Total pages in book: 103
Estimated words: 102708 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 514(@200wpm)___ 411(@250wpm)___ 342(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 102708 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 514(@200wpm)___ 411(@250wpm)___ 342(@300wpm)
“Or something.”
“Right…”
With a wicked grin, he asked, “Do I detect some disdain in your tone, Kitty?”
“No.” I stood taller. “I’m just curious.”
“Curious enough to go on a double date?”
I shrugged. “Sure, why not?”
“Hmm,” he hummed, eyeing me up and down with an expression I wanted to smack off his face.
He knew I was struggling to maintain a neutral composure, but it felt as if I were fighting for my life at that point.
“Well,” he snapped, grabbing his report card off the table. “How about this to satisfy that ache?”
I sucked in a breath.
Did he know about my dream?
Was I that obvious?
“Curiosity ache, right?”
Oh! Of course, he’s talking about that…
My stare went wide when he handed it to me, and as soon as I saw his grades, I shouted, “Oh my God!” My hand flew to my mouth, beyond excited.
He passed all his classes. On pure impulse, I threw my arms around his neck, full of pride for him.
“I knew you could do it!”
Slowly, he wrapped his arms around my waist, holding me close to his chest. It was one of those embraces that you felt in all the right places. The kind you felt hours later.
“Couldn’t have done it without you,” he muttered close to my ear.
I buried my face in the side of his neck, smiling from ear to ear. His scent was as intoxicating as it was lethal. Maybe it was feeling his bare chest and arms for the first time that had me woozy. He was warm, really warm.
“How do you always smell so fucking good?” he rasped, brushing his lips along my cheek.
“Kraven…”
“I know you feel it.” He paused for a second. “I know you feel me.”
The lump in my throat turned into a mountain.
“You’re seeing—”
“I see you,” he replied in a low tone, slightly pulling away from me. “And I hate pretending that I don’t.”
I simply stated, “We’re friends.”
“Like you and my brother are friends?”
My heart pounded. “What do you want from me?”
“Prove me wrong. If it’s Julius, tell me.”
Silence.
“Now, if it’s me…” He leaned in close like we were sharing a breath. “Show me.”
I shook my head, stepping back and away from him. “Are you high?”
His smile resembled a Cheshire cat.
“On you?” he mocked, grinning. “Maybe.”
“I don’t get you,” I spewed, suddenly pissed. “You barely interact with me unless it’s for tutoring, and now you’re acting like this? What’s your deal?”
“What’s yours?”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“It means, do you love Julius?”
“Yes,” I said in one breath.
If he was hurt, he didn’t show it. Once again proving absolutely nothing to me.
“Is this a game?” I asked, needing to know. “Have I turned into a game for you?”
“You tell me,” he snapped, cocking his head to the side. “You’re the one who’s obviously keeping score.”
“That’s not an answer.” I countered before speaking with conviction, “I do love Julius.”
He agreed. “So do I.”
“Then act like it.”
He shrugged, pointing out, “If you really loved Julius, you wouldn’t have screamed my name first.”
The garage door swiftly opened, and I didn’t have to wonder who it was.
Immediately trying to lighten the mood, I announced, “Look who might make the honor roll next semester.”
I held up Kraven’s report card to show it to Julius. Thankfully, he looked distracted and wasn’t paying too much attention to what he just walked in on. Once he noticed the grades, he smiled at Kraven.
“Don’t push your luck,” Kraven declared as Julius walked toward me to grab it out of my hand.
Julius teased, “You sure you didn’t forge this? Bribe some teachers?”
“It’d be straight A’s if that were true.”
“But then it’d be too obvious.”
I redirected the conversation. “Maybe you should try a congratulations, Julius.”
He turned his focus back to Kraven and squeezed his shoulder. “Congratulations.”
I could tell Kraven was a little hurt that he was instantly doubted.
Not that I could blame Julius.
Julius must have noticed because he quickly followed it up with, “Let’s celebrate!”
It was supposed to be a celebration, but in reality…
The match was being lit.
CHAPTER
THIRTY
ISLA
We ended up at a club where Julius knew everyone and didn’t have any problem getting us in despite Kraven and me being underage. Not only was it not an issue, but he also got us a VIP table right in front of the DJ booth. I had no idea how Julius was able to pull this one off, and I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t nervous to find out where he established these connections.
I felt uneasy being surrounded by such a large crowd. It was so loud I couldn’t hear my own thoughts. Everyone was dressed up, including Kraven and Julius. They were both wearing collared shirts and slacks. Julius had on a vest, and Kraven wore a fedora. They looked handsome.
Unsure how to dress, I wore a tight black dress with black ankle pumps, went heavy on the eye makeup, and left my hair down. By the expression on their faces when I stepped into the kitchen, I’d done a good job.