Page 12 of Corrupt Me

I breathe a sigh of relief. I am so out of my comfort zone that spiders of anxiety crawl up my skin, making me all jittery.

Silence has always been a steady, comfortable companion, but not with Eric. Even though he behaves impeccably, my gut instinct recoils. I guess I only feel safe surrounded by people I trust. Maybe I am overreacting. The constant threat looming over my head surely has contributed to that. Until I know for sure if he’s the one who hacked me, I should give him the benefit of the doubt.

Pushing through the unease, I say, just to break the awkwardness, “This is my first date.”

“Let’s make it the best one. I started to lose hope you’d ever give me a chance. I really like you.”

“Why?”

A lopsided grin stretches across his face. “Because you’re beautiful and smart…but you were so in your world, I never thought you’d even acknowledge me. I always hoped you’d give me a chance one day.”

Even though he sounds sincere, the glimmer in his eyes unsettles me. There’s nothing more powerful than a woman’s intuition, so staying alert is imperative.

I offer a small nod. This is going too fast for my liking.

When we step inside the diner, I exhale a long puff of air. Seeing other students around instantly puts me at ease. We move to a table in the corner, and a server brings us two menus. I place my phone on the table, and Eric orders for us. It’s presumptuous, but I let it slide, plastering on a fake smile, letting him believe he’s in control. I have a mission I can’t jeopardize.

“So, what’s going on between you and Hunter?”

At the mention of Hunter, my mouth goes dry, but as soon as I take a sip, I sputter on the lime and rum cocktail. It tastes way too sour. This guy knows nothing about me but assumes what I like. He’d never get a second date, and I would give him my opinion if this were a regular date.

“What?”

He purses his lips. “I might have to take him down because he’s in my way.”

My eyes narrow on him. I’d leave a trail of his blood behind before he even approaches Hunter. That sudden protectiveness only adds to my inner turmoil.

“He’s’ always there, watching you,” he says, his fingers tightening around the beer bottle.

“We live together.”

He sighs, taking a long gulp. “You’re always surrounded by your friends.”

“Tell me more about you,” I say, wanting this night to end.

“But we’ve known each other since high school.”

He must have a loose definition of known. Does going to the same high school mean we automatically know each other?

“I started studying IT because of you, even though my parents insisted I focus on media.”

I blink at him, unsure how to react.

“There was just something about you… You motivate me to do better.”

“You don’t know me,” I blurt out.

“Well, that’s why we’re here.” Then, his gaze shifts to something behind me. “Is he going to be a problem?”

My eyes meet Hunter’s across the diner. A storm brews in them, ready to erase anything in its path.

Kaden was the one who told me about Bailey’s plan. My first thought? Absolutely bloody not. My brain latched onto the information, sending me into full protection mode. That’s why I fear this girl.

When he mentioned the date part, something in me clenched so hard, I thought my insides would snap. I didn’t let him finish—I barged right into the girls’ shared room, and there she was, looking so fucking tempting for someone else. A date. Black spots erupted in front of my eyes. We have a bloody deal, and yet she has the audacity to still go on a date. Mission or no fucking mission, there should be clear boundaries.

I sound like I’m jealous. No, that can’t fucking be. She annoys me to the point where I am losing my mind.

She has no damn time to take daily defense lessons, but she has time to go on a date with a motherfucker who might work for Felix?

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