Page 258 of Small Town Firsts

Judging from my roiling gut and damp panties, it’s a tie.

“I don’t really think you mean that, little mouse.” He rubs small circles over my exposed midriff with his thumb, and I nearly sigh in pleasure. It’s been so long since someone’s touched me with a soft hand that I can almost convince myself he’s someone else. Someone kind and caring. Someone who will value me and help me and most importantly of all,believe me.

But then he keeps talking and breaks the stupid spell. “I think you like having my attention. You probably likeanyguy’s attention. Don’t you?” He nudges his erection into my back, as if to prove his point.

Tears brim my lashes as I clench my thighs together. Here and now, I’m not sure which of us I hate more. Probably me, because what in God’s name is wrong with me that I’m getting turned on by the touch of a bully?

Because that’s what Sterling is, isn’t he? A bully.

“Get away from me!” I growl, my voice stronger this time around.

But Sterling only chuckles.

“Why are you doing this?”

“You know why,” he murmurs the words in my ear, dipping his index finger beneath the waistband of my skirt. “You deserveevery single thingcoming your way.”

“What?” It’s like I’m caught in some kind of limbo; I’m here physically, but my mind... it’s in some kind of alternate universe. It’s somewhere harsh words and soft touches belong together.

I’m so preoccupied trying to unravel thewhatof the night that I don’t see it coming. I don’t seehercoming.

“Get away from my date, you slut!”

“What?” I ask again, still feeling untethered, like I’m floating through space, barely able to make out what’s happening right in front of me.

The feel of ice-cold liquid dripping down my face yanks me back to reality.

I swipe a hand over my eyes, wiping away both the beer and my tears. “What? Why?” I swing my gaze back to Sterling, who’s no longer touching me.

“Don’t fucking look at him!”

“Melanie?” I ask, bewildered at my RA’s behavior.

She scoffs. “I don’t know how they did things at your high school, but it’s shitty to make a move on someone else’s date!”

“I didn’t know. I swear!”

Sterling scoffs as he rounds me to stand beside Melanie. “I told her to stop. To leave me alone.” He sounds so convincing that I almost believe him. “I told her to go away, but she wouldn’t listen.”

Melanie plasters herself to his side and glares at me.

“That’s... no. That’s not true!”

“Girls like you are the reason good men cheat and marriages end!”

Lamely, all I can think to say is, “Good men don’t cheat.”

Melanie presses her fingertips against my chest and shoves me back into the wall. “If I ever see you anywhere near him again, there will be hell to pay.” She pushes me again and I whimper, which makes her grin. “Do you understand?”

“Yes,” I whisper, desperately looking over her shoulder for Stella. But I don’t see her anywhere.

“Good,” Melanie spits the word at me before turning to Sterling. The sight of them together turns my stomach—and not with jealousy.

They’re a perfect pair, seeing as they’re both sociopaths. Who in the hell behaves this way?

Who lets their tormentor touch them the way you let yours touch you?the small, ugly voice in my brain asks.Not just one man, but two.

Black spots obscure my vision and the floor shakes and rolls beneath my feet.Just breathe,I tell myself, but I can’t seem to take in a breath.

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