Page 23 of The Boy Next Door
Chapter Twelve
Emma
Evan’s napping, and since I can’t stop stressing over what we’ve done, I decide to grab a quick shower.
The hot water provides relief to my tense muscles, but it does little to dull the soft ache between my legs. The thought that Evan has been there, that I’m sore because he’s had me—it makes my stomach turn in the most delightful way. My pulse skips, and I fight a smile. But just as soon as the elation of having Evan Drake washes over me, I wonder what happens if it ends?
Breakups are one thing. Breakups with someone who has been in your life since you can remember is something else entirely. I’d be devastated if I lost him.
By the time I finish my shower, my head is in a tailspin. I’m excited and scared, anxious. He says he loves me, but the one golden rule everyone knows is you don’t date your best friend.
When I step into his room, Evan’s on the bed with his laptop open. His brow furrows as his eyes drift over the screen. “This is screwed up,” he mumbles.
“What?” I plop down beside him. My stomach kinks when I see the auction email pulled up on his screen. It reminds me that I owe Winston, shit. My virginity? Too bad for him now. I can’t help but smirk a little about that. Then I see Daisy’s name and a jealous heat rushes through me. “Evan, why are you looking at that?”
“Because I bid on you, not Daisy. Your lot number was thirty-three, not eighteen. I remember that because thirty-three is your favorite number.”
My number was thirty-three and—“Wait, you bid onme?”
“Come on, Em. You really think I would bid on Daisy?” He shakes his head. “Only you.” He rubs a hand over my thigh. “Only ever you.”
Swooning, I fight a grin. “So how did you end up with Daisy, and I end up with Wi—” My lips close in a tight line to keep the rest of his name from slipping out.
Worry flashes through Evan’s eyes. “Wi...?”
I clear my throat. “Without you.”
Evan glares at me, frowning, and nervous laugh bubbles through my lips. His cheeks grow red. His jaw ticks. He’s about to lose it.
“Winstonwon your bid?” Acid drips from his tone and he swipes a hand down his jaw. “That little shit.” His nostrils flare. I can practically see him thinking. “You’re just not going. It’s that simple.”
“Evan...” I start.
“The charity still gets the money, and I don’t go to jail for beating his ass.”
As easy as that sounds, I doubt Winston is the type of guy who will take no for an answer. “Evan, I don’t think it’s going to be that easy with him.”
“He’s not fucking touching you.” He forcibly grabs my chin between his fingers. “Because you are mine.”
* * *
Evan drops me off in front of the sorority house. My chest goes all fluttery when he revs the bike engine and pulls off. Evan Drake is mine. I am Evan Drake’s.
Just before I reach for the door, I hear a whistle. Against my better judgement, I turn around and find Winston making his way to the porch, a smart-ass grin spread across his face. “Emma...” he says, sarcastically sweet.
I sigh as he jogs up the porch steps. “What?”
“Is that any way to talk to the man who’s going to make you a woman?”
“Wow.” I roll my eyes and turn for the door. “You really know how to lay on the romance, don’t you?”
“How excited were you when you saw I won?”
“So much so, I’ve joined the nunnery.”
“Oh, come on.” He reaches for my arm, but I move away from him. “Trust me, you’ll enjoy it.”
He’s such an arrogant creep. “Don’t bet on it.” I yank the door open, but he places his hand over mine, closing it.
