Page 35 of Corrupt Me

I am about to open my mouth when Eric beats me to it.

“I know this great place on campus…”

“Actually, I have a headache.”

“Nonsense. I’m hungry, so we’ll go eat. I’m not ready to bring you home yet.”

He’snot readyto—the nerve of this guy.

With a strained nod, I gesture for him to move, but he places his palm on my back, leaning in to kiss me on the cheek.

“Now that I have you, I won’t ever let you go.”

Should that sound alluring? Because a shudder crawls down my spine—and that’s worrisome. I look around the theater, but Hunter’s nowhere in sight. Still, he’s here somewhere, and that knowledge eases me.

The moment we step inside the bar on campus, I understand what Eric is doing—showing me off. His friends are not subtle, giving him thumbs-up and approving looks.

We’re taking our seats at a table when my friends walk in too.

“What are they doing here? Can’t I have you just for myself? How would they even know where we are?” he asks, an accusatory bite in his tone.

I brush my hand over his to distract him. His hand feels too soft, too refined—not like Hunter’s, hardened and calloused, the kind that makes me feel safe. “It’s just us.”

The smile he gives me is one of pure satisfaction, and I pull my hand away.

My group of friends does a fantastic job of pretending they didn’t know I was here when they come over. After a few short greetings, they move on to the next booth. I want to join my friends. Yet here I am with the enemy.

“Next time, I’m taking you to town for some privacy,” Eric says as the food arrives.

Hunter has his back to me, but I know he heard; his shoulder blades look tense enough to snap.

“It’s early in our relationship, but I know I will be your first. You’re not mine, but you’re the one that matters.”

I think I just threw up a little bit in my mouth.

I expel a long breath, heavy with frustration. “We’re not there yet.”

He leans back. “Playing hard to get. Don’t worry, I am up for it. It will be worth it.”

When he excuses himself to go to the bathroom, I consider bashing my head onto the table.

“The bullshit that asshole spews. You have more patience than I do because I was considering stabbing my fork into his head a few times,” Abi mutters.

“Thank you for being here, guys.”

“You’re doing fantastic,” Blake says, assuring me he has my back.

Hunter is the only silent one, but when our eyes meet, his are blazing. He glares at the seat Eric occupies with an intensity that could incinerate it.

“Find an excuse to leave, or I will fuck him up.” Hunter’s tone is cold, edging on threatening.

When Eric returns, I finish my salad quickly and say, “It was lovely, but I still have a headache.”

“Come to my place and let me take care of you.”

A low groan erupts, and I recognize who it belongs to. Standing up hastily, I say, “Another time. I really don’t feel well.”

The moment we’re in Eric’s car, and he’s driving me back to the house, I relax slightly. I kiss him quickly on the cheek and reach for the door handle, but he grips my elbow, stopping my escape.

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