Page 32 of The Sweetest Cruelty: Hudson (A Sawyer Brothers Story #1)

HUDSON

After replying to a message from my friend Tommo, I slid my cell into my pants and waited. I knew Molly had been at school that day as I had seen her sitting in the bleachers during practice.

The bell for the end of the school day pealed, and I leaned my shoulder against the wall and waited.

Doors everywhere burst open, and students scurried out of their classrooms and towards their lockers like the school was on fire.

Rubbing the back of my neck, impatience gripped me as multiple juniors who were not Molly trickled from her classroom. And then, finally, a flash of blonde hair whizzed past me.

Molly darted from the room like she was late for something, casting a worried glance over her shoulder and missing where I was standing.

Where was she going in such a rush?

She’s trying to run from you.

Annoyance vibrated through every muscle as I watched her trot away, my eyes drilling into that pink girly backpack she clutched in her hand. She should know better than to try to hide from me. I run the fucking school princess, there’s nowhere to go.

Shoving off the wall, I went after her. Phoenix said he’d seen her by the parking lot of Lang's Bowlarama when he’d picked Harper up the previous night, and that she hadn’t looked sick.

Little faker.

Molly glanced over her shoulder again, her stunning eyes widening as they latched onto mine.

That predatory part of me surged forward, getting off on the chase.

Talking of fires, whenever I thought of Molly, it lit one in my chest, the size of a fucking bonfire.

I blamed that on the burning need to make her life miserable for her father’s misdeeds.

But when I saw her, taking in those baby blues surrounded by such an angelic, sweet face, I also wanted to make her smile. It was like a head fuck of the century.

“Molly. Wait up,” I called out, my tone firm. Irritation flared to life inside me when she didn’t stop; if anything, she picked up her pace.

My target had a head start, but her short legs were half my stride, and I caught up with her easily without breaking a sweat.

The students in the hallway parted to allow her past, their keen gazes zeroing in on the action as they watched me stalking after her.

Several pairs of envious eyes undressed my prey as she passed by.

The shit I’d spread on social media had calmed down, but the girl had plenty of interest, especially from the guys.

It had forced me to circulate a clear message that Molly Miller was now off the menu.

Hunger for the chase continued to flow through my veins. I couldn’t remember the last time I had felt so excited. Well, apart from the previous night when I was dreaming about Molly with my cock in her mouth.

Fuck this, lunging forward, I snagged her arm. It was pale and thin and so soft. My fingers almost met; she was that delicately built. The beast in me roared; he liked how slight and breakable she was. Like a little doll. One, the sadist in me, wanted to play with.

Molly had jerked to a stop as I swung her round to face me. She was flushed, and I could see from her rigid expression that she was pissed. Molly didn’t resemble the spitting cat extremes that Storm and Tate were famous for, but I was still impressed.

The girl was sweet enough to eat. And I meant that literally. The need to own her ass was hardwired from my brain to my dick.

Even glaring down at where I held her, little Molly Miller was more like a kitten, and I wondered how long it would take to get her to purr.

“Let go of me, Hudson,” she huffed, attempting to tug away. It was cute that she thought she was calling the fucking shots and I needed to shut that shit down pronto.

“I don’t think so.”

Molly struggled, trying to peel my fingers from her upper arm, but I tightened my grip. Showing her, I would let go when I was good and ready.

“Everyone is looking,” she panted, casting a glance at the kids who steered themselves around us, taking in the scene.

“Like I give a shit. ”

It took me a concerted effort to keep a straight face. Her attempt to stand up to me was so fucking cute, hilarious really.

Molly’s bottom lip wobbled as she whispered, “You’re hurting me.”

That did it. I released her, holding up both hands, and she rubbed the reddened area where my fingers had been. I felt a twinge of remorse for marking her skin.

“I want a word.”

Molly was now facing me, but she started to retreat as I pursued her.

“What?” she replied with a swallow.

It wasn’t until she hit the lockers that we both realized I’d been walking her backwards. My nostrils flared as she glanced over one shoulder to see what had stopped her retreat. That’s what I said, retreat .

My little doll was trapped, and I pinned her with a dark look.

Suddenly growing a pair, she raised her chin, sticking that pert button nose in the air. I applauded her backbone as she recklessly stared into my face, challenging me.

I took another step and closed the space between us, and her eyes widened.

