Page 26 of Corrupt Me

Someone spiked my shots. Or maybe my limit is three.Is this really happening?

“I don’t know. Do I?”

“I don’t like how you’re always looking at my girlfriend.”

“Your girlfriend, huh?” Hunter asks so low. Something dangerous lurks beneath the surface, stoking the flames his touch ignites in me.

“We’re not there yet.” I add the last part to pacify Hunter but only make it worse because he gets into Eric’s face.

“Let’s get one thing straight. You touch her, I’ll cut off every finger of yours and then shove them into that big mouth of yours.”

“I knew you fucking had a thing for her, but she’s mine now.” Eric says the last part as a sneer mixed with determination. And that doesn’t sit well with me at all.

In one swift move, Hunter wraps his hand around Eric’s throat, squeezing so hard his eyes bulge.

“This is not a bloody competition. And Bailey sure as fuck is not a possession. Especially not yours,” Hunter says through gritted teeth.

My irritation flares at the idiot who thinks he owns me while my heart opens up to Hunter. Turning my back to Eric, I place my hand on Hunter’s arm, whispering, “He’s not worth it.”

Hunter calms down and pushes him away. He stumbles back but recovers quickly.

“Eric, don’t get ahead of yourself.”

“I’m sorry. I am jealous and don’t like how he looks at you.”

I do. I do so badly that I want his eyes on me every second of every day and no one else’s.

Hunter, what did you turn me into? I am alone in the mess you caused.

“See you tomorrow,” I say to Eric and ask Xander for a bottle of water.

As I swallow it down, my head clears. I am no longer that little girl who lied to herself and made excuses for her parents to feel better. I am an adult now. I like Hunter, and that’s an undeniable truth. I think I more than like him. For months, something has been building between us. I feel it’s reaching its crescendo, and I am finally prepared to face it.

I shoved all those feelings deep inside to protect myself, but I can’t ignore them much longer. They threaten to burst out of me, and he’s always calling them out.

This will end in disaster, probably with my heart butchered at his indifferent feet.

She’s going on another date. I tell myself it’s because I don’t like the prick, but my blood boils at the idea of Bailey with anyone else. Screwed up tighter than a bolt wouldn’t even begin to describe how I feel right now.

It’s Saturday morning, and I don’t think I’ve slept more than three hours. She’s even robbing me of my sleep now.

I push myself out of bed and head to the kitchen, pressing the button for a coffee. The cup steams with the aromatic black brew, and I prop my hip against the counter, sipping. These silent moments are rare. With all of us so close, there’s always some sound, laughter, bickering, and constant chatter. I am not surprised when I hear soft feet padding down the stairs toward the kitchen, recognizing who it is on instinct. It’s her. Inhaling deeply, I take a bigger gulp of my coffee.

“You were the first in the kitchen. You know what that means,” she says, arching a brow.

Looking at her, I am instantly struck by her radiant face. She is the type of beauty that could void all the ugliness around her.

“What are you in the mood for?” I ask, growing weaker for her, and I have no fucking clue what that means.

She shifts on her feet, looking so damn cute. “Would you cook for me?”

“Apparently, you like my cooking if you insist I prepare breakfast.”

“It’s just the rule.”

“And you’re such a good rule follower, right?”

Dangerous territory. Retreat.

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