Page 23 of Trust Me Always

“Hi, Cam.”

For a moment, I just stare at him, my attention falling to his mouth when it forms an annoyingly gorgeous grin. I’ve kissed that mouth more times than I’d care to admit. I know exactly how full and soft those lips are. How skilled.

How they feel against my skin?—

Fuck, shit. No.

No!

I pull away, blinking to clear whatever the hell expression took over my face to make him smile like a spider who’s already caught me in his web.

“I hate spiders.”

“What?” He grins.

I blink again, clearing my throat. “What?”

Alister chuckles, and when I start walking, he falls in step beside me.

“You know, stalking is a criminal offense.”

“What’s criminal is going to bed without talking to you first.”

Do not flutter, oh weak and needy heart of mine.

“Yes, well. We could talk all day and all night.” I pause, glancing his way in time to watch his smile spread and not looking awayso I get to witness as it falls. “You know, if you weren’t playing the role of Brian O’Conner, making me Mia Toretto in this scenario. You know, the guy with the hidden agenda, fucking the girl who was none the wiser.”

And there that smile goes, a sharp pinch of his lips taking its place.

Alister reaches out, gently taking my hand and tugging me to a halt. “Cammie,” he whispers, a low, tragic sound.

Treacherous tears sting my eyes, and I gingerly tug myself free. “You don’t get to call me that. That nickname is reserved for friends only, and we’re not friends.”

“I don’t want to be friends, Cameron. I want to be more.”

“Did you learn nothing last year?” I grip my backpack straps before he can try and reach out for me again and take a few backward shuffles away. “We don’t always get what we want.” Alister stares at me, and because it’s clear his determination hasn’t dissipated in the slightest, I add, “If we did, you wouldn’t be standing here. You’d be skipping across campus, holding hands with the girl youcame here to be within the first place.”

He opens his mouth and closes it before he finally says, “Not fair, baby.”

“I’m not your baby.”

“I want you to be.”

“Jesus!” I shake my head, my cheeks getting warm for some reason. “Are you even listening to me?!”

Alister smiles, and I want to slap it off his face. “I am, but I don’t like what you’re saying, so I’m choosing to ignore it.”

“You’re… Ugh!” I growl, spinning and stalking away. “Stay away from me, Alister!”

“That’s going to be tough for me, Cameron!”

“Life’s tough. Get a helmet!” I shout back, whirling to glare at him once more. “Oh wait, you have one…not that you’ll be getting any use out of it!”

I wince at my own words, this time walking away so fast, one might call it running.

Damn it, that was a low blow, but I mean, so was fucking a girl he just pretended to like to get close to someone else. Several times, I might add. And well.

Fuck. No. Stop it!

---