Total pages in book: 33
Estimated words: 30019 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 150(@200wpm)___ 120(@250wpm)___ 100(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 30019 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 150(@200wpm)___ 120(@250wpm)___ 100(@300wpm)
"I already asked him," she whispers regretfully.
"I know. Just…give me until Friday. If you still want to go with him after that, I'll back off. I won't like it, but I'll accept it if that's what you really want. Please?" My heart is in my throat while I wait for her to decide.
She scrutinizes my expression, hesitating, and then she nods, just once. "Until Friday."
I lean forward, brushing my lips across hers in a soft kiss, one far softer than the one I want to take. I want to consume her, just keep kissing her until I'm starved for oxygen and she's the only thing in my lungs. But…not yet.
I have to do this right.
Chapter Ten
Troian
I'm not really surprised to find Gage waiting on my front porch bright and early. I think I knew he'd be out here before I even left the bed. It's probably why I've felt like a whole swarm of butterflies has been dancing in my stomach all morning.
"Morning, butterfly." He pushes away from the column, stepping toward me.
My heart turns a flip when he leans forward, brushing his lips across my cheek. Part of me wants to jump up and down and squeal. Part of me feels like I'm floating. But another part—a small part I wish didn't exist—keeps waiting for the other shoe to drop, for him to tell me that he's just playing or that this is just a joke.
He doesn't tell me that. Instead, he steals my books from me, gracefully sliding them from my arms to his like he's done it a thousand times before.
"Gage," I protest softly.
"I know." He grins at me, boyish and sweet. "You don't like to feel helpless, but I'm not carrying them because you're helpless, Troian. You've never been that. You're the strongest person I know. I'm carrying them because if I don't, I can't promise my hands won't find more interesting things to touch."
My cheeks go scarlet. He notices, and a wicked chuckle rumbles from his lips, hitting me low in the belly.
"You hate being the center of attention. Since the movie starts filming soon and there have been paparazzi coming around for photos, I figured you probably wouldn't want pictures of us doing what we did yesterday plastered all over the fucking internet."
"Definitely not," I squeak, casting a furtive glance around. But if there are paparazzi out here, they're not anywhere I can see.
I let myself relax slightly.
At least until we make it to the truck and he runs his hand down my side as I'm climbing in.
I practically fall into the seat, all graceless and awkward.
He just chuckles in response, his eyes shining brilliant blue, and deposits my books at my feet before closing my door. I sink back into the seat, trying to get my mind and heart under control as he circles around, but it's a losing battle.
Ever since our talk yesterday, I've been a whirlwind of thought and hope, trying to talk myself out of expecting anything, all while expecting everything at the same time.
I don't know what we are right now. I don't know what's happening between us. I just know that it's different. It's new and different and feels dangerously close to being what I've always wanted.
I'm a little afraid of it and not nearly afraid enough at the same time.
We don't say much on the way to school, but halfway there, he reaches for my hand, lacing our fingers together. I glance over at him to find a tiny smile on his lips. It makes my heart race even harder.
By the time we pull into the parking lot, all the happiness has turned into a knot in my stomach, though. I'm not looking forward to whatever fresh hell Victoria has planned for me today. With her, it's always something, and it's always worse whenever Gage shuts her down or stands up for me. I'm sure today will be awful, and then he'll probably follow through on his promise to tell everyone what she did.
As much as I dislike her, I don't want to see her whole future ruined because she's a bitch. She could be expelled for what she did or face jail time. I don't want to be the reason Gage spills her dirty secret and her life falls apart before she's even eighteen.
"You're thinking loud, butterfly," he murmurs, killing the ignition.
"Maybe we should skip today."
"Why?"
I shrug instead of answering. I'm not a very good liar. Shrugging is safer.
"You worried about Victoria, baby?"
"Maybe." I lick my lips. "If I'm not here today, she can't bother me, and then you don't have to follow through on your promise to ruin her life."
"Look at me, Troian." He curves his hand around my jaw, forcing me to meet his gaze. "Everything is going to be fine. You and I are going to walk into that school, and Victoria won't say a single word to you. Do you trust me?"