Page 52 of Break You

She looked genuinely confused. “Why can’t I?”

“Because, it’s fucking weird to tell your best friend that you’re going to be thinking about her while you come.”

“Is it? Oh well, I’ve said it now, and it’s the truth, so… Anyway, my point is that as much as the sex is clearly hotter than the devil’s dick, I just don’t think that’s all there is to this thing. You’re not just dickmatized.”

Dickmatized! What the actual fuck?

“Really, oh wise one? Then, what the hell is going on, in your esteemed opinion?”

I shouldn’t snark at her, but my nerves were shot to pieces.

“I think you’re catching feelings, is what.” She kept her voice low and even, which made me feel even more stupid in the face of my shrill hysteria. She eyed me carefully, gauging my response, prompting me to rein in my crazy.

“That’s not it. It’s just sex, and when the initial heat wears off, it won’t even be that.”

“Sure. You keep telling yourself that, sweets.”

I gave up trying to convince her, instead rolling back inside to finish up my shift.

When I opened up my locker to grab my jacket and my skates, I almost cried when I saw that my bag wasn’t there. I did cry, big-fat tears of panic, when I was about to close the locker door and search the staff breakout room for it, but then I spotted a small white triangle sticking through one of the vents. I pulled at it and just about stopped myself from screaming when I saw what it was—a business card, featuring nothing but the same black swan I’d seen at the Swan Club, in my room, and in the i8.

Fuck!

Xavier

“Boo!”

“Jesus Christ, Xavier, you nearly scared me half to death!”

“Why so jumpy, Angry Girl? You look like you’ve seen a ghost. Again.”

She really did look like a deer in the headlights, and I almost felt sorry for her. I just had to remember who her brother was, and what he’d done, and the feeling dissipated.

“I’m literally not in the mood for your shit tonight. What are you even doing here?”

“I was kind of passing.” Lie. “My dick has been rock hard, all day, and I figured maybe you’d want to pick up where we left off this afternoon.” Truth.

“Ha! Not interested. Not even close. Nor am I interested in being stalked by you or anyone else, for that matter. If you need a release, I’m sure Cherie’ll be happy to take care of you.”

“What the fuck does Cherie have to do with anything? She and I are not together.”

“Neither are the two of us, yet here you are. Seriously, why the hell can’t I seem to move left or right without tripping over you?”

Her eyes narrowed, and I tried to read her. Was she just pissed off to see me, or was there more to it than that? Had Pixie told her what was going on? He definitely knew who he was up against, and would, no doubt, have a game plan for dealing with me, but I couldn’t tell whether it involved his sister or not.

I’d been leaning on the hood of my car, legs crossed casually at the ankles, but now I strode purposefully toward her, stopping just a little too close to respect the polite boundaries of personal space.

“Traveling light tonight, Angry Girl? No jacket, no purse, no room in your uniform for a phone or wallet. What’s the story?”

“The ‘story’ is none of your business, as ever. Why do you even want to know?”

“No reason. I was going to offer you a lift, is all. It’s late, and cold, and as much as I love those teeny-tiny shorts on you, it feels like a little much for the subway at this time of night. And by much, I mean not enough.”

“Hahahaha! And what exactly would you know about the dress code for mass transportation? When was the last time you took the bus or subway?”

“Touché. I can’t say I ever have, but I’ve got eyes, and either you’re cold, or you’re really pleased to see me.”

I made no effort to hide the fact that I was staring at her nipples as they stood to attention, clearly visible through the tight fabric of her Rollergirl T-shirt. I thought of how they’d felt in my mouth when I’d sucked on them a few days earlier, and fought hard to resist the urge to slip my hands under her shirt and do the same again.

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