Payne," I snap.

She bites her lip, smirking.

I’m losing my goddamn mind.

* * *

I stare at the ceiling, wondering what the fuck I did in this life to deserve this torment. Maybe it was something in a past life.

I nod to myself.

Yes, that has to be it.

The bathroom door opens, and Allie strolls out wearing sleep shorts and a tank top.

I’m not looking, though. I swear I’m not.

Lies. All lies.

I’m totally checking her out, especially when she bends over her bag and the shorts ride up her legs.

Jesus Christ. My dick is so hard it hurts.

My heart pounds faster.

Maybe I’m having a heart attack . That would be preferable to the torture I’m currently enduring.

The bed dips, and I clench my jaw so hard I’m fairly certain I cracked a molar.

This fucking trip is destroying me.

Her vanilla and citrus scent fills the air, winding around me like a drug.

“Stay on your side,” I bark.

She smiles. "Of course, Byrns. Wouldn’t want you getting any ideas."

Fucking brat.

My eyes dart back to the ceiling.

I will not think about the kiss. I will not think about how warm she is next to me. I will not think about how soft she looks in that tank top.

Her knee brushes my thigh.

My entire body locks up.

"Allie." My voice is low, with a dangerous edge.

She hums innocently. "What?"

"You did that on purpose."

She stretches, dragging her toes along my calf.

My entire body tenses.

"Me?" she whispers. "I’m just getting comfortable."

My fingers flex against the sheets.

If she keeps testing me, I swear to God ? —

She shifts again, pressing just a little closer.

That’s it.

I snap, rolling over fast, bracing an arm on either side of her head.

She gasps.

There’s no smirk on her face now.

No teasing glint in her eyes.

Just her, flat on her back, breath catching, eyes wide.

"You wanna keep playing with me, sweetheart?" My voice is low and dark, dripping with warning.

She swallows.

I see the shift in her — the moment she realizes this isn’t just a game anymore.

Her lips part, but no sound comes out.

Good.

I lean in, so close I can feel her shaky exhale on my lips.

"You having fun now?" I murmur.

She doesn’t answer.

Her fingers twitch against the sheets.

Her breath shudders.

I smirk. "Not so cocky now, huh?"

She narrows her eyes and glares at me. "I hate you."

I chuckle darkly, dragging my knuckles down her thigh. "No, you don’t."

She inhales sharply.

I tilt my head, brushing my lips over her ear.

"You like pushing me, don’t you?" I whisper.

She shivers.

"Careful, sweetheart," I murmur, voice dropping to a growl. "You might push me too far."

I pull back, studying her face.

Her lips are parted.

Her pupils are blown wide.

She’s seconds from giving in.

And fuck, I want her to.

I want her to beg me to ruin her.

She blinks, and just like that, the smirk returns.

Oh, you little ? —

She leans up on her elbows, eyes burning into mine. "You’re all talk, Byrns."

I freeze.

Allie fucking grins.

OH, HELL NO.

My lips crash against hers.

She gasps, then whimpers, arms and legs wrapping around me, pulling me closer.

She arches against me, desperate and reckless.

I rip my mouth from hers and roll over, giving her my back.

"Stay on your side, Payne."

The frustrated breath she releases makes me smirk.

She’s playing with fire.

Keep it up, Payne, and you’ll get Byrned.

I silently chuckle.

I amuse myself.