Page 14 of Brutal Days

Oh, I will. I definitely will.

CHAPTER TEN

SKYLAR

#WoW

Shivers raced over my body. Holy hell, Damon could kiss. I stopped at the top landing to the ground floor, pressing my back against the cool wall. My fingers rested on my tingling lips. It was like I could still feel him there. The way he had eased me into the kiss was everything I’d ever dreamed about and nothing like I’d experienced before.

I hadn’t wanted him to stop. When his hand had settled on my hip, guiding me where he wanted, my thoughts had gone out the window, and all I could do was feel. I was in a world of trouble because that kiss—it was memorable and magnificent. And I wanted more.

The bell rang to signal the end of our lunch period, and I walked down the hall, trembling as I relived over and over again what he’d done to me. He might actually be worth the hype, because that kiss continued to work through my blood.

I wandered the halls in a daze. Some part of my brain remembered my schedule, and I found myself seated in physics. Not that being in the right place did me any favors. I existed in a fog and could almost understand why Jessica followed Damon around like an eager puppy.

More than once, when I should have been listening to a teacher or getting something from my locker, I found myself touching my lips, remembering. He knew what he was doing, and I hated to admit it, but I was dangerously intrigued.

Ugh.My kiss infatuation was withDamon—a dumb jock, someone I should hate on principle. I tossed my pen on my desk, ignoring the looks I got from the people around me.What was I thinking making a deal like that?It would be even worse if Gia fell for him and he stopped being just a means to an end.

Okay, that was a mean way to think of her objective with Damon. But if he got a taste of his own medicine—because he was definitely using me and was generally an ass—then all the better. Maybe he would think before he decided to use and lose a girl next time.

A body slammed against the locker next to mine as I put away a book. I glanced over, expecting it to be Damon—we would have words about him singling me out if it was him. I turned with a scowl already in place.

“Oh, wow. Gia…” I touched her platinum-blond hair that had been straightened and fell silkily around her face, ending just above her shoulders. “You look fabulous.”

“Thanks.” She vibrated with excitement. “He hasn’t seen me yet.”

“Well, when he does, he’ll trip over himself because you look like a knockout. And… he’ll be lucky to have you.”

“I hope so.” A self-deprecating huff pushed through her lips. “I need to erase the past.”

She touched the shorter strands that Mom must have had to cut off due to damage. Or wherever, it didn’t matter. The cut was incredible on her. I had no idea she would look like that, and I bet Damon wouldn’t either. A slow smile curved my lips. I couldn’t wait to see his face. Maybe he would even forget about our deal and be into her. It could work.

“What did your mom think?”

Mine couldn’t take her back to school because of my mom’s job, and since Gia’s mom worked from home, my mom had called hers.

Gia rolled her eyes then looped her arm through mine. We walked toward our next class, which, thank God, was our last one.

We sat next to each other, waiting for the final bell to sound. Several people stared. I couldn’t blame them. She looked like a completely different person. And the confidence it gave her only added to her allure.

“She was furious. By some miracle, I had managed to sneak out for school before she saw me this morning. But when your mom called her”—she shook her head, eyes wide—“the entire car ride was in Italian.”

We had to stop talking when the teacher started the class. And when we were finally released, I was relieved because, again, I hadn’t heard a word my teacher had said. As we exited the classroom, it was to find Damon leaning against the lockers opposite our door. I had a moment of déjà vu from when I had done the same, waiting for him and to name his price, but I quickly shookthatoff.

His eyes glided over me, and I felt them like a sensual caress. I gripped my book tighter, willing his effects to go away. Then he spotted Gia, and if he was surprised, he didn’t show it. A lazy grin spread across his mouth before he crooked his finger to her.

Asshole, what a dick move.I turned to snap for Gia not to respond to him, but she was gone. I forced myself to turn and walk to my locker when he touched her hair. I couldn’t watch. It was what I wanted him to do, to ask her out, but I hated every minute of it.Because he’s a jerk, not because of how he affects me.

I was shoving my books into my backpack when Gia ran up to me and squealed.Fuck no.I grabbed her hand and shushed her. People were looking, and I didn’t want them to have another reason to give her a hard time.

“He asked me out.” She did a happy little jig, and I couldn’t help but laugh.

“Yeah? You think the hair did it?”

She touched the shorn strands and sighed. “Yeah. Your mom is a miracle worker.”

“Please. She just did an emergency cut and color. Your face didn’t change. You’ve always been beautiful. The only person who couldn’t see that was you.”

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