Page 79 of The Darkest Note

Every time she pushes my buttons, I find myself going wild. It’s as if I’m falling off a cliff and the rope is slipping out of my fingers.

I’m dangerous.

Shemakesme dangerous.

Things could have gone a lot further if she hadn’t run from me. And I can’t promise that I’d be able to keep a grip on control if she gets under my skin again.

Zane and Finn take one look at my face when I storm to the practice room and they keep their mouths shut.

No one asks me why I left to collect my cards and my coffee from Cadence and came back empty handed. No one says anything to me at all during our first set.

My brothers clear out a minute after our last song, throwing excuses about going to class. I stay back and shred on my guitar until my ears are ringing and my fingers have their own heartbeat.

Then I go find one of the cheerleaders. Christa’s not available so I choose someone at random who’s willing to open her legs long enough for me to work out my frustration.

She starts moaning and groaning, but it’s still not enough for me. I end up cutting things short and send her packing.

The hell iswrongwith me?

I stalk out of the parking lot and see Cadence in the hallway. My eyes lustfully slide over her long, pale legs in that skirt. I’m crooking my finger and calling her over before I’ve thought it through.

She grips her schoolbag tight and marches toward me.

“Hand over the cards,” I bark.

She slants angry eyes at me and shoves the cards in my direction. Even the brief contact of her fingers on my palm sends me reeling with lust again.

“Go get a table in the cafeteria. Make sure it’s nice and warm by the time I get there.”

She grits her teeth, her body tensing with quiet rage, but she doesn’t talk back. Stomping through the hallway, she disappears around the bend.

I feel two presences beside me.

A moment later, Zane speaks up. “Did you two fight again?”

“No,” I growl.

“It looks like it,” Finn grumbles.

Zane rolls his eyes. “You’re the one who’s supposed to be getting under her skin, Dutch. It shouldn’t work both ways.”

“I’m sticking to the plan,” I snap at them. “I’m running her out of Redwood.”

“Why does it seem like she’s the one running you?” Finn observes.

I shoot him a dark look full of warning.

His answering look is unbothered.

Heels click against the floor and at the sound of it, Zane perks up. He looks eagerly behind him. His face drops in disappointment when he sees it’s not Miss Jamieson trotting toward us.

“Why do you keep falling for that?” I grouse. “You know she ducks into another hallway if she sees you up ahead.”

“He’s right,” Finn agrees.

“Why don’t you move on?” I ask my twin.

“Why don’t you ask Jinx for that redhead’s number and find out why she ditched you on Saturday?” Zane accuses.

---