Page 29 of Wicked Surrender

After all the bullying, slander, and cruel jokes varying between my being a prude or a slut, I was not in the mood for his criticism. “I’m not frigid when I use a toy,” I retorted quietly.

“You—” His eyes bugged out. “You usetoys?”

Oh, my God.This wasn’t going well at all. “That’s beside the point.”

“No, it’s not. If you’re playing and exploring by yourself, then no wonder you’re not… you’re not saving yourself for me. You were frigid for me.”

“Ethan, stop. I’m not trying to attack you or comment about your lack of skill?—”

“Lack of skill!”

I held my hand up. “Okay. That didn’t come out right. I mean?—”

“I amveryskilled. I’m going to med school this fall, remember? And?—”

“Right.” I nodded. “All the more reason to end this now before you leave.”

“—and I am thoroughly skilled and knowledgeable about the female anatomy to please you… if you weren’t so frigid.”

I’d had enough. I was sick of being called a prude and/or a slut by everyone else. And I refused to be such a pushover as to let him call me frigid. “Ethan, you can take and retake human physiology as many times as you want and you willneverunderstand where the clitoris is.”

He gasped again, rearing back with anger in his eyes.

“It’s over, Ethan.” The louder he got, the more nervous I became that someone would notice. Besides, the sooner I finished this, the quicker I could get home and study before having to see Jason for tutoring at the library again.

“You know what I think?” he asked hotly.

No. I don’t. I don’t care, either.I sighed, refusing to be mean. “What?”

“You’re just one of those selfish girls.”

I laughed, shaking my head.

“One of those teases who plays hard to get and?—”

I stood. “It’s over.”

He hurried after me, reaching for my hand. “No. Please!”

His begging would be worse than his crying. I shook my head.

“No, Ethan, I’m done.”

As I turned, determined not to be such a complacent idiot that I’d hear him out and give him a second chance when my heart wasn’t in it, I stopped short.

A few tables over was my worst nightmare.

Jason grinned at me, his forearms on the table as he videoed in my direction.

Dennis and Kevin laughed, seated at the table.

He’d recorded the whole conversation.

I swallowed hard and for the first time, I loathed the sting of tears threatening to fall as I fled the scene.

10

JASON

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