Page 25 of Eternal

“Is the stereo broken or something?” I ask, fidgeting in the silence.

“No.”

I glance over at him. “Then why not turn it on?”

“Am I making you nervous, Teal?”

Yes. “No.”

He smirks like he sees through every little lie I tell.

“So what are we doing exactly?” I let my gaze drift out the window so I don’t have to stare at him.

“Driving.”

“I’m talking about tonight, asshole.” I grind my teeth. “This is a show for people, so don’t mistake tonight for me liking you.”

“I wouldn’t dare, pet.”

I glare at him. “Stop calling me that.”

“Why?” He shrugs, relaxing in his seat and not taking his eyes off the road. “It’s what you are. And what you’ll continue to be if you know what’s good for you. That is, unless you prefer that I call you mygood girl?”

“You’re the worst.” I cross my arms over my chest, trying not to acknowledge the flutter that kicked up with those two words. “Let’s just get tonight over with.”

“As you wish.” He smirks, glancing at my dress.

Declan’s gaze pauses at the dip of fabric between my unimpressive breasts, and I hate that his attention has my insides burning up.

We’re silent the rest of the way to my parents’ house, and my heart lodges in my throat when the gates slowly swing open. It’s nearly impossible to breathe or swallow.

This is it. The moment of truth.

I glance over at Declan, knowing the moment I step inside with the enemy, I’m throwing my body on a grenade. It might save me from my father’s immediate plans to marry me off to Jase, but there’s no surviving the damage it will do.

Declan pulls his car to the top of the long driveway and climbs out, handing the keys to one of the valets. Unlike when he picked me up, this time, he circles the car to open my door for me, holding out his hand to help me out.

The moment I’m standing, he pulls me to him.

“Well, aren’t you good at pretending to be a gentleman when needed?”

If there’s anything more dangerous than Declan Pierce when he’s walking around like the king on campus, it’s him wearing a perfectly tailored suit, pretending to be a gentleman.

“I’m well versed in all sorts of things.” He snakes his hand around my lower back. “Maybe if you’re a good girl tonight, you’ll find out.”

“Stop with the good girl comments.”

“Don’t like it, pet?” He rubs a circle on my lower back, taunting me.

“I don’t like anything about you, Declan.” I back up a step. “No perks, remember? I’d rather jump off the roof.”

Amusement lights his eyes at my comment. But instead of it pushing him away like I hope it will, he tugs me closer.

“If you’re that intent on breaking yourself into a million pieces, Teal, at least let me do the honors of ruining you.”

I narrow my eyes, looking up at him. And I believe he means it, so I don’t say anything back. This is all a game to him. One he enjoys playing way too much.

This close, I can’t escape the woodsy, warm scent of his cologne. I can’t avoid the heat of his body or the chill of his stare.

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