Total pages in book: 129
Estimated words: 121233 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 606(@200wpm)___ 485(@250wpm)___ 404(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 121233 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 606(@200wpm)___ 485(@250wpm)___ 404(@300wpm)
Stars.
No, not stars, a black hole, suffocating and life-ending, was born where he touched me. I gasped, eyes flying open, heart seizing in panic beneath my tight ribcage.
“Meow.”
The word was a breathy plea when it slipped unbidden from my lips, and Clay froze, his heart beating hard enough I could feel it through his shirt as I pressed my hand into his chest and forced space between us.
“Meow,” I repeated, louder, firmer.
Recognition hit his face, and Clay paled, peeling himself off me with concern laden in his eyes. “Giana,” he tried, but I couldn’t look at him any longer.
I couldn’t be near him, couldn’t contain the fire roaring inside me.
I faked a smile, brushed a kiss against his cheek like I was fine just in case Maliyah or anyone else was watching. I stood as slowly and coolly as I could, fixing my hair and righting my skirt before I strolled toward the bathroom.
But as soon as I was out of eyesight, I took a hard left.
And I ran.
Clay
My heart was a thunderous march of stallions in my ears as I weaved through the crowded party, eyes trained on Giana’s back. Her breaths were more haggard and uneven with every step, and when she disappeared around the edge of the kitchen only to take off in a full run for the door, I let out a curse, pushing past people to follow her.
I’d gone too far.
That safe word was never meant to be used, never meant to be anything more than a joke between us. But I’d pushed, taking advantage of her trust, giving in to my own selfish desire as playing with her in that party became less about Maliyah and more about seeing what noises I could get to come from that pretty mouth of hers.
I hadn’t meant to. I’d only intended to kiss her, to peek my eyes open at where I knew Maliyah was watching from the dance floor and show her just how moved on I was. But the more Giana opened for me, the more she writhed under my touch…
The less I was looking at anything or anyone else but her.
It was dizzying, her tongue against mine, the slick desire between her legs that I knew was from me. Like a drug addict, I was greedy for more.
And I didn’t think about the consequences.
Giana burst out into the night with me hot on her heels, catching the door before she could even slam it behind her.
“Giana!”
A few students who were gathered on the lawn parted as she sprinted through them, their questioning eyes finding me next as I chased after her.
“G, please, wait,” I called, but she kept running, around the front gate and down the sidewalk.
I followed, picking up my pace as my heart hammered like a kick drum in my chest. When I was a few steps behind her, I reached out, catching her by the elbow and slinging her to a stop.
She swung into me, a little gasp of a cry bounding out of her as I caught her and held her steady.
“I’m sorry, I—”
“No, I’m sorry,” I said, holding her slight arms in mine.
She was sipping shallow breaths, eyes glossing over as she avoided my gaze. It fucking killed me to see her like that.
To know I was the reason.
“Hey,” I said, tilting her chin with my knuckle.
I waited until her eyes met mine, and one tear slid silently down the edge of her cheek before she batted it away.
“I’m sorry,” I repeated, eyes searching hers. “I’m sorry.”
Her breathing slowed, just a bit, one long exhale finding her before she collapsed into me. I caught her in a fierce hug, wrapping her up in my arms like I could shield her from what was hurting her.
Like it wasn’t me who was the culprit.
She shook in my arms, sniffing against tears I knew she was angry for shedding. She swiped them away as quickly as they could come, but didn’t break from my embrace. She let me hold her, let me smooth my hand along her spine until she calmed, until her breaths were more even and her body was still.
“God, I’m a mess,” she said when she finally pulled back, but she didn’t put much space between us. She just dipped her face into her hands, shaking her head.
“I went too far.”
“No,” she tried, but then she sighed, finally meeting my gaze. “Yes. But it’s not your fault.”
“It is. I got carried away.”
“I was playing into it just as much.”
I shook my head, ready to argue, but all words died in my throat when Giana beat me to it.
“I’m a virgin.”
I blinked, shocked, unsure I heard her correctly. But when she stared up at me unwavering, sorrow and shame coloring her cheeks, I knew I hadn’t misheard.
Something feral roared inside me, the teeth of it bared as I clenched my jaw against it threatening to break out of its cage. A long, searing inhale forced it back down.