Page 19 of The Ruthless Note

“You’re up early,” I say, grabbing the box of cereal.

“My sister’s a celebrity.” She pinches one eye shut and clamps fake eyelashes onto it. “So, naturally, I should start looking my best. You never know when the paps will come after me too.”

“It wasn’t me,” I huff. “And even if it was, being featured on Jinx’s blog doesnotmake someone a celebrity.”

“Either way, I’ll be ready for my close up.”

I roll my eyes and settle around the table to eat.

“You look nice.” Her gaze slides down my uniform. I’m wearing one of the fancy blouses with the bow around the neck. My skirt is blue instead of red today. And it’s actually the right length for my long legs.

“Thanks.” I strike a pose. My shoe comes into focus and I realize there’s a scuff mark on it.

Instantly, I’m flooded with memories of Dutch wrenching me by the ankle and grinding against me. When he bent my leg around his hips, it wasn’t just my shoe that fell. My jaw did too.

I’d never felt such violent pleasure as I did when he—

“Cadey, are you… blushing?” Viola arches an eyebrow at me.

I quickly pin my thighs together. “It’s hot in here.” Hurrying to the fridge, I pour myself a glass of water and fight to remain calm.

Dutch has the ability to draw out my darkest desires, but I fell for those jacked muscles, wild amber eyes, and thick blond hair once before and look where that got me?

From now on, I’m staying the hell away from Dutch Cross.

I won’t give him the opportunity to hurt me. Again.

CHAPTERFOUR

DUTCH

Sol slams the car door shut and joins me and Finn on the sidewalk. Zane huffs out a breath. He’s wearing a pair of sunshades to hide his red eyes and puffy face.

Last night, my brother didn’t come back to the villa.

This morning, I found him in the kitchen groaning and drowning himself in copious amounts of coffee. He looked like the remnants of a natural disaster.

Finn and I didn’t ask any questions. Zane wears his dysfunction like a pair of designer boxer briefs. Since he didn’t spend the night banging on his drums, it means he had a grand old time banging into some chick he’ll never see again.

I don’t need the details.

Slipping a hand in my pocket, I lead the trek into Redwood Prep.

“Ugh, my head.” Zane makes a big show of grabbing his head and bending over.

“If you’re going to whine all day, you might as well have stayed home,” Finn scolds.

I scowl at him. “You’re still buzzed. Don’t bother going to class today and sober up in the practice room.”

“Don’t tell me what to do,” Zane says playfully.

Sol glances at me. “I meant to ask, did something happen between him and that teacher while I was away?”

“He wishes.”

“She avoids him like he’s got a contagious disease,” Finn says.

“Knowing Zane, he probably has one or two.”

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