Page 124 of Corrupt Me

“Don’t worry, Uncle. We won’t,” Celine says sweetly.

With a grin on my face, I get in my car.

Rot in hell, Alice.

Classes drag by as I stare at the text from Cassandra. She expects me to arrive at the estate at six p.m. A text from my mother about needing to talk comes through next. Neither comes as a surprise, and both make me jittery. I denied my parents’ request but doubt they will give up. They can’t force me to do anything, which is reassuring. Yet, the nagging feeling persists.

All my anxiety vanishes when I lift my gaze from my phone and see Hunter leaning against the doorframe. I’m the only one left in class.

He pushes himself off the wall and strides toward me with purpose. “What’s wrong?” Even the way he walks with confident strides and an authoritative pose is sexy.

Lifting onto my toes, I lock my arms around his neck. “Everything is better now that you’re here.”

Excitement flickers in his eyes, making the silver pop before he takes my mouth in a long, passionate kiss that only leaves me hungry for more.

“How was the talk with your dad?” I ask as soon as I catch my breath. He slings my bag over his shoulder, the gesture caressing my heartstrings. As we leave the media department, I can’t stop staring at him.

Sometimes, I think this can’t be real—that we’re not together, and I’m dreaming. Those moments never last, growing more rare with each passing day. He always assures me it’s all so very real, like right now, when his fingers brush against mine before interlinking them. My small hand safely cradled in his larger one.

The sweet air, permeated by the scent of flowers and blooming trees, grazes my face, and I cuddle myself to his side, savoring this serene moment. Everything blossoms—not only around me but also inside of me. His body radiates so much warmth I want to submerge myself in him, living in permanent sunshine.

He exhales a long breath. “My dad got all emotional and blamed himself. I knew that would happen.”

“I’m very proud of you.”

I hope she’s trapped in hell, never knowing rest. I don’t regret killing her. I did it for Hunter but also for his mother—to vindicate her for someone taking advantage of him in her absence. If someone had done that to my child, I would have welcomed it, knowing they could never do it again.

“Then Celine and Mia came by with the guys.”

He gives me an intent look, and I giggle.

“But all I wanted was you to be there. Since you weren’t, I finished quickly to meet you.”

Is this the same guy who called me annoying and glared at me every chance he could get?

“You couldn’t withstand my charm for long,” I say, but I hear the uncertainty weaving through my voice.

“I felt something for you from the start. Wish I accepted that sooner so I could act on it.” He waggles his brows at me. The insinuation is not lost on me.

I laugh, loving to hear that. “We’re making up a lot for all that lost time.”

“And we’ll continue to do so, kitten.”

Just like that, there’s a throb between my thighs. It doesn’t matter that we’re in public. I can’t seem to get enough.

“I haven’t seen that prick Eric around,” he says, his name slipping through gritted teeth as his eyes scan the parking lot. It only now occurs to me that I hadn’t seen Eric in our classes today. I don’t want to talk about him. I’d rather focus on us, so I stay silent. After a moment, he lets it go.

As Hunter opens the door for me, I slide into the passenger seat. If I could live surrounded by his heady smell, I would.

“You’re the only one who doesn’t use her car as much as the rest of us. Why?”

“I don’t like driving. I have to pay attention, and I’d rather spend my time on my laptop.”

He chuckles, and then he leans into me. Our mouths are a breath apart from touching, so my lips automatically tingle. The anticipation has my stomach flipping.

“I’d love to be your designated driver from now on. I wish to be your every human thing possible, Bailey.”

My heartbeats reach a crescendo that dizzies me. “You are.”

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