Page 10 of Manhattan Tormentor

I don’t look away. I refuse to submit under this jackass’s stare.

He searches my face with those impenetrable gray eyes.

The cafeteria shrinks down to two.

Noises fade away.

I inhale, and he inhales.

We’re almost chest to chest, I note.

So lost in his smell, the subtle hint of soap on his skin.

“Careful what you say next, Maverick. Someone might mistake it for jealousy.”

At my side, Chelsea giggles and she curls into my ribs like we’ve always cuddled that way. Placing a hand on her hip as armor, I catch Finn noticing.

His jaw growing tighter as he shows me his white teeth with a partial snarl.

It brings a half-grin to my face, and this angers him further. He inflates his chest and I can’t help notice how his arm muscles flex.

My tormentor has psycho anger issues. And I’m his catalyst.

I question if I’ve ever been this important to anyone other than my family?

“This has been fun, but you’re boring me now.”

“Yeah, get lost, so we can fuck like bunnies. My boy Sage here has got extra energy to expel and I don’t want to waste it on you, dude.”

I can’t help it, I burst out laughing and slide past Finn. The electrical current happens again, zipping down my arms. I pull Chelsea along with me and we leave Finn behind.

It’s not hard to feel his eyes boring into me.

It’s as though he and I are in some weird dimension where we exist only to bring out the worst in each other. He’s a magnet I dislike. But the dark urge—sometimes to even look at him—is strong.

“Sorry.” Chelsea says once we’re alone. “That guy is a complete dick, I had to say something.”

“I think you just in’ed me.” I deadpan and I watch her pale in surprise first before she chuckles. “It’s gonna shock my parents to hear I’m banging chicks.”

She flicks her hair dramatically.

“What are beards for?”

“Ignore Maverick, he’s a joke.”

“He’s into you.” She announces. The blast of her words goes through my chest. Trying not to react, I shove a hand through my blond strands, avoiding elbows and shoulders as we walk down the longest hallway. “He’s like the little boy on the playground who pulls the pigtails of the girl he likes.”

“You better not be assigning me the role of pigtails girl.” I joke, but with an unsmiling face. She grins big. “You know what I mean. He’s doing anything he can to get your attention.”

Finn Maverick wants my attention?

Sure, and in another reality, I really am banging Chelsea like bongo drums.

C H A P T E R 3

Finn

It’s funny how my days have become about him.

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