Page 13 of Corrupt Me

My friends and I are in the living room. I lean against the wall next to the window, staring outside as if she’ll materialize in front of my eyes any moment. “Why the fuck are we still here?”

“Because we have to wait until she’s there,” Kaden reminds me.

“What if he’s not a mole?” Abi looks straight at me. “She deserves to have someone who likes her and takes her out on dates.” There’s a challenge there. Barbie pisses me off when she smirks, pleased with whatever she sees on my face.

“I didn’t agree.”

Incredulity flashes in Celine’s eyes. “Are we voting on this?” When the group can’t agree, we vote on it. It has to be unanimous, though, so either way, I won’t get the desired result.

“Come on, Hunter. Be reasonable. She knows what she’s doing,” my twin says.

Yeah, behind a screen. It was my mistake. I was too soft on her training, but that ends now. If she wants to take such reckless risks, then she’s going to prove herself to me in training. Maybe then I can think straight again because right now, it’s like I am powder keg that will ignite at any moment.

“I’m going there.”

Dane shrugs. “I’d do the same.” Finally, someone who isn’t a hypocrite.

“Then let’s fucking go,” Blake says.

At least I have these two on my side.

Each couple is tasked with supervising the entry and the back of the diner. Abigail and Dane make out on a bench nearby to keep up appearances, and I stride inside.

I crack my neck and take a deep breath. In the farthest booth, I spot the asshole smiling at her. I came here just to observe, but screw that.

Bailey scrunches her nose, sipping from that greenish beverage. Without thinking, I order a strawberry mocktail. From experience, I know she only drinks alcohol when I piss her off. Otherwise, it’s always something sweet.

As I approach them, Bailey’s eyes meet mine and her back stiffens.

“Such a coincidence,” I grin. She rolls her eyes at me, but then they lower to my hand. A small smile curls up the corners of her mouth, doing the strangest things to me. She knows full well I don’t drink these sugary things.

“Man, would you mind? We’re on a date,” the asshole grumbles, but it comes out more like a whine.

It’s that word again, implying there’s more going on that pushes me over the edge.

“Did you order for her?”

“Of course. A man does that.”

I stare him down. “A real man keeps his mouth shut and learns what his woman wants first.” Then, I place the strawberry mocktail in front of her and pour the other drink right at his feet.

He screeches, the sound grating on my last nerve, yet his eyes promise retribution. I wish he’d stand up so I could punch him and send him flying through the window and straight into the hospital.

“Hunter, please,” Bailey says softly.

I inhale deeply, grasping for control—for her.

Bailey takes a sip, murmuring a quiet “mm-hmm.” That sound does things to me—all leading into dangerous territory. I pick up her glass, placing my lips where hers just were. The taste of strawberry invades my taste buds. I bet she tastes like one—all sweet, ripe, and tempting to sink my teeth into.

I have no idea where this urge came from, but satisfaction pumps through me when I witness the displeased look on the prick’s face.

“Would you excuse us for a moment?” she asks him, giving me a hard look.

“After you.” I gesture for her to lead the way. She could have chosen to go outside. Instead, she pushes me toward the bathrooms. It’s darker here, hiding us from prying eyes.

She crosses her arms in front of her chest. “What’s wrong with you?”

“We both know what that is,” I snap.

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