Page 65 of Framed

I snagged a lawn chair near the back and flopped onto it, before Kane could suggest anything more intimate.

He took the chair beside me, glancing my way. “I’m glad we could do this,” he said, voice pitched low as the credits rolled.

I studied his face in the glow of the movie screen. He seemed genuine. Open and sincere. Not for the first time, I wondered if I should be here. Was I just leading him on?

But part of medidlike him. I liked our conversations, and how easy he was to relax around. I liked learning things I’d never have guessed about him, like that he was interested in film studies and old movies.

When I smiled, it no longer felt stiff or awkward. “Me too,” I said. This time, when he reached for my hand, I let him take it.

chapter twenty seven

Scarlett

Themoviewasgreat.But once the afterparty kicked off, Kane took one look at my expression and suggested walking me home. I accepted gratefully.

We held hands the whole walk back to our dorms, but when he paused by the door, I flashed him a quick smile and started up, before he could try anything like going in for a kiss.

I might like him, but I wasn’t quite there yet. I still had a mess of other shit to figure out.

I knew I’d have the apartment to myself for a good long while, since I’d seen Winter leading the charge at the spiked punch table after the movie. As I neared our front door, I found myself grateful for the silence. My eyelids drooped. I was more tired than I realized—probably the combination of an early start for classes and a long shift on my feet at Sweat.

I unlocked the front door, then slammed it again behind me, exhaling deeply.Home sweet home.

Keeping the lights off, I dropped my purse on the couch and padded my way to the bedroom. My eyes throbbed, and I kicked off my shoes as I went, eager for nothing more than to collapse face-first in my bed.

When my knees bumped the bedframe, I flung myself face first on top of it, not even bothering to take off my jeans or the cute top I’d donned for my date tonight.

My sigh turned into a groan halfway through. I was beyond tired. Class, work, and social outings all in one day would do that to you.

“Do you enjoy testing my patience, butterfly?” asked a low voice.

My heart nearly leapt out of my chest. I bolted upright and slipped sideways, tumbling off the bed into a heap on the hardware floor. In the time it took me to fall, though, I recognized that voice.

“What the hell, Xavier?” I hissed, shooting to my feet.

He stood, silhouetted by the light outside my bedroom window, arms crossed as he watched me in the dark. “You shouldn’t be so careless. Someone could’ve been in here waiting for you.”

I rolled my eyes at the irony, crossing my arms over my chest. “Someone wasn’t in here. You were.”

He bared his teeth. “You should check your surroundings before you just fling yourself into bed.”

My eyes narrowed. “Duly noted,” I gritted out through clenched teeth. “If that’s all, I’d like to go to bed now.”

I expected him to leave. Surely I was making it clear he wasn’t welcome here.

Then again, maybe he sensed that that was bullshit. Because it was. I felt more than saw his dark figure take a step toward me.

“You know,” he murmured, his voice huskier than normal. “I saw you with him tonight at the beach.” He took another step closer. We stood near enough now that his breath warmed my cheeks.

I shouldn't like the way his husky voice sent shivers down my spine. Or the way my pulse quickened with excitement. I closed my eyes and tried to focus on not shivering. I swallowed, trying to keep the budding desire caused by his voice alone at bay. “I didn’t see you there.”

I was pathetic.

A wanton whore with the libido of a horny teenager.

Anidiot.

I knew that.

---