Total pages in book: 87
Estimated words: 83520 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 418(@200wpm)___ 334(@250wpm)___ 278(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 83520 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 418(@200wpm)___ 334(@250wpm)___ 278(@300wpm)
When I attempt to put a bit of distance between us so I’m not pinned against his side, Duke tugs me even closer before dropping a kiss against the top of my head.
I squeeze my eyelids tight, afraid to glance in Austin’s direction. Thick tension ratchets up in the air until it becomes unbearable. Unable to stop myself, I flick a look at Austin. There’s a steeliness filling his eyes and I’m reminded of the way he stared down at me on the beach this morning when I sunk to my knees. A shiver slides through me that has nothing to do with the wind.
Just remember what you promised, sweet girl. I’m going to hold you to it.
As the memory echoes throughout my brain, a pit blooms at the bottom of my belly. I realize what’s going to happen before the words are out of his mouth. Barely is there time to brace myself.
“What’s wrong?” Duke whispers, his warm breath ghosting over my ear.
My tongue darts out to moisten my lips as I twist in his arms to meet his searching gaze. “I, ah—”
Before I can blurt the rest, Austin’s deep voice slices through the noise.
“Come here, Delilah.”
Too late.
Much too late.
My muscles turn rigid. I’m like a rabbit caught in the crosshairs of a hunter’s rifle.
Duke twists his head and scowls at the other boy before glancing at me again. His expression softens as our eyes lock. “Just ignore him.”
If only that were possible.
When I made that promise earlier this morning, I meant it. I just didn’t expect…
Maybe I should have.
I press my lips together before taking a peek. Sloane and Aubrey are curled up against each side of his stretched-out body. His muscular arms rest along the back of the plush cushions. They’re not wrapped around the girls or encouraging their intimacy.
When I give my head a barely perceptible shake, silently pleading with him not to do this in front of everyone, his eyes turn hard, their penetrating green gaze skewering me in place, making it difficult to draw in breath.
“Come here.” His low voice vibrates throughout the atmosphere before settling in my core like a heavy stone. From the way Aubrey’s eyes dilate, she feels it as well and cuddles closer to his chest before pawing at him.
All conversations abruptly grind to a halt. It’s obvious that our classmates have gone quiet and are watching the scene unfold with growing interest.
“What do you want with her, Hawthorne?” Duke snaps. “Just leave Delilah alone.”
Austin’s gaze never falters from mine. “Now.”
The command is like a punch to the gut.
Or maybe the punch is lower.
“Ignore him,” Duke repeats, only louder this time. “He’s just as much of an asshole as Jasper.”
That’s where he’s wrong. Austin is nothing like my ex. Duke might not understand what’s going on, but I do.
This is a test.
And the only way to pass is to keep my promise.
With at least a dozen curious eyes watching, I gather my strength before rising unsteadily to my feet. I keep my attention focused on Austin the entire time. It would be impossible to miss the satisfaction that flickers in his green depths.
When I take a tentative step, he says softly, “Hands and knees.”
Oh god.
My mouth turns cottony as heat scalds my cheeks, making them feel as if they’re on fire.
“Delilah,” Duke snaps. “Don’t do it.”
I can’t bring myself to glance at the muscular lacrosse player. I’m afraid of what I’ll find in his expression.
The boat sways beneath my feet as I lower myself to the smooth wood of the deck. Even over the noise of the motor, the silence that surrounds us is deafening. Another wave of humiliation crashes over me as I hang my head and inhale a deep breath before forcing myself to meet Austin’s penetrating gaze.
At the first movement forward, I hear, “OMG, what is she doing?”
“Is she actually…crawling to him?”
Unable to focus on the burst of chatter, I stare at Austin, silently begging and pleading with him to end this before it goes any further. Instead, he watches me as I carefully move toward him.
The time it takes to reach him seems to stretch forever, almost as if I’m a million miles away when in reality, there are only ten or twelve feet separating us.
“Damn,” some guy says.
I refuse to look.
When I’m directly in front of Austin, I have to tilt my head to hold his gaze as he stares down at me. Aubrey is still curled up on one side of him and Sloane is on the other. Unless he wants me to sit on his lap, I have no idea where I’m supposed to go.
It’s as if he can read my mind.
His expression remains impassive as he spreads his thighs farther apart. “You can sit at my feet.”
My eyes widen as his words circle viciously through my head. It takes effort to swallow down my protests as I force myself to settle between his outstretched thighs. The low hum of voices explodes around me, but I keep my gaze pinned to the teak. Any moment, I’m going to self-combust from the mortification that eats me alive.