The principal's daughter wanted to give me a piece of her mind, but thought better of it now that I had her hemmed in. I was the master; the quicker she got that, the better it would go for her.

“Could you back up? I can’t breathe,” she grumbled.

I smirked, arching an eyebrow. “Are all British girls so dramatic? You can breathe just fine.”

Molly slapped my chest a few times, trying to get me to budge. It was like someone throwing bread rolls at my torso. I dodged her girly jabs and captured her wrists.

“Play nice,” I crooned as she tried to pull free again. “Instead of yanking the tiger's tail, you could try buttering me up for a change.”

“And how the hell could I do that?” My miffed little vixen huffed. She was such a narky little package.

Glancing down at her breasts. My lips curled into a wolfish smile as I suggested, “You could flash me?”

Her snort of disgust shifted my gaze back. Molly tilted her head and peered over my shoulder. “In front of a hallway of students. Are you kidding me?”

She pulled on her captured wrists. “Does that mean you’d do it if we were alone?” I said with a grin. Seeing Molly’s naked tits would keep me going for months.

“No, it doesn’t. ”

I released her wrists, and she rubbed them like people did when handcuffs were removed. And of course, I knew all about that.

“Spoilsport.”

“You’re a pig for even suggesting that.”

I shrugged. “It was worth a try. I’ve pretty much seen the goods anyway,” I pointed out. Referring to that day in the guy’s locker room.

Dropping her hands to her sides, she changed the subject, which was probably safer.

Thoughts of Molly’s tits was just too damn distracting.

“Why are you harassing me? If you can’t stand the sight of me, surely that’s counterproductive,” she complained, blatantly nervous now that I had her trapped.

I was so close that her chin was almost pressed against my chest—almost. Her jaw was raised to allow her to retain eye contact.

Molly was such a tiny thing, and the thought that I would dwarf her in bed and out of it thrilled me.

Tilting my head, I gave her a considered look. “I never said I can’t stand the sight of you. Quite the opposite and I’m having way too much fun harassing you,” I explained truthfully.

Can’t stand the sight of her? Where had that bullshit come?

Molly Miller was someone I wanted to feast my eyes upon twenty-four seven.

Just like I did in my dreams, although they were so much hotter than merely trapping her against the lockers.

Maybe I needed to up my game and turn them into reality.

As I flexed my shoulders, Molly pressed against my chest with the flat of one hand.

“Hey. You know it’s rude to shove?” I said firmly.

“But pinning me against the lockers is fine?” Molly snarked.

I sighed as she dropped her arm. Molly Miller did as she was told, and I more than liked that. The girl was gently bred and would be the perfect girlfriend for a man like me.

When it came to any type of relationship, I ruled the roost. Even my brothers toed the line in that respect.

Well, apart from Phoenix, who occasionally went against my wishes.

The only reason being that the fucker could flatten me with one punch if he wanted to.

When I lost my shit, Nix was the only one who could bring me down and yes, he occasionally had to do that with brute force.

My mind bounced back to my earlier thoughts, Girlfriend? Where had that come from ?

“Please, will you give me some space?” Molly whispered gruffly, glancing around my body towards the spectators at the lockers, pretending not to watch the scene. “I realize you have your adoring fan club, but I’m not a member, Hudson. So back off.”

I didn’t bother fighting my annoyance at her words as I got in her face. “Not happening. I said I needed to talk to you, and I’d meet you after last period, and you attempted to dodge me. That’s not how this is going to work.”

“Oh really? You’re not the boss of me, Hudson.”

“I’m the boss of everyone, baby, get used to it.”

“Thank you, but I think I’ll pass,” she huffed.

My eyes narrowed dangerously. Most kids at school would have shit their pants by now but not my Molly. She just glared at me with a renewed fire in her eyes.

“I mean it, English. You don’t want to see my pissed off side. That’s some scary shit.”

Molly’s spine stiffened as she lowered her chin and stared straight ahead. “Say what you have to say. And then leave me alone.”

“I don’t think so. You owe me, remember?” The way her brows pinched at my words was so adorable. Molly thought she could swat me away like an annoying fly. Not. Going. To. Happen. Sweetheart.

“You’re the one who spread gossip about me. Why the hell would I owe you? If anything, you owe me.”

“Really? And what would that look like in your crazy British mind?”

“Well, an apology would be a good start.”