Page 22 of Corrupt Me

I want to crawl into bed and sleep for the entire weekend. Between my training sessions with Hunter, monitoring the screens, attending classes, and playing a “dating game” with Eric, I am exhausted.

Even though I don’t want to go, Eric and I will meet again tomorrow night. Now that I know what Eric wants from me, his saccharine behavior grates on my nerves. But it’s not only that. Apparently, I am into broody guys who challenge me at every turn. (a.k.a. Hunter)

Though there haven’t been any more “bathing sessions,” I replay that one time in my mind over and over. I am still astounded by how I behaved. He undressed me, and I didn’t stop him—I stood there naked. Maybe he didn’t like what he saw, considering how quickly he turned away. That depressing thought saddens me, drowning my heart in sorrow. I should have stuck with my vibrator, but I am usually too exhausted to even use it.

I wanted his eyes and hands on me—but just once, in a different way. I own all his attention when he’s teaching me to fight. I see it in the way he watches over me.

“Bailey?” Abi snaps her fingers in front of my face. She’s parked the car in front of the house, and all three girls are eyeing me curiously.

“Yeah, what?”

“Is my brother taking it too far?” Mia asks, worry laced in her soft voice.

I shake my head.Not far enough for my liking.

“It’s not that.”

“Then what is it?” Celine presses.

I let out a deep sigh, staring out the window. I should let my thoughts run free.Then I could rewire my brain and delete the one virus responsible for the glitch in my system—him.

“It’s just too much.”

“I call for a girls’ night out,” Abi says in a decisive tone.

“I’m tired.”

“Please,” she pouts. Abi always has a way of getting what she wants.

“Fine, but not for long,” I give in, then we climb out of the car and head inside.

They all squeal, and we go to the Lady Boss Lair—our sanctuary. We get ready for the night while sipping bubbly champagne. I down my second glass while waiting for the girls to finish dressing. I’m in a skintight red dress, my hair falling in loose curls down my back. Bold, fierce—that’s the look I’m going for, and this outfit should do the trick.

“Wow,” my friends say in unison.

Abi places her hands on my shoulders. “Red always does the job, doesn’t it?”

I nod at her. Between her pink dress and her hair pulled back in a ponytail with a bow, she looks like a real-life Barbie.

“That’s going to get attention,” Mia says, sending me a knowing look. She’s in a purple dress, with a hair clip adorned with stones that match perfectly.

“When our men need a push, we have to give it to them, don’t we?” Celine says, smiling at me, looking amazing in a blue mini dress.

We steal a last glance in the big mirror and take a selfie, then walk downstairs, our giggles trailing behind us. The guys are in the living room, engaged in a racing video game. As soon as they see us, they pause it immediately.

“Sky?”

“We’re just heading to The Cave,” Celine says, approaching Kaden. After two years apart, it’s as if they want to bend the laws of time to get it back. I catch the longing there, her wanting him to come with us. It’s the same with the other two. Abi sits on Dane’s lap, and they kiss, ignoring the world around them. Blake gazes at Mia as he tucks a strand of her hair behind her ear. They’re in their own world as he presses her close to his chest.

I fail to ignore Hunter, especially since he hasn’t taken his eyes off me since I entered the room. I watch him watching me, and a ball of heat forms in my belly. His attention is so intense I can barely breathe.

“We can stay in,” I suggest. I know they’re doing this for me, but I am fine, and I have a lot to do.

As soon as I say that, all three girls wrench themselves from their guys, kissing and waving at them one more time before we head out.

Abi loops her elbow around mine. “If we stayed in, you’d lock yourself in the room.”

I send her an intent look. “Felix hasn’t contacted Eric again, but he could…”

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